2011 South Harrison Fall Sports Media Guide by Brian Gawthrop

2011

SOUTH HARRISON FALL SPORTS MEDIA GUIDE

james SWENSKIE

brad JETT

2011SCHEDULE Aug. 26 at Doddridge County Sept. 2 at Gilmer County Sept. 9 Tygarts Valley Sept. 16 Williamstown Sept. 30 Calhoun County Oct. 8 at Parkersburg Catholic Oct. 14 at Liberty Oct. 21 at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oct. 28 Lincoln Nov. 4 Wirt County

jack WILKINS

CONTENTS jacob STROUPE

2011

SOUTH HARRISON FALL SPORTS MEDIA GUIDE CHEERLEADING

FOOTBALL

CROSS COUNTRY

Head coach Brad Jett 6 Assistant Mark Clayton 9 Trainer Jim Dawson 9 Assistant Zach Hayhurst 9 Assistant Frank Tate 9 Assistant Chris Underwood 9

VOLLEYBALL

GOLF

BOYS SOCCER

Seniors Juniors Sophomores Freshmen

Coaching Staff

2011 Roster Class Breakdowns

Meet the Hawks All-State Selections Never Forget ‘Fish’

10 11

11 11 12 12

13 21 22

GIRLS SOCCER

SHMS FOOTBALL

SUPPORT

a product of

GAWTHROP MEDIA GUIDES Rt. 5 Box 732B Clarksburg, W.Va. 26301 briangawthrop5@gmail.com design & writing brian gawthrop photography sam santilli photography, ben queen photography, brian gawthrop printing morgantown printing & binding special thanks brandon hatton, sam santilli, ben queen, janine gawthrop, brad jett,

2011 SOUTH HARRISON MEDIA GUIDE

COMPOSITE SCHEDULE 2

AUGUST 2011 1

BSCC vs. N.Marion

GSCC @ Magnolia

BSCC @ Preston GSCC @ Preston

BSCC vs. N.D. GSCC vs. P.B.

BSCC vs. Lewis GSCC vs. Lewis VBB vs. Lewis

BSCC @ Lincoln GSCC @ Lincoln VBB @ Lincoln

BSCC @ Lewis GSCC @ Lewis VBB @ Lewis

VBB vs. Doddrdige

CC @ Doddridge

BSCC @ STM

BSCC vs. Grafton GSCC vs. Grafton

VBB @ Grafton

BSCC @ Grafton GSCC @ Grafton VBB vs. Liberty

BSCC vs. Wlltwn VBB @ Braxton

GSCC vs. Tyler Co. VBB vs. Roane

BSCC @ N. Marion GSCC @ N.Marion VBB @ C. Battelle

BSCC @ N.D. GSCC @ Liberty VBB vs. Calhoun

FB @ Gilmer Co.

VBB @ Doddridge CC @ Cabell Mid

FB vs. Tyg. Valley

GSCC @ P.B. CC @ Bridgeport

FB vs. Wlltwn

FB vs. Calhoun

5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Noon 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

BSCC @ Pendleton CC @ St. Mary’s

GSCC vs. Magnolia

FB @ Doddridge

SEPTEMBER 2011

BSCC vs. STM VBB @ Wirt Co.

BSCC vs. Liberty GSCC vs. Liberty

19 - Girls Soccer vs. Liberty 19 - Boys Soccer vs. Liberty 23 - Boys Soccer vs. North Marion 24 - Girls Soccer at Magnolia 25 - Boys Soccer vs. Notre Dame 25 - Girls Soccer vs. Philip Barbour 26 - Football at Doddridge County 27 - Boys Soccer at Pendleton County 27 - Cross Country at St. Mary’s 30 - Boys Soccer at Preston County 30 - Girls Soccer at Preston County 31 - Girls Soccer vs. Magnolia

