[Matney's Prodigey]

This is a list that could be debated over and over with nobody coming up with the right answers. I'll give my list anyway tho:

1. Doug Howard- Belfry: The best football player to ever come out of tradition rich Belfry High School IMO. Was not the best athlete or the best college prospect, but was the best high school football player. Split carries his whole time at Pond Creek.
2. David Jones- Belfry: Was the second half of the best runningback tandem I have ever seen on a high school football field. The second fastest kid I have ever laid eyes on. An athlete capable of beating you in numerous ways. Split carries his whole time at Pond Creek.
3. Arliss Beach- Ashland: The smoothest of all the runners listed. He never seemed to be running hard but just kept pulling away from people. Played on a couple of pretty good Ashland teams.
4. Michael West- Lawrence Co: One of the more hard nosed runners on the list, but when you play for Chuke Williams you better run hard. I thought he was better as a sophmore and seemed to lose a step as he aged. Played on really good teams, but numbers speak for themselves.
5. John Ortega- P'burg: The backbone of the Prestonsburg Blackcats durring his time. He pretty much put them on his shoulders and took them where they needed to go. Was a 3 sport letterman (football, basketball, baseball) and all confrence in all 3 also in college (Centre) so he was pretty athletic you could say.
6. Jon Chapman- Breathitt/Pikeville: Maybe as good if not better than others listed, but the injury senior season drops him IMO. Still was a really really really good back.
7. Chris Jennings- Fairview: If you include Paul Blazer you have to include Fairview and this back is as good as you get at a small A school. Was a monster in the backfield. Carried Fairview on his broad back all year. UK scout said he was best rb in state just didn't have the head for college.
8. Marty Reagan- Rockcastle Co: An extremley quick back who was tough as leather. Was not very big but could deliver a blow like he was. Took Tom Larkey & Rockcastle to 2 consecutaive state title apperances only to meet with Boyle Co.
9. Shawn Robbins- Bell Co: A back that might have been made better by the system (much like West at Lawrence; but did not posess West's athleticism). He carried the load for Hilton and Co. Was hard nosed and ran with great awareness. Very seldom took shots due to his very good vision.
10. Matt Slone- P'burg: IMO not such a "GREAT" back, but was extremley athletic and had other threats to keep teams honest. Ran with a recklessness that was admirable, but seemed to lose composure to often. Was main back of 01 team that went to state finals.

Now this is only my top 10 list. You could add numerous other names, and 10 years is hard to judge, but I would take these 10 up against any 10 others could post. There have been alot of great backs it is a shame we can't praise each the way they deserve to be.