1974 Redskins Team Reunion

Article by Jeff McQueen
Photo by Jammie Graves

During the Fulton vs. Loudon Redskins game on October 1st, 2004; the 1974 Redskin State Championship Team was honored and introduced at half time. Below is a copy of the ceremony as it was presented:

1974 Redskin State Championship Team

After a successful freshman team campaign in 1971, the school of hard knocks taught grit and determination in 1972, as the Redskins could only muster a 1-8 season record. The foundation was laid, however, with the 1973 Redskin football team, which produced a 5-5 record. The bonds that were forged back in those years would reap many benefits in the future, as this group stayed together, worked hard, bought into the system, and persevered. The best was yet to come…The torch was passed, 17 seniors embarked on an odyssey that resulted in the only UNDEFEATED, UNTIED, STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM (to date) in 81 years of Redskin football! The dream season included a 42-0 shellacking of Lenoir City on the way to a perfect 12-0 finish. To show you just how special that is, there have been only 5 undefeated teams to assault the Redskin record books (1939, 1940, 1941, 1962, & 1974). Seniors on the 1974 squad were:

• #11 Dennis Queen, Co-Captain
• #65 Kenny Skinner
• #25 David Kincaid
• #71 Billy Joe Presley
• #33 Rick Tucker
• #72 Mike Yates, Co-Captain
• #36 Raymond Watkins
• #81 Donnie Thearp
• #43 Johnny Deathridge, Co-Captain
• #83 Bill Kollock
• #50 Floyd Morton
• #85 Buddy Swiney
• #51 Terry Brown
• #86 Sam Lyle, Co-Captain
• #55 Ronnie Roberts
• #87 Jeff McQueen
• #61 Dennis Rowe
• Head Coach: Coach Bert “Chig” Ratledge
• Assistant Coach & Principal: Coach Jim “Hoot” Gibson

Believe it or not, it’s been 30 years since that dream season. To commemorate this historic event, please turn your attention to the 50 yard line, as the members of the 1974 Redskin State Championship Team are introduced. Team members in attendance were:

Kenny Skinner, Jeff Nichols, Porky Campbell, Sam Lyle, Rick Tucker, Floyd Morton, Dennis Queen, Jeff McQueen, Kenny Starritt, John D. Delaney, Head Coach Ratledge, and Assistant Coach Larry Bridges. (Offensive Coordinator Ronnie Roberts was with the football team at halftime).

Caption: Coach Ratledge surrounded by several his players from the '74 State Championship team. Next to Coach Ratledge is assistiant coach Larry Bridges.