BY KYLE LOVERN
FOR THE CITIZEN

The Kermit Blue Devils brought home their second Class A state championship trophy back in 1975, and that squad is still talked about fondly among locals and alumni.

Coached by the late John Preece, who molded his squad together, the team peaked at the right time.

Kermit High School was one of the smaller schools in the state and graduated on average about 30 students every spring. This particular senior class produced three medical doctors and one Ph.D. college professor. J.W. Endicott, John Carey and Bruce Hensley all became physicians, while Charles Patrick became a college professor. Endicott returned to his hometown and has had a successful family practice for many years in downtown Kermit.

“My dad was a huge advocate of higher education. Also, he taught us — as I am sure he told his teams — that whatever you choose to do in life, to be the best,” said Tammy Preece Hodge, the daughter of Coach Preece. She was a sixth grader at that time and remembers that era fondly. “If it was picking up pop cans, pick up more than anyone else! He was super competitive and I used to be that way too. He always said nobody remembers who came in second.”

Hodge said everyone on the team had successful careers, whether it was in the coal mining industry or as a professional.