Fans flash their support even in the face of title defeat

By Adam Shull
ashull@paducahsun.com

Carl White of Lone Oak voiced one of the few bright spots for the Lone
Oak High School football team during its Class 4A state championship
game Saturday.

“At least they scored,” White said after senior quarterback Corey
Robinson threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Jamarielle Brown with barely
over a minute left. That pass put the Purple Flash down 49-7 to the
Lexington Catholic Knights, who won by that score.

It was the Purple Flash’s first trip to the state title game in almost
40 years of football and their first loss all season.

But as rain fell in the last quarter over the roughly 4,000 Lone Oak
faithful decked in purple and gold, it wasn’t just disappointment that
showed in their faces and words. After making the three-hour-plus trip
to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, they dealt with defeat by talking
about pride, accomplishment, and being part of something bigger and
better than themselves.

Accomplishment
As Billy Bob Clark of Lone Oak watched his son, senior Austin Clark,
play linebacker he remembered his own playing days.
“I played on the first-ever Lone Oak football team during the 1969-70
season,” Clark said while waving a cowbell furiously.
“This is the first time Lone Oak has had a class of such gifted
athletes.” Clark added, “It’s incredible what these kids have
accomplished, all of them.”

He spoke of Robinson’s record touchdown passes and the team’s semifinal
victory by a field goal last week.
With the score at 28-0 in the second quarter Clark knew a victory was
slipping away, but said, “A loss wouldn’t take their accomplishments
away.”

Family
Beth Coorts-Palmer of Lone Oak leaned over a railing while looking at a
Lone Oak team down 42 points with five minutes to go.
“No matter what, this team is No. 1 for western Kentucky,” she said
with a hurt look.

“What people should remember is this team is a family,” she said,
adding that the community and team have supported her son, freshman
kicker Jack Coorts.

Community builder
As the game ended Melanie Fox only wanted to survive the cold.
Huddled with 4-year-old daughter Ariel, decked in yellow attire, she
said, “This has been the best thing for the community in years,”
referring to the team’s wins.
“Look at all these people and how together we are,” she said, gesturing
to the visitor’s side, full of fans despite the score.

Adam Shull can be contacted at 575-8653.