Should-a, Could-a, Epilog on the Tigers 1970 Season

We should have beaten Cowpens. We could have beaten Hendersonville. We would have liked to been able to play both of them at the end of the season when we were at our strongest. Eight wins tied Coach Neal's most wins for the regular season in Tryon. Not bad for the smallest public school in North Carolina to field a football team - and playing up in a conference with schools 3 to 4 times bigger. We would have been a movie if we'd won those two games - could have done for NC football what the movie Hoosiers did for Indiana.

How good were the tigers?:

• Ken Warrington scored 107 points
• Only 13 points were scored on the tigers by conference teams
• Only two extra points were made on the tigers (ironically - those two points contributed to both losses)
• The tigers outscored opponents 216 to  56
• Hendersonville's Robbie McManus, "Tryon was the hardest hitting club I played against. They really came across the line at you"
• Edneyville's Vic Pryor, "Tryon was the toughest team we faced. They had a good defense and were hard to block. We couldn't move the ball against them. They had size and they could hit"
• Hendersonville's Phil Dietz, "Tryon hit me real hard, as hard as any club all year"
• Edneyville's Tommy McCall, "Tryon and T.C. hit me as hard as anybody"
• Hendersonville's Birdie Johnson, "Tryon was the toughest club I faced".

So, why were the Tigers good. What was in the mixture that caused Curt Eargle, long time Harmon Field commissioner, to announce after the first game that "Big Time Football" had arrived in Tryon?

Certainly the student body and community were supportive. There were big crowds, home and away, no matter the weather. The band may have been the best ever - with new shows every football game.

Coach Neal and Ken Warrington

Certainly the two folks above were major factors. One sports writer said it was Coach Neal's best effort. Certainly, the seniors saw a side of him that was not visible in the past - stopping "head on tackling" drills - allowing seniors to change the defense - asking for jokes before a game with a rival - all examples of situational leadership. Had this been done in the past and only obvious to seniors? The coaching staff was well organized and enthusiastic. Everything clicked.

And then there was Warrington. If Ken had speed or size he would be in the NFL hall of fame today. There might have never been a better game player in the history of Tryon. How many players have split their helmet dishing out punishment while running the football as Ken did. And Ken also dished it out on defense! Hendersonville's John Wilson said, "Ken Warrington was the hardest runner I faced. He was real tough". Hendersonville's Birdie Johnson said, "I never got a solid lick at Warrington". Several coaches called Warrington, "a blue chipper". Ken made the all-conference and all-WNC teams and walked on and played freshman ball for UNC.

Bob Willis at Rest

But there were others on the team - Bob Willis (pictured above) was one of them. Hendersonville's Birdie Johnson said of Bob, "Their center racked me all night long". Bob wasn't fast, but he was persistent - probably one of the best blocking centers in Tryon history. Bob was also an interesting character - getting up at 4 am to deliver two newspapers (that's why he napped a lot) - reading books at every break - and was class valedictorian. Bob made all-conference, played ball at Haverford College, and is now a lawyer.

Joe Covil

The team was also successful because of players like Joe "Roger" Covil. Joe wouldn't have been able to play at most schools. He had a bad knee, bad shoulder, and when excited, talked in a foreign language (at least foreign to us). He weighed in at 137 pounds, if he had just eaten a big meal and was soaking wet. But Joe was an immovable object and never complained - really an inspiration. I found out latter that Joe said he got the team through school by allowing everyone to look at his papers - we just thought Willis was smart.

But, something could be said for every senior on the team. Personalities and issues were checked at the door. Everyone was focussed on making the team better - and for a season - we almost made it happen.

Other team members making all-conference were: Mike Burns, Jim Vining, Larry Durham, Nathan Shields, and Lee Glenn. Click here for copies of season end articles.

Tryon's Pearson Falls in Sunday Paper

Gorgeous waterfalls beckon just west

From hiking to wineries to used book stores, go for beauty and relaxation in Polk County.

Gary McCullough

Posted: Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010

Pearson's Falls is one of Polk County's premier scenic attractions. Sites in Polk County are 85 to 95 miles west of Charlotte (about a two-hour drive). GARY McCULLOUGH

MORE INFORMATION

• Details

Polk County, barely two hours west of Charlotte, is home to picturesque waterfalls , a scenic N.C. byway, nature trails, wineries, historic attractions, eclectic shopping, cozy B&Bs, and a host of special-event weekends from early spring through late fall.

