James Collier

The Ashland Beacon

ASHLAND 48 BELFRY 7

   Two things have been consistent in the last two meetings between Ashland and Belfry. 

   Sloppy playing conditions and Ashland winning. 

   Both were in effect Friday night after Ashland marched up and down the rain-soaked Putnam Stadium en route to a 48-7 thrashing over Belfry in the second round of the Class 3A Playoffs. LaBryant Strader accounted for four touchdowns and Braxton Jennings added three in the Tomcats largest margin of victory ever over the Pirates. 

   Jennings first score of the night came only 29 seconds into the contest on a 1-yard plunge. Jennings second came with 41 seconds to play in the frame on a 37-yard pass from Strader and a 13-0 lead after one. 

   Brandon Houston scampered 44 yards late in the second stanza for a 21-0 lead. Strader pushed the Ashland lead to 28 just over one minute later. Belfry’s lone score came as the clock showed zeros to end the half. Jennings third score of the night came with 34 seconds to play in the third. Strader’s final TD of the night came on another 1-yard plunge into the endzone. Tay Thomas closed the scoring with a 3-yard run late in the quarter. 

   Strader threw for 142 yards while rushing for another 54. Jennings led the Tomcats with 65 yards on 11 carries. Terrell Jordan hauled in one pass for 71 yards. Houston had 65 yards on three grabs. Ashland’s defense created six turnovers in the game, five fumbles all of which were recovered by the Tomcats and an interception. 

   Ashland travels to Bell County Friday night in the regional championship round of the playoffs. 

RACELAND 43 PARIS 6

   The only thing that slowed Raceland down Friday night was themselves. 

   The Rams scored on their first offensive snap—a 47-yard run by Noah Wallace—only to have the play negated due to a holding penalty. The infraction, however, only delayed the inevitable, another Rams blowout win as they put the running clock in motion only four seconds into the second quarter for a 43-6 victory over Paris in the second round of the Class A Playoffs. 

   Raceland’s four first quarter touchdowns all started in Paris territory as the Rams defense limited the Greyhounds to negative three yards in the first half. Logan Lundy threw his first of four TDs to open the scoring for the Rams, finding Mason Lykins for a 22-yard score. Landyn Newman slipped into the endzone from 10 yards out and a 14-0 lead. Jules Farrow navigated his way 16 yards to paydirt three minutes later for 22 unanswered by the Rams. 

   After the Rams defense forced another three-and-out by Paris, Elias Jackson blocked his first of two punts on the night, both of which were recovered by the Rams. The first blocked kick handed the Rams the ball on the Greyhounds six and they needed only one play to add to the lead after Noah Wallace darted through the line for the score. 

   Lundy’s third TD of the night found Parker Fannin from 12 yards out to start the running clock. Lundy and Lykins hooked up with 5:35 to play in the half and a 43-0 edge at the break. 

   Lundy threw for 83 yards while surpassing 2,000 yards on the year. Lundy is the first Rams quarterback to throw for over 2,000 yards since Nathaniel Davidson tossed for 3,013 in 2016. Lykins caught a pair of passes for 42 yards. Wallace ran for 48 yards. 

   Raceland welcomes Hazard Friday night in the regional championship round of the playoffs and the first meeting between the programs since 1990. 

GREENUP CO 28 LAWRENCE CO 7

   It was tabbed the rematch when Greenup County visited Lawrence County Friday night in the second round of the Class A Playoffs. 

   Greenup County knocked off Lawrence County in week three with a goal line stand for the victory. Friday night was anything but as the Musketeers dominated the Bulldogs for a 28-7 win on a sloppy field in Louisa. Ike Henderson and Tyson Sammons rushed for a pair of touchdowns each to lead the Musketeers to their first 8-win season since 1998. 

   Henderson’s first score of the night came midway through the first quarter for a 7-0 lead after one. Sammons scampered seven yards to the house with 6:13 to play in the half for a 14-0 lead. Lawrence County pulled to within seven after a TD before the half, but the Musketeers were too strong down the stretch. 

   After a scoreless third, Greenup County cashed in with a pair of Sammons and Henderson scoring runs in the matter of 14 seconds. After the Musketeers orchestrated a 16-play drive that consumed nearly the entirety of the fourth quarter clock, they forced the second Bulldogs fumble of the night on the ensuing kickoff that led to the final points in the affair. 

   Sammons led the Musketeers with 117 yards on 21 totes. Henderson added 73 rushing yards. Sammons completed all seven of his passes. Henderson hauled in one pass for 36 yards. Carson Wireman had three grabs for 28. 

   Greenup County travels to Mason County Friday night in the regional championship round of the playoffs. 

BOYLE COUNTY 43 BOYD COUNTY 21

   Boyle County literally hit the ground running in the Rebels visit to Boyd County Friday night in the second round of the Class 4A Playoffs. 

