WDBJ 7 Friday Football Extra for 08/22/03

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[History]

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Welcome one and all to Friday Football Extra's preseason primetime special. It is hard to believe - but this program turns 20 years old this year. In the next 60 minutes we're going to take a stroll down memory lane, get reaquainted with some familiar faces from the past and learn a few life lessons along the way. Plus, later in the show we'll kick off our 20th anniverary season by giving you a chance to call in and win a pair of Virginia Tech season tickets. But first we need to begin at the start with the very humble beginnings of Friday Football Extra.
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[SUPER=49-Mike Stevens; :00]
[SUPER=51-John Kernan/FFE Host 1984-1987; :58 quick]
[SUPER=51-Mark Brown/First FFE Producer; 1:16]
[SUPER=51-Neil Dudley/WDBJ-7 Chief Photographer; 2:12]
[SUPER=51-Ronde Barber/Cave Spring Class of 1993; 3:22]
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[OUT Q=...PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD."]
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((BROWN:)) ((Or if it would last. The show wasn't exactly the highest of priorities for management in its first season. In fact - late night tennis kept it off the air IN 1984.)) ((BROWN:)) Brown ,who is now an attorney in Knoxville began producing this show when he was 16 year old student at Northside. He was given the position by the creator of the show - former WDBJ-7 news director and vice president - Jim Shaver.

In the beginning, simply getting the show on the air and not breaking anything were the goals. ((NEIL DUDLEY:)) The workers and the equipment have taken a beating by players and all different kinds of weather conditions over the years. But the things we have seen in 20 years are well - unbebelivable - like the night a meteorite slashed through the night sky in Pittsylvania County, or a legendary golfer like the late Sam Snead entered the Bath County hall of fame. We've gone toe to toe with coaches and players and captured them doing the exact same thing. We've even expanded our expanded coverage and televised a game LIVE - Parry McCluer - Glenvar in November 14th of 1992. But more than anything we've seen young kids - like Pulaski's Shayne Graham grow up right before our eyes and become successful men. We've had a heisman trophy finalist who was Moore than we could have imagined, and four players who have gone on to win Super Bowl rings. ((TIKI BARBER:)) ((RONDE BARBER:))

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When we comeback a look at the schools who have won state titles in the history of the show - but first a Friday Football Fact.
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The very first player of the week was none other than Patrick Henry high school's Tim Dudley. He earned the honor on September 14th, 1984. But the big man that year was William Byrd's David Jennings - who won the award twice that season. And Speaking of Byrd, former Terrier O.J. Thomason is the only 5 time winner of the award.
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[Champions]

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Welcome Back to Friday Football Extra. Over the 19 year history of this show, 19 area schools have accounted for 28 State Championships. Here's a look at the teams that have achieved the ultimate goal of every young man who ever plays High School Football.
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[OUT Q=...William Campbell in Division 1."]
((In 1992, within a few miles of each other in Central Virginia, Pulaski County won the Division 6 title while Jefferson Forest won the Division 3 title with a win over Matoaca. Jefferson Forest made it two in a row beating Matoaca again in the 1993 Division 3 final...while Rustburg won the Division 4 crown over Nansemond River. Giles made it three championships in '93 by beating Lunenburg Central 27-to-18 in Pearisburg. In 1994, the only state title belonged to Roanoke Catholic who came from nowhere to win a Private school championship. In 1995, Amherst County won the Division four title by crushing Sherando and Bath County won the Division 1 title with a win over Strasburg. In 1996, Willis White's frustration came to an end as Salem gave him his first state title with a win over Sherando. The Spartans won another Division 4 title two seasons later by beating Lafayette and added a third in 1999 with a 1 point win over Park-View Sterling. Also in 1999, Brookville won its first state title by beating Handley in the Division 3 title game. In 2000, Willis White and Salem made it four in five years by again beating Park View Sterling while Rustburg won its third state title in 10 years with a three-point win over Turner Ashby. In 2001, Bath County won the Division 1 title over Sussex Central. Finally, 2002 was the most successful year for area schools as four teams won championships. Heritage in Division 4, Liberty in Division 3, George Wythe in Division 2 and William Campbell in Division 1.))
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Since 1984, the Seminole District can claim the most state titles as 6 of the league's 7 schools have accounted for 9 championships. The Pioneer district follows with 6 state titles among Bath County, Parry McCluer and Covington.

