By CHRIS HOLLIS<br>Record Sports Writer
Just three days after a season ending loss to Lawrence County McCreary Central Head Football Coach Clinton resigned last Monday.
Gay, who served as head coach as the Raider football program was just beginning was rehired for the position in 2006 following the two year tenure of Jack Arthur who’s Raider teams went 4-16.
Gay equalled the school’s best record in his first season back at the helm as the 2006 team finished at 5-5. The following two seasons were not quite as successful in terms of total number of wins but for the first time in school history the Raiders did qualify for the State Playoffs each season with narrow district wins over Madison Southern.
The 2007 team finished with a 3-8 record and the 2008 squad ended at 4-7 after getting off to a 4-2 start. This years team finished with a winning record (7-4) for the first time in school history and reached the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Gay’s second tenure at the helm ended with a 42-19 loss to undefeated Lawrence County on November 7. He finished his second term with a 19-24 record over the past four season.
McCreary Central hopes to have Gay’s successor hired in time for spring football practice.
Football Playoff Update
High School football playoff action continued over the past weekend with several area teams still involved.
McCreary’s district rival Knox Central was knocked out by a 19-0 loss to Lawrence County and Bell County rolled over Rockcastle by score of 48-0. Bell will host Lawrence County with the Class 4A 4th region championship on the line. The winner will travel to face the winner of the Boyle County vs. Lexington Catholic for the opportunity to play for the state championship at Western Kentucky University.
In Class 5A Pulaski advanced with a thrilling 40-34 win over Whitley County and will host Letcher Central this Friday with the regional title at stake.
Also playing for a regional championship and to keep their perfect season in tact is Somerset who easily defeated Estill County 63-14 and is set to host Breathitt County this Friday.
The only other school in the surrounding area still alive in the State Playoffs is Corbin who beat Shelby Valley 44-27 on Friday and must now travel to play Prestonsburg.
