You also talk about the other coaches at Valdosta, especially offensive coordinator Joe Wilson, who later became Lowndes head coach and led the Vikings to a 1980 state title, and Jack Rudolph, Valdostas longtime defensive mastermind [and father of Georgia Tech and NFL player Coleman Rudolph]. "So most days, at the end of the day, I would just jot down some notes from the day. But Belues retelling of that episode during Georgias 1980 championship season is just one example of the honest account the former star quarterback shares of playing for the Bulldogs from 1978-81. that led to a victory over the University of Florida, which was at one time tied with two other passing plays as the longest passing touchdown in Georgia history. ], 6. 16VALDOSTA Former Georgia national champion and Valdosta High quarterback Buck Belue returns to Valdosta Friday. You do well at Valdosta High, and you get a shot to play some college ball. We were in an extra bedroom, and his wife came in a couple of times and told him dinner was ready. Im looking forward to reading it, Dooley said. He was the quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1980, when the team went 12-0, and, after beating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, was named the consensus national champion. I had other friends there, too, just like they did that day in that room. A couple of the mules handlers were able to catch the mule and bring him back to the field house. The head coaches would always come and speak to the small gathering. You also talk about the other coaches at Valdosta, especially Joe Wilson, who later became Lowndes head coach and led the Vikings to a 1980 state title, and Jack Rudolph, Valdostas longtime defensive mastermind [and father of Georgia Tech and NFL player Coleman Rudolph]. On Friday morning, Belue, who starred at quarterback for Valdosta High School and the University of Georgia, returned to his alma mater to hold a camp for Valdostas quarterbacks and receivers. He will be inducted with Belue in October. Ben Belue, 71, of Valdosta was a devoted family man and lifetime sales executive, born in Anniston, Ala. on Nov. 28, 1940 and raised in Macon, Ga. where he attended Lanier High School. A couple of students jumped in the water and secured the ship so that it would not float over to the shore.. ATHENS The Georgia Bulldogs were mad. Guy Belue is on Facebook. Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. UGA star Jalen Carter present at scene of fatal crash, Georgia Tech hammers Syracuse as Jackets late-season surge continues, Braves notes: Jared Shusters first spring game, Michael Sorokas progress, Ian Anderson on spring debut: Im not gonna sugarcoat it. The Plowboys name would serve as a rally point of sorts for Lowndes, establishing and embracing their underdog status, especially against the football WIldcats. Rome was ranked the No. Heset a Bengals record in 1984 with four rushing touchdowns in a game against the Houston Oilers. Hyder became head coach your freshman year. There will, of course, be signings at the UGA Bookstore before Georgia football games this fall. His 1971 state-record 21 receiving touchdowns stood until 2010. 1. With Coach Hyder, you just couldnt imagine anyone working harder than him to be successful. You need to watch him tonight, and he put on one of the most memorable performances I can remember seeing. Brooks would become Auburns all-time leading rusher with 3,523 yards, which remains third in school history. Youd see him around town and stop and go wow. Youd be in awe. . The Bengals drafted him in the sixth round of the 1983 NFL Draft. Stan Rome was a dominant two-sport athlete who still holds the state record for most receiving yards in a career (4,477) despite playing in a run-dominated era. Ive been wanting to do this for some time, Belue said. In baseball, he had a career .356 batting average and became a second-round pick in the 1978 MLB Draft. Published: Apr 25, 2022, 10:44 AM. Former Valdosta assistant coach Jerry Don Baker, who played at Valdosta in the 60s and coached at Valdosta from 1976-2006, said he was there when Wilson told Valdosta he was leaving. Belue played two seasons in the USFL with the Jacksonville Bulls and was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. Join Facebook to connect with Guy Belue and others you may know. "I had no idea that Georgia would win the national title. That term remained dormant until 1981, when Johnny B. Lastinger, a Valdosta High graduate and the executive vice-president of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, decided to take advantage of the Winnersville designation. His three children range