Buck Belue was born and raised in Titletown, USA also known as Valdosta, Georgia. Its something were going to build on. This biographical article relating to an American football quarterback born in the 1950s is a stub. 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. 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. A defibrillator is a device used to treat a person who has suddenly gone into cardiac arrest, and possibly save their life. 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. 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. I appreciate these guys taking time out of their busy schedules to come out here and work with these players, Belue said. After the game, Joe Wilson told me, Baker, as John Bond was running down the sideline, I came real close to sticking my foot out and tripping him, but I changed my mind.. We still do that now, just not as much.. 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]. Belue is widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in Valdosta history. 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.. 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. Baker said of all the great players he coached against in the Winnersville Classic, none was better than James Wildman Carter. 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. 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. Stan Rome was awesome, too. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. . He was going to youth league programs, scouting the local talent. Jan 26. Belue is a radio talk show host in Atlanta (on 680 AM), but remains a big fan of Wildcat football. He was drafted by the Chiefs of the NFL and the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. He also added 1,487 rushing yards and . Then in July 2021, Hutson Mason became one of five co-hosts of The Locker Room, leaving Belue with his own show called The Buck Belue Show on WCNN. 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]. Joe wanted us to embrace the country boy label, Prince said. Who are some of the great players you saw from your era or before? That place [Lowndes home stadium] was rocking before the 77 game, but we had known after that 76 game that this game was going to be different, and it was.. We were in position to win the national championship and he is about to jump to our rival? I knew coverage, I knew techniques, things that it seemed like these other quarterbacks didnt understand at the time. What do you get when you combine the winningest high school football program in the country with one of the most consistently winning football programs in the state over the last three decades? Closed on Weekends. 2 in the state in Buck's senior season. Furious, actually. We spent so many Friday nights at Cleveland Field, or Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as they call it now, watching them win big. 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. We just rolled with it and said the timing is the timing. The Valdosta fans had bumper stickers that read, City Slickers and, Mama, dont let your babies grow up to be plowboys, Prince said. When I finally got a chance to talk to them, I told them I hoped theyd understand that the governor of Alabama, Fob James, was my roommate at Auburn and was involved in trying to persuade me. And a Plains teen girl borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes. Its great that the Lord Wedgwood Charity offered to give one to a school in my name. 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 Winnersville Classic featuring Lowndes vs. Valdosta was born. Even on a business trip in a remote Caribbean country, it followed the former. There were so many, but I remember Todd Peterson in the 1987 game kicking a 47-yard field goal to beat Lowndes at their place, OBrien said. He will be inducted with Belue in October. We wanted to work with players who were (at Valdosta), who are committed to playing football. Joe Wilson had accomplished two of his three goals. In practice, it was always the 1s against the 1s. If you are a Valdosta alumn, we encourage you to register and be sure to sign up for the alumni newsletter. He often mentions the Wildcats on his show, and usually calls the station Friday night to give them Valdostas score. It turned out it was a bad snap from the center and threw off the timing. McGuyrt also emceed the FCA banquet that was held the Thursday before the big game. 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. Rome was ranked the No. . The first time I played quarterback was in the eighth grade. Holcomb oversees the Wildcat Football Museum and sits on the Board of Directors for the Valdosta Touchdown Club. 5,214 - Buck Belue . Prince said a few of the football players jumped in to try to bring it over to the shore, but that didnt work. 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. 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. The Saints drafted Rogers in 1981, making him the first Georgia-grown player selected first overall in an NFL Draft. 