Post by Oscar Knight on Jan 12, 2015 23:58:49 GMT
The Original North Clayton High School
The Eagles began playing football in 1950 with a “B” team schedule, and then fielded a varsity unit for the first time the following year. Roy Broom was the first head coach, leading the squad through the 1952 season before giving way to Cliff England. Unfortunately, the North Clayton Eagles of the 1950’s were easy prey for opponents, recording losing records in every year of the decade. A season preview by the AJC in 1955 asked the question, “Can the Jones boys play ‘Moses’ for North Clayton?” Fleet-footed running back Ronnie Jones and big lineman Howell Jones were considered among the area’s best players, giving the Eagles a chance to find the “promised land” of a first-ever victory. While it did not come that season, the Jones boys eventually saw their team in the win column. The best team of the decade was the 1956 squad that went 3-5-2 with two “B” wins and the school’s first varsity triumph. In addition to the Joneses, some of the outstanding players of the early years included Tommy Bruce, Wayne Vincent, Charles Massengale, Terrell Davis, and John Harris. The latter was an excellent quarterback who became the first Eagle selected to the Georgia All-Star game.
The Eagles began the 1960’s with a new coach, 28-year-old Max Dowis, who turned things around quickly. After five wins in his first two seasons, Dowis’ teams recorded 31 victories over the next three years. They went 12-1 in 1962, 10-3 in 1963, and 9-2 in 1964 winning two South Georgia titles along the way. Dowis stayed six seasons before departing for Griffin. He was replaced by Jimmy Clepper. The Eagles had a couple of bad years in the middle of the decade, but recovered again with three break-even seasons to round out the 1960’s.
The success the team experienced from 1962-64 had much to do with the talents of several individual stars. Backfield mates Frank Oliver, Doug Jenkins, Thurston Taylor, and Millard Brannen led the team’s potent offense. Oliver, a 145-pounder, was a first team all-state selection by the AJC in 1962. Jenkins scored four touchdowns, including a 99-yard run against Douglas County. Taylor was an outstanding quarterback who continued his career at Florida State before returning to assist Jimmy Clepper. Brannen, a 200-pound bruiser, led the team in rushing as a junior in 1963.
Ronnie Huggins was the outstanding lineman of the championship teams. He was chosen the Metro Lineman of the Year as a junior and a senior, adding all-state honors both years as well. He was chosen the Most Valuable Lineman in the 1965 Georgia All-Star game.
The Eagles began the 1960’s with a new coach, 28-year-old Max Dowis, who turned things around quickly. After five wins in his first two seasons, Dowis’ teams recorded 31 victories over the next three years. They went 12-1 in 1962, 10-3 in 1963, and 9-2 in 1964 winning two South Georgia titles along the way. Dowis stayed six seasons before departing for Griffin. He was replaced by Jimmy Clepper. The Eagles had a couple of bad years in the middle of the decade, but recovered again with three break-even seasons to round out the 1960’s.
The success the team experienced from 1962-64 had much to do with the talents of several individual stars. Backfield mates Frank Oliver, Doug Jenkins, Thurston Taylor, and Millard Brannen led the team’s potent offense. Oliver, a 145-pounder, was a first team all-state selection by the AJC in 1962. Jenkins scored four touchdowns, including a 99-yard run against Douglas County. Taylor was an outstanding quarterback who continued his career at Florida State before returning to assist Jimmy Clepper. Brannen, a 200-pound bruiser, led the team in rushing as a junior in 1963.
Ronnie Huggins was the outstanding lineman of the championship teams. He was chosen the Metro Lineman of the Year as a junior and a senior, adding all-state honors both years as well. He was chosen the Most Valuable Lineman in the 1965 Georgia All-Star game.