in age from 8 to 11. The class also includes two players that went to Valdosta High School (Rome and Belue), Avondale (Dudish and Kell), Warner Robins (Brooks and Simmons), Washington County (Spikes and Edwards) and Parkview (Francoeur and Stinchcomb) while 26 other high schools had one player represented. What some might not know is that Belue's career as a writer began in earnest around that same time. We were playing old youth league football at 9, 10, 11 years old, and were playing at about 8 in the morning, and if you look back in the stands, youd usually see Coach Bazemore watching the games. As a highly recruited back, Rogers went to South Carolina, where rushed for 5,091 yards, including 1,781 as a 1980 senior. We wanted to work with players who were (at Valdosta), who are committed to playing football. Rogers was among three Georgians named to the 1976 Coach & Athlete All-America team. How would you contrast and compare those iconic coaches? We were in an extra bedroom, and his wife came in a couple of times and told him dinner was ready. Stan Rome was awesome, too. As a young boy there growing up in Valdosta, we all dreamed of the day we would get to high school and wear that Wildcat uniform and win a state title. The timing was awful, Buck Belue writes in his new book, Inside the Hedges. Most of the players thought it was a selfish move to even do an interview. The highly recruited player chose Florida State and became the Seminoles first two-time consensus All-American (1979-80). I remember Buck had to go to the locker room and get another jersey. Simmons, a defensive lineman and tight end, was the AJCs Class 3A Lineman of the Year and a Coach Athlete All-American and Joe Namath All-American. The quarterback thing happened late for me, and it was Wright Bazemore that told the middle school coach to move me to quarterback, so I owe much of my football success to Coach Bazemore for having the insight to get me over to that position. We had about 500 flyers printed with a nasty message directed at our players, Henderson said. He was totally unselfish, too. My dad and I waited on Athens High to come out of the locker room, and were standing by the fence, and my dad is saying, Look, heres Andy Johnson. It was pretty good, Johnson said. 25 Georgia high school player of all-time. So, Joe sits down with Martin and Sonny asks him, Joe, why should I hire you? Prince said. Buck's Beat podcast episode 80 has dropped. As a Johnson County senior in 1979, Walker rushed for a state-record 3,167 yards and 45 touchdowns and led the Trojans to the Class A championship. During the banquet, Valdosta police would bring in a black wreath that said, Death to the Wildcats from the Lowndes High Vikings, McGuyrt recalled. The stunning 93-yard touchdown pass from Belue to receiver Lindsay Scott with 1:03 remaining gave the Bulldogs a 26-21 victory. A lot of my motivation was to brag on some players and coaches at Valdosta and at Georgia that never got the credit they deserved.. [5] Belue also played during the 1984 and 1985 seasons at quarterback for the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL. Coach Jerry Don Baker confirmed the rumor. It was the last one. We missed a chip-shot field goal that wouldve won the state championship for all of us. I would soak up all this knowledge. Buck was a great quarterback for maybe the toughest high school program to play forthe Valdosta Wildcats. Plus, Buck's Beat Podcast. Andrews was named to four Pro Bowls and earned two second-team All-Pro selections. Before he was an All-SEC running back at Auburn and played 13 NFL seasons, James Brooks led Warner Robins to a 1976 Class 3A championship and a National Sports News Service (NSNS) national title. Joe had been passed over for the head coaching job at Valdosta twice, Prince said. 1. The first part of the book is my journey through Valdosta and the secrets to all the winning. Belue, who lives in Forsyth County, currently hosts the Buck Belue Show on 680 The Fan. All the 1980 UGA stars are mentioned, but also prominently featured are teammates such as Nat Hudson, Hugh Nall, Jimmy Womack, Amp Arnold, Jimmy Payne, Eddie Weaver and Nate Taylor and assistant coaches Mike Cavan and Wayne McDuffie, among others. There were coaches before him, but it was Wright Bazemore who took over as the Wildcats head football coach in 1942 and built the foundation for the winningest football team in the country. A behind the curtain look at my story from Valdosta High through the University of Georgia. No wonder Buck eyed. The following year, he put up a career-best 714 rushing yards. Stan Rome was awesome, too. Latest: Gallery: Buck Belue book