CC @ Grafton

1 - Boys Soccer vs. St. Mary’s 1 - Volleyball at Wirt County 2 - Football at Gilmer County 3 - Cross Country at Cabell Midland 3 - Volleyball at Doddridge County 7 - Boys Soccer vs. Grafton 7 - Girls Soccer vs. Lincoln 8 - Boys Soccer vs. Williamstown 8 - Volleyball at Braxton County 9 - Football vs. Tygarts Valley 10 - Cross Country at Bridgeport 10 - Girls Soccer at Philip Barbour 12 - Boys Soccer vs. Lewis County 12 - Girls Soccer vs. Lewis County 12 - Volleyball vs. Lewis County 13 - Cross Country at Doddridge Co. 14 - Volleyball at Grafton 15 - Girls Soccer vs. Tyler Con. 15 - Volleyball vs. Roane County 16 - Football vs. Williamstown 19 - Boys Soccer at Lincoln 19 - Girls Soccer at Lincoln 19 - Volleyball at Lincoln 21 - Boys Soccer at Grafton 21 - Girls Soccer at Grafton 21 - Volleyball vs. Liberty 22 - Boys Soccer at North Marion 22 - Girls Soccer at North Marion 22 - Volleyball at Clay-Battelle 24 - Cross Country at Grafton 26 - Boys Soccer at Lewis County 26 - Girls Soccer at Lewis County 26 - Volleyball at Lewis County 27 - Boys Soccer at St. Mary’s 29 - Boys Soccer at Notre Dame 29 - Girls Soccer at Liberty 29 - Volleyball vs. Calhoun County 30 - Football vs. Calhoun County

6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Noon 7:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 2011

1 - Cross Country at Ritchie County 10:00 a.m. 4 - Boys Soccer vs. Preston County 7:30 p.m. 4 - Girls Soccer vs. Preston County 5:30 p.m. 6 - Boys Soccer at Williamstown 5:00 p.m. 6 - Volleyball at Clay County 7:30 p.m. 8 - Cross Country at Fairmont Senior 10:00 a.m. 8 - Football at Parkersburg Catholic 1:30 p.m. 11 - Boys Soccer at Tyler Consolidated 5:00 p.m. 11 - Volleyball at Parkersburg Catholic 6:00 p.m. 12 - Volleyball vs. Gilmer County 7:30 p.m. 13 - Cross Country at Ritchie County 4:00 p.m. 13 - Girls Soccer at Tyler Consolidated 5:00 p.m. 13 - Volleyball at Liberty 7:30 p.m. 14 - Football at Liberty 7:30 p.m. 18 - Soccer Sectional Tournament Begins 20 - Cross Country Regionals 20 - Volleyball @ LKC Tournament 21 - Football at St. Mary’s 7:30 p.m. 24 - Volleyball vs. Lincoln 7:30 p.m. 25 - Volleyball vs. St. Mary’s 6:00 p.m. 25 - Volleyball vs. Clay-Battelle 7:30 p.m. 27 - Volleyball vs. Grafton 7:30 p.m. 28 - Football vs. Lincoln 7:30 p.m.

SCHEDULE CC @ Ritchie

VBB vs. Lincoln

BSCC vs. Preston GSCC vs. Preston

BSCC @ Tyler Co. VBB @ Pbg Cath.

VBB vs. Gilmer

Soccer Sectional

VBB vs. STM VBB vs. C.B.

BSCC @ Wlltwn VBB @ Clay Co.

GSCC @ Tyler Co. VBB @ Liberty CC @ Ritchie Co.

VBB @ Tourney CC Regionals

VBB vs. Grafton

FB @ Pbg Cath. CC @ FMT Sr.

FB @ Liberty

FB @ STM

FB vs. Lincoln

NOVEMBER 2011

4 - Football vs. Wirt County 7:30 p.m. 29 - Girls Basketball at Gilmer County 7:30 p.m.

GBB @ Gilmer

FB vs. Wirt Co.

COMPOSITE SCHEDULE

SOUTH HARRISON

FOOTBALL

south harrison athletics

bradJETT head coach | 15th season He’ll be the first one to admit he doesn’t like to take credit. In the rare cases when he does, he’ll tell you he doesn’t enjoy it. But with all South Harrison head coach Brad Jett’s list of accomplishments holds, there is plenty to brag about. About to embark on his 15th season as head football coach of the Hawks, Jett enters the 2011 season as Harrison County’s winningest active coach with a 84-65 record, 23 wins over Sam Alvaro of Notre Dame. On Sept. 3, 2010, just two days after the death of his one of his best friends and long-time Hawk football public address announcer Ron Fisher, Jett became just the seventh coach in Harrison County history to win at least 80 career wins by beating Gilmer County, 63-26. The victory was one of four times South Harrison scored at least 40 points in 2010. From 1996 to 1999, Jett helped nurture the school’s all-time leading rusher and one of Harrison County’s most accomplished running backs in two-time first-team Class-AA selection Ben Hall, who finished with nearly 4,000 career rushing yards and was awarded the school’s last Frank Loria Award for the county’s best football player in 2000. The 2011 season will be the Liberty High School graduate’s 27th year with the

