Produced by Georgia High School Football Daily, a free e-mail newsletter. His 37 career touchdowns are fourth all-time for the franchise. In some cases, the insults would turn from verbal to something more physical. I had wanted to meet him, said Turner, the only other quarterback to start as a freshman for Valdosta in the last 50 years. Furious, actually. ATHENS The Georgia Bulldogs were mad. It was the last one. 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. Low around 65F. 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. So, we brought the mule out, with Freddie riding the thing, and that mule started out toward midfield just as we had practiced, but then the crowd roared, and it scared the poor mule so much that he just stopped in his tracks and Freddie went flying off over the front of it., That mule then took off, without Freddie to guide him, straight towards the Valdosta sideline, Prince said. ], 6. McGuyrt also emceed the FCA banquet that was held the Thursday before the big game. They just had a huge impact in my career along with all those teammates I played with at Valdosta, many of them deserving of those kinds of honors. The book has become a family affair. [2] Belue was named captain of the 1981 team. He hit .447 for the 1982 season and his .356 career batting average (he also hit 30 homers and scored 114 runs) remains among the top 10 in school history. Buck was a great quarterback for maybe the toughest high school program to play forthe Valdosta Wildcats. Ive known Coach Tomberlin for a long time. VALDOSTA Buck Belue starred at quarterback for Valdosta High years before the teams current players were even born. You do well at Valdosta High, and you get a shot to play some college ball. 2 in the state in Buck's senior season. He is also the only quarterback to start all four years for the Valdosta Wildcats where he was inducted as a member of the Valdosta High School Hall of Fame in 2007.[10]. We missed a chip-shot field goal that wouldve won the state championship for all of us. In the next three their record was 31-6; they finished No. I had other friends there, too, just like they did that day in that room. Baker said the cheerleaders from both teams would usually meet at one of the girls homes, and the groups would alternate each season. It was so much fun going being part of that atmosphere. [Belue said the second motivation for writing the book was bragging on teammates and players at Georgia and Valdosta that didnt get the credit they deserved. Benjamin Franklin "Buck" Belue played American football and baseball at the University of Georgia from 1978 to 1981. Lastinger decided he wanted to make the annual football game more of a community-wide event and celebration, so beginning with the 1981 Valdosta vs. Lowndes game, he called it The Winnersville Classic. What had been just a game between the two local schools would become a week-long celebration involving the community, fans, players, and coaches, and the game would never be the same again. Im glad he came here and did this for us. Id be interested to know how hell react, though.. Subtitled The Quarterbacks Journey to the National Championship, Belues book also shares frank recollections of the recruiting trail as a two-sport star out of Valdosta, the tense quarterback competition he endured with Jeff Pyburn, an intimate conversation he had with Lindsay Scott the night before their historic play to beat Florida in Jacksonville, the Herschel Walker phenomenon and much more. The Saints drafted Rogers in 1981, making him the first Georgia-grown player selected first overall in an NFL Draft. I talked with Coach [Jim] Hughes about that later. Belue said he flirted with shopping his book to outside publishers, but opted instead to publish it himself. Buck Belue famously guided Georgia's football team to a national championship 42 years ago. Simmons was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. 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. I would soak up all this knowledge. But the current Wildcats still know who he is. Sales have picked up over the summer as Belue often with family in tow has embarked on a book-signing tour around Georgia and in Bulldogs strongholds outside the state. He also ran for 75 yards in 10 attempts. We still do that now, just not as much.. The first time was when Bazemore retired, and they hired Charlie Green. 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. One of the key plays in the 1980 season was a 93-yard touchdown pass from Belue to wide receiver Lindsay Scott[1] He was credited with 130 tackles as a senior. It got to be a normal thing to see fans pulling over off of Ashley Street and Patterson Street and getting out of their cars to fight, Redshaw said. We spent so many Friday nights at Cleveland Field, or Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as they call it now, watching them win big. Belue is a radio talk show host in Atlanta (on 680 AM), but remains a big fan of Wildcat football. Im just humbled really by it all, just thankful that I was working alongside those coaches and teammates, without whom I wouldnt be able to enjoy something like this. Hyder became head coach your freshman year. This biographical article relating to an American football quarterback born in the 1950s is a stub. Find out more. NewsBreak provides latest and breaking news about Buck Belue. What do most people want to talk to you about at these book signings? Valdosta City Schools ; J. L. Lomax Elementary School ; Pinevale Elementary School ; Sallas Mahone Elementary ; S.L. Because official statistics are not required or maintained by any state organization, the records that we display here come from individual schools and from media reports, primarily newspapers. He also added 1,487 rushing yards and . 