[oak 76]

I was sitting here tonight, thinking about the old days. Yeah, Im old enough now (35) to be able to say that and sound like my parents, lol..I miss the way things were, before consolidation took over everywhere. I played at Jenkins, when we were competitive, and on our schedule were teams like Elkhorn City, who would flat out hit you, even in their down years. We battled it out with Whitesburg, Cumberland, and Evarts. We played and fought with MC Napier. We slugged it out in one of the greatest fights of all time with Johns Creek and I remember playing on the absolute worst field in Kentucky, in good ol Fleming Neon. As terrible as that field was, the atmosphere there was unmatched ANYWHERE, and still to this day, remains the best atmosphere of anywhere Ive ever watched a game. Fleming Neon-Whitesburg in the early 90s and early 00s was THE game. Nobody missed it, even us Jenkins guys, who hated both teams, couldnt wait to hear about it. I miss how things were. I miss how schools 10-15 miles apart could hate each other with so much passion, and the entire week, all you could think about was playing them. I miss when Paintsville was great, and challenged great Pikeville teams for district championships. I miss Walter Brugh. I miss how dominant Pikeville was in the 80s, and I miss the first time I lined up against them as a 6'0, 255 lb freshman Tackle and Defensive End in 1990, thinking "so this is what its all about..the three time defending state champions"..I hate more than even the Pikeville people, that theyve become mortal. So Pikeville and Paintsville, please get great again soon. This part of the state NEEDS it. I remember when NOBODY had turf. Or that bermuda grass garbage. Pikeville was the only school around that had that. The rest of us played on grass, and when it rained, you got muddy. I miss that too. I loved when teams would wear the same old jerseys every single year, with rips, tears and stains. I remember when we played Evarts my sophomore year, and they had Scotty Russell and Brad Kirby, and boy those guys could flat out play. We took 'em to overtime and lost 25-19 in a great game. We'd get 'em back my senior year though, and beat 'em 7-6. Playing at Neon, and getting blown out wasnt any fun. Theyd play that "Shout" song over, and over, and over, and over..the fans would go CRAZY. I miss the great Whitesburg and Neon teams, and I miss those powerhouse Elkhorn teams with Kenny O'Quinn and Chad Cure. I DON'T miss travelling to Phelps though. Phelps is a part of Pike County? Seriously? I would have sworn it was a part of Europe or something. I miss when rivalry games meant something. I miss Jack Hall and that wonderful Sidesaddle wing T, which was **** to play against, but a blast to watch from the stands, and Pikeville's Hillard Howard. I miss the Virgie Eagles, and I remember the old Mullins school too. I remember when the Cavs took down mighty Pikeville 14-0 in 1984. I was 9 years old, and I remember hugging my idol (my brother) after the game was over. First time we beat them in 16 years, and it was the last time we beat them. We beat Whitesburg that year too, and it was also the last time we beat them. That was a great year. Those were my childhood days. Going to all of the Jenkins games at all of those great fields, making all of those trips..wouldnt trade them for the world. I remember watching Brent Coleman years later, and I could cry now, knowing he's no longer with us. Same goes for Willie Webb at Neon. I remember crying my eyes out the year after Willie was killed, when his little brother, who idolized Willie, and wore his #7, run back a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and pointed to the sky the last 20 yards of the run. There wasnt a dry eye at the Dust Bowl that night. I miss The Big Dipper and his radio show ("Goodnight Uncle Joe Herman, wherever you may be")..I miss Wheelwright. I miss when you would go out with a cheerleader at another school, everyone called you a traitor. Didnt matter how hot she was, lol..I miss the days before internet and cell phones, when everything was simpler, and the most important things in your life were football, girls, and cars, in that order. Ah well, those days are long gone, but I am happy that I grew up in those days. I wouldnt change it for the world.

I AGREE I was in that all time greatest fights vs JENKINS @ JOHNS CREEK.THEN CHRIS GANNON lead us to a victory over FLEMING NEON against the running back bothers at NEON.I also tell my son, I played against TIM COUCH (LESILE CO.),they killed us.I had 4 sacks though.
I had suregy my senior year @ PCC,needless to say I STUNK.I still rememeber wanting to beat PIKEVILLE in 92(didn't though went to playoffs vs CUMBLARAND) PIKEVILLE had an awesome QB in JP Blair and running back in JOPLIN but we kept it close untll the 2 half.That was when I was at JOHNS CREEK.LORD,I had so many coaches at PCC 1ST year it was PAUL MAY,ROYCE MAYO,FANNIN from PHELPS,and a bunch of assitants included PIKEVILLE's head coach but I thought I was smarter than they was.There wasn't nothing like winning and beatiful girls,how time has change.I then went to MOREHEAD to play football but didn't last long messed my knee up.I now lived my life though my son,he playes at PCC.This is his 2nd year.PCC HAS stepped it up, but it still hard to get love .Everyone thinks PCC is still a dud,it's time to prove them wrong.I still want to mention the coaches at JOHNS CREEK---LAMB,A.TAYLOR,SLONE,SUHR and TAYLOR.