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Page 2B BELL From 1B "But we were so far ahead they let everybody play," he re-,. 1.,80Ing to go yet," he says. called. "And I didn't mind it." That game ended Bell's foot- ball career, but he passed on his + talent to his son, Kendrick, a se- nior wide receiver at KMHS;: who has already entered the school record books and will: pad his total every time he catches a pass this year. In his first two varsity sea- sons, Kendrick caught 50 passes for 792 yards and 11 toucn- downs. During the Mountaineers’ playoff run last fall, he broke Marcus Smith's career receiving record of 696 yards, and even though he has been slowed at this start of this season because of an intestinal virus which ended in a hospital stay, he says he's ready to ac- complish some more goals. First, he wants the Mountaineers to win their third straight Southwestern 3A Conference championship and their first-ever state 3A crown. "Personally, he wants to become the first KMHS player to gain over 1,000 yards in a single sea- son. That's a lofty goal, but one that is very attainable for the All-Conference star who is be- ing recruited by all of the Division I schools in the Carolinas as well as other perennial national powers such as Penn State. Many of the schools are recruiting him as a defensive back, and the Mountaineers plan to play him on defense some this year to give other players a breather and also to take advantage of Kendrick's quickness. "Carolina is looking at me as a defensive back," he noted. "Actually, when I came to the high school the coaches were talking about putting me at de- fensive back. Lance McClain was the quarterback then and we were scrimmaging East Lincoln and they put me in at wide receiver. It was a situation where they had to go to me, and the first pass 1 caught I went 75 yards down the side- line for a touchdown." That settled the question about where he would play. But Kendrick plans to wait util the season is over to make = 4 whis decisiomabout:college: Hesis:o: also an outstanding baseball player, having made All- Conference as an outfielder since his freshman year and car- rying a career batting average close to .400. . 1 don't know which way I'm Kenny, who says "I could inever catch a football," wonders where Kendrick got all of his re- ceiving talent. But, after think- ing, back, perhaps it is because he has had a football in his -chand since he's been big enough'to walk. "I had a big, tal- ented offensive line - kind of like what they have ROW. -Kenny Bell "I remember when he was born," Kenny says. "Coach (Bob) Jones, who was my high school coach, was in the hospi- tal and I told him, 'here's you another football player.’ " He said, 'Kenny, | doubt if I'll still be in coaching when he's old enough to play." " Kendrick played youth sports beginning at age 5 under his fa- ther at Kings Mountain Parks and Recreation, but Kenny said he "let him go" when he entered the seventh grade and started playing for Kings Mountain Middle School. Both Bells give the credit for - their success to the offensive lines of '77 and '98 that are in- credibly similar. "I had a big, talented offen- sive line - kind of like what they have now," Kenny recalled. "We had people up there like Bruce Valentine, Scott Ellis, Kelly Land and Chuck Gordon. You could have driven a truck through the holes they made.” Kendrick and other Mountaineers this year owe their success to an experienced line that includes major college prospects such as Julius Curry, Kareem Marshall, Mariko Feemster and Andy Leigh. With that type of talent leading the way, Kenny Bell says it would- n't surprise him at all to see his five-touchdown record fall this year. And, if it's Kendrick who ‘breaks dtp thatowould: he just fine. The Kings Mountain Herald FAMILY TIES - Several members of this year's Kings Mountain High football team have fathers who played for the Mountaineers in the decade of the seventies. Kneeling left to right are 1998 players Landon Benton, Kendrick Bell, Andy Leigh, Anthony Ash, Julius Curry, Freddy Gladden and Richie FAMILY From 1B Except for Kenny Bell, none of the first generation players entered the record books but most of them were consistent, dependable players and some of them excelled in other sports as well. His senior year, Alfred Ash, a 185-pounder, won the Western North Carolina High School Activities Association wrestling championship - the first and on- ly Mountaineer to ever accom- plish that. A few years later KMHS joined the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, and beginning with Chuck Gordon in 1978 several men have won state wrestling titles since. Ash's two sons, Anthony and Matt, both have experience in state tourna- ment wrestling and could possi- bly follow in their dad's foot- steps. gressing needs. quality of provide Assisted outstanding and ongoing onli of life, with services tailored to meet our residents’ pro- And most Fportonay EdenGardens residents maintain a sense of dignity and independence while receiving specialized care provided by a team of devoted Assisted Living professionals. Give them the best total life. Please send me more information on the great quality of life at EdenGardens. Call us today. 