HomeAbout UsServicesFormContact

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF sportshonors.com
Sports Talk
Follow us On
Hard work always pays off.
Hard work always pays off.
Contact Us SPORTS HONORS DEVELOPMENT
Dennis Thornton Bio        Ph: 606.939.2877
Dennis Thornton is one of seven siblings that grew up in Los Angeles County, California.  Dennis was forced to overcome a great deal of adversity after the loss of his father when he was four years old and then the loss of his grandmother and uncle, which resulted in his mother relocating the family to Spotsylvania County, Virginia.  Dennis graduated from Spotsylvania High School where he was an all-state football player, a three-year letter winner, and a sure-fire Division 1 college prospect.   Dennis also lettered in basketball and track, was named MVP of the state semifinals game as a sophomore, was All-District on both sides of the ball as a junior and was named offensive player of the year, repeated as All-District both ways as a senior and named player of the year and honorable mention all-state.  Dennis attended Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia prior to receiving a scholarship to play for Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.  Dennis played linebacker and safety with Marshall University where he was named All Conference player.  Dennis played with extreme passion for the game where he led his team in tackles, stops and sacks with a career-best 13 tackles against Central Florida. Dennis graduated from Marshall University with a degree in Social Work.  Dennis was then blessed with an opportunity to play in the AFL following his college experiences in Huntington.  Dennis has always had a desire to work with children to be a person that makes a difference in the life of a child.  "I've been through so much but I never gave up, just like people never gave up on me," he said.  He enjoys working with younger children, teaching them fundamentals, knowledge of the game, and the importance of hard work.  "There isn't anything better than having the opportunity to help a child's grow and develop into the best athlete they can be."  "Other than spending time with my daughters, teaching young children how to be their best is what brings me joy."
Jermaine Keyes was born and raised in Mt. Olive, MS. Football has been his life for as long as he can remember. At Mize High School, where he rushed for 3022 yards and 42 touchdowns in one season, Jermaine helped lead Mize to a State Championship in 1995. At this time he was one of the top Running Backs in the state of Mississippi. After high school Jermaine went on to play at Jones Co. Jr. College in MS where he was listed as one of NJCAA's top Strong Safeties in the country. While at JCJC Jermaine helped the 1998 team go 12-0 which earned a selection as a national championship team. Other members of that team also included: Anthony "Deion" Branch (New England Patriots), Anthony Maddox (Jacksonville Jaguars), Javon Walker (Green Bay Packers), and Eric Sims (Atlanta Falcons). In 2000 Jermaine signed with Kentucky State University and was listed as an SIAC top Safety. At KSU Jermaine was coached by Wesley McGriff who went on to coach at U. of Miami, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Baylor, and is currently the defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints. Jermaine also has had a professional football career from 2003-2008 with the NFL, CFL, and AFL. Jermaine has coaching experience as well. He has coached at Mize HS MS, Huntington HS WV, University of Charleston WV and Kentucky Christian University KY. It has been Jermaine's desire to give back to the youth and community.
Originally from Mount Olive, Mr Curtis Keyes ventured to Marshall University under a football scholarship. Curtis was a three star athlete who credits great position coaches for all of his success at Marshall leading the list would be Coach Jim Collins (Florida Gators, Duke Blue Devils, Washington Redskins), Lou Anarumo (Harvard,  Syracuse Orangeman, Miami Dolphins).  He has a strong belief that fundamentally sound players not only have a better chance at succeeding, but also have longer lasting careers.  He brings a lot of passion and competitive creativeness to the game of football that I am sure of the kids is going to love. His dream was the NFL; although he fell short he still truly believes that  NFL stands for “National Fundamental League.” 
Curtis Keyes Bio    Ph: 601.329.1046
Jermaine Keyes Bio      Ph: 601.329.1046
 Coach Jimmy Skinner is entering his 4th year at Madison Southern and 7th year coaching at the high school level. Coach Skinner has coached at Madison Southern High School in Berea, KY and Lawrence County High School in Louisa, KY. He has helped turn around both programs into dominant winning programs. At Lawrence County he helped coach the biggest turnaround in Kentucky high school football history. Lawrence County went from 0-11 to 12-1 in only his second year during the 2008-2009 seasons. During that time, Coach Skinner was a part of a staff that won the “Coaching Staff of the Year” award in 2009 for the state of Kentucky. While at LC, Coach Skinner served as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach. During the turnaround Coach Skinner had an impressive run with a sophomore under center, who went on to set many school records and play quarterback for Eastern Kentucky University. Coach Skinner called an offense that had over 4,000 yards rushing and over 1,200 yards passing in 2009 and had 3,500 yards rushing and 1,700 yards passing in 2010. His offense at Madison Southern is continuing to have similar success where many school and state records have been broken and is powered behind the number one running back in the nation for the class of 2015. Every Quarterback that Coach Skinner has ever coached went on to play at the collegiate level.

