LOOKING BACK

 The Corbin Redhounds had an open date last week. I am sure Coach Steve Jewell and probably several assistants found themselves at Log Mountain getting a good look at both Wayne County and the Bell County Bobcats.

If you have been following my picks each week as a barometer then you should know to go opposite of whomever I pick.

I can assure you the game coming up this week with Wayne County will be a challenge for the Redhounds.

I feel the off week has given the Redhounds time to heal any physical injuries and an extra week to prepare for both Wayne County and the Bobcats of Bell County.

I attended the Redhounds win over South Laurel a couple of weeks ago and perhaps I should have noticed before, but I do feel that Campbell Field and Denes Stadium have the most beautiful setting for a high school football game I have ever seen.

I could not help but to think back to the games I was fortunate to attend since about 1953.

The field was not nearly as plush as now. The Redhounds practiced on the field and had very little grass and the mud holes were filled with cinders.

In 1954, the field was unplayable for the Corbin-Lynn Camp game. They moved the game to the 8^th fairway at the Tri-County Country Club and the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

‘Cats 

It looks like the Kentucky Wildcats football team is going to finish in the cellar of the SEC. I see no way the ‘Cats can beat anyone other than Samford who is remaining on their schedule.

I have sympathy for Morgan Newton, but the fact is he simply cannot perform at the level of an SEC quarterback.

I do not know why Coach Phillips is red-shirting Pat Towles. I guess he is saving him for next year, only Coach Phillips may not be here next year.

 Reds

The Cincinnati Reds, the team I said would break your heart, is finishing the regular season at the top of the National League Central Division by around 11 games. On paper it does make you wonder how they did it with only one player (Joey Votto) hitting over .300. The Reds did however play tremendous defense and had timely hitting.

The pitching has been adequate.

I think Brandon Phillips is absolutely the best fielding second baseman I have ever seen.

What concerns me is the number of times they strike out. Phillips is tough in the clutch as he comes up with big hits, and of course, Joey Votto has had another phenomenal season, worthy of MVP status.

The rookies, Cozart and Frasure had big seasons. I feel they will get a boost in the playoffs from Xavier Paul.

If Scott Rollen can stay healthy, he and Jay Bruce could be a big factor.

I watched the Harlan County-Knox Central game on TV last Friday. Knox Central won the game and Jeff Canady and his brother, led the way for the Panthers, and they made the difference in the game of two well-coached teams.

 Photos wanted

In conclusion Gary West, who is writing the book about Corbin’s sports

history, needs photos that you may have. I don’t know if they exist but he would especially like to have the photos of the CHS band house when somebody

painted some words on it in the 50’s and also the writing over the

underpass when Calvin Bird scored all 20 points over Tennessee and

Kentucky won 20-0. That was also in the 50’s. Any photos you have will do

and West promises all will be returned to you. Let’s help make this book the

greatest ever of Corbin sports.