Winning football titles is a family tradition at Danville

December 2, 2017 FieldsColumn

Danville celebrated its 11th state title, its first since 2003, after beating Mayfield 35-21 in the Class 2A finals Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field.

BY MIKE FIELDS (Dec. 2, 2017)

Winning football is a family tradition spanning generations at Danville High School, and the Admirals’ family is celebrating another championship today.

Danville won its 11th state title by beating familiar foe Mayfield 35-21 in the Class 2A finals Saturday afternoon in front of 7,398 fans at Kroger Field.

David Walker eyed the championship trophy after Danville’s win over Mayfield Saturday afternoon.

Thirty years ago, the Admirals beat Mayfield 24-23 in overtime in the 2A title game. David Walker was one of Danville’s heroes, scoring a TD in the extra period, then blocking Mayfield’s extra-point kick to seal that victory.

Saturday afternoon, David Walker’s son, also named David, helped the Admirals beat Mayfield in the finals again. He was Danville’s second-leading receiver and second-leading tackler in helping secure the school’s first state title since 2003.

“My dad just always believed in me, that I’d come to a state championship and win one,” Walker said. “It’s good to fulfill that legacy. He told me not to be nervous, that it was going to be a big stage, but to go out and play my game. That’s what I did and we came out with the right result.”

Don Harris knew what Walker was talking about. Don’s dad, also named Don, was part of Danville’s 1987 title team, too.

Don Harris bit the championship hardware after Saturday’s victory.

Saturday afternoon, Harris led the Admirals in tackles and was their second-leading rusher. He was almost too giddy to talk as he clutched the championship trophy amid the post-game celebration.

“My dad motivated me . . . he told me, ‘I’ve got two state rings. I want you to get one, too.'” he said. “So this is a very special moment for both of us.”

Danville quarterback Zach Thornton, who threw for 118 yards and 2 TDs, and rushed for 64 yards, also has a tie to past glory. His dad Michael was on the Admirals’ 1992 title team. And so does lineman Ryan Jackson. His father Chris was also part of Danville’s ’87 champs.

Coach Clay Clevenger appreciates his program’s rich tradition. He was an all-state lineman on the Admirals’ 1994 state title team coached by Sam Harp.

When Harp stepped down after 25 years (and six state championships) in 2013, Clevenger left Henderson County to return to his alma mater.

Danville Coach Clay Clevenger hugged one of his sons after Saturday’s victory.

“You don’t come to Danville to go 8-4,” Clevenger said. “We came to Danville to try to win a state championship.

“These kids were in the 6th and 7th grade when I took the job that spring. I could tell when they were 7th and 8th graders that they had a lot of components to build on, as far as talent, size and speed.”

And to earn another state title for Danville, to go with the ones won by Harp, Tom Duffy (1984, ’87) and Ray Callahan (1962), resonates with Clevenger.

“It means a lot, it really does,” he said. “Taking over for Coach Harp, and having the utmost respect for him, being able to continue the legacy he set, and Coach Duffy set, and Coach Callahan set, it means a lot.”

Part of that tradition is beating Mayfield in the state finals. Danville is now 5-0 against the Cardinals in championship games (1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 2017).

D’Mauriae VanCleave

The Admirals biggest playmaker Saturday was senior D’Mauriae VanCleave. He rushed for 103 yards and 2 TDs, caught 5 passes for 42 yards and a TD, and returned a punt 60 yards for a score.

Who knows? Thirty years from now D’Mauriae might have a son helping Danville win another state title.

After all, winning championships is a family tradition with the Admirals.

Winning football titles is a family tradition at Danville

ABOUT MIKE FIELDS

Recent Fields Column Posts

Contact Us » P:(859) 299-5472 - F:(859)-293-5999 ~ 2280 Executive Drive, Lexington, KY - 40505