By Coach Steve Stonebreaker

We held our banquet for the 2007 season this past weekend.  As a send off to my five Seniors I would like to write a little about each one here:

#21 Parker Anderson

Parker was a first year player who turned out to be one of our better playmakers.  I have had some good 1^st year Senior players in my time at Garrard County (Sean Paul Leavell, JT Prewitt, Justin Christian), but Parker is up there at the top of the list.  The thing that I will always remember about Parker is that he greatly improved his attitude over the course of the 8 months he was with us.  When we got into the regular season he was so much more of a team oriented player then he was in the spring or during 7 on 7 drills in June. 

He was able to make many plays for us, including his full body layout catch in our regular season game against Somerset that was Channel 36’s play of the week.  Parker led us in interceptions and drew the tough assignment of covering Vanderbilt signee John Cole in our district championship game.  Parker got beat by Cole a couple times early, but he didn’t lay down.  In the 2^nd quarter he made a textbook break right off Cole’s hip on a post route to get what would be his last interception. 

Parker  was always someone who stayed positive and tried to pump his teammates up and say encouraging things to them even in times of struggle.  For this, Parker was given our Jerry Compton Spirit Award. 

# 2 Jordan Phillips

Jordan was probably our most improved player from last season as we went through 7 on 7 drills in June.  Unfortunately, he suffered an off the field injury to his wrist and missed our first two games of the season.  In the first play of our 3^rd game Jordan caught a pass between the safeties in a 2 deep coverage and took it to the house for a touchdown on his first touch of his Senior season.  Jordan became our big-play receiver and led us in receptions, receiving yards, and TD receptions. 

Jordan played two seasons for us after transferring and got better each month he was with us.  If not for his injury I know his production this season would have been much better than what it was.  As a coach, I couldn’t let him acknowledge that while he was playing, but I will admit to it now.   Even with that, Jordan’s play was good enough to earn him a spot on the Advocate’s All-Area team.

Because of Jordan’s desire to come back earlier than what some of his doctors would have liked, and, because of his superior play, he was given our 2007 Heart of the Lion Award. 

# 54 Daniel Slone

Daniel is someone who does not look like a lineman.  He is about 6’0 and 210 pounds.  However, Daniel got more out of his ability than any lineman that I have probably coached.  He became a starter as a junior, but became a terror this year.  He was probably the funnest player to watch on the film of our games.  He was in the mold of a some of my past linemen Kendall Young, Ryan Hulett, John Carrier, and Mark Major; who, while undersized could outplay bigger opponents through superior technique (especially his hands!!!) and quickness.

Daniel led our team in knockdown blocks this season as well as blocking grade.  There were many instances where he would drive a down lineman 10 or more yards downfield.  There was one goal line situation where he drove a down lineman out the back of the end zone this year.  I will never forget that play.  Take a moment to think about the effort it takes to do that…. 

Daniel is an example of a player who turned on as a Senior.  He is even a better person than he is a football player.  He has a weighted GPA above 4.0 and ranks 4^th in this year’s GCHS graduating class.  He will be successful no matter what he chooses to do.

#12 Stephen Debord

Stephen was one of our co-captains and a 3-year starter at quarterback.  Stephen earned the starting QB position three games into his sophomore season by beating out a Senior who had 6 games of varsity starting experience.  He leaves us while placing second in most every GCHS career passing category to his predecessor, Spencer Crutchfield. 

Stephen greatly improved the mental aspect of his QB play between his junior and senior seasons.  He was really hitting stride midway through his junior year with fabulous games against Mercer, Clark, and Frankfort.  Unfortunately, in the 2^nd quarter of that game against Frankfort, Stephen suffered a season ending ankle injury that would hamper his mobility even into his Senior season.  He was not the same type of QB this season that he was in the middle of his Junior year.

Stephen was a fun kid to work with who always had a positive attitude.  He worked very hard in the summer to improve his throwing technique.  If he had not been injured his footwork would have been much better and that would have increased his production.  Stephen did have some very good individual performances and left behind some good memories.  Due to his perseverance, work ethic, and attitude Stephen was given our Norman Davis Memorial Award for 2007.

#66 Josh Gibson

Josh is someone who looks like a lineman.  He is 6’3 and 320 pounds.  Josh is also the strongest player that I have ever coached.  He benched 350 pounds in the 2007 Iron Lion Competition and was our two-time Super Heavyweight Champion. 

Josh was a three year starter who greatly improved his aggressiveness and use of hands in between his junior and senior seasons.  Another key improvement for Josh was the development of his feet in the off-season.  He was a much more consistent blocker as a Senior and the left side of our offensive line was solid with Josh at Guard and Slone at tackle.

Josh was a co-captain this year and was 2^nd on the team in blocking grade and knockdown blocks.  Josh is another high character kid who is an excellent student.  Josh has a 4.0 GPA and ranks 9^th in this year GCHS graduating class.  Josh plans to go to EKU and walk-on while studying criminal justice.  I have no doubts that he will be successful.  Because of his character, work ethic, and ability Josh was given the Coy Dyehouse Memorial Award this season.

About these kids

Sometimes, coaches have to give lip service to certain things, but I can honestly tell you that I greatly enjoyed coaching these 5 young men.  They did a terrific job through some difficult circumstances.  Slone, Debord, and Gibson were all 4 year players who stuck it out through some tough times in their sophomore and junior seasons.  I have a great amount of respect for these guys and they truly are ‘warriors.’  I will never forget the good times that they provided to me and the staff.  After starting 7 Freshmen in a 2-9 season in 2006; we rebounded to get 5 wins with a sophomore dominated team in 2007.  That included an upset playoff win against a Wayne County team who had won 7 games.    I was so excited for these 5 guys that they were able to get a playoff win in their senior year.  With a more experienced team coming back next year the winning will continue.  I think that these Seniors will be remembered as the group that helped to re-establish the upward movement of the program.  This is obviously a group that I am proud of and that I think will have a lot to add to society.  Thanks for the memories….