LOOKING BACK

 The Corbin Redhounds were impressive Saturday evening as they took a 10-0 lead at halftime over the Danville Admirals and exploded behind the breakaway runs of Caleb Watkins in the second to win, 31-14.

The rivalry with Danville goes back many years and always draws the fans.

Most of the games have been decided by an outstanding performance by an individual. The 1955 game had a turning point and that would have been when Don Turner intercepted a pass and brought it back around 80 yards for a touchdown, sparking the Redhounds to a 34-20 win and breaking a 23-game winning streak by Danville.

Turner later was the principal at Danville High School, and currently is a Danville resident. The game was billed as a match-up on a fairly equal basis, but the ‘Hounds were clearly superior.

In 1962, Scotty Russell ran over Danville as Corbin won the regular season game, 19-6. The return engagement was played at Stoll Field in Lexington and Danville claimed the Class 2A state championship behind Sammy Burke, who ran for over 200 yards as the Admirals won 13-6.

In the early ‘90s Corey Reeves dominated Danville who was heavily favored. Reeves controlled every aspect of the game.

This year it was Watkins, who made the big plays, although other players made significant contributions as well. Matthew Taylor ran the ball hard and Brady Foley blocked well and made a couple of key receptions.

Foley and Saxon Okuma were effective on defense. Roman Mitchell played very well at quarterback.

I sat on the visitor side of the field as I always do and listened as Boyle County fans watched the Redhounds and Danville game.

Boyle County has an outstanding football team and had just finished annihilating Pikeville in the first game. The Boyle County fans seemed impressed with Redhounds running back, Watkins and Matthew Taylor. When the game seemed to be in control for the Redhounds, they bid us adieu saying they would see us in Bowling Green.

Boyle County is 4A and the state finals for 2A and 4A are in Bowling Green. I hope they are right.

My opinion is that Boyle County and Fort Campbell, the number one ranked team in 2A, are among the five best teams in all of Kentucky High School football.

R.L. Brown Jr., came by to visit with Paul Jones and Shirley; Sammy Sturgill, and Sharon and myself at the game Saturday. It brought to mind a picture I saw recently of a Redhound team from the ‘30s.

R.L.’s father, R.L. Brown Sr., was in that picture with his friend Coach Nick Denes. Mr. Brown was serving in the capacity of Athletic Director while he and Coach Denes were laying the foundation for the Pride and tradition of the Redhounds’ program we have today. Mr. Brown Sr’s widow is still with us and according to my friend, R.L. is doing quite well.

The Redhounds team of 1953 was recognized at the game Saturday evening. I remember that season of ’53 and I promise you that anyone who played that year will never forget it.

Nor will any of those players ever forget their coach, Bill “Moon” Conde.

The searing memory I have of that season was as a seventh grader, I sat on my bicycle and watched as Coach Conde put Gail “Dago” Phillips’ dislocated big toe back in place. I bet “Dago” remembers it to.

The Kentucky Wildcats really opened my eyes, as they blasted Miami of Ohio, 42-0. Mike Hartline made me eat crow as he looked like the real deal at quarterback.

Randall Cobb and Chris Matthews were exciting to watch as they made receptions all over the field.

As I read each edition of the “Cats Pause” publication I search for any indication of interest in the recruitment of Caleb Watkins. I have yet to see any mention. This young man is definitely a division one prospect. I believe Watkins is our best prospect since Jarod Lawson.