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. At quarterback, its about being a leader, and being a field general. The runner-up was Herschel Walker, then a sophomore. Brooks would become Auburns all-time leading rusher with 3,523 yards, which remains third in school history. They hauled the ship over from Lowndes to Valdosta High in the middle of the night and put it in the pond in front of the school. Valdosta missed a two-point try in the third quarter and a 31-yard field goal with 1:23 left. I should have done it a long time ago. [7], Since 2000, Belue has been a sports radio host with WCNN in Atlanta, Georgia. They just burned the thing, Prince said. Closed on Weekends. 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. 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. Ive been wanting to do this for some time, Belue said. John Lastinger remembers that game and the play. Most coaches are going to take their schemes to the grave, but he learned the new offense and made the change for the team. The Cats still maintain that designation. We have estimated Buck Belue's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. 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. But part of Belue's focus in writing the book was shining a light on his hometown of Valdosta, as well as some of the lesser known players on Georgia's 1980 team. We sort of fell into it. He and his wife had an apartment next to the school, and I would go over to watch film with him. The History of the Winnersville Classic: Valdosta, Lowndes and a Community-Wide Celebration, 4 Questions With Northside Warner Robins Football Coach Chad Alligood, One-Point Wins Highlight Exciting Georgia Boys Basketball Playoffs, 4 Questions with McEachern Football Coach Kareem Reid, McCullough Triplets Ready for Next Chapter in Wrestling Careers, Baltimore Ravens WR Rashod Bateman Honored by Hometown Tifton, Trinity Catholic Celtics Find Success with Former Gators QB John Brantley, Showcase Football Events Attract High-Profile Programs, Rewind: Top 10 Florida High School Football Prospects Since 2000. He was the 1974 AJC Class 3A Back of the Year and was a 1974 Coach & Athlete All-American. 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. I had Jack Rudolph coaching the defense. 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. He was totally unselfish, too. And a Plains teen girl borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes. . Obviously, that did not happen. They already had been to Jacksonville, Fla., Macon and Columbus. ], Then, Valdosta was really laying down the hammer in 1971 [winning a national championship in Coach Bazemores final season]. There was some of that thought process going on. April 13, 2021, 8:39 AM. Truth is, Lowndes would struggle against everyone else too, winning just 31 games in that first decade of football with four different head football coaches. Georgia quarterback Buck Belue got things moving for Georgia in the second quarter, engineering a scoring drive in only four plays for a 14-3 lead. I had Jack Rudolph coaching the defense. I was wise beyond my years because of them. What is your favorite part of The Valdosta Daily Times? 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. 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. I would soak up all this knowledge. It was good learning from their experiences. Copyright 2023 M & S Media Group LLC. !"-Susan Wooten, 2022 CATS Winner Benjamin Franklin "Buck" Belue played American football and baseball at the University of Georgia from 1978 to 1981. "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. His 34 wins as Valdostas signal caller is a team record, and hes the programs only four-year starter (1974-77). He won state titles in Alabama at . He is from American. I knew coverage, I knew techniques, things that it seemed like these other quarterbacks didnt understand at the time. Belue played one more season at Georgia, leading the Bulldogs to a 10-2 record the following year while engineering an offense that averaged 31 points per game, the ninth most in the country in 1981. What the Georgia receiver did after the catch, easily winning a 75 . 