VERNON, Ala. — The Lamar County High School football team will have a chance to make history at 7 p.m. Friday.
Lamar County can set a school record for most wins in a season when it travels to Ashland, Ala., to play Clay County in the semifinals of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 2A state playoffs.
A 14th victory for the Bulldogs (13-0) would help them break the school record of 13 set in 1984 and equaled in 1992 and this season.
“That would be real nice,” Lamar County senior fullback and linebacker Lance Bobbitt said of pursuing the school record. “No team that has come through here has ever done it. We”re just trying to get that (state championship) ring.
“We”re real determined (to set the record). We always play hard. We always come together on Friday nights. We always play together as a team.”
Lamar County went 10-0 in the regular season. It has added to its perfect ledger in the playoffs with victories against Red Bay 42-0, Tanner 28-27 in overtime, and Ider 35-13.
“It would mean everything to us,” Lamar County senior offensive and defensive lineman Carson Chiquito said. “We”d be making history and that would be great, especially our senior year. We all want to do it. The whole team does. We”re all ready and we”re all fighting for it.”
Lamar County”s ultimate goal is to win 15 games and to celebrate the third state championship in school history. The school also won titles in 1967 and 1984.
If Lamar County beats Clay County, it will play the winner of Pickens County and Reeltown for the state championship at 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
“We”ve been working hard since day one with everyone putting their hearts and souls into the games,” Lamar County sophomore running back and linebacker Eric “Turbo” Hudson said. “We”re just trying to come out with a victory.”
Having a chance to set the school record for wins in a season is just one of the reasons Lamar County players and coaches have for being thankful today on Thanksgiving.
The Bulldogs are also thankful for being undefeated this season They are the only undefeated team left in the Class 2A state playoffs. Clay County, Pickens County, and Reeltown are 12-1.
“It means a lot to us,” Lamar County senior wide receiver and linebacker Jimmy Lann said. “We”ve practiced hard all year. We”ve worked hard for these wins. (Being undefeated) gives you motivation to work harder in practice.”
The Bulldogs are also thankful to still be playing. It”s the latest Lamar County has played since making it to the state championship game in 1992.
Lamar County practiced at 9 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and is scheduled to take the field again today.
“(Assistant) Coach (Don) Thornton told them last year that if you practice on Thanksgiving day you”ve done something special,” Lamar County coach Ken Adams said. “When you”ve gotten this far you don”t mind doing the little things, whether it”s Thanksgiving or whenever it is. You just want to play.”
The players and coaches will get to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at their homes and they”ll be honored with a pep rally at 7 tonight.
“It feels good,” Hudson said. “They did that last week. It gave us a lot of confidence to beat Ider.”
The Bulldogs hope there”s one more pep rally and a state championship celebration to follow.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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