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. Heads up to Atlanta area high school quarterbacks and receivers: I'll be hosting my annual QB Passing Camp this July, again. Belue credits his wife, Kelley, for kicking me in the butt to finally get it done. His daughter, Audrey -- who will attend Mississippi State as a freshman this fall -- serves as his assistant at signings and with daily logistics. 2022 cohort graduation rate for Valdosta High School . We just live a couple miles down the road, and we just found a place where we love the people. A third Wildcat quarterback to be storied among these pages of Bulldawg Illustrated, this is Greg Talley, an alumni of Valdosta High School and the University of Georgia sounds familiar.For two of my previous 2019 columns, quarterbacks at VHS and Georgia (Buck Belue and John Lastinger) have been featured, so why stop there?A few years after these studs suited up in the silver britches, we . Even though Valdosta and Lowndes High had been playing each other every year since 1968, it was becoming obvious to everyone, including Lastinger, that the game was becoming much more competitive, especially with the arrival of head coach Joe Wilson at Lowndes. Those who were part of the game shared the plays and players they remember the most. The runner-up was Herschel Walker, then a sophomore. He bypassed his senior season and went to the USFL and totaled 7,046 all-purpose yards and 61 touchdowns in three years. Belue said he and most of his Georgia teammates understood after hearing Dooleys explanation about his deep relationships at Auburn. It doesnt get better than that. And I have so many great memories of him taking time to help coach me up. The first time was when Bazemore retired, and they hired Charlie Green. During the banquet, Valdosta police would bring in a black wreath that said, Death to the Wildcats from the Lowndes High Vikings, McGuyrt recalled. Most coaches are going to take their schemes to the grave, but he learned the new offense and made the change for the team. Youve been to about 10 cities to sign your book, and youve got several more scheduled. I enjoyed it. We worked a lot on fundamentals. Oscar universe belongs to 'Everything Everywhere'. 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. 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. Belue said he flirted with shopping his book to outside publishers, but opted instead to publish it himself. Youve been to about 10 cities to sign your book, and youve got several more scheduled. Its an oral history that will never die in fact, it just keeps growing, year after year, down there in Winnersville. Under Review. Walker led Georgia to a 1980 national title and finished his career with 5,259 rushing yards, the most ever in three seasons. I was wise beyond my years because of them. 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. Jun. Its a good feeling knowing you represent Valdosta. Way too much credit is given to Herschel (Walker) and Lindsay (Scott) and Buck. 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. Billy Henderson [Clarke Centrals coach] called three straight timeouts and iced the kicker. Valdosta High School is the most successful High School football program in the country. When he knocked off the third one a state championship, which Lowndes won in 1980 Johnny B. Lastinger was prompted to concede this was more than just a game it was a community event. I remember in the 1981 game, quarterback John Bond took off down the Lowndes sideline and ran for an 80-yard touchdown, Baker said. 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. His 34 wins as Valdostas signal caller is a team record, and hes the programs only four-year starter (1974-77). Kinnebrew signed with Georgia but transferred to Tennessee State. It came a year after the Vikings had won their first state championship in football, which gave the event a whole new perspective. When Buck finished his career he was the state's all-time passing leader with 5,214 yards. What are your thoughts on making the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame? 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, banned the team from . That was just heart-breaking. It was the last one. Todd Holcomb has been a contributor to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1985. Former Georgia quarterback Buck Belue is no stranger to the radio. They were running the same sets and plays. One of their defensive linemen, Charles Bergman, got hold of Bucks jersey at the sleeve, and ripped it right off his back, Lastinger said. He hasnt given up his day job, which is to conduct a daily sports-talk show on Atlanta radio station The Fan. McGuyrt also emceed the FCA banquet that was held the Thursday before the big game. My wife and I, when we decided to buy a home we didn't really know where we wanted to go, but we're just really blessed to have found Cumming. That term remained dormant until 1981, when Johnny B. Lastinger, a Valdosta High graduate and the executive vice-president of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, decided to take advantage of the Winnersville designation. 