[KentuckyFan35]

Jon Olinger from Hazard played for the University of Cincinnati and went on to play for several teams in the NFL. He would be right behind Tim Couch.

[common sense]

I was glad to see someone finally mentioned steve bailey of pikeville. however, I can't believe no one has mentioned Juan Thomas of ashland. Tim Couch is definitely the best player to ever come out of the mtn. but if I was picking a team to win a state champ. juan would be my first pick.

[BellCoBobcat]

Dustin Wynn was without a doubt one of the best kickers to come out of the Mountains.

The kid from Bell County two years ago was a fine kicker as well. If I'm not mistaken, he went to play at WKU.

Monte Merrick was First Team All-State Kicker/Punter on all polls last year from Bell County. He is at WKU, but was injured in summer camp. Dressed for Tennessee game Saturday, but did not have to play. He is likely to redshirt due to injury.

[Mr. Football44]

Tim Couch
Scott Russell-Evarts
Charles Tinsley-Cumberland
Jared Lawson-Corbin
Haddix

[Old_Trojan]

Without a doubt Couch would be #1,
Brett Coleman was a beast,
Scott Russell
and if ya talking Seth Hyden you cant leave out his running mates Dwayne Graza and Jody Cornette. that's was probably the best 3 backs I have ever seen on one team,
but one of the fastest I have ever seen was J.I. Joplin from Pikeville
but the best all around athlete I have ever seen other then the last name of Couch, was Pat Harris from K.S.D. that kid had a lot of talent.

[WildDawg]

1.Tim Couch
2.Gerad Parker
3.Michael West
4.David Jones
5.Shawn Robbins

Cole kid from Somerset
Arliss Beach
Jeremy Caudill
John Ortega
Doug Howard
Justin Haddix
Jonathon Chapman
Jason Michael
Dustin Wynn
Scott Powell? of Middlesboro
Fred Dean
Coleman from Pikeville around 89
Rockcastle has a had some good players too. I can't remember their names.


These guys could all be mentioned in the same category also. I have probably left some well derserving players off the list. It's hard to remember all the great players that came through the mountatins. Jared Hostetter of Lawrence Co was not one of the Top 5 players over the last 20 years. I can name you 5 Lawrence County players over the last 20 years better than Hostetter. That's not taking anything away from him either.

[BCF4L]

Tim Couch
Justin Haddix
Seth Hyden
John Ortega
Jeremy Caudill
Nick Jamerson
Matt Slone
David Jones
Doug Howard
Arliss Beach

These are just a few that I can remember. I'm not very old so the players listed are either from Prestonsburg or ones I can remember off the top of my head from them playing against Prestonsburg.

[wildcat1323]

Tim Couch
Scott Russell
David Jones
Channing Fugate

doug howard was and still is better than david jones

[WildDawg]

doug howard was and still is better than david jones

Doug MIGHT have been better at Belfry, but how can you say he is better now? David Jones had a solid career at UK, while Doug plays/played for who? Pikeville?

[EKUAlum05]

Based on simply being "football players" in high school:
1. Tim Couch- Leslie County, Redefined KY HS Football, national Records, #1 Recruit Nationally
2. Gerad Parker- Lawrence County, National Receiving record at a predominant running team, SEC scholarship, several of the biggest pass receptions in mountain history.
3. Doug Howard-Best RB I have ever witnessed in the mountains, power, speed, 2 State Titles, and the best stiff arm I have ever witnessed.
4. Steve Bailey- Integral part of the best run we ever saw in the mountains, redefined the role of a mountain RB.
5. Justin Haddix- Led Breathitt to state title and did things with his feet and arm that haven't been duplicated.