[Killer]

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While Salem has won four state titles over the years, not one Roanoke City team has ever won a title since Friday Footbal Extra began. Willis White actualy coached Patrick Henry to the state title game in 1979 where it lost to Petersburg 17-to-6. The last title to come out of Roanoke was the 1973 Patrick Henry team 30 years ago under legendary head coach Merrill Gainer. That squad beat Lafayette 23-to-0. PH did make it to the state semi-finals in 1985 under Larry Carter, but lost to T.C. Williams - and in 1997 Fleming did made it to the division five title game with Lee Suggs at running back and Sherman Lea at quarterback, but lost to Hampton. The coach of that Colonel - which is the only Star City squad to play for state title in the history of Friday Football Extra was George Miller. "The Kila" has since moved into adminstration. But in the summer of 1989 - he showed us all why he is the "Master Motivator" when he allowed us to "mike him" with a wireless microphone during his days as an assistant coach.
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[SUPER=51-George "Kila" Miller/Fleming Assistant In 1989; :15]
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[OUT Q=...APPLAUSE FADES."]
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Much more raw emotion is on the way after a quick commercial break, but first another Friday Football Extra fact. In our 19 years on the air, we've had 222 Super Seven polls.
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Salem has spent more time at the top than any other school - 52 weeks, barely edging Pulaski Co with 51 and E.C. Glass with 50 weeks. But Glass does hold one of the more impressive Super 7 records. From Preseason 1987 to September 8, 1989, E.C. Glass was ranked number one...a total of 27 consecutive weeks under coach Bo Henson.
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[Carl]

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Without a doubt - the greatest lessons learned for those of us associated with this show were taught by the late Carl Williams. Coach Carl laid the groundwork for guys like Steve Isaacs and Chris Jones to succeed at Bath County high school in Hot Springs. But more than that - he taught every Friday Football Extra viewer from Wytheville to Danville that football really is nothing more than a game. He taught us all about living while he himself was dying of cancer.
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[SUPER=52-Carl Williams/Bath County Head Coach/August 1988; :18]
[SUPER=53-Hot Springs/1989; :36]
[SUPER=52-Chris Williams/Bath Co. Wingback/1989; :56]
[SUPER=53-Roanoke/December 13, 1989; 2:02]
[SUPER=53-Hot Springs/July 20, 1989; 2:18]
[SUPER=52-John Woodzell/Covington Head Coach/1989; 2:30]
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[OUT Q=...his fellow man."]
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[Emotion]

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[MIKE]
If Carl Williams taught us how to Love - Steve Mason is here with the story of young man who taught us how to overcome. [STEVE] Mike, in 1996 photographer Greg Moore and I made the trek to Bland County not sure what we would find. I was told that a kid was not only playing, but starting on the varsity even though he had just one arm. The story sounded too good to be true, but the story wasn't anything compared to the young man.
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[SUPER=51-Lee Hankins/Bland County Lineman; :22]
[SUPER=51-Ed Selfe/Bland County Head Coach; :35]
[SUPER=51-Jason Hancock/Bland County Tailback; 1:26]
[SUPER=51-Nick Bruffey/Bland County Center; 1:32]
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[OUT Q=...HE DONE IT FOR SOME REASON."]
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Seven years have passed since that story aired and a lot has happened to Lee Hankins. He's now an insurance adjuster for Farm Bureau insurance living in Elizabethtown, North Carolina about an hour from Wilmington. He's been married for two years, and he and his wife are expecting their first child in about six weeks.