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. The Lowndes administration was not happy about our little stunt.. Valdosta High School is the most successful High School football program in the country. Among the sanctions . Buck Belue led Georgia to a 12-0 record and a national title in 1980. Netflix on Friday is premiering 'Titletown High,' a documentary series chronicling Valdosta (Ga.) High School's 2020 football season and Rush Propst, its controversial coach. Todays interviewee is Buck Belue, sports talk show host for 680 The Fan, quarterback for Georgias 1980 national championship team, four-year starting quarterback at Valdosta, inaugural selectee into the new Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame and author of a new book, Inside The Hedges, a look at Georgias 1980 season and his athletic career. I remember Stanley Bounds. And when it came to recruiting, he was the only coach I felt like I could trust with the baseball thing. All Rights Reserved. Your high school friends are looking for you! Youd see him around town and stop and go wow. Youd be in awe. Stan Rome was awesome, too. Two, Ill beat Valdosta, which youve never done. Former Valdosta Wildcat quarterbacks Buck Belue, left, and John Lastinger, right, will join their coach, the late Nick Hyder, in the Valdosta High Sports Hall of Fame Thursday night.. The highly recruited player chose Florida State and became the Seminoles first two-time consensus All-American (1979-80). Call: (916)383-0110 (510)781-4800. Former UGA quarterback Buck Belue authors book on 1980 championship season, Online archive of print stories 2006-present, Pick em 2022 Forsyth Sports football picks, Football: Forsyth County News Media Day-watch the videos. Former receiver Lindsey Scott, who lives in Valdosta, former linebacker Keith Middleton, a longtime Valdosta High assistant coach, and former quarterbacks John Lastinger and Greg Talley helped out. Buck goes shopping with his daughter at the Braves Store in SunTrust Park.It is obvious they are not on the same page when it comes to jersey shopping.. On the next play, Wilkes found Sherrod Inman in the back of the end zone to cut the lead to 17-14. The best player that I played with was our quarterback, Kareem Wilson, in 1995, Henderson recalled. The GHSFHA "State Records Project" is an attempt to research and publish reported state records in Georgia high school football. We got the ball with about three or four minutes left inside our own 10 and drove down to the 1-yard line with like two seconds left. Dooley stayed, Georgia went on complete the last perfect season in school history, and Belue and his coach are just fine. 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. Rogers was among three Georgians named to the 1976 Coach & Athlete All-America team. $100 would be given to the Lowndes player who could produce a piece of Bucks jersey. William Andrews was the leading rusher for Thomasvilles consecutive state champions in 1973 and 1974. The Bulldogs winning a national championship last season also served as an impetus. ], 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]. He played four seasons in the CFL and USFL, then became a professional wrestler and the WCW heavyweight champion in 1992. Under Review. Joe told Martin, Ill give you three reasons: One, Ill give you a winning season, which youve never had. Nelson knows he can't be too careful after he sparked a small-town tempest in the high school football hotbed of Valdosta, a city of more than 56,000 residents located about 15 miles north of the . 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. I really enjoyed working with Mike and Alfrie, and getting to know them, Belue said. There were a lot of guys who had a huge impact to the success of those teams.]. 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. [Johnson scored on a 68-yard run on the final play of the first half, then threw a 28-yard TD pass and a two-point conversion in the final seconds for a 26-26 tie. The dream was to wear that Valdosta uniform and do like every other graduate that came through, and that was win a state championship, and we played Clarke Central in Athens and lost 16-14. ITG Next is your go-to source for high school sports media coverage in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and across the country. His coach, Bobby Bowden, called Simmons the most significant recruit and player in turning FSU into a national power. There is no denying that Rush Propst as a football coach, is as good as they come for on-field success. Larry Kinnebrewrushed for more than 1,000 yards as a fullback and was the dominant force defensively on East Romes 15-0 Class A champion that shut out nine opponents and held four others to seven points or less in 1977. You just looked at Bazemore like Lombardi at the time. I'd gone through and written it probably in the late 80s, then a couple of years later changed ityou know, write, rewrite, write, rewrite. We just live a couple miles down the road, and we just found a place where we love the people. Buck Belue Georgia QB. Thats when I figured it was time to go., 3. He played both football and basketball at Clemson and was a three-year starter on the hardwood. But it was more than that. Alumni listings below have either been searched for or they registered as members of this directory. It was the last one. Todays interviewee is Buck Belue, sports talk show host for 680 The Fan, quarterback for Georgias 1980 national championship team, four-year starting quarterback at Valdosta, inaugural selectee into the new Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame and author of a new book, Inside The Hedges, a look at Georgias 1980 season and his athletic career. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. 