Hall of Fame game Cols vs. Madisonville is 7 p.m. Friday; Banquet is 6 p.m. Saturday in HCHS cafeteria
The 2026 Henderson County Sports Hall of Fame class honors an accomplished group of individuals who left an impact on the Henderson sports community. Among the honorees is also one of the best soccer teams in Henderson County history.
Most stats and accomplishments are courtesy of the Henderson County Sports Hall of Fame Facebook account.
This year’s team inductee honors the 2011 Henderson County High School boys’ soccer team, who made it to the final four of the state tournament.
- Won a school-record 22 games
- Recorded a school-record 13 clean sheets
- Led the region with 91 goals scored
- Posted a 12-1-1 region record and a 5-1-0 district record
Head Coach Benson Pryor talked about his team’s legacy: “The 2011 team making the Hall of Fame is a huge honor. There’s only one other boys’ soccer team, so just knowing that we’re in that group is a huge honor. That team deserved it. They were really good and that was a fun time to be coaching soccer back then… I just remember the guys always being hungry and always ready to compete. It’s a huge honor to be involved with that and all the other great teams from all the other sports. It’s very competitive to get a team in… I think a lot of the success we’ve had in my time as head coach came from those early teams setting an example of the success we’re supposed to have.”
Nick Gregory, a 2015 HCHS graduate, was the points leader for the 2011 soccer team, had an outstanding overall soccer career, and was the kicker for the football team.
- Holds the career scoring record with 90 goals
- Holds the single-season record with 41 goals
- Three-time First Team All-State
- Won Region Player of the Year twice
- Four-year letter winner in soccer and football
- Played soccer at Georgetown College
Gregory called it a “great feeling” to be inducted into the Hall of Fame: “I’m truly honored that the committee inducted me into the Hall of Fame… I’m definitely very thankful. I know there were a lot of good soccer players that came through Henderson County before my time and during my time as well. I’m thankful for the coaching staff and my teammates and definitely wouldn’t be able to be in this position without them… We were able to go to the final four my freshman, sophomore, and junior year. Those were great memories with the team. We were a big family.”
Antoinne Lightfoot was a three-sport athlete who graduated from HCHS in 2007.
- All-time leader in touchdowns with 54
- Ranks top 10 in rushing, receiving, and scoring
- First Team All-State
- Key member of two region championship football teams
- Played wide receiver at Murray State University
- Region Champion sprinter
- Member of three region runner-up basketball teams
Lightfoot was “more honored than anything” to enter the Hall of Fame: “It’s a huge honor to be part of a group being submitted into the Hall of Fame. I honestly didn’t think some of the things and records that I’ve done at Henderson would still be there 20 years later. I had a lot of motivators throughout my high school career and a lot of great coaches to bring the best out of me. My teammates were always very competitive to push me to be my best and always backed me. I had a great supporting cast.”
Adam Hobson, a 2008 HCHS graduate, was a state champion pole vaulter who went on to compete at Bellarmine University.
- 2008 KHSAA Class 3A State Champion
- 2008 Region Champion in pole vault
- Third HCHS athlete to win a state pole vault title
- High school personal record of 14 feet, 6 inches
- Competed at Bellarmine University
Hobson called his induction a “huge honor” and remembered seeing past Hall of Famers recognized during his time at HCHS: “I remember walking down the hallways and seeing all the Hall of Famers recognized, and I did think to myself that it would be a great honor if that ever happened. And here we are today… It brings a lot of pride to my family.” Hobson also credited Hall of Famer Kevin Ferguson, his dad, Keith Hobson, and his former teammates for helping him along the way. “I had my own honors and was able to celebrate what I accomplished, but I was also able to do it with an excellent team right alongside me. Those are really good memories.”
Ronald “Moto” Vaughn, a 1976 Henderson City High School graduate, was a standout in football and track and was part of City High’s final graduating class.
- Defensive captain and team MVP
- All-Big 8 linebacker
- Helped lead City High to the 1975 AAA District Championship
- Two-time regional pole vault champion
- Two-time state runner-up in pole vault
- Holds the school record in pole vault at 13 feet, 6 inches
Vaughn said his induction means even more as a member of City High’s final graduating class: “We were the last class to graduate from City High. They closed the school down after I graduated, so it means a lot to the people in my class, the Class of ’76. To be inducted into County High’s Hall of Fame, I really appreciate it. It’s an honor.” Vaughn also made sure to credit the teammates who were alongside him. “Football is a team sport, and we had some good players on our football team besides me. As far as being inducted for football, I have to mention the other players that played with me. I can’t take that responsibility all on my own.”
Tom Fisher enters the Hall of Fame as an honorary member after more than three decades of coaching and a career that included three regional basketball championships.
- Contributed to roughly 550 basketball wins
- Three regional championships in 1990, 1996, and 1999
- Two state semifinal appearances in 1996 and 1999
- Longtime football coach at North Middle School
- Also coached at Chandler, Madisonville and Webster County
Fisher was “very humbled and honored” by his induction and gave much of the credit to those around him: “The reason all this came about was due to the great players that I’ve been able to work with and also some great coaches who have been good mentors to me.” Fisher said the three trips to the state tournament are among his favorite memories, but seeing what his former players have gone on to accomplish means just as much. “The gratification comes from working with all the great young men I’ve had the opportunity to coach and seeing them go on to become successful. Looking at them now, I’m proud that I may have played a small part in helping them along the way.”
According to Facebook, the inductees will be recognized at halftime of the Colonels’ first home football game this Friday, August 28 against Madisonville. There will be a banquet held in their honor the following evening at 6:00 PM in the HCHS cafeteria.
