The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Sept. 5, 2022

Coach Wendell Hart

26 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 5, 1996

The 1996 Sparta Academy Warriors opened their season last Friday night with a 20-6 victory over Monroe Academy in Monroeville. The Warriors will play their first home game of the season this Friday night against the Greenville Academy Tornadoes at Stuart-McGehee Field.

Coach Keith Nettles, offensive coordinator for the Hillcrest High School Jaguars, goes over the game film from last year’s match against the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles. The Jags open their regular season this Friday night in East Brewton against the Blue Eagles with a 7:30 kickoff. Everyone is urged to get out and support the Jaguars.

The 1996-97 Sparta Academy varsity cheerleaders will be doing their best to cheer the Warriors to their second victory of the season when they play Greenville Academy this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Stuart McGehee Field. Members of the squad are Aundria Griffin, Co-Captain; Landra Padgett, Gina Harper, Captain; Heather Booth, Jenny Harper and Lindsey Leonard. Their sponsor is Becky Taylor.

36 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 4, 1986

The Monroe Academy Vols completely smothered Sparta Academy here last Friday night, 27-0, in the season opener for both schools.
Lee Adams netted 26 yards on 10 carries to lead Sparta runners. Tim Wilson had 10 on two tries.
(Other standout Sparta players in the game included Johnny Brock, Jeff Walker, Robbie Bolton, Brandon Salter, Lynn Ralls and Lee Wild.)

The Eagles of A.L. Johnson soared into Repton Friday night eyeing a victory, but they quickly got their wings clipped by the Bulldogs with a 42-0 thrashing.
The Bulldogs, ranked sixth in the 1A preseason poll, took early control of the ballgame when full back John Thompson plunged in from the two for a touchdown with only three minutes having ticked off the clock.
(Other standout Repton players in the game included Carl Stanton, David Welch, Eddie Waters, Walter Millender, Keith Baggett, Brian Nelms, Allen Nettles, Leon Rudolph, Greg Rudolph, Greg Mayo and Keith Green. Hugh E. Wilson was Repton’s head coach.)

The Conecuh County High School Blue Devils opened their 1986 season with an impressive 16-8 win over 4A Calhoun last Friday night.
Leading rusher for the Devils was freshman Derrick Richardson, followed closely by senior Bruce Madden. Madden was also the leading tackler with eight solos and two assists.
(Other CCHS standouts in that game included Greg Blair and Tim Covin.)

46 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 2, 1976

These Conecuh County High School Blue Devils lost their opening game last Friday night, but hope to do better tomorrow night when they meet their arch rivals, the Lyeffion High Yellow Jackets, in the Castleberry stadium. It will be the opening game for the Jackets.

These cheerleaders will be trying to urge the Conecuh County High Blue Devils on to victory when they host cross-county rival Lyeffion High School at the Castleberry stadium Friday night. The lovelies are Kim Coleman and Denise Reed and Kathy Salter and Mary Howell.

The Bulldogs of Repton High School displayed a romping offense and a stringy defense Thursday night as they whipped the Red Level Tigers, 52-0.
Outstanding player in the game was Alvin Watkins who had a total of 153 yards rushing in 12 carries.
The powerful 219-pound senior slammed for 147 yards in the first half and two touchdowns. He played only one offensive play in the second half and ran six yards for a third score.
(Other outstanding Repton players in that game included Reggie Bonds, Randy Booker, Keith Givens, Steve Harris, David Nall, Donnie Reed, Fred Rudolph, Jerry Welch and Ted Watson. Hugh Wilson was Repton’s head coach.)

Mike Bledsoe’s debut as head coach of the Sparta Academy Warriors in Greenville last Saturday night was disappointing. His team lost, 19-6, to a bigger, more experienced and faster bunch of Greenville Tornados.
Bobby Johnson legged 59 yards on 19 carries, Andy Skipper 41 on 14 and Jerry Peacock 20 on 11, including a touchdown from a yard out. Peacock also passed 20 times, completing seven for 73 yards, in his first start at quarterback. His brother, Terry, a freshman pulled in four catches for 67 yards.
(Other standout Sparta players in that game included Greg Anthony, Hugh Bradford, John Cook, Kent Cook, Steven Dubose, Tim Johnson, Jamie McKenzie, Ronnie McKenzie, Bobby Padgett, Joey Rayfield and Gray Stevens.)

62 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 1, 1960

Aggies Open Season With Atmore Devils Here Next Friday: Coach Wendell Hart’s 1960 edition of the Evergreen High School Aggies, his 15th, will knock the top off of the season here next Friday night, Sept. 9.
As usual, the Aggies face a powerful foe in the opener as they take on the always tough Atmore Blue Devils.
Coach Hart opens this season short-handed and minus his valuable assistant, Line Coach Jeff Moorer. Coach Moorer accepted a position as line coach at Pensacola High School a  week before practice began.
Hart, the veteran Aggie mentor now in his 15th season, has called on a former assistant, John Law Robinson to fill the breech. Robinson is a full-time cattleman now, but has agreed to help with the Aggies until an assistant coach can be signed up. Both Robinson and Moorer played under Hart when they starred at EHS a few years back.
Coach Hart is typical of veteran football coaches, never an optimistic word to the press, but he’s crying the blues less loudly this year than he has in recent seasons.

The Evergreen Quarterback Club will hold its first regular meeting of the 1960-61 year tonight at 7:30 at Evergreen High School, according to QB President John Raines.
Membership Chairman Pace Bozeman said that about 40 persons have already mailed in their dues. The club set a goal of 150 to 200 members for the year. Any person who has not mailed his dues of $3 should do so as soon as possible, so the membership drive will not be drawn out into the football season.

67 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 1, 1955

McKenzie Stops Paul Sunday Afternoon, 9-3: McKenzie outscored Paul last Sunday by a score of 9 to 3. Each team used three pitchers before the contest was over. Gid Lee led the batting attack for McKenzie and Rogers led the Paul batters, hitting a home run in the ninth inning with two men on for three runs.

Those attending the football game in Mobile Wednesday were Frank Chavers, Larry Brantley, Charlie Brock, Charles Waters and Douglas Jones.

Wrestling Match – Sat., Sept. 10 at Memorial Gym – 8 p.m. – TWO MATCHES, ONE FALL, 30-Minute Tim Limit and MAIN EVENT – TAG TEAM, 3 Falls, One Hour Time Limit – Sponsored by the KIWANIS CLUB, Benefit Underprivileged Children.