FOOTBALL 2011 SOUTH HARRISON COACHING STAFF – Kneeling: Head coach Brad Jett. Standing (Left to Right): Zach Hayhurst, Jim Dawson, Chris Underwood, Mark Clayton, Frank Tate.

onship game in both seasons. Five players from those two seasons went on to earn Class-A First Team All-State honors including current assistant coach and former tailback and safety Zach Hayhurst and offensive lineman Silas Belt, the only two-time first-team selection in school history, along with wingbacks Cory Morrison and Kevin Fury. In all, Jett has helped 10 players earn first-team status, 17 players make the second team, 11 players earn special honorable mention honors, and 19 players nab honorable mention recognition. In 2010, junior tailback Jacob Stroupe and linebacker Dillon Burnside earned West Virginia second-

brad jett by the numbers SEASON POSITION 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach

* - Made Playoffs

RECORD 5-5 6-5 6-5* 4-6 3-7 9-3* 2-8 10-2* 10-2* 6-5* 6-4 5-5 6-4 5-5

SEASONS AS HEAD COACH: 15 CAREER RECORD: 84-65 CAREER WINNING PERCENTAGE: 56.4% PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 13 PLAYOFF RECORD: 3-6 PLAYOFF WINNING PERCENTAGE: 33.3% ALL-STATE SELECTIONS: First Team: 10 Second Team: 17 Special Honorable Mention: 11 Honorable Mention: 19

HEAD COACH BRAD JETT

Hawks’ program after serving as an assistant coach under Harrison County’s second all-time winningest coach Gary Barnette, who coached from the school’s inaugural year in 1967 until retiring in 1997. Together, Barnette and Jett are the only two head coaches in the school’s 43 years of existence, leading the Hawks to a 274182-2 all-time record. The pair is the second winningest head coaching duo in Harrison County history behind only Bridgeport’s Wayne Jamison and Bruce Carey, both of whom are retired from the coaching profession. Jett has endured three seasons of at least nine wins including back-to-back 10-2 seasons in 2004 and 2005, falling just one win shy of reaching the Class-A State Champi-

HARRISON COUNTY area COACH Rankings CAREER WINS All-Time

1. Wayne Jamison, Bridgeport (1970-1996) 2. Gary Barnette, South Harrison (1967-1997) 3. Mike Skinner, Grafton (1977-2007) 4. Clay B. Hite, Washington Irving 5. Bruce Carey, Bridgeport (1997-2010) 6. John Mazzei, Victory/Liberty (1957-1976)

Active Coaches

1. Brad Jett, South Harrison (1997-current) 2. Sam Alvaro, Notre Dame (2002-current) 3. Eddie Vincent, Lewis County (2007-current) 4. Mark Yoho, Grafton (2008-current) Curtis Bodkins, Philip Barbour (2003-current) 6. Robert Shields, Liberty (2008-current)

230 190 186 169 137 131

84 57 55 21 21 20

CAREER WINNING PERCENTAGE All-Time

1. Bruce Carey, Bridgeport (1997-2010) 2. Wayne Jamison, Bridgeport (1970-1996) 3. John Mazzei, Victory/Liberty 4. Bryan Fisher, Robert C. Byrd (2002-2010) 5. Clay B. Hite, Washington Irving 6. Gary Barnette, South Harrison (1967-1997)

Active Coaches

team Class-A all-state honors. Kicker Spencer Shriver and Shane Jeffries were both selected to the Class-A honorable mention team. But, only for the second time in his 15-year head coaching career, Jett will be leading a senior class in 2011 that has yet to pay a visit to the West Virginia State Playoffs. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, however. After barely missing the playoffs the last two seasons, this year’s seven-member senior class will be as hungry as ever to add their name to the 13 other senior classes in the Jett era to reach the state playoffs. Jett is a graduate of Liberty High School in Clarksburg, W.Va., and graduated from Fairmont State College before earning his master’s degree from West Virginia University. He currently serves as the school’s athletic director and is also a member of the West Virginia Secondary Schools Athletic Commission’s Football Committee. He serves as vice president of the West Virginia Coaches Association. Jett resides in West Milford with his wife, June. They have two children – Elizabeth and Brianna, both graduates of South Harrison High School. Brianna is entering her third season as an assistant coach for the South Harrison cheerleading squad.

