2004 2nd Annual "Chig" Ratledge Lift-a-Thon

Article by Jeff McQueen
Photos by Jammie Graves

Guest of honor Coach Bert "Chig" Ratledge pioneered weight training early in his career at LHS.

On Thursday, March 18, the LHS football field house was alive with the smell of sweat, the sound of clanging iron, and the animal sounds of extreme effort! The football team has spent the winter in the weight room, in preparation for the fall 2004 campaign; they were out to showcase their achievements. Three exercises were performed: Bench Press, Hang Cling, and Squats. Each player worked hard to achieve maximum lifts during these workouts.

But first, Jeff McQueen (LHS, 1975) of the Redskins Football Booster Club, Emceed a program titled “Redskins of the Past, Redskins of the Present, and Redskins of the Future”. McQueen extended a welcome to everyone on behalf of Principal “Mr. E”, Assistant Principal Mrs. Cheri Parish, and Athletic Director Bill “G” Thompson (LHS, 1969). The guest of honor was introduced:

• Coach Bert “Chig” Ratledge - (30 years at the helm, three state championships, a record of 172-127-9, inducted into the Tennessee Coaches Hall of Fame, A fine coach, a finer man…), Coach Ratledge explained how he pioneered weight training early in his career at LHS.
  
  
The program continued with the introduction of:
• Miss Haun, LHS Cheerleading Coach, introduced her 2004/2005 cheerleading squad.
• Mr. George Dukes - “The Voice of the Redskins”, George let loose one of his patented “Lets Here It For Your Redskins!” this all but brought down the house and set the tone for the entire evening. George is the third generation of his family to announce the Redskin games (his grandfather, Mr. A.C. Dukes and his father Mr. A.C. Dukes, Jr. both were Redskin announcers).
• Team Chaplain Jeff Harris - Mr. Harris offered the invocation, praying for fallen Loudon Co. officer Jason Scott (LHS, 1998, 3 year Letterman), his family, and all those affected by this tragedy.
• Coaches and new assignments:
  • Jeff Harig - Head Coach, quarterbacks & defensive backs
  • Ronnie Roberts (LHS, 1975) - Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, offensive & defensive lines
  • Brian Nichols (LHS, 1983) - Defensive Coordinator, linebackers & offensive line
  • Clayton Stamey (LHS, 1979) - running backs & outside linebackers
  • Jeremy Lorenz (LHS, 1996) - defensive line & wide receivers
  • Scott MacKintosh - defensive backs & wide receivers
  • Darrell Brown (LHS, 1990) - running backs & defensive backs
  • Dennis Stewart (LHS, 1978) - linebackers & offensive line
• The following Redskin Families were introduced:
  • Mr. Frank Robinson - LHS 1932, beat Lenoir City 66-0.
     
  • Mr. Jack Lefler - LHS 1939, lost to Lenoir City 74-0.
    Mr. Jack Lefler II - LHS 1969, double threat in football and basketball.
    Trey Lefler - LHS 2000, double threat in football and basketball, unable to attend, on job interview in D.C.
    Jake Mourfield - future Redskin, Jake has played football for three years, winning an undefeated championship with the Loudon Quarterback Club Hoppers team.
     
  • Mr. Bill Blair - LHS 1944, 5-1 record, lost to Kingston on a 110 yard fake punt. "One day we were playing football, the next day we were carrying rifles... ."(there was no ’43 football season and the ’44 season was shortened due to WWII)
    Mr. Merritt Brakebill - LHS 1981, #52, All County selection. Merritt and his brother Bill Brakebill film all the Redskin games and have for years.
    Wiley Brakebill - current Redskin, rising sophomore
     
  • Mr. Jack Hodge - LHS 1950, (3) INT’s returned for TD’s + (2) rushing TD’s vs. Etowah ‘49, a 45-0 Redskin victory.
     
  • Mr. Reed Stamey - LHS 1956 - double threat in football and basketball, scored 62 points in a basketball game, a standing school record.
    Mr. Raymond Stamey - LHS 1963, undefeated team of ’62 (11-0-0).
    Assistant Coach Clayton Stamey - LHS 1979, #68
    Adam Russell - senior playmaker, DE/TE, #81, 30+ tackles, tipped passes, blocked FG’s, and recovered fumbles.
    Andrew Russell - future Redskin, Andrew contributed to the Loudon Quarterback Club Mustangs Championship season.
     
  • Mr. Lowry Kline - LHS 1958, ‘57 season was first season for Coach Ratledge, lost to L.C. in closing seconds 21-18 on a fake punt that continued a drive, bad officiating.
    Mr. Jimmy Kline - LHS 1961, #20
    Mrs. Grace Kline was introduced and stood for her sons.
     
  • Ronnie Roberts - LHS 1975, undefeated State Champion ’74 (12-0-0), Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, offensive & defensive lines. Played center, #55.
    Josh McQueen - senior playmaker, SS/WR, #80, All County, C.P. Chihasz award, returned INT for TD, 66 tackles, lead team in fumble recoveries.
    Jimmy McQueen - junior, OL/DL, #53, Jimmy needs to really step it up this coming season.
    Tyler Roberts - sophomore, OL/DL, #55, Tyler will make his presence known this fall.
    Jefferson McQueen - future Redskin, Jefferson has played football for five years, playing in four championship games and winning three, the latest was winning an undefeated championship with the Loudon Quarterback Club Hoppers team.
     
  • Ronnie Tallent - LHS 1980, #80, Ronnie talked about the honor of playing for Coach Ratledge.
    Kyle Tallent - senior, OL/DL, #54, the success of the Redskin football team this fall hinges on Kyle “Getting’ It Done!!!”
     
• The following future Redskins were introduced:
  • Jack Nichols II - played football for the Loudon Quarterback Club Crickets team.
  • Trey Townson - played football for the Loudon Quarterback Club undefeated Hoppers team.
  • Lee Trout - played football for the Loudon Quarterback Club Mustangs Championship team.

Nothing left to do now, but lift weights…

At the conclusion of the event, the classifications were announced and the following trophies presented:

Head Coach Harig thanked everyone for supporting the Redskins; he explained how the money raised during this event would be used for new games pants and enhancements to the weight room equipment. Harig also announced that the spring game would be at William-Blount High School on Friday, May 14th, at 5:30 pm.

Bill Blair (LHS class of '44) is at the mic and looking on is Mr. Frank Robinson (LHS class of '32).
Coach Brown with freshmen Everett, Harrison, & Gasper.	Flyweight winners: Mark Harrison, Clay Matlock, Keith Townson.
Lightweight winners: Josh McQueen, Mark Longworth, and Josh Brown.	Light Middleweight winners: Jessee Henry, Aaron White, and Tim Ramsey.
Middle weight winners: Matthew Packett, Jordan Hardin, Adam Russell.	Light heavy weight winners: Jimmy McQueen, John Paul Hackney, and Cody Sparks.
Heavy weight winners: Ricky Colon, Kyle Tallent, and Matthew Berry	Matthew Packett going for the max.
Jimmy McQueen and John Paul Hackney	Thomas Franklin Davis
Coach Lorenz, Daniel Hampton, and Cody Sparks	Coach Roberts w/Freshmen
Honorees: Mr. Raymond Stamey, Mr. Reed Stamey, and Mr. Jack Hodge	Brandon Dixon, Rashaad Hawkins, Taylor Eldridge, Charlie Hampton, Caleb McCollister.
Coach MacKintosh	Adam Russell