The Summer of ’05

Were did the summer go? It seems every year as I get older the summers fly by. It was just yesterday that Corbin High School played in the Kentucky High School baseball tournament and their Little League team played in the state finals.
Baseball ruled the summer but golf was also in the picture with scrambles at Williamsburg Golf Course and the Tri-County Country Club.
The fall season officially got underway yesterday when the area volleyball teams hit the floor for opening games. Corbin and Whitley County will be back in action Thursday when the Lady Redhounds host North Laurel and the Lady Colonels go to Middlesboro.
Just some thoughts on the summer before I let fall sports take center stage.
The Corbin Little League All-Stars should still be playing in the national tournament. They might not have won the state title but they were one of the two best teams in Ashland. They coaches, led by manager Wayne Willis, did an excellent job with the all-stars. They worked together for all the players. A call here or there and the Corbin All-Stars would be playing in the Central Region this week.
This group of coaches was one of the best I have ever worked with since I began covering Little League many years ago.
Although they are our rivals most of the time, it was nice to see Nathan White follow teammate Trey Bowling as the champion of the Pepsi Invitational at the Tri-County Country Club.
It was a photo finish between White and Jason Pullins, a former Cumberland College golfer.
The new school year will bring a number of changes. First of all, let me welcome Gary Peters, the new Williamsburg Athletic Director to the sports scene. I’ve heard good things about Mr. Peters, I’m looking forward to working with him this season.
We’re just days away from the number one fall sport…football. The start of high school football is always exciting but I also enjoy covering the Patriots. It will just take a while to get used to the new name, University of the Cumberlands.
Coach Chuck King has done a great job with the Patriots and I see no reason they should not challenge the Georgetown College Tigers for the Mid-South title. The split into two divisions should make football even more exciting.
On the high school level, it looks like a changing of the guard in some ways. Last year Corbin and Williamsburg dominated the scene but Lynn Camp and Whitley County look to be heading back to the top in 2005.
All four teams should make the playoffs this season, especially if Ladale Rider can stay healthy and the big line produce holes for the Whitley County senior. A lot of people, including myself thought Williamsburg may be headed for a down season but the more I talk to the fans and coaches in Yellow Jacket country, the more I believe Williamsburg will bounce back despite the loss of 13 seniors.
Corbin lost 16 seniors and a very talented junior, but coach Steve Jewell will have the Redhounds knocking at a regional title once again. They are already in the playoffs with only four teams in the district, it’s just a matter of seeding and a working for a home spot in the playoffs.
However all eyes will be along US 25 where the Lynn Camp Wildcats have been picked to win not only the district but region. With quarterback Nick Scalf, runningbacks Josh Reynolds and Jimmy Chaffins along with the return of J.C. Keith and lineman Anthony Walters. Oh yeah and super sophomore Joe Roskopf, how can you bet against the Wildcats.
Coach David Mitchell has put together a tough schedule for his Class A team prior to the start of district play with the likes of Leslie County, Middlesboro, Perry Central and Whitley County.
However, circle the dates of Sept. 23, Oct. 21 and Oct. 28. That’s when the Wildcats play Harlan, Somerset and Williamsburg. Two of those are on the road.
Correction: Last week EKU coach Danny Hope mentioned Shane Sams played at Corbin High School and UK before going to the Alabama Sports Academy. Sams did play at Corbin but didn’t play football at UK. Sams joined the EKU football coaching staff this year and wanted to get the story straight.
You will be hearing more about Sams and the other Corbin connections throughout the coming season at EKU.
OK folks! Let the pigskin roll.