The Beech Buccaneers honored a rich legacy of athletic excellence on Friday night, inducting six standout athletes into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Five football legends and one baseball star took their place among the program’s all-time greats, a class that reflects decades of dominance, grit, and unforgettable performances on the field.
Chris Coulter - Baseball Let’s start on the diamond.
Chris Coulter, a two-time MLB draftee, carved out a reputation as one of Beech’s most talented pitchers. Drafted both during his time at Beech and again while at Pensacola State College, Coulter eventually signed with the Cleveland organization after being selected in the eighth round of the 1991 MLB Draft.
His arm was electric, and his journey from high school standout to professional prospect remains one of the most impressive in Buccaneer baseball history.
Michael Paul Harris - Quarterbacking a Legacy On the gridiron, Michael Paul Harris still stands tall in the Beech record books.
From 1992 to 1995, Harris led the Buccaneers as a dynamic quarterback, setting the school’s all-time record for passing touchdowns with 38. His 2,650 career passing yards held the top spot until Nelson Smith and, more recently, Kaden Powell pushed past him.
Still, Harris’ impact goes beyond numbers-he was the engine behind a potent offense and a leader who helped shape the program’s identity during the mid-90s.
David Corlew - The Ground Game Pioneer Before Jalen Hurd became a household name in Tennessee prep football, there was David Corlew.
Back in 1996, Corlew set the standard at Beech with a staggering 4,000 career rushing yards and 50 touchdowns. Those marks stood until Hurd broke them nearly two decades later in 2013.
Corlew’s bruising style and relentless work ethic laid the foundation for Beech’s tradition of dominant running backs.
Eugene Shaw - Mr. All-Purpose
Few players have ever been as versatile or explosive as Eugene Shaw. By the time he wrapped up his career in 1996, Shaw had piled up 3,500 all-purpose yards and 33 touchdowns.
His fingerprints are all over the Beech record books: three touchdown catches in a single game against Maplewood, 11 receiving touchdowns in 1995, and five punt return scores over his career. Shaw wasn’t just a threat-he was a nightmare for opposing defenses and special teams units alike.
Kenta Sadler - A Big-Play Machine When it comes to efficiency, Kenta Sadler’s numbers are jaw-dropping.
He averaged 10.2 yards per carry over four years-yes, you read that right-and added 24.2 yards per reception to his résumé. Those marks place him second all-time in both categories at Beech.
Sadler didn’t just gain yards-he gained them in chunks. Every time he touched the ball, there was a real chance it was going the distance.
JJ Langford - The Anchor Up Front While the skill players often grab the headlines, every great offense needs a foundation.
That’s where JJ Langford comes in. He anchored Beech’s offensive line for two seasons, providing the protection and push that allowed backs like Corlew and Sadler to thrive.
Langford’s presence in the trenches was a key ingredient in the Buccaneers’ offensive success, and his induction is a reminder that championships are built from the line out.
The Class of 2026: A Legacy Cemented This year’s Hall of Fame class is more than a collection of stats-it’s a celebration of eras, of players who helped define what Beech athletics is all about. From Coulter’s fastball to Harris’ arm, from Corlew’s power runs to Shaw’s all-purpose brilliance, from Sadler’s big-play bursts to Langford’s steady dominance in the trenches-each inductee left a lasting imprint on Buccaneer history.
And now, their names are where they belong-enshrined among the best to ever wear Beech colors.