1985 George Walton
From 8-6-14
After the "near miss" in 1984, we were looking forward to the '85 season, even tho' we lost 2 All-state players in Doug Cassiday and Todd Carter.
We were returning all of our other key players, & in addition, sophomore Clay Dally, who was recovering from an injury, would be back with us. Not only did we have plenty of talent returning, but another big plus was that all of these players had other family members who had previously been part of our teams. Jeff Capes' dad, Johnny, was on my 1st varsity team & his mom, Peggy, was one of our cheerleaders. His sisters, Sheri & Gigi were on our 1980 state finalist team.
Ken Harrison's brother, Stan, was a team member, and also, his dad, Jack, helped us coach football. Roy Roberts' sister, Anne Knox, was on our '80 State Finalist team, & he gained further motivation from his dad, Roy, Sr., who had played on an NCAA National Championship basketball team at the U. of Kentucky. Ed Healy also had a brother, Joe, who had previously been a member of our football teams. Mark Gibbs' dad, Jack, was also a member of my 2 State Finalist baseball teams at NCHS. Clay Dally had a brother, Rob, who averaged 18 ppg (& was MVP his senior year). The George Walton Academy Bulldogs were on a 13-game winning streak with a 20-2 record, & appeared on their way to a region championship! But late in the 2nd qtr., Dally reinjured his leg, & GWA entered the State playoffs as region runner-up. In a big upset, with GWA controlling the ball, they upset favorite Fullington (24-3) 45-37! In the semi-finals, the Bulldogs outlasted Worth Academy, 56-48. On the day of the state finals, the cheerleaders had a big pep rally at the team motel & recognized the players & their parents with gifts. (I had confidence in this team, but I also remembered that in our last 2 state championship games, we had lost on the last shot of each game! ) We controlled the game--then in the 3rd qtr., with a 7-pt. lead--it happened! The power went off & the lights went out! During the time we were in darkness, I wondered of the momentum would shift, but our guys weren't fazed as they won "going away", 55-42, for the State Championship!! Roy Roberts averaged 18 ppg, and was selected as the State's MVP, & Ken Harrison's 14 ppg. earned him All-State honors. This championship team was rewarded with a trip to see the Kentucky H.S. State Tournament in Lexington! While there, they were also treated with tours to some of Kentucky's finest racehorse farms. With all of our players returning, the future looked bright,--but, from experience, I knew there were no guarantees of a repeat!