signing at Coach's Corner He also added 1,487 rushing yards and . You get what is known as one of the greatest rivalries in all of high school football so great that its included in the Great American Rivalry Series, which recognizes the top high school football rivalries across the nation. One of the key plays in the 1980 season was a 93-yard touchdown pass from Belue to wide receiver Lindsay Scott[1] We worked a lot on fundamentals. High School Highlights - Portal state basketball advances Prep Sports Blitz - Feb. 18, 2023 The Eagles Nest - Feb. 19, 2023 Prince recalled how, prior to the 1985 Winnersville game, an idea was hatched to have someone ride a mule out to midfield before the Valdosta game, staying true to the plowboys image Lowndes had cultivated. I was in the office when Joe Wilson threw his keys on Nick Hyders desk and told him, Coach, we are going to whip your [butt] when you come to our place in two years, and thats exactly what happened, Baker said. Brooks made the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. All Rights Reserved. They were running the same sets and plays. Belue quarterbacked the Bulldogs to a 12-0 record in 1980, culminating with a 17-10 win over Notre Dame Jan. 1, 1981 in the Sugar Bowl. "I had a daily planner that my dad gave me when I was at Georgia," Belue said. Ive known Coach Tomberlin for a long time. Brooks scored 70 touchdowns at Warner Robins. He fell short of a state title when Clarke Central beat Valdosta 16-14 in the 1977 Class 3A championship. Belue was kidded about Valdosta falling to Clarke Central in the 1977 Class 4A state finals. I was blessed with this great coaching. [Belue passed for a state-record 5,214 yards and won two region titles in his four Valdosta seasons. I remember Stanley Bounds. If you are a Valdosta alumn, we encourage you to register and be sure to sign up for the alumni newsletter. I admired these athletes. Thats when I figured it was time to go., 3. Georgia captured its first national championship since that fabled season in January with a 33-18 win against Alabama in the title game. What are your thoughts on making the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame? [Rome, a 6-foot-4 tight end, set a national record for receiving yards in a season. Call: (916)383-0110 (510)781-4800. Buck Belue 0:00 0:32 The "best team ever" conversation is an interesting one. My thought was that they played in Albany last night and probably got in bed at 3 a.m., and hes up scouting out the talent in town. What did those coaches mean to you? . I showed them some drills that helped me, and I hope theyll help them as well. Herschel Walker was the lone unanimous selectee for the inaugural class of the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame, selected on 35 of 35 ballots. The Valdosta Wildcats have been playing football since 1913, and with over 900 wins, 24 state championships, six national championships, and a bunch of region titles, they remain the winningest high school football team in the country. Joe Wilson took over the Vikings football team in 1976, and right away encouraged the players to embrace their country boy personality and call themselves Plowboys. He led the Vikings to an 8-2 season, which included upset victories over Tift County and Thomasville High. Buck has also written a new book about his times as an athlete in Valdosta and the University of Georgia. Rush Propst believes the Netflix series "Titletown High," which debuts Friday and chronicles the 2020 season of the Valdosta High School football team, will "clear some things up" about . And when he showed up Friday to host a camp, they came to the field excited to learn from him. We would have to hire extra security guards for the entire week of the game, starting on Sunday night, and it would last all week long until the game was over, Redshaw said. He finished ninth in the Heisman trophy voting in 1979. I really enjoyed working with Mike and Alfrie, and getting to know them, Belue said. But the current Wildcats still know who he is. He was the quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1980, when the team went 12-0, and, after beating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, was named the consensus national champion. valdosta high school Fields Victoria Lane-Long Victor James Vivian Manghram Voncil Moss To order a book or get a copy at a book signing, click here. How would you contrast and compare those iconic coaches? The Valdosta Wildcats have been playing football since 1913, and with over 900 wins, 24 state championships, six national championships, and a bunch of region titles, they remain the winningest high school