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When we comeback from a quick break we'll check on the man who impacted Friday Football Extra more than any other - Dennis Vaught. During his stops at Lexington, Patrick Henry and Richlands - he manged to pull off the Clint Eastwood trilogy - the good, the bad and the ugly. We'll be right back. [GO TO BREAK]

[Vaught]

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Welcome back everybody. Despite all the many things you already have seen tonight - nothing defines Friday Football Extra more than former coach Dennis Vaught. He was part of the show's landscape for just eight years, but its hard to find a single individual who made a bigger impression than he did.
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[SUPER=52-Roberts Moore/Vaught's Attorney/October 13, 1989; 2:37]
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[SUPER=53-Richlands/August 1991; 3:57]
[SUPER=53-Richlands/December 1992; 5:04]
[SUPER=52-Willis White/Salem Head Coach/1992; 5:22]
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[SUPER=53-Charlottesville/January 1993; 6:02]
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[SUPER=53-Tazewell Co./February 9, 1993; 6:38]
[SUPER=51-Brandon Blankenship/Richlands Lineman; 6:49]
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[OUT Q=...HE WILL RISE AGAIN."]
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Vaught did actually rise again - but only briefly. He returned as Richlands' head coach in 1995 - but hasn't coached a high school game since.

[Contest]

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As we have been telling you folks for over a week - we are giving away a pair of season tickets to the upcoming Virginia Tech football season tonight. How would you like to get in the Hokie Huddle for all seven home games including the final trips to Lane Stadium for Syracuse and Boston College.?
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Let's do it. Just dial 1-866-WIN-WDBJ....we're looking for the 7th caller right now. We'll announce the winner's name at the end of the program. That's 1-866-WIN-WDBJ. call now!
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[Controversy]

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Welcome back everybody to Friday Football Extra's 20th anniversary special. While "Vaught does rhyme with Caught" he isn't the only one to stir things up in the past 19 years. It seems that LIVE TV has a way of making adults say and do the darndest things.
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[SUPER=53-Pulaski Co./October 31, 1986; :00]
[SUPER=51-Joel Hicks/Pulaski County Head Coach; :39]
[SUPER=53-Pulaski Co./September 28, 1990; 1:03]
[SUPER=51-Bo Henson/E.C. Glass Head Coach; 1:19]
[SUPER=53-Fieldale/November 16, 1984; 1:45]
[SUPER=53-Salem/September 18, 1987; 1:58]
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[OUT Q=...15 TO 14."]
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[Tragedy]

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It has been said that football and life often mirror each other. Without a doubt, sports can teach a person many valuable lessons that will be beneficial later in the so called "real world." But sometimes learning a lesson can be painful, and in rare instances even deadly. Those of us at Friday Footall Extra experienced this first hand in the late 1980's and again in the late 90's.
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[SUPER=51-Sherley Stuart/Fleming Head Coach; 22]
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[SUPER=51-Roland Lovelace/Fleming Assistant in 1987; :52]
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[OUT Q=...Fleming's Shakir Majied."]
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Several other outstanding players over the years have also met deaths that seemed to be way to soon. Among those former players of the week Chris Wheeler from Parry McCluer and Dana Palmer from Radford. Amazingly, Grogan, Wheeler and Palmer all won their player of the week honors during that same 1987 season.

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Friday Football Extra's 20th anniverary season special returns in just a moment as we check in with Travis Wells. Stay with us. [GO TO BREAK]