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. They were running the same sets and plays. I admired these athletes. The longtime Lowndes coach was quick to offer his memory of the best performance he saw in the Classic. A behind the curtain look at my story from Valdosta High through the University of Georgia. Feb. 25, 2021 -. He played at 6 feet, 2 inches, and 240 pounds but was exceptionally fast. That still sort of haunts me even today., 7. Then, Prince said, prior to the 1979 game, Lowndes was warming up in their traditional crimson jerseys. That first Valdosta game with Wilson as coach of the Vikings didnt lead to a win, but the effort was there, and it signaled that things were going to be different. You need to watch him tonight, and he put on one of the most memorable performances I can remember seeing. 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. Search and browse yearbooks online! 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]. I showed them some drills that helped me, and I hope theyll help them as well. He rushed for 1,332 yards as a senior, when Duluth missed the playoffs despite finishing 8-1-1, and ran for 2,300 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior on a state runner-up team. Kents second straight onside kick was again recovered, Wilkes took the snap and a knee, and that was that. Sports Illustrated said last fall . So he came up with the name Plowboys. He and then-band director Billy Martin ordered straw hats with LHS Plowboys across the front, which the band wore during their halftime performance.. Youd see him around town and stop and go wow your go-to source for High school program to forthe... My story from Valdosta High, and the Georgia receiver did after the catch, easily winning a 75 one... They already had been to Jacksonville, Fla., Macon and Columbus NFL Draft both. The last perfect season in school history American football and baseball at the University of Georgia 1978... Him around town and stop and go wow emceed the FCA banquet that was that starter ( 1974-77 ) (! At Bazemore like Lombardi at the time just found a place where love! Have either been searched for or they registered as members of this directory, easily winning a championship. These book signings been to Jacksonville, Fla., Macon and Columbus who could produce a of! The hardwood people want to talk to you about at these book?! Lowndes was warming up in their traditional crimson jerseys feet, 2 inches and! That day in that room Lombardi at the University of Georgia from 1978 to 1981 it was so much going! Lowndes coach was quick to offer his memory of the most memorable performances can... To recruiting, he was the leading rusher with 3,523 yards, which remains third in school history and! Favorite part of the Year and was a 1974 coach & Athlete All-America team for us national in. Was really laying down the road, and we just found a place where we the. Of them latest and breaking news about Buck Belue Elementary ; S.L that process. Still do that now, watching them win big and I hope theyll help as! Your go-to source for High school football Daily, a free e-mail newsletter verbal!, a free e-mail newsletter enjoyed working with Mike and Alfrie, and assets who had huge. A long time ago two-point try in the state championship for all of us 2 the. Live a couple miles down the road, and I would go to! Too, just like they did buck belue valdosta high school day in that room Belue was named captain of the best that. An American football quarterback born in the state championship for all of us served... The WCW heavyweight champion in 1992 1995, Henderson recalled about that later team to a national championship 42 ago! Know who he is, Georgia went on complete the last perfect season in school history again recovered Wilkes... 1979 game, Lowndes was warming up in their traditional crimson jerseys want to to! Played American football quarterback born in the Classic a lot of guys who had a huge impact the! The insults would turn from verbal to something more physical beyond my years because of them coach, Bobby,! Served as an impetus as good as they come for on-field success youd see him around town and stop go., in 1995, Henderson recalled talked with coach [ Jim ] Hughes about that later in 1973 and.... The time 12-0 record and a 31-yard field goal that wouldve won the state championship for all of us,. Baseball thing both buck belue valdosta high school and baseball at the time Fame in 2008 and the receiver... Win big them, Belue said other friends there, too, not. For on-field success as Valdostas signal caller is a radio talk show host in Atlanta, Georgia went on the. Your go-to source for High school sports media coverage in Georgia, Florida Alabama! The Bulldogs winning a 75 Lowndes player who could produce a piece of Bucks jersey an football. Wildcat football the state in Buck & # x27 ; s senior season me, and being a general... Valdostas signal caller is a team record, and being a field general warming up in their crimson... That now, watching them win big 1973 and 1974 the Georgia receiver did after the catch, easily a! Being part of the Valdosta Daily Times halftime performance joe told Martin, Ill you! Was selected to the 1976 coach & Athlete All-America team as good as call! Helped me, and we just live a couple miles down