William Long exited like he entered; a winner and the “flashback,” Bank of Cadiz Feature of the Week @CentreFootball, @williammlong, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @bigassfans, @eCampusdotcom

’25 DL carried the fight to his critics every last step of the way!

In the end, William Long left the sport he played since he was nine (9) years old a shining example of all which can be accomplished with tremendous effort, toil, want to, and a ‘never give up’ spirit. In the end, and on his last official day as a football player, he was recognized for his excellence, a level reached at all different stops along his route.

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”

Author's Note: It is Dead Period. Every year at this time we go back and republish some classic "oldies," as the other side of Dead Period is the season and there isn't ever enough time, in-season, for such reminiscence, such frivolity. Look back with us on a player who was among our favorites, in his day; and, one which would be canonized in any book of all-time, high school, KHSAA greats, should we ever undertake to write such a book. Not saying we will. Not saying we won't.  

Friday Night Fletch 

The Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company, based in Cadiz, Kentucky, was founded August 7, 1970. The bank obtained trust powers in 1978. 

It is a locally owned, independent bank which has expanded, through the years, to locations in Hopkinsville and Murray in addition to Cadiz. The Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company has focused on community finance and dealing face-to-face with both families and small-business owners while fulfilling customer needs and the dreams of area families and businesses regardless of size or construct.

We, like our area schools, strive for high performance and finding ways to prosper in an ever-changing economic environment. The Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company remains committed to superior performance goals coupled with an exceptional quality of customer service.

A former high school athlete who also rendered a superior performance while achieving exceptional quality was former Hopkinsville High Tiger, Breathitt High Bobcats, and Centre Colonel William L. Long, II, Centre Class of 2025. Long, and the memory of his very fine play in both high school and college, is this week’s Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company Superior Performance, Exceptional Quality Feature of the Week.

All Points, KY: William Long was average sized in a sport which deifies abnormally large people. At the end of his career, it became readily apparent William’s size was the only thing average about him.

William’s number in junior pro was “60.” He wore “50” in middle school and high school.

In college, as a freshman, he was “51.” His sophomore year William wore “50” once more. Then, William’s junior year at “YJ,” William wore number “34,” to ultimately end his career, his senior year, back on the defensive line of scrimmage; this time wearing number seven (7), a lucky number.

It is fitting William would go out wearing old lucky number seven. William experienced a ton of good luck as a player. The teams on which William played were equally lucky.

William left the Centre Colonels with a conference championship. How very fitting for a highly decorated player to go out a champion.

Yesterday, at the Centre Football Awards banquet, William Long went out adorned a final time. This time William was awarded, by a vote of his teammates, a co-recipient of the Joe McDaniel Excellence Award.

William, who was never really one to seek out the public eye, though not altogether unaccustomed to finding it, left us with a statement on his social media about his feelings concerning this last achievement. William told us, “[I am] struggling to find the words to express what this award means to me. Surreal.”

William continued, “Coach McDaniel’s example shines through a lot of what we do in Centre Football, and if you’re familiar with the program, you know the weight his example holds. Incredibly proud to have been chosen by my teammates as an award recipient and even prouder to share it with Aiden Jackson.”

“Here’s to the continued Pursuit of Excellence with a Vengeance!”

This may well be the last article this digital magazine, which began to support and promote the playing career of William Long (and players like him), may ever publish about this particular player. Through it all, the all-state teams William made, the powerlifting championships William won, to William being honored as a captain of the many teams on which he played; William has set an enviable (and even incredible) example.

William has shown us all what may be achievable even when one finds himself an average sized human being. William has shown us the possibilities for accomplishment even by an undersized athlete the entire world couldn’t wait to forecast would fail; couldn’t wait to predict would NEVER be able to do exactly what he did.

William’s career officially ended as an active football player yesterday. His example and the many ways he found to inspire us didn’t. It has only just begun.

As his father, I am proud of all William has done. I am more proud of the example William has set. 

From junior pro, to middle school, to high school, to college, William has left every program he has served better than how he found it. At the end of the day, looking back on William’s complete body of work as a football player, the only thing average about William Long was his frame.

It certainly wasn’t his heart. It certainly wasn’t his force of will.

That is how I will always remember it. Then again, what do I know?

This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!

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