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 Coy Bacon: Ironton’s Legendary Pass Rusher

By Jim Ridgeway

"Coy played tight end and defense. He had player’s hands- soft enough to catch a pass with ease and stronger hands to literally crush the opposing player. We would shake our heads after witnessing his power and agility." - Dr Jim Asch

Dr. Jim Asch, a chiropractor now living in California, had the opportunity to play with Coy Bacon on the Ironton High School football squad. A former starting quarterback for the Fighting Tigers, Asch fondly remembers his high school teammate:

"In my sophomore year, the JV's occasionally got to play with the varsity- my first encounter with Coy. During one practice session, the ‘big lug’ even allowed me to ‘block’ him. Following the play, and weighing a non-exaggerated 115 pounds, I was excited and boasted about toppling the giant Coy Bacon. I ceased immediately when he tapped me on the shoulder, smiled and said, "That was your only shot." I knew exactly what he meant, and I was a bit intimidated. Even Coach Carl White was laughing.

Coy played tight end and defense. He had player’s hands- soft enough to catch a pass with ease and stronger hands to literally crush the opposing player. We would shake our heads after witnessing his power and agility."

In 1961, the Ironton Fighting Tigers recorded a 7 - 3 record under head coach Carl White. Bacon anchored a defense that kept the  Ashland Tomcats scoreless as the Tigers defeated the Kentucky high school by a score of 13 - 0. On November 3rd, Bacon scored three touchdowns as the Fighting Tigers destroyed Paint Valley 59 to 24.

The Fighting Tigers took on the Portsmouth Trojans the following week. Bacon’s scored on a 28-yard interception return in the third quarter. Early in the final quarter, Bacon picked off another Portsmouth pass and ran 61 yards for a touchdown. Bacon’s two, second-half interception returns for touchdowns helped Ironton rout arch-rival Portsmouth 41 - 0.

 Coy Bacon had an incredible sophomore season for the Ironton High football squad. While playing end during the 1961 football season, Coy Bacon caught 23 passes for 442 yards. Bacon scored 60 points for the Fighting Tigers that football season. Bacon and tackle Butch Whitehead led the team in playing time.

Coy Bacon (number 80) provided blocking down the field during the 1961 Fighting Tiger season.  (Source:  Ironton High School yearbook)

Coy Bacon also handled the kicking assignment for the Fighting Tigers in 1961. Bacon’s size fourteen shoe frequently provided opponents with poor field position. Against the South Point Pointers, Bacon kicked off three times for an average of 56.7 yards per kick.

The Ironton football team’s banquet was held in the school cafeteria. Approximately 400 guests attended the November event that started at 6:30 p.m. Students from the home economics department served the guests a complete turkey dinner. The food was prepared by the P.T.A. at Whitwell Elementary.

George ‘Lefty’ McAfee, the legendary Fighting Tiger from the undefeated state championship squad of 1935, was invited by the Tiger Clan to serve as the guest speaker. McAfee was an All-American at Duke University before starring in the backfield of the Chicago Bears. In 1961, McAfee was in his third season as an official in the NFL.

Unfortunately, McAfee was unable to make the event as his plane was grounded in North Carolina. McAfee found a former Duke teammate to serve as a last-minute replacement speaker. Willard ‘Easy’ Eaves of Ashland, Kentucky filled in nicely for McAfee. Eaves told some interesting stories about George McAfee’s athletic exploits at Duke. Eaves also recognized the current Tigers for their outstanding football season.

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