1. Sam Alvaro, Notre Dame (2002-current) 2. Mark Yoho, Grafton (2008-current) 3. Brad Jett, South Harrison (1997-current) 4. Eddie Vincent, Lewis County (2007-current) 5. Robert Shields, Liberty (2008-current)

81.1% 76.4% 68.9% 66.7% 65.8% 61.9%

58.7% 56.8% 56.4% 53.4% 33.3%

CAREER PLAYOFF APPEARANCES Active Coaches

1. Brad Jett, South Harrison (1997-current) 2. Eddie Vincent, Lewis County (2007-current) 3. Sam Alvaro, Notre Dame (2002-current) 4. Mark Yoho, Grafton (2008-current) 5. Curtis Bodkins, Philip Barbour (2003-current) Josh Gorrell, Robert C. Byrd (2010-current) Josh Nicewarner, Bridgeport (2010-current)

6 5 3 1 1 1 1

SEASONS COACHED All-Time

1. Gary Barnette, South Harrison (1967-1997) 2. Mike Skinner, Grafton (1977-2007) 3. Wayne Jamison, Bridgeport (1970-1996) 4. Brad Jett, South Harrison (1997-current) 5. Bruce Carey, Bridgeport (1997-2010)

31 30 26 14 13

FOOTBALL MARKCLAYTON

assistant coach | 11th season

JIMDAWSON head trainer | 3rd season

assistant coach | 3rd season

assistant coach | 14th season

zach HAYHURST

CHRISUNDERWOOD assistant coach | 4th season

FOOTBALL STAFF

zachHAYHURST

frankTATE

2011ROSTER

# NAME YEAR OFF. DEF. 10 JAMES, Cole Junior QB DB 11 MESSENGER, Cory Sophomore QB DB 12 GLASPELL, Austin Freshman WB DB 21 SNYDER, Drew Senior WB CB 22 JEFFRIES, Dylan Sophomore TE DL 24 WILKINS, Jack Senior WB CB 25 BELL, Michael Sophomore TE CB 30 CORLEY, Trae Junior WB LB 32 AYLESTOCK, Ben Junior WB CB 33 STROUPE, Jacob Senior WB DB 34 DAVIS, Austin Sophomore WB LB 35 SWENSKIE, James Senior FB LB 41 MILLER, Jesse Freshman WB DL 43 SLAWINSKI, Aleksander Junior TE DE 45 CHILDERS, Tyler Junior OL LB 50 LOUGH, John Junior OL DL 51 STICKEL, Kyle Freshman OL DL 55 CORLEY, Tim Freshman OL DL 60 POST, Jake Junior OL DL 61 FRAGMAN, Matt Senior OL DL 65 WHELCHEL, John Senior OL DL 70 BASHAM, John Freshman OL DL 72 GRIMES, Jesse Sophomore OL DL 74 ROY, Cody Freshman OL DL 75 BROADWATER, Will Freshman OL DL 80 WILKINS, Garrett Freshman P K 81 SHRIVER, Spencer Junior P K 82 REED, Chance Freshman WB DB

FOOTBALL

2011SENIORS

2011 SOUTH HARRISON SENIORS – Kneeling (Left to Right): Jack Wilkins, Jacob Stroupe, Matt Fragman. Standing: Drew Snyder, Lance Postlewait, James Swenskie, John Whelchel.

2011JUNIORS

CLASS BREAKDOWN

2011 SOUTH HARRISON JUNIORS – Kneeling (Left to Right): Trae Corley, Tyler Childers, Ben Aylestock. Standing: Statton Shriver, Jake Post, Aleksander Slawinksi, Cole James, John Lough.

2011SOPHOMORES

2011 SOUTH HARRISON SOPHOMORES – Front Row (Left to Right): Terance Downward, Jesse Grimes, John Basham, Robbie Carr. Back Row: Hunter Hitt, Justin Blake, Cory Messenger, Dylan Jeffries, Austin Davis, Michael Bell.

2011FRESHMEN

2011 SOUTH HARRISON FRESHMEN – Front Row (Left to Right): Cody Roy, Jesse Miller, Chance Reed, Will Broadwater. Back Row: Austin Glaspell, Kyle Stickel, Garrett Wilkins, Tim Corley.

