While preparing for the first inductee class of the Raceland Football Hall of Fame, I have the benefit of recently doing quite a bit of research on this topic. Hard to pick top three, and hard to compare players from different errors, but here's my stab:

 

1. Aaron Pettrey (2003) - The definition of "Athlete". Freshman and Sophomore year at Raceland played WR, at 6'2" he was a great WR. Junior and Senior year played QB and lead the state in several passing categories and still holds the career completion percentage record at 71.3% (2000-2003) (442/620). Fifth on the completion (72.2%) percentage for one season (2003) (200/277) Oh yea, he kicked a little too, I personally say him split the uprights several times on kick off. He still holds the State Record for Longest FG at 58 yards (2003). Had many scholarship offers as a WR and QB including several D1's as a QB. Ended up on scholarship kicking for Ohio State. (UK said he could walk on) Has kicked in several NFL games, including a game for the Bengals. I think he is still working on another NFL shot. Has kicked in several Semi-Pro leagues.

 

2. Scott Davidson (1959) - Scott is thought to be one of the all-time greats, played QB and LB at Raceland. Went on to a great career at Morehead State where he played QB. Signed with the New York Giants as a LB, had a short career there that ended with a blown knee, before the miracles of modern medicine to repair it.

 

3. Scott Speaks (1989) - Probably the most dominating and punishing high school LB I have ever seen. Scott had a nose for the football, and the athleticism to get to it. At 6'4" 250 pounds he was a massive LB in uniform. Also played FB after moving from OL. Ended up paying off, went to Louisville on scholarship as a FB. Once saw him hurdle the opposing teams' offensive line after guessing the snap count. Also, one of the strongest high school players I ever saw, he could almost squat all the weight in the weight room, massive strength.

While preparing for the first inductee class of the Raceland Football Hall of Fame, I have the benefit of recently doing quite a bit of research on this topic. Hard to pick top three, and hard to compare players from different errors, but here's my stab:

 

1. Aaron Pettrey (2003) - The definition of "Athlete". Freshman and Sophomore year at Raceland played WR, at 6'2" he was a great WR. Junior and Senior year played QB and lead the state in several passing categories and still holds the career completion percentage record at 71.3% (2000-2003) (442/620). Fifth on the completion (72.2%) percentage for one season (2003) (200/277) Oh yea, he kicked a little too, I personally say him split the uprights several times on kick off. He still holds the State Record for Longest FG at 58 yards (2003). Had many scholarship offers as a WR and QB including several D1's as a QB. Ended up on scholarship kicking for Ohio State. (UK said he could walk on) Has kicked in several NFL games, including a game for the Bengals. I think he is still working on another NFL shot. Has kicked in several Semi-Pro leagues.

 

2. Scott Davidson (1959) - Scott is thought to be one of the all-time greats, played QB and LB at Raceland. Went on to a great career at Morehead State where he played QB. Signed with the New York Giants as a LB, had a short career there that ended with a blown knee, before the miracles of modern medicine to repair it.

 

3. Scott Speaks (1989) - Probably the most dominating and punishing high school LB I have ever seen. Scott had a nose for the football, and the athleticism to get to it. At 6'4" 250 pounds he was a massive LB in uniform. Also played FB after moving from OL. Ended up paying off, went to Louisville on scholarship as a FB. Once saw him hurdle the opposing teams' offensive line after guessing the snap count. Also, one of the strongest high school players I ever saw, he could almost squat all the weight in the weight room, massive strength.

 

Ram, you have certainly chosen three greats. I honestly cannot dispute any of your three. I was going to post that Scotty Adams just may have been the best all time at Raceland. Any kid that can play at QB in college, go to the NFL and play at LB is one heckuva athlete. I, like you have always heard that Scotty was the best ever ad on a side note as any Raceland alums (no matter what year graduate) you can find him watching the Rams on most every Friday night in the fall. Aaron Pettry is another that I certainly agree with, a KY. State record holder in two areas (58yd. state record fg and record pass completion pct. at 72.2%) is very impressive. When at Ohio State a s the Buckeyes place kickerI believe that Aaron led the BIG10 in total pts. his Senior season. Aaron also played in two NCAA National Championship games. Scott Speaks is another one that was an incredible football player, all over the field and it seemed that he made every tackle in the game, if not he was in on it. I remember the kids nicknaming him "Psycho" and with the way he was all over the field it fit,lol.

I would add another couple of considerations to maybe get into the top three.....

 

Randy Heaberlin (72' I think) was a great tackle and went on to play, excel at Eastern KY..

 

Kenny Lacks (67') was one something like S. Speaks in that he was a great defender from his LB,DE positions and was also an excellent kicker/punter along with very effective on offense at RB /TE I believe. Lacks was as versitle of player as it gets and was common knowledge that he could definitely had played D1 college football. The U.S. Government signed him to a different letter of intent ........a draft notice and then to Viet Nam after his h.s. graduation.

 

Terry Howell (76'), an all state RB and probably was still the best RB that I have seen play in our area of NEKY.

 

There have been so many good ones through the years and it is hard to narrow the list down, I could certainly name others but will leave it with those mentioned for now.

One correction on my post above is that Ken Lacks was a 1964 or 65 graduate I believe and he was a defensive back (CB) instead of LB. Kens brother Keith Lacks (74') was an All State honorable mention LB at Raceland and Mike Lacks (Ken Lacks son) was a great DE with the Rams in 89 I believe. Another great LB at Raceland was Rick Cornett (72' I believe) and Michael Hunt was as good of RB as there ever was at Raceland and I rate him right there with Terry Howell as far as all time best, may have passed Howell if not for losing his entire Senior season due to a major knee injury.

I said that it would be hard to name just three and I think that I have now named about 6-8 best three, lol.