Looking Back

The fireworks were set for pre-game, a siren from the huge fire engine signified the Redhounds were coming on the field. The fireworks for real were to begin with the kickoff.
The stands were overflowing as Owensboro Catholic fans came in large numbers only to be greeted by a large number of Redhound faithful. The air was cool and crisp and filled once again with yellow flags, some thrown appropriately, some questionable, but that is part of the game.
It was a tensely played game with both teams at a high level of anxiety from kickoff to the final whistle.
The Redhounds gathered around their young freshman quarterback Clint Cashen and played their ever-loving hearts out only to suffer a 34-33 loss.
There were turning points in the game, several turning points, but the loss of Isaac Mills to a knee injury was certainly one when the Redhounds could have quit, but they did not. There was a point in the third quarter when the Hounds were down 27-19 and Owensboro Catholic had the ball that I saw some hanging of heads.
But a thunderlike hit by Brad Lawson on an Ace receiver totally revived the Redhounds and a pancake block by Travis Hart on the next offensive series lifted his teammates that much more.
As the season wore on blocking in our offensive line continued to get better, in this game it was great. I mentioned Travis Hart who is the best center I saw this year, but there were others who did a tremendous job along that offensive front.
Ronnie Bowling, a scrapper and a fighter, Andy Millard, who played extremely well at a guard and on the other side it was Aaron Broyles at guard with Ryan Cleary playing better each week at the tackle position. Not only did this group block well for Clint Cashen on pass plays, but did a great job opening holes for Josh Ware and Brad Lawson.
On defense against one of the best offensive teams in the state, it was Andrew Davis, Sean Gosser, Travis Arena and Ronnie Bowling up front that along with blitzes coming from Travis Prewitt and Brad Lawson kept pressure on the quarterback.
Eric Blackwood, Dempsey Ballou and Kenny Kysar were all over the field in covering an elite receiving corps from Owensboro.
It all came down to a decision of whether or not to go for two points on a conversion. The decision was made and I feel a correct decision to go for two, but it failed and this 2004 Redhound team will take its place in Redhound history. I will remember them for their fight, for their heart and for their dedication and how they overcame adversity.
I will remember how after an auto accident cost them a starting quarterback with two years experience as a starter and how these young men pulled together behind a sensational young freshman who exhibited poise and courage to go along with a very accurate arm. This team did three things. 1.) They played hard. 2) They played smart and 3.” They played together.
My player profile this week is of Les Booth. Les played under coach Archie Powers and coach Powers said of him “he was as good as I ever had to play safety.” Les and his wife, Beverly, who is the daughter of another Redhound, Bill “Granny” Hood, now reside in Arizona.