FOOTBALL benAYERSTOCK32 junior | wingback | cornerback

JOHNBASHAM70 freshman | o-line | d-line

sophomore | tight end | cornerback

JUSTINBLAKE66 sophomore | o-line | d-line

MEET THE HAWKS

MICHAELBELL25

james SWENSKIE

jesse GRIMES

WILLBROADWATER75 ROBBIECARR53 freshman | o-line | d-line

sophomore | o-line | d-line

FOOTBALL TYLERCHILDERS45

AUSTINDAVIS34

TIMCORLEY55

TERANCEDOWNWARD54

TRAECORLEY30

MATTFRAGMAN61

junior | o-line | linebacker

freshman | o-line | d-line

sophomore | o-line | d-line

senior | o-line | d-line

MEET THE HAWKS

junior | wingback | linebacker

sophomore | wingback | linebacker

AUSTINGLASPELL12 freshman | wingback | defensive back

JESSEGRIMES72 sophomore | o-line | d-line

HUNTERHITT83

sophomore | tight end | defensive end

matt FRAGMAN

COLEJAMES10

junior | quarterback | defensive back

FOOTBALL JOHNLOUGH50 junior | o-line | d-line

cole JAMES

CORYMESSENGER11

DYLANJEFFRIES22

JESSEMILLER41 freshman | wingback | d-line

MEET THE HAWKS

sophomore | tight end | d-line

sophomore | quarterback | defensive back

JAKEPOST60 junior | o-line | d-line

CODYROY74

freshman | o-line | d-line

LANCEPOSTLEWAIT73 SPENCERSHRIVER81

senior | o-line | d-line

junior | kicker

CHANCEREED82

ALEKsSLAWINSKI43

freshman | wingback | defensive back

junior | tight end | defensive end

FOOTBALL drew SNYDER

senior | wingback | cornerback

KYLESTICKEL52 freshman | o-line | d-line

MEET THE HAWKS

DREWSNYDER21

JACOBSTROUPE33 senior | wingback | defensive back

GARRETTWILKINS80 freshman | kicker

JAMESSWENSKIE35 JACKWILKINS24 senior | fullback | linebacker

JOHNWHELCHEL65 senior | o-line | d-line

senior | wingback | cornerback

FOOTBALL

all-time ALL-STATE SELECTIONS FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE (21) Bill Allen (1992) Mike Barnette (1985) Silas Belt (2004, 2005) Jeff Bennett (2002) John Calkins (1981) Dennis Chamberlain (1973) Terry Evans (1973) Kevin Fury (2006) Ben Hall (1999) Zach Hayhurst (2005) Cory Morrison (2005) Kurtis Rickles (2008) Lonnie Rogers (1973) Steve Root (1995) Jimmy Sands (1993) Bryan Scheuvront (2003) Rick Short (1971) Andy Spitler (2003) Ben Stutler (1982) Matt Tate (1992)

SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE (41)

SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION (41) David Arbogast (1995) Mike Barnette (1983) Dave Bennett (1986) Todd Brandenburg (1982) Chris Cayton (1995) Doug Cuppett (2002) Micky Davis (2004) Chuck Dobbins (1974) Chad Drummund (1989) Jim Drummund (1981) Terry Evans (1972) Rodney Golden (1974) Mike Griffis (1972) Ben Hall (1997) Justin Hayes (2004, 2005) Tim Ingram (1984) Cameron Jarrett (2005) Jonathan Jett (2007) Mike Johnson (1992) Bennie Marshall (1972) Shannon McVitty (1980) Timmy Michaels (1974) Tony Nardo (1982) Ray Phillips (1993) Jack Roush (1968) Sam Scott (1995) Mike Short (1969) Rick Short (1969) Ben Stutler (1980) Brad Stutler (1974) Drew Toth (2000)

Bobby VanHorn (1980) Thomas Wallace (2008) T.J. Watson (1998) Victory Watson (1968) Brandon Whitehair (2006) Danny Wolfe (1983) Doug Wolfe (1980)

HONORABLE MENTION (36) Brian Barker (1988) Rick Barnhart (1968) Matt Boring (2002) Shawn Bradenburg (1992) Dillon Burnside (2009) Jim Childers (1987) Pat Coleman (1983) Shawn Davis (1983) Rod Fisher (1984, 1985) Mark Frum (2004) Kevin Fury (2005) Brad Greathouse (1998) Teddy Harper (2009) Zach Hayhurst (2004) Shane Jeffries (2010) Josh Jenkins (1993) Russell Jenkins (2007) Myron Magruder (1992) Jason Martin (1996) Rich Martin (1989) Eric McFadden (1983) Vance Miller (2007, 2008) Dan Mullins (1984) Cole Nelson (2010) Brandon Newbrough (2008) Andy Nottingham (2006) Nate Nutter (2003) Eddie Paugh (1968) Brandon Peck (1994) Ray Phillips (1992) Mike Short (1968) Spencer Shriver (2010) Aaron Smith (2004, 2005) Bob Stemple (1986) Robert Stenger (2006) Gary Swiger (1986) Trevor Taylor (1985) Josh VanHorn (1997) Ron Wheeler (1987)