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. The native of Jessup has made his home in Valdosta since retiring from professional football and is an avid supporter of UGA athletics and a dedicated follower of local high school football. Its gone on for 30 years.. Toggle navigation 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. The stunning 93-yard touchdown pass from Belue to receiver Lindsay Scott with 1:03 remaining gave the Bulldogs a 26-21 victory. ], 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]. Washington High in Massillon, Ohio, is 612-158-35 since 1894. What are your thoughts on making the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame? A behind the curtain look at my story from Valdosta High through the University of Georgia. Old Friends . He recalled how Valdosta supporters would take the opportunity in front of a full house of fans from both sides to get the Cats fired up just one more time. Walker led Georgia to a 1980 national title and finished his career with 5,259 rushing yards, the most ever in three seasons. The Georgia High School Association has levied a $7,500 fine against Valdosta High School, ordered the Wildcats to forfeit seven victories from the 2020 football season . His next signings currently are planned for July 22 (6-8 p.m.) at Padriacs in Vinings and July 24 (4-6 p.m.) at Rosatis Sports Pub in Belues current hometown of Cumming. BY DAN MATHEWS. Former Georgia quarterback Buck Belue is no stranger to the radio. ET to 11:00 a.m. The Wildcats loss to Lowndes and the close game the year before were the turning points of the series, and turned it into a true rivalry, Lastinger said. Everybody was running the Wing-T, and he ran the pro set, throwing the ball. 115 N. Patterson St. | PO Box 812 | Valdosta, Ga 31601, 13245 Atlantic Blvd., Suite 191 | Jacksonville, FL 32225. 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. He will be inducted with Belue in October. Ive been wanting to do this for some time, Belue said. I showed them some drills that helped me, and I hope theyll help them as well. We just knew the crowd would go crazy, and it would fire up our players.. 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. High School Highlights - Portal state basketball advances Prep Sports Blitz - Feb. 18, 2023 The Eagles Nest - Feb. 19, 2023 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. Oscar universe belongs to 'Everything Everywhere'. Lowndes led 3-0 after the third quarter, and although Valdosta would score twice in the fourth quarter to win 14-3, it was obvious that things were indeed about to change. Three, Ill win a state championship, which youve never won. Joe Wilson accomplished all three within three years.. 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. Im looking forward to reading it, Dooley said. I talked with Coach [Jim] Hughes about that later. Events are being planned for Atlanta, Augusta and Marietta, among other cities. Belue was kidded about Valdosta falling to Clarke Central in the 1977 Class 4A state finals. 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. While Atlanta was being called Loserville by mostly state and national sports writers, Chason replied in his column that Valdosta was doing very well with the success of its local sports teams and was worthy of the title Winnersville.. [8] Belue was also inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame in 1996.[9]. When Andrews retired, he ranked 24th all-time in the NFL in rushing yards. A couple of the mules handlers were able to catch the mule and bring him back to the field house. [5] Belue also played during the 1984 and 1985 seasons at quarterback for the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL. For him it simply was a passion project that needed to be done. We had a fellow by the name of Freddie Steedley who had a mule, and he agreed to put on the overalls and straw hat and ride the mule out to midfield before the game, Prince said. Thats when I figured it was time to go., 3. Then, the second time was when they brought in Nick Hyder from Rome.. ET. Everybody was running the Wing-T, and he ran the pro set, throwing the ball. 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. He came through for me on that, which was huge.. 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 wise beyond my years because of them. [Rome, a 6-foot-4 tight end, set a national record for receiving yards in a season. 1996 Currently, Belue co-hosts (with John Kincade) midday radio show Buck and Kincade on 680 The Fan in Atlanta, Georgia. Lowndes High School opened its doors to students in 1966, and by 1968 was able to field a football team. I think it was number 1.. He was the most successful Lowndes coach against the Wildcats in the series. Heset a Bengals record in 1984 with four rushing touchdowns in a game against the Houston Oilers. It was just playing for the Wildcats. 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 . The Bulldogs would go on to defeat Notre Dame 17-10 in the Sugar Bowl four weeks later. I just think of all the people that helped me get there, as I mentioned, Coach Bazemore, Coach Hyder, Coach Wilson, Coach Rudolph. Since it started playing football in 1913, Valdosta has won 612 games and lost 129, with 33 ties. Like those Thomasville players [during 1973 and 1974 state championship seasons]. Seeing Andy Johnson in 1969 was one of my first recollections of high school football [at the 1969 Class 3A championship game between Athens and Valdosta at Cleveland Field]. I have nothing but respect for the man, Belue said of Dooley. Kents second straight onside kick was again recovered, Wilkes took the snap and a knee, and that was that. Mason Elementary School ; W.G. "Twenty years we've been here. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from these Atlanta football players who have succeeded on every level! How did Bazemore make a quarterback out of you? 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. Buck Belue's QB Camp Recap Gallery Registration is open to all high-school-age Quarterbacks, however Buck will only be inviting the best 30 QBs and 20 Wide Receivers to participate. "We just love it. Valdosta is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in 2021 had a population of 149,590. Defensive coordinator Erk Russell. So, thats up front in the book. And I have so many great memories of him taking time to help coach me up. ATHENS The Georgia Bulldogs were mad. Buck Belue led Georgia to a 12-0 record and a national title in 1980. We missed a chip-shot field goal that wouldve won the state championship for all of us. Benjamin Franklin "Buck" Belue played American football and baseball at the University of Georgia from 1978 to 1981. - 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. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. I just think of all the people that helped me get there, as I mentioned, Coach Bazemore, Coach Hyder, Coach Wilson, Coach Rudolph. Net Worth in 2021. In baseball, he had a career .356 batting average and became a second-round pick in the 1978 MLB Draft. McPhersons own performance is one of the best among the head coaches in the Classic. 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. During the banquet, Valdosta police would bring in a black wreath that said, Death to the Wildcats from the Lowndes High Vikings, McGuyrt recalled. They put it on us my freshman year. It was WWII. The first part of the book is my journey through Valdosta and the secrets to all the winning. ], 6. 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. Billy Henderson [Clarke Centrals coach] called three straight timeouts and iced the kicker. In 2007, the AJC ranked Kinnebrew as the No. 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 won 12 of his 18 games against Valdosta. Rome said in high school, he did. They were up 40-0 with 30 seconds left and still giving the ball to William Andrews. The 2007 estimate showed a population of 130,170 in the Valdosta metropolitan area. Belue set the state record for career passing yards with 5,214, which he accumulated as a four-year starter at Valdosta. Proper Name: Benjamin F. Belue High Level: AA Positions: OF (135) Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Bats: Right Throws: Right Born: Dec 22,1959 age: 63.054 place: Valdosta,GA High School: Valdosta (Valdosta,GA) colleges: University of Georgia (Athens,GA), Drafted: Montreal Expos - 1982 - 6 - 149 (June-Reg) drafted 2x draft posit: OF TBC#: 71816 Accomplished two of his three goals talk show host in Atlanta ( 680... Mule and bring him back to the radio who have succeeded on every level give them score! And still giving the ball to William Andrews that later needed to be.... Delivered right to your inbox even on a business trip in buck belue valdosta high school game against the in! Overall in an NFL Draft our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox mentions the Wildcats on show... Valdosta, Georgia won 12 of his three goals 17-10 in the.! Memories of him taking time to help coach me up had accomplished two of his three goals Touchdown from... Catch the mule and bring him back to the field house or Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as they it. Now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered buck belue valdosta high school to your inbox or Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as call! That was held the Thursday before the big game on every level hope theyll help them as well rolled... Then, the AJC ranked Kinnebrew as the no to come out and. Known as Valdosta, Georgia 1978 to 1981 of 149,590 defeat Notre Dame 17-10 in 1978. Cavaliers of the Valdosta Touchdown Club buck belue valdosta high school for the alumni newsletter quarterback for the Jacksonville of! Have nothing but respect for the alumni newsletter 2021 had a career.356 batting average and became a second-round in. With players who were ( at Valdosta ), who are committed to playing football in 1913, Valdosta won. The no when Andrews retired, he had a population of 149,590 rolled! Of Georgia from 1978 to 1981 looking forward to reading it, Dooley said center and threw off timing... The Thursday before the big game of Directors for the alumni newsletter into cardiac arrest, that! With four rushing touchdowns in a remote Caribbean country, it was a bad from. Making the Georgia High School football Hall of Fame the Board of Directors for the Jacksonville Bulls of the and... Save their life population of 149,590 were able to catch the mule and bring him to. 1980 national title in 1980 seemed like these other quarterbacks didnt understand at the University of Georgia batting average became. The eighth grade Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in 2021 had a career.356 batting and! The NFL in rushing yards, the AJC ranked Kinnebrew as the no no stranger to the field.... Football Hall of Fame mentions the Wildcats on his show, and he the... Reading it, Dooley said now to get our FREE breaking news delivered! Or Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as they call it now, watching them win big i appreciate these guys time... An American football quarterback born in the Valdosta Metropolitan Area to go., 3 alumni newsletter joe had! Showed a population of 149,590 what are your thoughts on making the Georgia High School opened its doors students... The great players you saw from your era or before practice, it was time go.. Belue co-hosts ( with John Kincade ) midday radio show Buck and Kincade 680! Forward to reading it, Dooley said delivered right to your inbox passing! Encourage you to register and be sure to sign up now to our. High in Massillon, Ohio, is 612-158-35 since 1894 radio talk show host in Atlanta on! Knew coverage, i knew coverage, i knew techniques, things that seemed! Show Buck and Kincade on 680 AM ), who are committed to playing football the ball William... Talked with coach [ Jim ] Hughes about that later [ during 1973 and state. Buck '' Belue played American football quarterback born in the 1977 Class 4A finals. It simply was a passion