Distance

Sites in Polk County are 85 to 95 miles from Charlotte (about a two-hour drive).

Getting there

Take Interstate 85 South; at Kings Mountain, take U.S. 74 Bypass West to the Columbus area; follow N.C. 108 south to Columbus and Tryon. In Tryon, take U.S. 176 West to Pearson's Falls or to reach Saluda.

To see and do

Pearson's Falls has been a major scenic attraction in the Blue Ridge foothills for decades. Discovery of the falls goes to Charles Pearson, who happened upon the 90-foot cascade while working for the Asheville-Spartanburg railway. He was so enamored with the place that he bought a large tract of land along the Pacolet River that included this natural wonder.

He allowed locals to visit the falls. They often came with banjos, blankets and baskets of food to while away their time while enjoying the scenic beauty. In 1931, hard times required Pearson's heir to sell off a large portion of the land, and the property came close to being sold to a timber company.

Fortunately, the Tryon Garden Club stepped forward and raised enough money to purchase 308 acres. In time, the club laid a quarter-mile path beside Colt Creek, built a stone bridge across the creek, added a stone gatehouse and restrooms, and placed numerous benches and picnic tables along the trail. Kevin Adams, author of "North Carolina Waterfalls: Where to Find Them, How to Photograph Them," gives Pearson's Falls a beauty rating of 7. He notes: "During the right conditions, it's hard to take a bad photo. . . . There are several boulders and cascades at the base which make for a good foreground." Pearson's Falls is a designated botanical preserve.

The route to Pearson's Falls is U.S. 176, which runs alongside the Pacolet River and parallels the Saluda Grade. The portion of highway between the S.C. state line and the Henderson County line is designated a N.C. Scenic Byway. Along this road is the Norman Wilder Forest, offering a 2- to 3-mile wooded hike on the steep slopes of Little Warrior Mountain.

U.S. 176 also connects Tryon and Saluda. Tryon has a surprising number of used book stores, a vaudeville-era single-screen movie theater and the somewhat famous statue of "Morris the Horse." Tryon is host to the annual Block House Steeplechase in April.

Downtown Saluda, anchored at one end by a restored train depot, also has a nice variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a small park.

You'll also want to check out Columbus, the Polk County seat. It has one of the oldest courthouses still in use in the state: It was built just before the Civil War.

Polk County trivia

Much of the county falls within an isothermal belt, an unusual microclimate area usually free of dew and frost.

The Saluda Grade is a three-mile stretch of track that has the distinction of being the steepest mainline railroad grade in the country.

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Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/24/1781203/gorgeous-waterfalls-beckon-just.html#ixzz13HU5LwI6

More Pics From The Lake

From Nancy Honeman West's Facebook Post:

Bobby Dempsey in front with Keith Henson back left and Nancy Honeman West back right.

Paula and Keith Henson

Mike Marshall, Mike Burns and Keith Henson

Nancy Honeman West and Lynn Ann Hoskins Chajewski

Last Football Game For 71 Tryon Tigers

The Tryon Tiger seniors closed out their high school football careers against the East Yancey Panthers on Friday, October 30, 1970. The best they could hope for would be a Parkway Conference tie if East Henderson could pull off the upset of the year by beating Hendersonville. However, Hendersonville would still represent the conference in the playoffs by winning the head to head competition with Tryon.

With Rosman asking out of the last scheduled game, and East Yancey stepping in and agreeing to play at Harmon Field, the seniors had the benefit of "two" senior nights. The game was never in doubt as the Tryon defense completely shut down the Panther offense on a muddy field.

One memorable event during the game, the Tigers were driving for a score and quarterback Stuart Williams told something different to each side of the huddle. As the team was approaching the line he yelled out, "alright everybody, it's on one" (sequence was: down, set, one, two,......). The other team hollered out, "watch out, it's a trick". And it was - cause center Bob Willis snapped the ball on set.

Another event toward the end of the game, center Bob Willis moved to the backfield and ran the football. Coach Neal would have none of that foolishness and pulled the first team. At the end of the week, the tigers remained 4th in the polls.

From news reports:

• The Tigers scored in every quarter and completely bottled up the East Yancey attack.
• Perhaps the greatest defensive team in Tryon's history ended its season with an 8-2 record.
• The Tryon line was tough as usual and at the end of the first half held East Yancey to -14 yards. The only way for the Panthers to gain was for Coach Elmo Neal to send in substitutes.
• Coach Neal and his staff probably did its greatest coaching job on this year's team as the team had an excellent spirit and played as a unit.