football team in the country. The Saints drafted Rogers in 1981, making him the first Georgia-grown player selected first overall in an NFL Draft. The players gathered together on the steps of the old McWhorter Hall athletic dormitory and seethed. What was the most memorable high school game that you played? I learned some things from him. He was credited with 130 tackles as a senior. You do well at Valdosta High, and you get a shot to play some college ball. Alumni listings below have either been searched for or they registered as members of this directory. He was going to youth league programs, scouting the local talent. He played four seasons in the CFL and USFL, then became a professional wrestler and the WCW heavyweight champion in 1992. The show was a weekly production featuring McGuyrt and the Valdosta head coach talking about the previous game and looking ahead to the upcoming game. Belue was selected by the Montreal Expos in the sixth round of the 1982 MLB Draft, and some of his book discusses his path as a two-sport athlete. He was just so far ahead of his time. Then, the second time was when they brought in Nick Hyder from Rome.. 115 N. Patterson St. | PO Box 812 | Valdosta, Ga 31601, 13245 Atlantic Blvd., Suite 191 | Jacksonville, FL 32225. We had weight limits, and if you weighed a certain amount, you couldnt play in the backfield, and I was a bigger kid then. When I got to Georgia, I felt I was way ahead of the curve. How did Bazemore make a quarterback out of you? Valdosta is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in 2021 had a population of 149,590. It seems like a waste to have been exposed to so much (football knowledge), and not share it. He played both football and basketball at Clemson and was a three-year starter on the hardwood. 10 high school player in state history. In practice, it was always the 1s against the 1s. ], Ive also got some memories of Coach Hyder trying to turn the program around and he took me to some playoff games to watch Michael Jolly [the quarterback on Central-Macons 1975 Class 3A championship team]. Mason Elementary School ; W.G. Quarterback of Georgia's 1980 National Championship Team Captain of the 1981 SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs Twice selected as 1 st Team All-SEC QB 4-Year Starter on the Georgia Baseball Team Twice selected as 1 st Team All-SEC Outfielder Led the SEC in hitting Honored as the SEC Athlete of the Year 1981. Three, Ill win a state championship, which youve never won. Joe Wilson accomplished all three within three years.. ], 4. Bobby Green, a local business owner and Valdosta High supporter, would also host a lunch on a first come-first serve basis at his home, with fans invited. His 37 career touchdowns are fourth all-time for the franchise. Reid is forever known for The Run against Valdosta in the 2007 game. When he knocked off the third one a state championship, which Lowndes won in 1980 Johnny B. Lastinger was prompted to concede this was more than just a game it was a community event. Among the sanctions . Belue also details in the book how he balanced his baseball pursuits while competing to be the starting quarterback on a team that won back-to-back SEC championships. I just take it as a huge honor., Created by Ellen Kennerly Made with Squarespace, 2022 Georgia High School Football Daily. Fortunately, that didnt happen too often.. All but Scott are former Valdosta players. By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great local journalism. The runner-up was Herschel Walker, then a sophomore. Joe told Martin, Ill give you three reasons: One, Ill give you a winning season, which youve never had. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Baker, who coached from 1976-2006, recalled showing up on Monday morning the week of the Lowndes game, year after year, to a Valdosta High campus awash in hundreds of rolls of toilet paper, and walls and windows painted with pro-Lowndes messages. Belue will host a book signing for his new book "Inside the Hedges". Benjamin Franklin "Buck" Belue played American football and baseball at the University of Georgia from 1978 to 1981. The most improbable win for either team was this one, with Valdosta overcoming a 17-7 deficit in just 1:14 to win the Winnersville Classic over Lowndes. Even though we had practiced riding the mule out there on the field several times, we had not done it with 12,000 screaming fans, Prince recalled with a laugh. "I have been a Wildcat all my life, so Valdosta City Schools will always be a part of me. Belue set the state record for career passing yards with 5,214, which he accumulated as a four-year starter at Valdosta. Chuck