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[MIKE] A lot has changed on the high school football landscape in 20 seasons. When Friday Football Extra signed on the air in 1984, we coverned nearly 70 area schools including schools named Lexington, Natural Bridge, Fries, Independence, Shawsville, G.W. Carver and Drewry Mason. [TWO SHOT] Travis Wells,one of our personnel changes over the years, now joins us with more on the ever changing landscape. [TRAVIS] Mike, the schools you mentioned have either closed, consolidated or been made into middle schools. Back in 1984, there was no Three-Rivers District as Giles, Narrows, Radford, and George Wythe played in the New River District while Glenvar and Hidden Valley were nothing more than Junior High Schools. But, nowhere has the change been greater than in the Triple A ranks, where dwindling enrollment has sent most of the Triple-A schools down a classification and scrambling for games and playoff points.
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[SUPER=51-Jeff Highfill/William Byrd Head Coach; 1:17]
[SUPER=51-Willis White/Salem Head Coach; 1:34]
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[OUT Q=move on with that."]
(( In 1984 - there were plenty of reasons for Triple A schools to celebrate, as a dozen area teams played in two very competitive districts. William Fleming, Patrick Henry, Pulaski, Franklin County, Salem, Northside and Cave Spring all competed in the Roanoke Valley district. While EC Glass, Heritage, Amherst County, George Washington and Halifax played in the Western district. Now just 5 remain in a geographically challenged Western valley. The impact on travel alone is terrible. This year GW has to play three teams from North Carolina and travel to Bluefield to play Graham on the same day that Virginia Tech hosts Miami. Conversely, in 1984, the Blue Ridge District had just four teams...William Byrd, Lord Botetourt, Alleghany and Staunton River. But that league swelled to 11 teams and it too has now come full circle. This year, the Blue Ridge splits and drops back to just five teams as former Blue Ridge Schools Pulaski County, Salem, Cave Spring, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Hidden Valley now form the new Six team River Ridge District.
Jeff: Willis:)) [TRAVIS]
And perhaps the most interesting aspect of all this, that people might not realize is the fact that Salem and Northside are no longer in the same district. Mike...

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More of our 20th anniversary special is on the way, but first another Friday Football Extra fact. In 1988 we began our scholar athlete of the year award with Liberty's Chip Sherman being the first recipient.
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But since then Franklin County has won the honor more than any other scholl, with four Eagles taking home the $2000 scholarship starting with Tim Witcher in 1991 and ending with Bobby Basham in 1997. We'll be right back.
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[Iverson]

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There have been many memorable individual performances in the past 19 years, but one inparticular sticks out in my mind because it was turned in by in by a basketball player. In the 1992 Division Five state championship game the E.C. Glass Hilltoppers hosted the Bethel Bears at City Stadium.
The star quarterback and defensive back from Bethel was none other than Allen Iverson. Let's flash back to what a wickedly windy December afternoon in '92 when the tattooed kid known for his cross-over dribble crossed-up E.C. Glass.
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[SUPER=53-Lynchburg/December 1992; :00]
[SUPER=51-Allen Iverson/Bethel Quarterback; :44]
[SUPER=53-Philadelphia, PA/1999; 1:33]
[SUPER=53-Roanoke/1984; 1:54]
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[OUT Q=...MIDDLE SCHOOLER GEORGE LYNCH."]
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When we return from commercial break a look back at the man who "was" Friday Football Extra for 18 of its first 19 seasons the late Roy Stanley - as our 20th anniversary special continues right here on Your Hometown Station. [GO TO BREAK]

[Roy]

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What would Friday Football Extra's 20th anniverary season be without a word of thanks to our former comrade Roy Stanley. With Roy around - there was never a dull moment on Friday nights in the fall.
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[OUT Q=...MY FAULT."]
(( Roy Stanley won the prestigious Marshall Johnson award from the Virginia High school coaches association for his work in the field, and for the time he took to get to know coaches and athletes on our end of the state. During his 18 years on the show - we sent him - out into all kinds of weather into all kinds of communities. We even strapped him in the barber's chair one week to let a Fleming lineman cut his hair. But mostly with Roy we laughed and had a good time as is evidenced in this classic moment from the taping of the 1992 preseason show when we just couldn't get it right.)) ((NAT SOUND))

[Wrap]

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Folks we thank you so much for joining us tonight on this special prime time edition of Friday Football Extra. We'll be back here next Friday night at our normal 11:35pm star time with highlights of the first week of the season.

And don't forget throughout this season we're giving away tickets to Virginia Tech and UVa football games each and every week. Thanks for watching for the past 20 years. Have a safe weekend everybody. [GO TO BREAK]