LOOKING BACK

 I was sorry to hear that Gerald “Curly” Ellison passed away on July 6^th. “Curly” was a member of the state championship football team of 1955. I knew “Curly” well and used to see him occasionally when he would come to Corbin for reunions. Ellison was a very tough competitor and a valuable member of that Redhound team.

 2012 Football

The Redhound football team of 2012 is preparing for a very tough schedule, which includes the likes of 6A, George Rogers Clark of Winchester, Lexington Christian, Danville, along with Bell County.

Coach Steve Jewell will have several players returning from last year’s squad that will bolster their hopes for an opportunity to advance further in the playoffs this year.

Some of the kids who should be strong contributors this year are: Hunter Grubb, Josh Jewell, Grant Grigsby, Matt Jewell, Tanner Powers and Taylor Waddell.

If he recovers from a toe injury, I look for Zack Ingle, to have a big year. Corey Taylor is a good all-around athlete and will make contributions to the team in many ways.

Zach Henson is yet another all-around athlete. These are a few players among many on this year’s roster that will follow Steve Jewell into his 14^th year as the Redhounds head coach and he seems to be in a good position with several returning players including 34 sophomores who won the state championship as 8^th graders and will be contributors to this year’s team.

Jake Coppock and Tanner Powers will be keys to the success of this year’s team. Taylor Waddle and Corey Taylor are the prospective quarterbacks as the season draws near. Whoever the quarterback is, look for them to have excellent receivers to throw to. Josh Jewell has great hands and is a possession receiver. Hunter Grubb is a physical receiver and a big play producer.

Grant Grigsby will be a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Grigsby is very quick and a big hitter. Tony Benardo and Cody Harp are strong kids on the defensive line and Matt Jewell is a hard-nosed player on both offense and defense. Dalton Anderson, yet another sophomore, will play a big role on this year’s squad. These are just a few reasons for Coach Jewell and his staff to be optimistic.

Hopefully, the oppressive heat will subside and allow the coaches to prepare for a championship year.

 Hall of Fame

Congratulations to the inaugural class of the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

In the first group inducted Saturday, all were present and accounted for. Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones from Harlan 1940-1944; Ralph Beard from Louisville Male, 1941-1945; Cliff Hagan from Owensboro, 1945-1949; King Kelly Coleman from Wayland, 1952-1956; Clem Haskins from Campbellsville Duran, 1962-1963; Wes Unseld of Seneca, 1961-1964.

Jim McDaniels from Allen County, 1963-1967; Darrel Griffith of Louisville Male, 1972-1976; Rex Chapman from Owensboro Apollo, 1982-1986; Richie Farmer of Clay County, 1984-1988.

Coaches that were inducted included S. T. Roach of Lexington Dunbar, 1943-1965; Ralph Carlisle of Lafayette, 1945-1961; Roy Bowling, Laurel County, 1974-1989 and Bobby Keith, Clay County, 1972-1999.

Each of the selections was good choice.

I wonder if the name McCoy Tarry meant anything to the selection committee. Tarry coached Brewers High School to an undefeated season in 1948 and captured the state championship. He was the last to coach an undefeated team in Kentucky.