Knoll's Steelers were champions and as. Henderson said neighborhood residents called the police, who came over to the Valdosta fields where he and other fans were watching practice. Its been written and put away for five years, then re-written and put away for 10 years and then re-written again. Im glad he came here and did this for us. That next morning, as Valdosta faculty, students, and parents begin arriving at the school, they saw the huge Viking ship floating in the pond in front of their school. I dont blame the players for feeling that way, said Dooley, who will turn 90 in September. It was just playing for the Wildcats. At Valdosta, you were heavily influenced by the legendary head coaches Wright Bazemore (1941-42, 1946-71) and Nick Hyder (1973-95). - photo by David Roberts, Forsyth County man accused of influencing stock prices with false financial information, Forsyth County man arrested on child porn, molestation charges, Police warn Forsyth County residents not to fall victim to these scams, Forsyth County announces leaders for three departments, Heres when the Cumming City Center will have its first spring market, This local chiropractor is moving to the Cumming City Center, Local real estate group moving to new office at the Cumming City Center, Man surprises his girlfriend with a diamond ring at the Cumming City Center just in time for Christmas, This popular Roswell restaurant is opening a second location at the Cumming City Center, This celebrity chef helped local Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise $10,000, Heres how the city of Cumming celebrated Community Arbor Day, South Forsyth grad earns prestigious Saxby Chambliss Fellowship, Here are the 8 students chosen for this years Good Citizen Awards, Basketball: South Forsyth girls downed by No. When the teams returned to the locker room to get ready for the game, Wilson told his team to take off the crimson Vikings jerseys, and the players were then given a dark black jersey with Plowboys across the front to change into. Told of the passage about his Auburn flirtations, Dooley laughed and said he doesnt begrudge Belue for including it. I just think of all the people that helped me get there, as I mentioned, Coach Bazemore, Coach Hyder, Coach Wilson, Coach Rudolph. He and his wife had an apartment next to the school, and I would go over to watch film with him. Sandra Belue's son and his roommate, Scott, had just carved out a piece of immortality. UGA star Jalen Carter present at scene of fatal crash, From 2021: Buck Belue, QB of 1980 Georgia national champions, to call the Dawgs before kickoff, Georgia Tech hammers Syracuse as Jackets late-season surge continues, Braves notes: Jared Shusters first spring game, Michael Sorokas progress, Ian Anderson on spring debut: Im not gonna sugarcoat it. It was designed to look like it was coming from Lowndes fans. He won state titles in Alabama at . It remains one of those indelible football moments from which Buck Belue can never escape, nor does he want to. The current Winnersville series record stands at 36 wins for Valdosta and 24 for Lowndes heading into the 2022 season. There was still a chance for the Vikings if they could return the kickoff, but they never got the chance. My wife and I, when we decided to buy a home we didn't really know where we wanted to go, but we're just really blessed to have found Cumming. Valdosta High School 4590 Inner Perimeter Road Valdosta, GA 31601 Phone: (229) 333-8540 Fax: (229) 333-8584. It was WWII. Its gone on for 30 years.. He was the 24th overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, but his best seasons came in Cincinnati, where he was selected to the Pro Bowl four times (1986, 1988-1990). I talked with Coach [Jim] Hughes about that later. ], Ive also got some memories of Coach Hyder trying to turn the program around, and he took me to some playoff games to watch Michael Jolly [the quarterback on Central-Macons 1975 Class 3A championship team]. I wanted the freedom to do what I wanted to do, you know? ], 6. Baker said of all the great players he coached against in the Winnersville Classic, none was better than James Wildman Carter. But the current Wildcats still know who he is. I was friends with Coach Wilsons son, Jody, so I got some behind-the-scenes access to practice and going to the games and seeing the locker room. Prince said thats when Joe Wilson decided he would accept an invitation to go over and meet with Martin. He was the first Georgia-grown player to win the Heisman. To join the mailing list, click here. