The Locker Room January 25, 2008

It was a cold and snowy Thursday night outside at the United Auto Workers Union Hall in Dublin, but inside the pizza was warm as the Pulaski County High School Cougar Football program held its annual end of season awards banquet.

Hosted by the Pulaski County Touchdown Club, it was a time for players, parents, Touchdown Club members, and family to come together and celebrate their accomplishments for one last time before they begin to prepare for the 2008 season.

It was also a chance for Head Coach Jack Turner to address his players and their parents about the past season, and the expectations for the upcoming season. “This group of seniors can be proud of the fact that they have helped put Pulaski County football back on the map. They put in the work, they put in the time, and the put forth the effort to do what had to be done to put the Cougars back in the playoffs” Turner told the gathered group. “We won seven games, and we made it back into the playoffs. Only 12% of all the AA teams in the State get the chance to play an eleventh game, and we were one of them. I’d like to thank you for that effort.”

Coach Turner went on to address the players who would return next season however, letting them know what the expectations would be. “We cannot be satisfied with eleven games. We cannot be satisfied with seven wins. We don’t start the season saying ‘I sure hope we get to play one round in the playoffs’, we start the season hoping the make it to the State Title game. We will work harder, and we will play harder. Football practice for the 2008 Cougar Football season begins on Monday January 26^th at 2:05 pm on the mat in the weight room.”

The banquet took time to recognize the efforts of the Pulaski County High School cheerleaders also, who’s hard work and effort were not only recognized by their coach, Angie Harrell, but they were thanked by Coach Turner as well. Most fans will never know of the little things that the cheer squads do to support the players and coaches on game day.

After recognizing the freshmen, junior varsity, and varsity players for all of their hard work and effort during the 2008 season, the Pulaski County Touchdown Club presented its annual Player Of The Year award. Each year the club members vote on which player they felt had the most impact on the team for that season. As has been the case from time to time in the past, this season there were two players who had the same number of votes. The Co-Players of the Year for the 2007 season were running back Nubian Peak and lineman Josh Miller.

Peak finished the season with 158 rushing attempts for 1,349 yards, 11 pass receptions for 290 yards, and 9 kickoff returns for 170 yards. Nubian finished the season with 16 touchdowns for 96 points. He was selected as First Team All-Timesland running back, All-River Ridge District First Team running back, River Ridge District Offensive Player of the Year, and All-Region IV First Team running back.

Miller, who plays both offense and defense, finished the season with 70 total tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 13 “pancake” blocks, and 1 pass deflection. Josh was selected as All-River Ridge District First Team Offensive Lineman, All-River Ridge District First Team Defensive Lineman, All-Region IV First Team Offensive Lineman, All-Region IV First Team Defensive Lineman, and was selected for the Associated Press All-State Team as Second Team Defensive Lineman.

Both Nubian Peak and Josh Miller are juniors, and will be back in a Cougar uniform next year as seniors.

On a sad note, there was something missing from the awards banquet this season. Long time Pulaski County Touchdown Club President and Southwest Times sports writer Dan Callahan was unable to attend the banquet for the first time in over 29 years.

As the banquet began, Raymond Ratcliff, standing in on Callahan’s behalf, told the group the bad news. As of Thursday night, Dan was in critical condition at Lewis Gayle Medical Center in Salem, suffering from a longtime ailment that has finally gotten the better of him. While I certainly don’t want to get into specifics and tell Dan’s business to the world, I will say that he was, at the time that I am writing this, in pretty bad shape and things are looking tough.

I’ve known Dan for some time now. I can remember him from when I was a Cougar. After getting out of the Army, moving back home, and getting involved with the Cougar Football Program again, I have had many opportunities to ride the roads with Dan going to games and on scouting trips to this school or that school. I’ve sat under the pine trees at Kenneth J. Dobson Stadium and enjoyed many a fine Spam sandwich, and enjoyed some fine ice cold glasses of tea with him during two a day practices. Dan was one of the first people that I told when I decided to get engaged. I’ve been there with him during wins and losses, good times and bad. I can still remember his voice the night he called to tell me that Ken Dobson had passed away, and the hurt that was in his voice when he called and told me that Kevin Crouse had taken his own life.

Dan Callahan is the heart of Cougar Football, and he is my friend. I would like to ask for each and every person who reads this to take a moment to say a prayer for Dan, and for his speedy recovery. Pulaski County needs Dan back on his feet, and so do I. Get well soon Dan, I know you’re going to be really mad when you wake and realize your laying in enemy territory up there in Salem.

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