ALL-STATE SELECTIONS

Tanner Belt (2009) Frank Blake (1992) Mike Bond (1974) Charlie Brosius (2006) Denny Burnside (1982) Dillon Burnside (2010) John Calkins (1980) Chris Coleman (1982) Micky Davis (2005) Chad Drummond (1990) Brent Fenstermacher (1997) Kyle Fridley (1981) Aaron Gall (2002) Chris Garback (1988, 1989) Josh Haggerty (1995) Ben Hall (1998) Jeff Harris (1985) Sean Hohan (2006) Gene Kidd (1984) Gary Lawrence (1973) Jeff Louk (1983) Robert Moore (2009) Cory Morrison (2004) Nate Nutter (2004) Steve Radcliff (1980)

Dave Reider (1988) Jack Roush (1973) Dustin Roy (2007) Eric Short (1996) Rick Short (1970) Jimmy Skinner (1993) Charles Sizemore (1993) Daniel Smith (1995) Robert Stenger (2007, 2008) Jacob Stroupe (2010) Ben Stutler (1981) Frank Tate (1994) Jerry Toothman (1973) Drew Toth (1999) Jeff West (1982) Josh Wilfong (2002)

nevER FORGET

‘FISH’

RON FISHER | 1941 - 2010 No matter where you were, no matter what you were doing, the voice stopped you. “Good evening friends and neighbors,” you heard, echoing off the hills and throughout every creak and crevice of Gary Barnette Field. It was game time – the voice said so. That recognizable phrase was how every game at South Harrison High School had started since 1976, a span of 34 years and over 150 games. The voice was unique compared to other schools. Always energetic, always welcoming. It always seemed to be at its best on cold October nights against long-time rivals. On those nights, no matter how familiar you might have become with the sounds, the chills that ran down your spine were never irresistible. In a program where the names on the back of the orange and black jerseys changed every year, through the good seasons and the bad ones, the voice remained constant. It was historic. It felt like home. It was the voice of Ron Fisher, better known to those who knew him best as ‘Fish’. To those both inside and out of the South Harrison family, he was ‘The Voice of the Hawks.’

FOOTBALL “He has touched so many lives – not only the kids who have played ball, but the people who came to the games and all of the people he worked with. He has probably touched more lives than anyone in our community.”

“Fish” as a high school football player at in his hometown of Honea Path, S.C.

— Bob Kester Friend really instructional, and he really cared.” Current South Harrison head football coach Brad Jett was the school’s 7th, 8th, and 9th grade coach at the time and often attended games that Kester and Fisher coached to scout up-and-coming players. “When I got kids from Fish and Bobby, I knew they were ready to go,” Jett said. “I knew when kids came from their program, they were more prepared than anyone in the county.” The 1993 season was the last season Kester and Fisher coached Pop Warner football together as both moved on to help South Harrison Middle School until 1995. Their friendship, however, never ended. ‘A BOND FROM THE BEGINNING’ Shortly after Kester and Fisher first united, the two paired up again in 1976 – this time in the press box at SHHS home football games. Then head coach

Bob Kester (right) and “Fish” as coaches for South Harrison Pop Warner Football.

“Fish” and former South Harrison running back Vance Miller in 2009.

NEVER FORGET ‘FISH’

‘COACH FISH’ It had little to do with football, yet it was a moment Bob Kester will never forget. It was 1992 and Kester was the head coach of the South Harrison Pop Warner Football team. His assistant coach was his best friend. But Ron Fisher, who joined Kester on the staff 17 years earlier, wasn’t the typical football coach. He, as Kester described, was “special.” “He always had a habit of joking around with the kids,” Kester said of Fisher. “He’d always pull pranks on anyone on the team whenever he got the chance.” But on that afternoon, Fisher got a taste of his own medicine. The Hawks had just wrapped up one of their final practices in preparation of playing a bowl game in North Carolina. Fisher, with a bag full of footballs resting on his shoulders, stopped to talk to a parent on his way off the field. Players Chad Short and Jonathan Southern snuck up behind Fisher and... “They pulled his pants down. Underwear and everything,” Kester said. “I think that was the only time in my life I’ve seen him speechless.” It was that kind of bond that Fisher brought to the team as a coach. It was a family atmosphere with Kester and Fisher leading the way. The team prayed before every game and every practice. The coaches wanted to do it the right way. “We tried to make the kids more than football players,” Kester said. “We wanted to prepare them for life and give them a road to start on. “Wins and losses, no one ever remembers those. But you can always see what kind of person a former player is now, and that’s what (Fisher) and I enjoyed most.” The philosophy isn’t surprising considering where the partnership all began. The pair first met during a 1974 church service. While chatting, Fisher mentioned to Kester his football playing days in his hometown of Honea Path, S.C. The rest was history. “He was someone who would put his arm around a kid and explain to him what he did wrong,” Kester said. “He was

“Fish” and wife Maggie, married for 21 years, at a South Harrison football game.

