Looking Back

The Redhounds of coach Steve Jewell came together on Friday evening and really gave a brilliant performance in a 61-6 win over Garrard County. To quote coach Jewell, “We were clicking on all cylinders tonight.”
Josh Sanders and the young freshman, Ryan Fritts, raced up and down the field relentlessly for over 200 yards rushing and quarterback Clint Cashen continued to find open receivers Rob Madon, Jordan Wagers, Jake Reeves and Corey Sewell. Corey continues to get better each week and has given the ‘Hounds another offensive weapon as they head into the playoffs.
Coach Jewell and his staff always seem to be ready at this time of the year. This year’s edition of the Redhounds has been somewhat of an enigma as they have suffered a one point loss to South Laurel, a two-point loss to Rockcastle County, a three-point loss to Bell County accompanied by a much closer than indicated 20 point loss to Middlesboro and a similar loss to Oldham County to account for the five losses. I feel the difference between losing five games and losing only one or two can be attributed to the youth of this year’s squad.
The Hounds have only six seniors, but many of the younger kids have gained experience and maturity throughout this season and are now ready for the playoff run.
The other playoff team from southeastern Kentucky is the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets. They are led by quarterback Tommy Frazier, running back Aaron Root and receiver Chase Hamblin. The Jackets have had many great players to highlight their tradition. Among the alumni hoping for a Williamsburg title run are former Redhound head coach Archie Powers, who also played at the University of Kentucky, and another former Jacket and Wildcat, Elmer Patrick.
Former Jacket head man Bob Rose, who played at Western Kentucky University after starring as a Jacket.
Billy Rose, Donnie Rains, Kenneth Byrd, Phil Brennsthul and Marion Sexton are other former Jacket greats that come to mind. So, to this year’s Williamsburg team, be proud of your heritage and finish with a title run.
I seldom drive west on Third Street without glancing to my right to remember a place of my youth. a place that meant so very much to me, the YMCA. I can still see the great Jerry Smith working on his skills on a dirt court outside as he shot against a perforated tin back board during the dog days of summer. I can see Ronnie “Cruiser” Boone demonstrating his driving skills as he bounced high from the springboard and hurled himself gracefully toward the clear cool water.
I can hear the echoes of a wonderfully compassionate Ted Meadows as he bellowed for the “yard apes” to get on that line. And he loved them everyone and the kids in return learned of life and love and respect. I will never go west on Third Street without glancing right and reminiscing.
As we look ahead to a University of Kentucky basketball season, I am optimistic. I know coach Tubby Smith is under pressure, but I feel this year’s team will be experienced, and will perform much better than last year’s team performed. Sprinkle in a few talented freshmen and this could be a very successful season.
In the recent movie “Glory Road”, all the glory went to Texas Western and exaggerated racial complexities of that era and the University of Kentucky coach and team were vilified of that era and portrayed as a racist.
Actually, that 1966 Wildcat basketball team had very low expectations when season began with a very underrated group of players with the tallest starter standing only 6-5 and Don Hoskins coach of Texas Western had assembled a quick back court along with a bruising front court and the Cats version of Coach Rupee and the five dwarfs acquainted themselves very nicely, considering that they were not only as large but also not a quick as Texas Western.
I know the game has changed in the last forty years but, this year’s Wildcat team is much more talented than the 1966 Rupp’s runts. I predict Tubby’s Cats will not lose more than five games this season and will win the SEC regular season.
Randolph Morris is going to have a great year, as will Ramel Bradley and look for the freshman, Jodi Meeks, to make a large contribution.
By the end of 2006, Corbin Redhound fans, Williamsburg Yellow Jacket fans and Kentucky Wildcat fans will all be happy.