buck belue valdosta high school

An astounding number at the time and a record that took more than a decade to break. The problem was the plane didnt get low enough, and the wind blew the flyers all over the neighborhood next to the practice field.. If you are a Valdosta alumn, we encourage you to register and be sure to sign up for the alumni newsletter. Simmons was considered undersized for the NFL and went in the sixth round. I just take it as a huge honor., Created by Ellen Kennerly Made with Squarespace, 2022 Georgia High School Football Daily. He was the first Georgia-grown player to win the Heisman. They were up 40-0 with 30 seconds left and still giving the ball to William Andrews. Toggle navigation One of the motivations for doing the book was to talk about Valdosta High School and the football program through the years, and Ive had so many people, whether theyre Bulldog fans or not, ask questions about how Valdosta won all those games. He and his wife had an apartment next to the school, and I would go over to watch film with him. 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. . Rome talked about playing for the legendary Wright Bazemore. Baker said the cheerleaders from both teams would usually meet at one of the girls homes, and the groups would alternate each season. ", Former Georgia quarterback and current Forsyth County resident Buck Belue, right, with Universities Forever owners Stuart Cohen, left, and Jini Lee. With Coach Bazemore, I just looked at him as an innovator offensively. What was the most memorable high school game that you played? Belue threw for 299 yards in his career, completing 37 of 68 passes with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. With Coach Bazemore, I just looked at him as an innovator offensively. In 2004, the Falcons retired his jersey No. April 13, 2021, 8:39 AM. A couple of the mules handlers were able to catch the mule and bring him back to the field house. We were in an extra bedroom, and his wife came in a couple of times and told him dinner was ready. Generally, they build in signings around their everyday lives. Today's interviewee is Buck Belue, sports talk show host for 680 The Fan, quarterback for Georgia's 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 Georgia's 1980 season and his athletic career. 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. On this page: Player News Sports Reference Blog -- Get site news and learn about new and existing features. Those who were part of the game shared the plays and players they remember the most. 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. Register Batting I grew up admiring most of those guys on the list we were voting on. Defensive coordinator Erk Russell. What do most people want to talk to you about at these book signings? One of the motivations for doing the book was to talk about Valdosta High School and the football program through the years, and Ive had so many people, whether theyre Bulldog fans or not, ask questions about how Valdosta won all those games. The GHSFHA "State Records Project" is an attempt to research and publish reported state records in Georgia high school football. 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. He played nine NFL seasons, made two Pro Bowls and finished with more than 18,000 all-purpose yards. There was still a chance for the Vikings if they could return the kickoff, but they never got the chance. He also added 1,487 rushing yards and . Chuck Knoll's Steelers were champions and as. So, Joe sits down with Martin and Sonny asks him, Joe, why should I hire you? Prince said. Id be interested to know how hell react, though.. Belue also talked to all of the players about being positive influences and representing themselves and the Valdosta Wildcats well. He won 12 of his 18 games against Valdosta. Belue quarterbacked the Bulldogs to a 12-0 record in 1980, culminating with a 17-10 win over Notre Dame Jan. 1, 1981 in the Sugar Bowl. 1 recruit in the country. He and his wife had an apartment next to the school, and I would go over to watch film with him. Todd Holcomb has been a contributor to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1985. The best player that I played with was our quarterback, Kareem Wilson, in 1995, Henderson recalled. 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Sign up on Classmates for free to reconnect with Buck Belue and other high school alumni. 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 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. Belue also details in the book how he balanced his baseball pursuits while competing to be the starting quarterback on a team that won back-to-back SEC championships. Belue was kidded about Valdosta falling to Clarke Central in the 1977 Class 4A state finals. At quarterback, its about being a leader, and being a field general. Heads up to Atlanta area high school quarterbacks and receivers: I'll be hosting my annual QB Passing Camp this July, again. Brooks scored 70 touchdowns at Warner Robins. When Andrews retired, he ranked 24th all-time in the NFL in rushing yards. I knew coverage, I knew techniques, things that it seemed like these other quarterbacks didnt understand at the time. Way too much credit is given to Herschel (Walker) and Lindsay (Scott) and Buck. Valdosta High School is the most successful High School football program in the country. Belue told Turner and Johnson that three things a good quarterback must do are: know the down and distance, protect the football and be tough. I talked with Coach [Jim] Hughes about that later. Former Georgia quarterback Buck Belue is no stranger to the radio. On the next play, Wilkes found Sherrod Inman in the back of the end zone to cut the lead to 17-14. I wanted the freedom to do what I wanted to do, you know? Hundreds of people turned out at the The Salty Snapper, including former Valdosta High classmates and UGA teammates. 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. I had other friends there, too, just like they did that day in that room. [6] After the demise of the USFL, Belue spent two years on the football coaching staff at Valdosta State University, serving as an offensive assistant. The coaches would each speak to the crowd during the banquet. Most coaches are going to take their schemes to the grave, but he learned the new offense and made the change for the team. 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. The head coaches would always come and speak to the small gathering. 