Looking Back

On perhaps the warmest evening I can ever remember watching a football game in the middle of October, the Corbin Redhounds picked up perhaps their biggest win of the season, 21-14 over Garrard County.
The performances both teams could hardly have been termed pretty, but champions win those type of contests. The Redhounds won and are District champions once again.
There were many players who stepped up to make the victory possible. Travis Prewitt played his heart out on both sides of the ball and made one of several key interceptions that helped save the game. Travis is very gritty and like his teammate, Dempsey Ballou spend a lot of time as the Redhounds last line of defense against the other teams tall and swift receivers. Dempsey also had a huge interception with around 30 seconds remaining in the game to seal the win.
Eric Blackwood also was a large factor in breaking down the keys to a win. Blackwood came from out of nowhere with less than a minute left in the game to run down Garrard County’s very quick wide out and making the tackle to prevent that wideout from cruising into the end zone. Blackwood has used his outstanding speed more than once this year to turn games in the ‘Hounds favor.
Issac Mills exhibited why he is a good college prospect by making several big hits on defense as well as his ability on offense as a strong receiver.
Clint Cashen, the outstanding freshman quarterback had a great first half as he picked his receivers and put the ball right on the money. The blocking on the offensive line was good and gave Cashen a little extra time to find his receivers.
Travis Hart leads that line from his center position and got help from Ronnie Bowling, Ryan Cleary, Aaron Broyles and Travis Arena, who also excelled on defense by keeping pressure on the Garrard County quarterback all evening.
Andrew Davis and Sean Gosser were very effective as well at applying pressure on the Lions quarterback.
As I alluded to earlier the game was not pretty being marred with fumbles and pass interceptions, but the effort was there and it was a great game to watch. It was a tough night for running backs as both Brad Lawson and Josh Ware could final very little running room but none the less, ran very hard and got enough done to win.
My profile player from the past this week is Jesse Grant. Jesse was a two-time all-state selection who graduated in 1961. The team’s Jesse played on lost only three games in four years as Grant opened holes for players like Rodger Bird, Barry Brooks, Billy Bird and Bobby Croley. Physically, Jesse may have been the strongest player to ever play for the Redhounds, Jesse played his college football at the University of Kentucky where he was a member of Charley Bradshaw’s thin thirty. Jesse came from an era of great lineman in Corbin such as big Fred Rader, Mel Chandler, David Chandler and this list goes on and on.
As basketball season nears, I think back to a great game with the Cumberland Redskins several years ago and a player I always connect with that game, Tony Morton. Tony led the ‘Hounds that evening in a game that went six overtimes. To save my life, I cannot recall who won, only the intensity of the game and how Tony refused to let us lose. Tony Morton was quite a basketball player.
I played golf with Corbin Athletic Director, Gerald Foley this past week and it is unreal the duties of which are now assumed by an AD. In my day there were only football, basketball and baseball. Now they have football, basketball, baseball, soccer, girls’ basketball, volleyball, softball and maybe more that don’t come to mind.
Mr. Foley has much to say grace over, I think he deserves a raise in pay. Is that the way you wanted me to say it Gerald? (Just kidding!).