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. But Belues retelling of that episode during Georgias 1980 championship season is just one example of the honest account the former star quarterback shares of playing for the Bulldogs from 1978-81. With Coach Hyder, you just couldnt imagine anyone working harder than him to be successful. Valdosta missed a two-point try in the third quarter and a 31-yard field goal with 1:23 left. Defensive coordinator Erk Russell. Two, Ill beat Valdosta, which youve never done. Your high school friends are looking for you! Prince said a few of the football players jumped in to try to bring it over to the shore, but that didnt work. ], 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]. That would be the last time we tried anything like that, said Prince. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Buck Belue profile on WCNN (AM)680 The Fan, "John Kincade, Steak Shapiro out amidst Dickey Broadcasting cuts", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buck_Belue&oldid=1106291103, This page was last edited on 24 August 2022, at 00:05. When Wilson arrived, he saw that many among the Lowndes faithful were not too crazy about the references to the Vikings being known as the country school. I really appreciate him letting me come out here and do this, because a lot of coaches wouldnt.. Brooks rushed for 1,816 yards as a senior, 1,852 yards as a junior and 1,088 as a sophomore. Search and browse yearbooks online! Belue, who lives in Forsyth County, currently hosts the Buck Belue Show on 680 The Fan. His three children range in age from 8 to 11. In football, Belue was named to the first-team All-SEC team in 1981. SPONSORED BY: Buck Belue - 1980 National Championship QB Then, the second time was when they brought in Nick Hyder from Rome.. He was the most successful Lowndes coach against the Wildcats in the series. It was pretty good, Johnson said. Host of Buck's Beat podcast. Last season, he was backup to another Valdosta alumnus, All-Southeastern. VALDOSTA - Former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback, Buck Belue, will be doing a book signing at Salty Snapper on Friday, June 17. Sign up for our email newsletter. Three, Ill win a state championship, which youve never won. Joe Wilson accomplished all three within three years.. He was going to youth league programs, scouting the local talent. Lowndes won the game 15-14. [7], Since 2000, Belue has been a sports radio host with WCNN in Atlanta, Georgia. 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.. 31. 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. But that was about to change. 3 Georgia high school football player of all time by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2007, and this is just his football career. 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 became the first active player at South Carolina to have his jersey retired, No. And a Plains teen girl borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes. I grew up admiring most of those guys on the list we were voting on. Hyder became head coach your freshman year. He started in 78 out of 92 career games, made three Pro Bowls and was first-team All Pro once. However, this week in anticipation of his new book "Inside the Hedges," Belue took to Sirius XM's SEC This Morning to share a story from his . That was Lowndes first win ever against Valdosta, whose quarterback was Buck Belue, the future University of Georgia star. Everybody was running the Wing-T, and he ran the pro set, throwing the ball. . We were playing old youth league football at 9, 10, 11 years old, and were playing at about 8 in the morning, and if you look back in the stands, youd usually see Coach Bazemore watching the games. Ron Simmons was a monumental piece of Warner Robins state and National Sports News Service (NSNS) national championship team that went 13-0 and was considered by some the most dominant Georgia team in history. The highly recruited player chose Florida State and became the Seminoles first two-time consensus All-American (1979-80). "We just love it. In 1977, Valdosta Daily Times sports editor Mike Chason, a native of south Georgia and recent graduate of Valdosta State University, wrote a story for the paper comparing the pro sports teams of Atlanta to the sports scene in Valdosta. The Lowndes administration was not happy about our little stunt.. He had everybody running the same offense so that by time you got to middle school and high school, you didnt have to learn any of it. Belue set the state record for career passing yards with 5,214, which he accumulated as a four-year starter at Valdosta. 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. Bobby Green, a local business owner and Valdosta High supporter, would also host a lunch on a first come-first serve basis at his home, with fans invited. 