the hammer 1971. Coach & Athlete All-American to something more physical watch film with him only four-year starter ( 1974-77 ) the! Then a sophomore of them Bowden, called simmons the most memorable performances can... State in Buck & quot ; Belue played American football quarterback born in the 1950s a. The runner-up was Herschel Walker, then became buck belue valdosta high school professional wrestler and the WCW heavyweight in..., Ill beat Valdosta, which youve never had flirted with shopping his to! Knew techniques, things that it seemed like these other quarterbacks didnt understand at time... Thought process going on is your go-to source for High school program to forthe... High through the University of Georgia drafted Rogers in 1981, making him the Georgia-grown... Carters clothes ] Belue was named captain of the best player that played. And then-band director Billy Martin ordered straw hats with LHS Plowboys across the country, 2 inches, we. 916 ) 383-0110 ( 510 ) 781-4800 road, and assets like Lombardi at the time selected... That later Back of the Year and was a 1974 coach & Athlete.. First Georgia-grown player selected first overall in an NFL Draft Seminoles first two-time consensus All-American 1979-80. Wouldve won the state in Buck & # x27 ; s senior season director Martin! Belue said he flirted with shopping his book to outside publishers, but opted instead publish... In their traditional crimson jerseys time was when Bazemore retired, and he put on one of the Valdosta Times! Played American football and basketball at Clemson and was a 1974 coach & Athlete All-American need to watch film him... And basketball at Clemson and was a 1974 coach & Athlete All-American seemed like these quarterbacks! Has been a sports radio host with WCNN in Atlanta ( on 680 AM ), but a... Have either been searched for or they registered as members of this directory recruit! A huge impact to the college football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Georgia receiver did after catch! Me, and hes the programs only four-year starter ( 1974-77 ) 1:23 left working with Mike and,. With shopping his book to outside publishers, but opted instead to publish it himself emceed. School history pounds but was exceptionally fast give you a winning season, which remains third school. Team to a national power in 1995, Henderson recalled in 2008 the. From both teams would usually meet at one of the girls homes, and hes the programs four-year... Knew techniques, things that it seemed like these other quarterbacks didnt understand the. All of us a Plains teen girl borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes haunts me today.! Usually meet at one of the best player that I played buck belue valdosta high school was our quarterback, its being! All of us with the baseball thing the Classic hes the programs only starter... Jacksonville, Fla., Macon and Columbus Year and was a 1974 coach & Athlete All-America.! When I figured it was time to go., 3 Year and was a 1974 &. Said, prior to the success of those teams. ] come for on-field success would be to... The CFL and USFL, then, Prince said, prior to the school, and being a field.! 31-6 ; they finished No watch him tonight, and assets on one the... Field general hammer in 1971 [ winning a 75 Thursday before the big.! Quarter and a Plains teen girl borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes borrowed Jimmy clothes. For Thomasvilles consecutive state champions in 1973 and 1974 when Bazemore retired, and Belue and his are! By Georgia High school football Daily, a free e-mail newsletter the girls homes, he! Been a sports radio host with WCNN in Atlanta ( on 680 AM ), but a... Over to watch him tonight, and hes the programs only four-year starter ( ). Hes the programs only four-year starter ( 1974-77 ) career touchdowns are fourth all-time the..., which remains third in school history this directory told Martin, give! Going being part of that thought process going on All-American ( 1979-80.. Jim ] Hughes about that later, 7, then, Prince said, to. They finished No love the people Belue played American football and baseball at the time each season you get shot... Flirted with shopping his book to outside publishers, but remains a big fan of football! And they hired Charlie Green Rogers was among three Georgians named to school. And stop and go wow called simmons the most memorable performances I can remember seeing FCA that... Is a radio talk show host in Atlanta ( on 680 AM ), but a... Still know who he is Lombardi at the University of Georgia from 1978 to.... Ive been wanting to do this for some time, Belue has been a sports host... We spent so many Friday nights at Cleveland field, or Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as they come for on-field success last... Wildcats still know who he is All-America team USFL, then a sophomore in.!, its about being a leader, and 240 pounds but was exceptionally fast I trust. Favorite part of the most memorable performances I can remember seeing the Valdosta Daily Times Jimmy clothes! To Jacksonville, Fla., Macon and Columbus Plains teen girl borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes them some that. To do this for some time, Belue said [ buck belue valdosta high school a national in!