Gary Barnette asked Kester to operate the game clock and Fisher to announce. Every game was an adventure alongside Fisher, Kester said. At least once a game, it seemed, the pair would enter a session of uncontrollable laughter. Fisher would always make clever jokes about his friend over the loud speaker. One time, while Kester was complaining about a referee’s call, Fisher purposely left the microphone on, allowing everyone in attendance to hear Kester’s opinions. “The refs called timeout and came running over to me,” Jett said. “They said ‘Coach, if you don’t calm them down, we will.’ I told them to go right ahead, because I wasn’t going to be able to calm them down.” The two were inseparable, and so were their families. There wasn’t a day that went by, Kester said, that the two families didn’t interact in one way or another. Kester’s wife, Sheri, and Fisher’s wife, Maggie, became great friends, as did their children. It was, as Kester said, “a bond from the beginning.” LEGEND ON THE MIKE Jett was just a few months away from graduating from Liberty High School in the fall of 1977. But come Saturday afternoons, Jett and his group of friends could always be found at South Harrison High School. It was the voice of Fisher that attracted them. “We would all hop in the car and go to the South Harrison game just to listen to him,” Jett said. “It was just so different than what we were used to. It was just nice to come, listen to him,

“So, to borrow a phrase from Fish, ‘Welcome friends and neighbors.’ We may have lost his voice, but we will never lose his spirit.”

and enjoy a game.” It was his “southern charm,” Jett said made Fisher the most unique high school football announcer in the area. From his trademark phrases to his perfectly timed jokes, it was always a treat to watch a game at Gary Barnette Field. “When he was on that microphone, everybody could tell — Frank Tate, SH Assistant Coach he was true Orange and Black all the Pregame vs. Gilmer County way. He was one September 3, 2010 of us,” Kester said. “Games at South Harrison was like a family gathering.” But Fisher was also a part of creating the atmosphere at South Harrison that always made it hard for visiting teams. Tyler Consolidated head coach Rob Caldwell once asked Jett to please quiet Fisher. Why? While in his team’s pregame huddle, Caldwell couldn’t stop laughing while listening to Fisher over the loudspeaker. A former coach in Harrison County tried everything he could

FOOTBALL

so his team wouldn’t have to visit Gary Barnette Field. The coach knew he’d be the butt of the jokes Fisher supplied. “If he thought you were listening, look out,” Jett said. “Some people didn’t always understand, but anything he said about you was never anything personal.” Sometimes, Fisher’s target would be Jett himself. It came with the territory, the coach said. But little did Fisher know that late in games in which the Hawks held a large lead, he was on the mind of Jett. “I’d just take off my headset and listen to him,” Jett said. Just like those fall afternoons in 1977.

“Fish” and South Harrison head coach Brad Jett (right) in 2005.

for them while they’re going through school. But when they got older, I could tell they always looked back and appreciated everything he did for them.” Jett said that willingness to contribute to the program stems from the feelings Fisher had for the West Milford and Lost Creek communities. Despite growing up three states away, Fisher told Jett the South Harrison community always “included me like I grew up here.” “It wouldn’t be like that anywhere else,” Fisher told Jett. One of Fisher’s favorite times of the season was the end of the year football banquet. In what became tradition, the announcer always emceed the event. Jett and Fisher had a custom at the banquet, as well. The two would exchange T-shirts with comical phrases to tease each other. More than ever it seemed, Jett couldn’t wait to give Fisher his shirt this year. It read, “Older Than Dirt – Genuine American Antique.” “It’s in my closet,” Jett said. That’s where it’ll stay. LIFE AFTER FISH Not more than six hours earlier did they say goodbye. Flags throughout the community flew at half-staff. An Orange and Black wreath hung below his spot outside the South Harrison press box. It was time for South Harrison’s second