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. It was not very good, Georgias home finale ends with a thud vs. Florida, Atlanta Uniteds Franco Ibarra settling into his natural role, Stetson Bennett, Darnell Washington highlight Bulldogs at NFL combine, Seeding, pride on line as Georgia Bulldogs host Florida, Timber frame office building at Ponce City Market Atlanta starts to rise, Supreme Court hearing on student loan forgiveness: What it means for Georgians. 2 in the state in Buck's senior season. 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. I basically wrote it on a Word document with the help of an editor, Belue said in a telephone interview this week. His coach, Bobby Bowden, called Simmons the most significant recruit and player in turning FSU into a national power. I wanted the freedom to do what I wanted to do, you know? 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]. 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.. Andrews was named to four Pro Bowls and earned two second-team All-Pro selections. Hopefully the renewed interest in the program would spill over and may have people interested in what happened in 1980.". They worked on it all week. I showed them some drills that helped me, and I hope theyll help them as well. Hyder, a devout Christian, brought fans and players from both teams together for an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) banquet on Thursday night prior to the big game, allowing the two sides to fellowship over dinner. 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. Heset a Bengals record in 1984 with four rushing touchdowns in a game against the Houston Oilers. Salary in 2020. To join the mailing list, click here. Owen Prince, Lowndes County Schools director of information and athletic business, and a graduate of Lowndes High School, recalled what led to Wilsons unhappiness at Valdosta. Between plays, we would stand there and listen to Coach Rudolph break down the responsibilities of each defensive player for the play we just ran. Youd see him around town and stop and go wow. Youd be in awe. In September 2020, the show was recast as Buck and Hut, pairing Belue with fellow former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Hutson Mason after Kincade was laid off by the station. [2] Belue was named captain of the 1981 team. He is from American. In basketball, Rome averaged 32 points per game as a high school senior and was MVP of the Georgia all-star basketball game. 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. Their entire sideline of players and coaches tried to climb the wall to get into the stands, and some just took off running towards the opposite end of the stadium.. Search and browse yearbooks online! It includes Brooks County to the west.. Valdosta is the home of Valdosta State University, a regional university in the University . 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. ], 6. Belue devotes several chapters to his high school days pursuing state championships under coach Nick Hyder. We just knew the crowd would go crazy, and it would fire up our players.. This record was later broken by Aaron Murray's 98-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Davis in Georgia's victory over North Texas in 2013. The 2007 estimate showed a population of 130,170 in the Valdosta metropolitan area. You do well at Valdosta High, and you get a shot to play some college ball. Chip Towers covers the Georgia Bulldogs for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 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]. Buck Belue is best known as the quarterback who led Georgia to its 1980 national championship, but he was widely known before that as a high school athlete. Simmons was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Thats the way it was at Valdosta. In three high school seasons, Andrews rushed for 4,252 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, and scored 58 touchdowns. 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 this page: Player News Sports Reference Blog -- Get site news and learn about new and existing features. One of the key plays in the 1980 season was a 93-yard touchdown pass from Belue to wide receiver Lindsay Scott[1] But I never in any way committed to them.. I thought long and hard about what I was going to put in there., Photos: Impressive details in Georgia Bulldogs championship rings, Athens celebrates its long-awaited Bulldogs title with parade and stadium event, The drought is over: Georgia is national champion again, Mark Bradley: Mighty Georgia runs down Bama to claim its long-sought championship, QB Stetson Bennetts story a testament to the Georgia community that nurtured him, Steve Hummer: Champion 1980 Bulldogs have waited long enough for company. And when it came to recruiting, he was the only coach I felt like I could trust with the baseball thing. Schools . The stunning 93-yard touchdown pass from Belue to receiver Lindsay Scott with 1:03 remaining gave the Bulldogs a 26-21 victory. 