   Montavin Quisenberry marched 151 yards on only eight carries to lead the visitors to a 43-21 win over the Lions. Quinsenberry visited the endzone four times in the affair, three rushing touchdowns and a 98-yard kickoff return midway through the second. Boyle County secured a 14-0 lead after one which increased to 43-7 at the half after four scores in the second stanza. Quisenberry scored thrice in the frame with runs of 11 and 14 yards bookending his kickoff return. 

   Boyd County’s lone score of the half came on a Blake Waulk fumble recovery scoop and score with 7:16 to play in the half. Cayden Bulter hauled in a Rhett Holbrook pass in the third quarter and Josh Thornton caught a 19-yard TD from Holbrook in the fourth. Holbrook threw for 172 yards in the losing effort. Malachi Wheeler led the Lions with 66 yards on 13 totes. 

   Boyd County closes the season 8-4 and its first winning season since posting a 7-5 mark in 2008. 

Grace Phillips

The Ashland Beacon

   According to the words of a very familiar Christmas song, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”  That will definitely be the case this Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. when the Ashland High School Gymnasium will become a winter wonderland of all things Christmas for your shopping pleasure.

   “This is the second year for the event.  Last year we used the lobby area for our show but we have added more vendors this year and have moved into the gym to allow more room.” Event coordinator, Lory Scarberry continued, “we have such great variety of vendors for all your Christmas needs.  There will be Christmas door hangers & wreaths, candles, t-shirts, soaps, cups, wax tarts, badge reels, jewelry and this is just the small list of items available.”

   The craft show proceeds will be used for the Ashland Tomcat wrestling program.  Scarberry explained that the vendors all pay a fee to the program for their booth, allowing the public free admission to the event.  However, donations to the wrestling program will be gladly accepted.    “Our vendors are wonderful about supporting our program, we just want to encourage everyone to come out and support them throughout the day.”  There will be several raffles of items throughout the day that were donated by the vendors also. 

   Ghostly Gourmet will be hosting the kitchen for the event. Bobby and Mary Legge offer a great variety of food at these events, very reasonably priced. Once you have tried their menu items it is certain you will follow where they will be setup and selling if only to have lunch with them.   A dining area will be in the lobby so you can sit and enjoy your food before going back to more shopping.  

   Santa will make a special appearance from the North Pole from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Parents may take photos with Santa on your personal devices for free.  Cogan Photography will be setup next to Santa and doing Christmas Minis during the event.  Minis will be digital images with prices ranging from $10 - $25.    You can choose to include Santa in your mini session also if desired.

   Vendor space is still available if you would like to join the event.  Please contact Lory Scarberry at 606.615.3743 for information.  Don’t miss this unique shopping experience and the opportunity to shop small, shop local, and support the Ashland Wrestling Team.

Sasha Bush

The Greater Ashland Beacon

             It is said that there is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others. It's also said that there is nothing purer than the heart of a child. Two local young ladies have proven both statements to be true. Jaidyn and Aryanna Gulley have been fundraising for their 2023 basketball travel/club expenses for quite some time now. So far, the girls have managed to raise a total of $350 toward their $5000 goal. Both girls play for the well-renowned team, the West Virginia Thunder. Anyone who has children involved with any type of travel ball is all too familiar with the expenses that come along with being on a travel ball team/club.

            Recently, the Gulley girls have been going around the local elementary schools in hopes of encouraging other young girls to sign up for the Ashland Youth Basketball League (AYBL). The AYBL is something both girls hold very near and dear to their hearts. When the girls learned that the number of participants was very low for the AYBL, they became very concerned and even more so when they learned that not a single participant that had signed up was from Crabbe Elementary School. Shannon Rae Gulley, the girl’s mother, shared with the Beacon that, “the girls were upset about this and decided that other girls from their elementary school should have the opportunity to play. So, our girls decided to take $300 of the $350 that they had raised for their travel ball expenses and donated it so that at least five girls from their elementary school could have an opportunity to play basketball.”

            Jaidyn Gulley shared, “Crabbe is very special to us, and we hope that lots of young Crabbe ballers showcase their talent during the AYBL. We love Crabbe! Crabbe and the teachers that were there were very instrumental to us. We still consider them family to this day. So many people have helped us along the way that we just felt it was the right thing to do. Giving back and giving a chance to someone who maybe didn't have it. We know what it is like to not always be able to do something because our parents weren't always able to afford it; so, if that was the reason someone wasn't playing, we wanted to step in and help.”