game of the season against Gilmer County to begin, but not without one last tribute to the ‘Voice of the Hawks’. One by one, South Harrison players and coaches lined the home sideline, the full crowd watching their every move. Earlier that day, the team had said final farewell to Fisher with the 12 seniors serving as pallbearers. Like most in attendance, South Harrison assistant coach and former player Frank Tate tried, but couldn’t control his emotions, either. “People like Ron Fisher and Gary Barnette, they’re the type of people this community is built on,” Tate said over the loudspeaker that night. “They’re the reason I came back here. They’re the reason I’ll never leave.” As always, Kester was in attendance in his usual spot in the press box to watch the Hawks’ overcome a first-half deficit to beat the Titans 63-26. But for the first time since 1976, Kester’s best friend wasn’t beside him. “It was really strange...him not being there. I’d always figured we would always be there together,” Kester said. “For so many years, I always had someone who I knew I could go to, no matter what the situation. I don’t have that person anymore. “For him to not be up there with me that night, it was like a part of me was wrong.” “Nothing is the same without ‘Fish’’.”

NEVER FORGET ‘FISH’

ALL FOR THE KIDS No matter who one asks, the answer would always be the same – everything Fisher did for the West Milford and Lost Creek communities was for the kids at South Harrison High School. “He loved those kids,” Kester said. “He cared about them more than anybody. He believed in all of them. And if he ever got a chance to help a kid, he didn’t care what he had to do or who he might offend doing it, he was going to get them help.” It wasn’t uncommon for Fisher and his wife Maggie to invite players over to their house for breakfast, give kids rides to places they never would’ve been able to reach or, at the very least, put a much-needed smile on a kid’s face who thought times may not get any better. Yet, both Kester and Jett agree that his greatest contributions often went unnoticed. “We get kids who come from broken homes,” Jett said. “And he tried his best to always do something about it.” Whenever a player couldn’t afford proper equipment, money for a road trip or even a varsity jacket, all Jett had to do was make one call. “He never thought twice about purchasing items for them,” Kester said. “He did so much for the kids that they didn’t even know about. He never wanted them to know. Praise and glory wasn’t important to him as long as the kids got what they needed. “They might not realize what all he did

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2011CHEERLEADING

2011 SOUTH HARRISON CHEERLEADING – Front Row (Left to Right): Madison Ford, Courtlyn West. Middle Row: McKenzie Dean, Blake Louk, Liz Todd, Sarah Petitto, Miranda Jett. Top Row: Kaitlyn Mills, Abbie Lightner, Grace McGowan, Chloe Evans, Jessica Davis, Brodi McCoy.

2011CROSS COUNTRY

2011 SOUTH HARRISON CROSS COUNTRY – (Left to Right): Justin Talbott, Andrew Anderson, Mileena Beatty, Head Coach Felicia Pancoast, Darryan Ward, Jesse Anderson, Raymond Ruckman.

2011GOLF

ATHLETICS

2011 SOUTH HARRISON GOLF – (Left to Right): Logan Kirby, Tanner Simons, Denny Chamberlain, Head Coach Joe Johnson, Brandon Hatton, Aaron Petitto, Luke Gaines.

2011VOLLEYBALL

SOUTH HARRISON ATHLETICS

2011 SOUTH HARRISON VOLLEYBALL – Bottom Row (Left to Right): Cheyenna Stout, Jenna Swiger, Chasity Jones, Jerika Rowan. Middle Row: Lauren Barratt, Ashley Bosserdet, Jessica Puddister, Katie Wilfong, Catherine Morris. Top Row: Audrianna Whitehair, Head Coach Kayla Nutt, Sara Whitehair, Concetta Strouse, Monroe Ford, Amber Carder.

2011BOYS SOCCER

2011 SOUTH HARRISON BOYS SOCCER – Front Row (Left to Right): Michael Hall, Garrett Wilkins, Dallas Golden, Gage Gregory, Kevin Coffman. Second Row: Owen Yoke, Justin Helmick, Tyler Hall, Andrew Anderson, Kyle Irving, Jesse Anderson. Third Row: Head coach Mike Bodkins, Anthony Weaver, Dakota Evans, Dillon Stalnaker, Zane Cramer, Spencer Shriver, assistant coach Eric Anderson. Back Row: Ben Cox, Nick Vernon, Frank Stenger, Ben Broadwater.

2011GIRLS SOCCER

2011 SOUTH HARRISON GIRLS SOCCER – Kneeling (Left to Right): Hanna Burnside, Rachel Goff, Kassidy Zirkle, Haley Wright, Cassie Allen, Kendra Myers. Standing: Myriah Davis, Alexis Kerr, Alysha Pickens, Julie Provoznik, Nicole Ellington, Paige Myers, Megan Radcliff, Sieara Fultineer.

ATHLETICS

2011MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL

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