Dear editor: Below are great athletes I remember from attending high school in Putnam County in the 1960s and ‘70s.
I hope others will feel free to add their favorites if they think I have left anyone off. I’d be glad to add them to my list.
• Running back/punter Franklin Dee Fuller, 1960s: played four years at RB and punted for Coach Shug Jordan at Auburn University;
• Fullback Jack Doster, 1960s: 6ft-2, 230 lbs. Would prefer running through you more than around you;
• Running back Brent Cunningham, 1965-’68: Class C Back of the Year; RB on the state championship team; 3-sport letterman; played four years at Georgia Tech, rushed for 144 yards against Duke University;
• Center, basketball, James “Tiny” Hearn: 6ft-9, Lettered in three sports at Georgia Tech; played professional basketball and baseball;
• Quarterback, pitcher Billy Hearn (son of Tiny): Lettered in football, basketball, baseball in high school and at University of Georgia. All-SEC pitcher;
• Offensive and defensive tackle Vincent McClain, 1960 ‘62: 6ft-5, 250 lbs;
• Center, football Butch Yates, 1965-’66: All-State 1966;
• Center and linebacker Tommy Copeland, 1964-’66: All-State;
• Coach Al Reaves, football: coached PCHS’s only state football championship team (1968), UGA Hall of Fame;
• Forward, girls’ basketball 1964-’67: Sue Ann Phillips, All-State;
• Arthur Linch, track, football, 1965-’66: state champion 100- and 200-yard dash, running back on football team.
Other Eatonton residents may have their own memories of other athletes to add to my list._The more the merrier, so do it._I’d like to hear of_those names.
Virgil Harris