Read a write-up of the game by clicking here.

October 16 THS Reunion Group Picture

Front Row: Mike Marshall, Lisa Stone Williams, Keith Henson
Second Row: Bobby Dempsey, Dick Williams, Paula Henson, Jimmy Lankford, Judy Hutcherson Lankford, Mike Burns, Rhonda Williams Hudson, Nancy Honeman West, Sue Cannon, Phyllis Capps, George Chajewski, Lynn Ann Hoskins Chajewski,


A good time was had by all.

Class of 71 Loses a Classmate

Ricky Green 
(July 30, 1952 - October 10, 2010)

Tryon, NC – Ricky Dean Green, 58, of 320 Warrior Drive, Tryon, NC died Sunday, October 10, 2010 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Columbus, NC.Born in Polk County, NC, he was the son of the late Richard and Annie Edwards Green. Ricky was a graduate of Tryon High School, Class of 1971. A Christian, he was a member of Midway Baptist Church, Columbus, NC.

Surviving are his wife of 27 years, Lynn Smith Green and one son, Dylan Green both of the home, one sister, Pat Green Foy, (Raphael) of Columbus, NC.

Funeral service was held 2:00 pm Wednesday, October 13, 2010 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC with Rev. Gary Lockee and Rev. Eddie Duncan officiating.

Burial was in Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbus, NC.

Memorials may be made to the Rick Green Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 280, Tryon, NC 28782 to help with funeral expenses.

Gardens, Columbus, NC.
Family to receive friends from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Wednesday afternoon prior to the service in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC.
Memorials may be made to the Rick Green Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 280, Tryon, NC 28782 to help with funeral expensesNC 28722.

Tryon Tigers Deliver 60th Win For Coach Neal

The 1970 Tryon Tigers delivered Coach Neal's 60th win at Tryon when they beat the East Henderson Eagles 21-6, closing out their Parkway Conference Season. Once again Ken Warrington was the star as he was responsible for all of the Tigers 21 points. Highlights from news reports:

• Tryon fullback Ken Warrington was a one man show  in leading his team to a 21-6 win.
• East Quarterback Randy Stepp was knocked unconscious in the second quarter when he fielded a punt and was hit hard.
• East coach Doyle Mintz said that Warrington was the best fullback his team had faced this year. "He's an extremely powerful runner,".

The Tigers were originally scheduled to have an open date and then close out the season at Rosman. The Rosman Tigers, who always gave Tryon fits, made the playoffs and asked to drop the game. Tryon was able to pick up a game when East Yancy agreed to play at Harmon Field, giving the seniors one last appearance at home.

You can read more press clippings by clicking here.

Tryon's Lake Lanier - Site of Class of 71's Fall Gathering

Don't forget the class of 71 (and surrounding years) gathering on Saturday, October 16, 2010. For details, click here.

1970 Polk County Champs - Tryon Tigers

The trip to rival Polk Central was short so the Tryon football team dressed at home and rode the activity bus to the game. Once there, the bus parked behind the visitor's bleachers (on the baseball diamond) and would serve as the locker room. There was absolutely no talking. Tension and adrenalin was high, as evidenced by the numerous trips behind the bus for relief. While we were waiting for game time, Coach Neal did something that surprised us. He asked if anybody new any good jokes! This from a man who all but kicked a player off the team for talking before a game several years ago. But Coach Neal was concerned, as often happens, that a team that is really up for a game, might have a let down once the game started.

But it was unnecessary worry as the Tigers took home the county championship for the first time since 1967, 22-6, in a game that wasn't as close as the score. As teams started concentrating on Warrington,  other backs started having good games (Dempsey, Leonard, Mize). The offense and defense continued to improve and the game was a very sweet win against our chief rival.

From accounts of the game:

• Tryon has moved in racehorse fashion from nowhere to fourth in the last three weeks.
• The play of the entire Tryon line was outstanding as they contained the Rebel backs.
• Ken Warrington was the workhorse as usual as he ground out 140 yards in 20 carries to average 7 yards per carry.
• Mike Leonard's blocking helped Warrington turn the ends.

You can read the press clippings by clicking here.

The Tigers travel to East Henderson next week in their last conference game. I'll Be There by the Jackson Five made it to top of the charts.