Special Mention: Eddie Duramus-Pikeville, Michael West-Lawrence County, David Jones- Belfry, John Ortega-Pburg, Shawn Robbins- Bell County, Quinton Henson-Lynn Camp, Channing Fugate-Breathitt County, John Rader-Breathitt County, Joey Stepp- Sheldon Clark, John Cole-Somerset

Based on collegiate success:
1. Tim Couch- Leslie County, Heisman Candidate, #1 pick, Enough Said.
2. John Olinger- Hazard, dominant career at WR for UC, cup of coffee with the NFL.
3. Jeremy Caudill- Pburg, underachieved at the HS level but was a dominant SEC D-lineman.
4. David Jones- Belfry, All-SEC Freshman, 3 year starter at UK, had several highlight plays including the critical kick return to lead UK to Liberty Bowl win and knocking away Florida State's pass attempt in the Music City Bowl. Cup of coffee with the NFL.
5. Dontae Wright- Lawrence County, 3 year starter at Miami(OH), all conference player, now enjoying a coaching career as a result.

Special Mention:
Irv Dotson- Belfry, Starting OL for Marshall during their impressive run coming over from D-1AA.
Joey Stepp- Sheldon Clark, starting Center at Marshall
Durrell White- Bell/Mboro, played into starting role at UK.
Al Holland, Jr.- PCC, Went on to very successful career at EKU
Justin Haddix- Breathitt, Very successful career at WKU
Justin Michael- Lawrence County, Won National 1-AA Championship as QB

[bearhunter]

Tim Couch
Scottie Russell
Deshae Henson
Jeremy Caudill
Doug Howard

[Memorial Gym #5]

DeShea Henson from Clay County was a great H.S. running back!

[fan first]

Based on simply being "football players" in high school:
1. Tim Couch- Leslie County, Redefined KY HS Football, national Records, #1 Recruit Nationally
2. Gerad Parker- Lawrence County, National Receiving record at a predominant running team, SEC scholarship, several of the biggest pass receptions in mountain history.
3. Doug Howard-Best RB I have ever witnessed in the mountains, power, speed, 2 State Titles, and the best stiff arm I have ever witnessed.
4. Steve Bailey- Integral part of the best run we ever saw in the mountains, redefined the role of a mountain RB.
5. Justin Haddix- Led Breathitt to state title and did things with his feet and arm that haven't been duplicated.

Special Mention: Eddie Duramus-Pikeville, Michael West-Lawrence County, David Jones- Belfry, John Ortega-Pburg, Shawn Robbins- Bell County, Quinton Henson-Lynn Camp, Channing Fugate-Breathitt County, John Rader-Breathitt County, Joey Stepp- Sheldon Clark, John Cole-Somerset

Based on collegiate success:
1. Tim Couch- Leslie County, Heisman Candidate, #1 pick, Enough Said.
2. John Olinger- Hazard, dominant career at WR for UC, cup of coffee with the NFL.
3. Jeremy Caudill- Pburg, underachieved at the HS level but was a dominant SEC D-lineman.
4. David Jones- Belfry, All-SEC Freshman, 3 year starter at UK, had several highlight plays including the critical kick return to lead UK to Liberty Bowl win and knocking away Florida State's pass attempt in the Music City Bowl. Cup of coffee with the NFL.
5. Dontae Wright- Lawrence County, 3 year starter at Miami(OH), all conference player, now enjoying a coaching career as a result.

Special Mention:
Irv Dotson- Belfry, Starting OL for Marshall during their impressive run coming over from D-1AA.
Joey Stepp- Sheldon Clark, starting Center at Marshall
Durrell White- Bell/Mboro, played into starting role at UK.
Al Holland, Jr.- PCC, Went on to very successful career at EKU
Justin Haddix- Breathitt, Very successful career at WKU
Justin Michael- Lawrence County, Won National 1-AA Championship as QB

What national records does Couch hold?

[EKUAlum05]

What national records does Couch hold?

When he graduated he had the yardage record and completion record... those have since been broken.

[StrayBullet]

1.Tim Couch
2.Gerad Parker
3.Michael West
4.David Jones
5.Shawn Robbins

Cole kid from Somerset
Arliss Beach
Jeremy Caudill
John Ortega
Doug Howard
Justin Haddix
Jonathon Chapman
Jason Michael
Dustin Wynn
Scott Powell? of Middlesboro
Fred Dean
Coleman from Pikeville around 89
Rockcastle has a had some good players too. I can't remember their names.


