Post by Oscar Knight on Jan 12, 2015 20:42:53 GMT
1962 – North Clayton
North Clayton, with legendary coach Max Dowis at the lead, got the school’s first taste of success by taking Region 2-AA and South Georgia Championships on the way to a 12-1 record. The only loss was a 28-6 decision at #1-ranked Rossville in the state title game. North Clayton’s first six victories of the year, including a strange 2-0 win over Forest Park, were all against opponents that they had never beaten.
The Eagles defeated Headland 18-6 for the region and Wayne County 7-6 for the right to play Rossville. Both games were played at North Clayton. The Eagles were led by all-state back Frank Oliver, Millard Brannen, Doug Jenkins, Thurston Taylor, and Ronnie Huggins. A Taylor-to-Jenkins 55-yard pass play and Huggins’ extra point won the Wayne County game in dramatic style. The defense only allowed 43 points in the regular season.
The Eagles defeated Headland 18-6 for the region and Wayne County 7-6 for the right to play Rossville. Both games were played at North Clayton. The Eagles were led by all-state back Frank Oliver, Millard Brannen, Doug Jenkins, Thurston Taylor, and Ronnie Huggins. A Taylor-to-Jenkins 55-yard pass play and Huggins’ extra point won the Wayne County game in dramatic style. The defense only allowed 43 points in the regular season.
1963 – North Clayton
North Clayton repeated as Region 2-AA and South Georgia champions before falling to Cedartown in the state final. Dowis’ team defeated College Park 13-7 for the region title and Cairo 21-7 for the South Georgia crown.
Senior quarterback Thurston Taylor and junior running backs Larry Short, Terry Short, Larry Nelson, and Millard Brannen were the offensive stars. Classmate Ronnie Huggins made first team all-state as a defensive lineman and was the AJC’s Greater Atlanta Lineman of the Year. Brannen gained over 1000 yards rushing. With a majority of the team underclassmen, North Clayton was the preseason favorite to take it all in 1964.
Senior quarterback Thurston Taylor and junior running backs Larry Short, Terry Short, Larry Nelson, and Millard Brannen were the offensive stars. Classmate Ronnie Huggins made first team all-state as a defensive lineman and was the AJC’s Greater Atlanta Lineman of the Year. Brannen gained over 1000 yards rushing. With a majority of the team underclassmen, North Clayton was the preseason favorite to take it all in 1964.
1964 – North Clayton
North Clayton captured the Sub-region 2-AA (South) title for a third straight year with an undefeated league record. The Eagles won an early season showdown with College Park 13-6 and coasted from there. The only setback of the regular season was a controversial 3-0 loss to Griffin in the season finale. Douglas County was the opponent in the Region 2-AA title game where the Eagles fell 19-7. North Clayton’s Millard Brannen was out with an injury. Douglas County went on to win the state title.