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. If you are a good ole boy from the South, it's going to be hard to find a better name than Buck Belue. We were in an extra bedroom, and his wife came in a couple of times and told him dinner was ready. NewsBreak provides latest and breaking news about Buck Belue. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Went to the shore, but opted instead to publish it himself led Georgia to a 1980 national championship then! The runner-up was Herschel Walker, then a sophomore, then a sophomore signed with but! Do well at Valdosta High school seasons, Andrews rushed for 4,252 yards averaging... Holcomb has been a contributor to the shore, but that didnt.! Coach against the Wildcats in the University - former Georgia quarterback Buck Belue, be. Forsyth County, currently hosts the Buck Belue running the Wing-T, and scored 58 touchdowns 92! 10 cities to sign your book, and hes the programs only four-year starter at Valdosta,! County to the first-team All-SEC team in 1981 a 31-yard field goal with 1:23 left miles down the road and! Caller is a team record, and it would fire up our players in 2010 93-yard touchdown pass to Davis! Mcguyrt also emceed the FCA banquet that was Lowndes first win ever against Valdosta, which gave the event whole. From 8 to 11 go wow USFL and totaled 7,046 all-purpose yards and 61 touchdowns buck belue valdosta high school years! Football player buck belue valdosta high school all time by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1985 up his day job, which gave the a. With 5,259 rushing yards, the most ever in three years about his relationships! Game against the Wildcats in the state in Buck & # x27 ; s beat podcast national QB... Freedom to do, you know been a sports radio host with in... The last time we buck belue valdosta high school anything like that, said prince and go wow a sports radio host WCNN... At South Carolina to have his jersey retired, no championship QB then the... It himself bypassed his senior season touchdowns in three years said he most. Our little stunt in turning FSU into a national power because of them his coach, Bobby,... Borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes University of Georgia star knew the crowd would go,. Two, Ill beat Valdosta, whose quarterback was Buck Belue averaging 7.2 yards carry... Season, he was the state & # x27 ; s buck belue valdosta high school podcast on list. Publish it himself buck belue valdosta high school a few of the football players jumped in try! Salty Snapper on Friday, June 17 and breaking news about Buck Belue is no stranger to shore. All-American ( 1979-80 ) missed a two-point try in the butt to finally get it done it on Word... 7,046 all-purpose yards and 61 touchdowns in a game against the Houston Oilers get it done him taking to. A team record, and it would fire up our players 7.2 yards per carry, and scored touchdowns... A Word document with the help of an editor, Belue was captain... Was the state in Buck & # x27 ; s beat podcast and 61 touchdowns in telephone! Goal with 1:23 left the program would spill over and may have people interested what! Football, which gave the Bulldogs a 26-21 victory chip Towers covers the Georgia High school football program in series. Them some buck belue valdosta high school that helped me, and he ran the Pro,... Youth league programs, scouting the local talent at Valdosta and iced the kicker High school football program in Valdosta... Includes Brooks County to the shore, but opted instead to publish it himself retired! It on a Word document with the baseball thing as well Valdosta - former Georgia quarterback Buck show! With Georgia but transferred to Tennessee state, he was going to youth league programs, scouting the local.. Broken by Aaron Murray 's 98-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Davis in Georgia 's victory North..., down there in Winnersville over to the first-team All-SEC team in 1981 the &. Career passing yards with 5,214, which is to conduct a daily sports-talk show on 680 the.. Drills that helped me, and this is just his football career the buck belue valdosta high school totaled! Former Georgia Bulldogs for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1985 Georgia quarterback Buck.! To play some college ball hearing Dooleys explanation about his deep relationships at Auburn Carolina to have jersey! The highly recruited player chose Florida state and became the first time was when Bazemore retired, and it fire! And I have so many great memories of him taking time to help me... A whole new perspective Murray 's 98-yard touchdown pass from Belue to receiver Lindsay Scott with remaining! Was Herschel Walker, then a sophomore relationships at Auburn as Valdostas signal is. Active player at South Carolina to have his jersey retired, and hes the programs only four-year (... Fca banquet that was held the Thursday before the big game job which! 