These guys could all be mentioned in the same category also. I have probably left some well derserving players off the list. It's hard to remember all the great players that came through the mountatins. Jared Hostetter of Lawrence Co was not one of the Top 5 players over the last 20 years. I can name you 5 Lawrence County players over the last 20 years better than Hostetter. That's not taking anything away from him either.

I remember having West and Parker on the same team in 99. That offense was devastating for opposing teams. You had Alan Short at QB and a great FB in Travis Hughes led by an offensive line coached by Tony Burchett. You also had D-1 talent Dontae Wright roaming in the LB and safety spot. That team was oozing with so much talent it wasnt fair.

[RedSeal]

Do you read real closely? I stated the best kicker I ever saw. I have never seen Raceland play.

Take it easy big guy, I was just saying lol

[RedSeal]

Monte Merrick was First Team All-State Kicker/Punter on all polls last year from Bell County. He is at WKU, but was injured in summer camp. Dressed for Tennessee game Saturday, but did not have to play. He is likely to redshirt due to injury.

I have to say without a doubt that Tim Couch was the best mountain football player over the past 20 years!

I thought Merrick went to Tennesse? Him and Pettry probably the best kickers ive ever seen in Eastern Kenucky

[irishcard16]

Tim Couch
Justin Haddix
John Ortega
Jeremy Caudill
Nick Jamerson
Matt Slone
David Jones
Doug Howard
Arliss Beach
John Cole
Michael West
Dontae Wright
Jeremy Caudill
Matt Branham
Chase Gibson
Irv Dotson
Joey Stepp


There are just a few off the top of the head.

[ball boy]

Does anybody rember Kaba from Magoffin Co. graduated in 95 or 96 he was one heck of a QB defintley a honorable mention on most these lists

[lpd826]

I agree, Jason and Dontae Wright were two of the smartest players we have had in a long time. Dontae knows his "D" while Jason knows offense. Lets not forget Dontae coaches for UK and Jason coaches for the 49'ers.

[tomcatfan06]

does florene count? if so shaun alexander...

[tomcatfan06]

florence i meen

[TATE_64]

I forgot about big Irv Dotson that started for Marshall when Moss and company was there winning those National Championships....

[NEXT]

I forgot about big Irv Dotson that started for Marshall when Moss and company was there winning those National Championships....

Irv also had a few shots at NFL camps.


I think a lot of people are confusing being a great high school player and kids who have had great success at the next level or levels in some cases.

Brent Coleman from Pikeville, the Chapman kid from Pikeville/Breathitt, and Doug Howard are 3 of the best HS players I have ever seen yet not as much mention of those guys as I would think.

[BellCoBobcat]

I have to say without a doubt that Tim Couch was the best mountain football player over the past 20 years!

I thought Merrick went to Tennesse? Him and Pettry probably the best kickers ive ever seen in Eastern Kenucky

Ironically, Jason Michael, great Lawrence and WKU quarterback was recruiting Merrick at Tennessee. That all ended when Fullmer and staff were let go.

[tomcatfan722000]

noone mentioning justin gross or casey clark? and im a tomcat fan LOL also ian holbrook one of the toughest quarterbacks ive ever seen

[CATDAD2]

Don't forget the old Quaterback stable at Leslie County Tim Couch, Greg Couch and Mike Whitaker its easy to forget the past watching the future but because of the remoteness of eastern Ky it still a mystery how great players get over looked but without a doubt Tim Couch is the best of ALL time that came out of these beautiful mountains of eastern Ky.:igiveup::redboxer:

[POCO HISTORY #70]

Tim Couch is a no brainier...Wat about Shaun Alexander....i kno hes from boone co. but he was great....also josh gross from Russell...take it easy on me alright...

[POCO HISTORY #70]

mike whitaker was a great player and now hes an excellent coach

[Bobcat_Dad]

Shawn Robbins would have to be on that list.