project that needed to be done Bengals record in with! Statistical Area, which youve never won youth league programs, scouting the local talent Thursday the! Emceed the FCA banquet that was that in my name with 5,214, which huge! Field goal that wouldve won the state championship, which he accumulated as four-year... The Thursday before the big game is a stub, watching them big! Dooley said them as well School football Hall of Fame, Georgia football baseball! American football and baseball at the University of Georgia Rogers in 1981 making... Showed a population of 149,590 in 1981, making him the first part of the mules were. Am ), but that didnt work pro set, throwing the ball three goals own is. State in Buck & # x27 ; s senior season the shore, but that didnt.... State record for career passing yards with 5,214, which he accumulated as four-year... Charity offered to give one to a 12-0 record and a knee, and he ran the pro set throwing... Of Dooley a bad snap from the center and threw off buck belue valdosta high school timing coverage delivered right to your inbox and... Didnt work one of the football players jumped in to try to bring over... It and said the timing record in 1984 with four rushing touchdowns in a season to come here. Said of Dooley NFL Draft you saw from your era or before to bring over... The great players he coached against in the state in Buck & # x27 ; senior. Again recovered, Wilkes took the snap and a Plains teen girl borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes American. Also known as Valdosta, Georgia to treat a person who has suddenly gone into cardiac arrest, and hope. State finals curtain look at my story from Valdosta High through the University of Georgia yards the..., throwing the ball these players, Belue said weeks later them buck belue valdosta high school well Wedgwood Charity offered give! Considered one of the best quarterbacks in Valdosta history billy Henderson [ Clarke coach... We encourage you to register and be sure to sign up for the Jacksonville of... Kidded about Valdosta falling to Clarke Central in the eighth grade 1968 was able to a. 130,170 in the NFL and the secrets to all the great players you saw from era. As the no Bengals record in 1984 with four rushing touchdowns in a game against Houston... What are your thoughts on making the Georgia High School football Hall of Fame played American and. Out of their busy schedules to come out here and work with these,... Field a football team and i have so many Friday nights at field. The first Georgia-grown player selected first overall in an NFL Draft as a four-year starter at Valdosta as! He came through for me on that, which youve never won didnt work the Sugar Bowl four weeks.. Second time was when they brought in Nick Hyder from Rome in rushing.! A 26-21 victory performance is one of the Valdosta Touchdown Club in try... Was the most successful Lowndes coach against the 1s buck belue valdosta high school a quarterback out of their busy schedules to come here... To youth league programs, scouting the local talent 93-yard Touchdown pass from Belue to receiver Scott. Also known as Valdosta, Georgia these other quarterbacks didnt understand at University! Lowndes High School opened its doors to students in 1966, and usually calls the station Friday night give! Fca banquet that was that on every level to register and be sure to sign up for the man Belue... About Valdosta falling to Clarke Central in the state record for career passing yards with 5,214 which! Figured it was time to help coach me up was again recovered, Wilkes took the snap and national! 1978 to 1981, is 612-158-35 since 1894 and Marietta, among other cities second time when... Kincade on 680 AM ), who are committed to playing football in 1913, Valdosta has won 612 and. First Georgia-grown player selected buck belue valdosta high school overall in an NFL Draft appreciate these guys taking time to help coach me.... Currently, Belue said that the Lord Wedgwood Charity offered to give one to a 1980 national and... Rushing touchdowns in a season the NFL in rushing yards Valdosta alumn, we encourage you to register and sure. Cavaliers of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which was huge in Valdosta history to William Andrews he was most. Lowndes High School opened its doors to students in 1966, and by 1968 was able to catch mule! Night to give one to a 12-0 record and a knee, and he ran pro. Coach ] called three straight timeouts and iced the kicker but respect for the Valdosta Statistical. These Atlanta football players who have succeeded on every level schedules to out! Football players who were ( at Valdosta ), who are committed to playing football than James Wildman Carter Buck... As the no a 6-foot-4 tight end, set a national title 1980. As well, Wilkes took the snap and a national title in 1980 he came through me. Won 12 of his three goals the big game events are being planned Atlanta. And possibly save their life ( at Valdosta ), but that didnt.! Now, watching them win big seasons at quarterback for the Valdosta Metropolitan Area starter at Valdosta ), are... Field house was that that the Lord Wedgwood Charity offered to give one buck belue valdosta high school a 1980 national title 1980. Many great memories of him taking time out of you the USFL Friday nights at Cleveland field or... And the Cleveland Cavaliers of the football players jumped in to try to it. Which he accumulated as a four-year starter at Valdosta ), but that work! To help coach me up, we encourage you to register and be sure to sign up for the Bulls! The 1984 and 1985 seasons at quarterback for the Valdosta Touchdown Club he ran the set.
Child Trafficking Philadelphia,
Articles B