Coach Skinner graduated high school from Chillicothe High School in 2002. There, he was a four year letterman in football and 2 year letterman in basketball. Skinner started off on a good note as he led the Cavaliers to their first playoff victory in 101 years as only a sophomore. He was 2nd team All State at Quarterback as a senior and was a two time first team All-District selection his junior and senior year. Jimmy threw for 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns during his high school career. After a standout senior year, he was then selected to play in the Ohio North/South All Star game.

After high school, Coach Skinner earned a full athletic scholarship to play Quarterback for the Marshall University Thundering Herd from 2002-2006. While at Marshall, he was a three year letterman and two year starter who went on to play in two bowl games. He threw for 2,173 yards and 19 TDs during his career with the Herd. He won the J.D. Coffman award and John Stark award for “Best Team Player” his senior year. After graduating College, he proceeded to go on to play one year of Arena Football for the Huntington Heroes in 2007.


Jimmy Skinner Bio      Ph: 601.329.1046
Ivan Clark Bio             Ph: 804.721.3162
Ivan R. Clark, born in Petersburg, Virginia, was raised most of his life in Amelia, Virginia. Ivan was a just a talented and well-rounded athlete that lettered in three sports under his high school coach Recco Greenhow at Amelia County High...Earned four letters in track and two in basketball...Recorded 84 total tackles, including 54 solo, during his senior season to earn district defensive player of the year honors...Recorded 10 pass break ups, six interceptions, forced two fumbles and had a sack...On offense he had 188 carries for 1,210 yards and 10 touchdowns and completed 31 of 43 passes for 567 yards and five touchdowns...Returned 19 punts for 515 yards and three scores...Accounted for 2,292 all-purpose yards during senior season...As a junior he recorded 50 tackles and five interceptions while passing for 1,114 yards and 10 scores...Was twice named All-District as a quarterback, three times as a defensive back and once as a punt returner...Twice named All-Region and All-State as a defensive back...Was All-District and All-Region as a receiver as a sophomore...A three-time district track champion and team regional champion...Helped squad to a state-runner-up finish in track in 2001...All-district, All-Region and All-State in the 300 meter hurdles, 4x400 relay, and 4x100 relay for three straight years.
Ivan went on to pursue his football career at Marshall University as a blue chip player. In 2004 he was named MAC East Division Special Teams Player of the Week following the win over Buffalo...Blocked two punts, one that was recovered for a Marshall touchdown and recorded two tackles against the Bulls...Credited with three tackles on the season on special teams. Ivan played in all 11 games on special teams. In 2005 Clark blocked two punts that led to Marshall scores in the Herd's 20-19 homecoming win over UAB...Clark set up the first touchdown with his block late in the first half...With Marshall trailing 10-7, his second block set up the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter...For his efforts, Clark was named the Conference USA Special Teams Co-Player of the Week for Oct. 17.
Ivan Clark finished his college career in 2006 and also graduated from Marshall University with his Bachelor’s degree in Counseling. He started his coaching career in 2008 as the head soccer coach at Amelia County High school where he also attended. He became the Varsity football Defensive coordinator in 2010-2011 where he led his defense to a third overall ranking in the state of VA single A Division. He returned in 2011-2012 to coach the defensive backs at his home town high school where he implemented the fundamentals that he was taught at Marshall University. Coach Clark helped three of his senior defensive backs achieve honors at their positions and moved on to play college football. Coach Ivan Clark still motivates young athletes to achieve their best potential, and has a drive to help athletes get better on and off the field.  He is a natural when it comes to helping kids because he does it every single day at the boys and girls club in Huntington, WV.