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. Lowndes won the game 15-14. 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.. Buck Belue net worth Feb, 2023 Buck Belue net worth 611 Thousand Millions of dollars 76% Net worth score Disclamer: Buck Belue net worth displayed here are calculated based on a combination social factors. Nobody would have a better perspective from a players standpoint than Buck as the quarterback of that team.. In 1977, Wilsons second season, he made good on his assurance to Martin that he was finally going to beat Valdosta, and on his boast to Hyder that he was going to whip your [butt], by leading the Vikings to an incredible 7-2 win over the Wildcats in front of a frenzied Lowndes home crowd. The following year, he put up a career-best 714 rushing yards. Joe Wilson had accomplished two of his three goals. He was just so far ahead of his time. In baseball, he had a career .356 batting average and became a second-round pick in the 1978 MLB Draft. The Bulldogs winning a national championship last season also served as an impetus. I appreciate these guys taking time out of their busy schedules to come out here and work with these players, Belue said. Its an oral history that will never die in fact, it just keeps growing, year after year, down there in Winnersville. Rome said in high school, he did. The Georgia football team had just put a bow on an undefeated regular season with a resounding 38-20 win over Georgia Tech in 1980 when the players awoke the following morning to news that coach Vince Dooley reportedly was leaving to become coach and athletic director at Auburn. The Lowndes administration was not happy about our little stunt.. The best players I saw play in the game were quarterback Cedric Hatten for us, and for Lowndes it was Greg Reid. 115 N. Patterson St. | PO Box 812 | Valdosta, Ga 31601, 13245 Atlantic Blvd., Suite 191 | Jacksonville, FL 32225. I just think of all the people that helped me get there, as I mentioned, Coach Bazemore, Coach Hyder, Coach Wilson, Coach Rudolph. Coach Wilson would be saying we can throw to this running back because weve got this linebacker on him. 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. We had some tense moments during those years, but I sort of wanted a hard-to-please coach. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. But that was about to change. And when he showed up. Please only use it for a guidance and Buck Belue's actual income may vary a lot from the dollar amount shown above. Then, Prince said, prior to the 1979 game, Lowndes was warming up in their traditional crimson jerseys. $100 would be given to the Lowndes player who could produce a piece of Bucks jersey. Both were thrilled to have the chance to work with a former player whod not only been Valdostas quarterback, but had also played for Georgia and the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL. 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.. 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. He was just so far ahead of his time. Prince recalled a prank that took place the week of the 1974 game. His coach, Bobby Bowden, called Simmons the most significant recruit and player in turning FSU into a national power. Most coaches are going to take their schemes to the grave, but he learned the new offense and made the change for the team. Furious, actually. He also became the first active player at South Carolina to have his jersey retired, No. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Want to get the content before anyone else? 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. ITG Next is your go-to source for high school sports media coverage in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and across the country. 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 The signing will be held at the Salty Snapper, located at 1405 Gornto Road in Valdosta, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Belue will also be speaking to all in attendance, discussing details about the book starting . According to Baker, the win inspired a year-long rally cry: 7 to 2 we beat Belue., John Lastinger, the son of Johnny B. Lastinger, played receiver at Valdosta and would be the guy who succeeded Belue at quarterback. 5,214 - Buck Belue . 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That was the dream of every young athlete in Valdosta, and that dream didnt go much further than that. It doesnt get better than that. He sort of chuckled and said there was a lot of built-up frustration over those years of losing to Valdosta, Dont take it personally is what I believe he said., 5. I remember Stanley Bounds. Benjamin Franklin "Buck" Belue played American football and baseball at the University of Georgia from 1978 to 1981. Prince said thats when Joe Wilson decided he would accept an invitation to go over and meet with Martin. Herschel Walker was the lone unanimous selectee for the inaugural class of the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame, selected on 35 of 35 ballots. Like those Thomasville players [during 1973 and 1974 state championship seasons]. 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. valdosta high school Fields Victoria Lane-Long Victor James Vivian Manghram Voncil Moss That still sort of haunts me even today., 7. 1 Brookwood in quarterfinals, Basketball: Warriors drop GAPPS state title game, Basketball: Lambert girls come up short against Norcross in 2nd round, Basketball: Raiders fall to Chiefs in state playoffs, Column: I was a newspaperman and always will be, Sudie Crouch: The weather predicting pittie, Mike Tasos: Call me a casualty of The Information Age, How this Forsyth Central High School teacher is using his passion to prepare students for the world of film, FOXERS makes upscale women's underwear that is both stylish and comfortable, Its about the music: Local man passes on passion for music with his handmade instrument inspired by 1800s Appalachia, How one local animal clinic sets the industry standard for pet care, I am part of their Family: Beloved chef makes dining a treat for residents of Arbor Terrace, Forsyth Sports football Pick Em for November 18th, Forsyth Sports Football Picks Playoffs Week 1, Forsyth Sports Football Picks for Week 12, Forsyth Sports football picks for Week 11, Forsyth Sports Football Picks for Week 10. 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