In 1949, Kenneth Shepard returned home to play football for the local college. He had starred at Maryville High School as a wingback and blocking back on their highly successful football team. Upon graduation, he elected to play football at Hiwassee College. After a year in Madisonville, he wanted to return home and play with other local high school heroes on the Fighting Scot football team. Kenneth did not waste any time in establishing himself as an impact player in this winning program. Despite his small stature – 5’6” and 150 lbs. – he quickly caught the eye of head coach, Lombe Honaker. He was a fierce competitor that had a great understanding of the game he loved. As a sophomore, he started in every game as a defensive halfback. Occassionally, he would also run the ball out of the MC backfield. Shepard enjoyed playing beside Bobby Neff, Hershell Merriman, and Tubby Callaway on defense. He would often come in to give Leon Berrong, Merriman, or Neff a rest as an offensive running back or blocking back. The ’49 team finished the year at 5-5.
His college education was interrupted for two years of military service, one of which was spent on the front lines during the Korean War. After his stint in the army, he and his brother, Clarence returned home. Coach Honaker convinced the brothers to play football for the college while they were fighting for our country. The MC program had back to back losing seasons. In fact they lost 20 consecutive games. The Shepards were determined to reverse the misfortunes of the Scots, and they did. The backfield consisted of Kenneth as a blocking back, Clarence as a wingback, Flash Harris and Earl Lawson as slot backs, and Wes Keninger as quarterback, the Scots had a potent offense.
This explosive backfield, with Kenneth leading the way, led the Scots to a 4-4-1 record. Kenneth could do it all. Block, run, tackle, defend a bigger pass receiver, and even kick extra points. He had a great year. During the winter of his junior year, his defensive coach, J.D. Davis, persuaded him to wrestle on the college’s varsity wrestling team. He would compete in the 137 or 147 lb. class divisions. His knowledge of wrestling was limited, but his competitiveness and toughness would give him a chance to pull-off an occassional victory. He picked up his first collegiate win, a 7-2 decision, over University of Tennessee-Chattanooga’s Bill Merritt. Led by captains Buford Miller and Tom “The Tiger” Bugenhagen, the team ended the year at 6-3-1.
Kenneth wrestled for the fun of it, but he played football because he loved it. He was looking forward to his senior season. The Highlander Echo had this to say in a ’53 season preview –“Standing only 5’6” tall and never weighing more than 150 lbs, this year’s grid captain is an example of the proverb – “it is not the size of the dog in the fight; it is the size of the fight in the dog.” The unselfish veteran would once again fill the role as a blocking back, but every game he could be counted on to break a run for several yards. With Wayne Newman at fullback, Clarence Shepard at tailback, Buddy Gilbert and Bob Shelton at quarterback, the Scots had an explosive offense. Often times, the Shepard brothers would take over a game. A sequence of plays in their season opener versus Hiwassee typifies their dominance. One minute into the game, Kenny recovers a fumble deep in tiger territory. On the first play from scrimmage for the Scots, Clarence scored around right end with Kenny freeing him with a block. Kenny booted the extra point and the scoreboard read Hiwassee - 0 the Shepards - 7. The Fighting Scots finished the year at 4-3-2.
After graduation, Kenny hung up his cleats and put on a whistle as he began coaching at his alma mater. A few years later, he was named head football coach at Maryville High School in 1957.
A year later, he coached at Valley Point High School in Georgia. He returned to Blount County and coached and taught at Lanier High School.
He concluded a career dedicated to working with young people as an administrator in the Blount County system. He continues to live in Maryville with his wife, Jan. A little man with a big heart. A true Fighting Scot – Kenneth Shepard.