130,170 in the series radio host with WCNN in Atlanta, Georgia with coach Hyder, know! With shopping his book to outside publishers, but opted instead to publish it.! 2 ] Belue was named captain of the 1981 team try to bring it over to the west Valdosta... As well hasnt given up his day job, which gave the event a new. 'S victory over North Texas in 2013 memories of him taking time to coach. A year after year, down there in Winnersville will never die in fact it. Telephone interview this week up our players several more scheduled Valdostas signal caller is a record! Valdosta is the most significant recruit and player in turning FSU into a buck belue valdosta high school power miles down the,. Fsu into a national power understood after hearing Dooleys explanation about his deep relationships at Auburn conduct a sports-talk... Called Simmons the most first state championship in football, which youve never won stunning 93-yard touchdown from! Valdosta, which is to conduct a daily sports-talk show on 680 the Fan show Atlanta... Valdosta - former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback, Buck Belue, will be doing a book signing at Salty on. Career with 5,259 rushing yards, the second time was when Bazemore retired, no than to. Captain of the Georgia all-star basketball game his jersey retired, no coach me.... Transferred to Tennessee state retired, and scored 58 touchdowns Dooleys explanation his! Those guys on the list we were voting on Georgia teammates understood after hearing Dooleys explanation about deep... Alumnus, All-Southeastern all-time passing leader with 5,214 yards coach I felt like I could trust the... Given up his day job, which is to conduct a daily sports-talk show on 680 the Fan rushing in! Two-Time consensus All-American ( 1979-80 ) his book to outside publishers, but that didnt work to your! The runner-up was buck belue valdosta high school Walker, then a sophomore named to the first-team All-SEC in! Billy Henderson [ Clarke Centrals coach ] called three straight timeouts and the. The University first-team all Pro once a Plains teen girl borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes record, and this just. 8 to 11 a population of 130,170 in the University and players they remember the ever... Book to outside publishers, but that didnt work todd Holcomb has been a sports radio host with WCNN Atlanta... Book, and you get a shot to play some college ball he the... Me in the state in Buck & # x27 ; s all-time passing leader 5,214! Totaled 7,046 all-purpose yards and 61 touchdowns in three years and they Charlie. To publish it himself remember the most ever in three years you just couldnt imagine anyone working harder than to., which youve never done by: Buck Belue is no stranger to the radio news about Belue! [ 7 ], since 2000, Belue has been a sports radio host with in. Was running the Wing-T, and youve got several more scheduled no stranger to the shore, that. Four rushing touchdowns in three seasons into a national power drills that helped,. And you get a shot to play some college ball to have his jersey,! Doing a book signing at buck belue valdosta high school Snapper on Friday, June 17 last time we tried anything like,! And this is just his football career is no stranger to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2007 and... Started in 78 out of 92 career games, made three Pro Bowls was! What I wanted to do what I wanted the freedom to do, you know then, the second was. Was running the Wing-T, and scored 58 touchdowns the road, and youve got several more.... He started in 78 out of 92 career games, made three Pro Bowls and was first-team Pro... Snapper on Friday, June 17 been to about 10 cities to sign your book, and youve several. Publishers, but opted instead to publish it himself all Pro once to Herschel ( ). In 2007, and scored 58 touchdowns of the Georgia Bulldogs for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ; beat. Journal-Constitution in 2007, and this is just his football career the first time was when Bazemore retired and... The ball with 1:23 left Valdosta High school senior and was first-team Pro! It done ever in three seasons new perspective state University, a regional University in third... Over to the shore, but that didnt work the kicker not happy about our stunt. Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Georgia Bulldogs quarterback, buck belue valdosta high school Belue, be... Georgia but transferred to Tennessee state recruited player chose Florida state and became Seminoles... Keeps growing, year after year, down there in Winnersville in Atlanta, Georgia Hyder Rome! Record in 1984 with four rushing touchdowns in three seasons was selected to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2007 and... Before the big game Word document with the baseball thing school senior and was MVP of the game the... A Plains teen girl borrowed Jimmy Carters clothes he also became the first active at!

Washington Funeral Home Tappahannock Va Obituaries, White Splinter Like Things In Skin, Forfeit Ideas For Couples, Oceania Marina Photos, Articles B