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. But that was about to change. He started in 78 out of 92 career games, made three Pro Bowls and was first-team All Pro once. Belue threw for 299 yards in his career, completing 37 of 68 passes with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. We were playing old youth league football at 9, 10, 11 years old, and were playing at about 8 in the morning, and if you look back in the stands, youd usually see Coach Bazemore watching the games. She finally came in and dumped it on his lap. To order a book or get a copy at a book signing, click here. Valdosta High School - Sandspur Yearbook (Valdosta, GA), Class of 1975, Page 130 of 272 | E-Yearbook.com has the largest online yearbook collection of college, university, high school, middle school, junior high school, military, naval cruise books and yearbooks. They just burned the thing, Prince said. He sort of chuckled and said there was a lot of built-up frustration over those years of losing to Valdosta, Dont take it personally is what I believe he said., 5. ], 4. Valdosta High School - Sandspur Yearbook (Valdosta, GA), Class of 1978, Page 57 of 272 | E-Yearbook.com has the largest online yearbook collection of college, university, high school, middle school, junior high school, military, naval cruise books and yearbooks. The Falcons drafted Andrews in the third round, and he rushed for 1,000 yards in four of his first five seasons before a knee injury cut his career short. He was the 1977 AJC Class 3A back of the year. There was some of that thought process going on. It doesnt get better than that. He has ordered it, however. Hes a very good coach, Belue said. Tired of losing to their city school rival, and tired of just losing in general over the first decade of the teams existence, Lowndes County school superintendent Sonny Martin decided to reach out to one of the enemy, longtime Valdosta assistant coach Joe Wilson. The student then greased the entire flag pole from top to bottom, ensuring that it would not be very easy for Valdosta High maintenance to climb up to detach the Viking flag. Belue was atUniversities Forever in Cumming on Saturdayto promote his book,'Inside the Hedges: The Quarterback's Journey to the 1980 National Championship,' a project that was decades in the making. Most coaches are going to take their schemes to the grave, but he learned the new offense and made the change for the team. It goes on the shelf, then you're back working on it again. As for the Dooley thing, Belue makes no apologies. Hyder, a devout Christian, brought fans and players from both teams together for an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) banquet on Thursday night prior to the big game, allowing the two sides to fellowship over dinner. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Around that same time, Prince recalled: In the mid-70s, a Lowndes student went to Cleveland Field and attached a Lowndes Vikings flag and hoisted it up to the top, but he wasnt finished. Macon, GA Position: QB Height: 6'1" Weight: 190 College: Georgia High School: Valdosta (GA) Career: 1984-1985 Buck Belue played from 1984 to 1985 during his career with the Jacksonville Bulls. [2] Belue was named captain of the 1981 team. He had everybody running the same offense so that by time you got to middle school and high school, you didnt have to learn any of it. He was the best in the business. Defensive coordinator Erk Russell. "The real motivation for me was, I've had so many people through the years ask me about Valdosta, where I grew up, and the football program being so successful," Belue said. Way too much credit is given to Herschel (Walker) and Lindsay (Scott) and Buck. The coach it was John Lastingers dad, as a matter of fact they installed this tight end-around pass, and I ended up leading the league in passing. [John Lastinger followed Belue as the starting quarterback at Valdosta and at Georgia. The book has not been life-altering for Belue. Baker said the cheerleaders from both teams would usually meet at one of the girls homes, and the groups would alternate each season. Invitation to go to the field excited to learn from him up for the Dooley thing Belue., who are committed to playing football play some college ball ( football knowledge ), lives. Overcast during the afternoon daily planner that my dad gave me when I got to,... Over and meet with Martin and Sonny asks him, Joe, why should I hire you Georgia football this! Join Facebook to connect with Guy Belue and others you may know, completing 37 of 68 passes with touchdowns... Chose Florida state and became a second-round pick in the title game with Coach Hyder, you support the talent... 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