             Aryanna Gulley, Jaidyn’s sister, also commented, “I agree with everything Jaidyn said. Crabbe is very special to us. Jaidyn and I both played basketball for Crabbe during the Ashland Youth Basketball League. Crabbe was always considered the underdog, I think. But we played hard, and I am pretty sure we went to the championship that year. Basketball is such a great sport and Crabbe is a great school. Some of my closest friends today were a result of Crabbe and the Ashland Youth Basketball League and it’s because of them that I fell in love with the game. I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not been a part of that. I am grateful for the opportunity. We know there is talent there and we hope to see it this season and for many years to come.”

            Both Jaidyn and Aryanna have big dreams of continuing to contribute to this cause every year and hope to eventually reach a point where they can pay for every Crabbe Elementary School girl that wants to play for the AYBL. Shannon Ranae Gulley, the girl’s mother stated, “for the girls to make an effort all on their own to help someone else and follow through by showing such a caring gesture is simply wonderful. Their selflessness is very admirable. I honestly couldn’t be prouder. Our girls are very special.” Jaidyn stated, “it feels good knowing that we could help. I hope they find happiness in the game!” Aryanna added, “It’s nice to be able to be helpful!” Aryanna also shared her motto with us…the hashtag #WeOverMe! What a statement from such a young soul. We should all be so wise as to live by young Aryanna’s motto.

Sasha Bush

The Greater Ashland Beacon

            LEGACY! It is such a powerful word with so much meaning. Legacy is not leaving something behind for people, but rather legacy is more about what you leave inside of people. Every person has a legacy to share with others. You may not know what your impact is. You may never have a song or a book written about you and your legacy, but every person can leave an everlasting impact on this world. What better day to celebrate legacies than Veterans Day? On Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, Steen Funeral Home put on its 22^nd Annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, at the Ashland Elks Lodge 350 BPOE. “We are so proud and so honored by all our veterans and it’s so important for us all to come together and celebrate everything that they have done for us and this great country. We are thrilled for many people to be here honoring our veterans with us today,” shared Brian Binion, Managing Partner at Steen Funeral Home.

The well-thought-out tribute began with the presentation of colors brought to you by the Greenup County High School JROTC program. Boyd County Sophomore Sydney Ramey took to the stage with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. It was truly a beautiful sight to behold as you looked around the room all you could see was respect, not only for our country but respect for all the veterans that were present at the luncheon and for all the veterans across the United States. Retired Command Sgt. Major Paul Royster led this beautiful tribute, “Veterans Day, unlike that of Memorial Day, is a day of celebration! It is to celebrate you and me! It is to celebrate the veterans of the United States. Veterans Day is for us and who is us? At any given time only 1% of this nation is serving. Think about that for a minute. If you total all the veterans up, we only make up about 7% of the population. So, we are kind of an anomaly. We are not the norm. Veterans Day is for all of us veterans that have served in this country and those that are still currently serving. Every veteran has a legacy that means something to someone whether they know your legacy by name. The fact that you served, the fact that you went to places that no one else wanted to go, and even if you are a veteran that didn’t go out of the country or anywhere… your time matters! It matters that every one of you has served. Your legacy is important, and our flag is important. The flag itself is nothing more than thread and cloth. It’s not what that flag is made up of that matters. It’s what that flag stands for that means something. I never understood just what that flag meant to me until I had to walk down that C-10 and kneel and put my hand on a flag-draped casket and send it home. That flag means something different to me now than it did before that day. That flag is a legacy. It represents all our legacies.  As veterans, your legacy matters. How you carry yourself today matters. We still work for one flag, not two political parties. We serve one country. As a veteran I want you to understand that what you have done and what you do… matters! Your legacy matters! You matter! You matter to me! You matter to everyone here and you matter to that twelve-year-old boy over there,” added Royster.

            That twelve-year-old boy holds a very special place in the heart of retired Command Sgt. Major Royster that twelve-year-old boy just happened to be his grandson, Barron Royster. Young Barron is not your typical twelve-year-old boy. Whereas most boys Barron’s age are into collecting things such as comic books, ball cards, or other memorabilia. Young Barron has a unique collection of military legacies from all-around. Barron’s private collection of military memorabilia was on display during the Veterans Luncheon and what an impressive collection it was. His collection wrapped around the room on display for all to enjoy. It is important to realize that every item on display wasn’t simply a mere piece of history. Every item on display had a meaning, a story behind it had a legacy attached to it and young Barron understood the importance of that and has made it his mission to collect and share as many legacies as he can get his hands on. Over the last two years, young Barron has gone around collecting military artifacts that represent all branches of the armed forces. Young Barron shared with the Beacon that, “Veterans Day is a day to honor those that have served our country. It’s a day to remember what others have done for us to have the freedoms and rights that we have today. We must celebrate it.” Retired Command Sgt. Major Royster couldn’t have said it any better than when he said, “I know in today’s times that we don’t always understand the youth of today, but they are our future. What you do in front of them, what you show them, and you how to talk about your service in front of them… it matters!”