704-739-6772 | 1001 Phifer Rd., Kings Mountain, NC 28086 They Cared For Your Mind, [sTeTe0 and SJ UTLE ~~ Avisitto our commun including a meal in our dini room, is the best way to experien our auestanding i total quality of lif Paes call us at 704-739-6772. If you prefer, return the coupon below to receive materials which further detail the benefits of life at EdenGardens. Your loved ones deserve care that provides for total quality of : life. Come to EdenGardens. Summit Place is now for an appointment or stop by. “a | Name | Address Unlike now, when Kings Mountain is basically a two-pla- toon system, the first generation players played on both sides of the ball. And with coaching technique changing almost ev- ery year, the game is not very similar to what it was a genera- tion ago. “Now you're playing two or thee defensive coverages and all of these multiple offenses," Coach Leigh noted. "When we played it was usually one of- fense against one defense - brute strength against brute strength. I don't remember ev- ery lifting weights. Now you have people in weight rooms. If they're strong it's because they've worked hard to get strong. There weren't any weight programs around in the sixties." Leigh doesn't mind being honest with people about his football ability. - in fact, he gets a little chuckle when~hé tells you he was a "slow, white guy." "When I played integration had just come in," he recalled. "I wasn't very good, anyway, but I may have had a chance to play a little bit. But when those guys from Compact came up here they quickly moved ahead of me on the depth chart." Leigh recalled playing third string behind Steve Spencer and Dennis Smith, and said the clos- est he came to starting was when Smith broke his finger. Leigh's best sport was base- ball. He made All-Conference and hit .355 to help lead Bob Hussey's '67 Mountaineers to the SWC championship and within one win of the Western N.C. crown. "Football has changed a lot," he says. "That's much more con- cern about watching out for in- juries and watching out for the heat. We didn't go after water like they do now. I'm not saying that's bad, but times have changed as far as coaching style and coaching strategy. Back then it was just rough and tough and fight it out in the trenches." Both Leigh and Ash say they enjoy being around their chil- dren in a football environment, and they admit their sons have more football potential than they did. "I can tell you honestly that + Andy is a much better player Rr Relief *FREE R11 & 2 X-RAYS 3 pA : Value within (3) days and receive a refund. September 10, 1998 Wells. Back row, left to right, are Frankie Stones (Landon Benton's father), Rocky Ingram, Tony Leigh (Andy Leigh's fa- ther), Alfred Ash (Anthony and Matt Ash's father), Bryan Thornburg, Freddy Gladden (Freddy Gladden's father), and Scott Wells (Richie Wells' father). than I was," says Leigh. "He's being approached by several schools so I think if he has a good year and things work out well for him that some people may approach him about play- ing on the Division I-AA level. And there could always be somebody in the stands looking at our other guys, and that will be great for him also." Leigh, 6-3, 245, could play college ball as a lineman or as a punter. He averaged 38 yards per kick as a junior and has had one punt to go 64 yards. Anthony Ash came on strong at quarterback last year, finish- ing with over 1,000 yards pass- ing. He also developed into an outstanding option runner. Matt Ash, just a sophomore, was impressive in the JV's opening win over East Gaston and he could be ready to step right in as varsity QB when Anthony graduates. “I've been enjoying being a part of what they're doing in football," says Alfred, who helps coach the offensive line and serves as head JV coach. "Watching them get better has been enjoyable for me." Coach Ash said there's no sib- ling rivalry between the two at home. "In fact," he said. "they kind of help each other out. What tips I give them are more character related, because I'm not a quarterback." Ash said he lessons his sons learn on the football field also carry over to other activities. "They're pretty active in church and I see them doing a lot of good things," he said. "I'm pretty proud of them. For the most part they are making good choices." 867-1010 Call Today! e Auto Accidents e Low Back Pain CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH & ACCIDENT CENTER 111 Bessemer City Rd., Gastonia NC If you decide to purchase additional treatment, you have the legal right to change your mind JV ACTION -Kings Mountain running back Jamal Byers (9) fights for extra yardage in recent victory over East Gaston. The JV Mountaineers host Charlotte Butler Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Kevin DiBella Chiropractor * Neck Pain e Headaches | * R # If You Would Like To Subscribe To The Herald Send Your Name, Address & Phone # With Check Or Money Order For $18.02 Payable To: K M Herald P.O. Box 769 Kings Mountain, N.C. 28086 % SES CSE IGEN PM a A eb
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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