The News Herald, Panama City, Fla., Sports Beat column.(Column)

Byline: Pat McCann

June 12--It was a shade more than 21 years ago that Alvin Dempsey joined a small group of rising seniors in an office at Rutherford High School.

They were present to witness the unveiling of Steve Hardin as the new head football coach of the Rams. The occasion provided a bridge of hope from the chasm of consecutive losing seasons. Dempsey went from an undersized junior linebacker to a senior defensive back/running back under Hardin and played college football, graduating from Troy State. On Monday, Dempsey looked back and couldn't be blamed if he saw his past and his future in the same glance. "I do remember, it was myself, Tyrone …