Perfection. This group of nine seniors set out on a quest on the first day of practice with one common goal in mind. State title number five.
Not only did this group of guys accomplish the task, they did it flawlessly. Fifteen consecutive Friday nights the Panthers donned the blue and white uniforms, all 15 times walking off the field winners.
They not only displayed their football talents, but excellent leadership. Michael Bass, J.R. Hess, Dewayne Duncan, Jose Bermudez, Eric Thomas, Bryan Ellis, Travis Zackery, Kevin Wilson, and Alfred Simmons all made the sacrifice necessary to win. Though none looked at it as a sacrifice, but rather a privelege to represent Clay County High School and uphold the tradition of this storied program.
Bass, Hess, Duncan, Zackery, and Ellis have all been on the team since their freshman year. Bass, Hess, and Zackery all STARTED thier freshman year, while the other two contributed. Bermudez joined the team as an exchange student from Venezula. Thomas joined the squad as a sophmore. Simmons and Wilson transferred their junior year to Clay County, sat out the year in order to play as seniors, a tough sacrifice, but well worth the prize.
This class will be special and their presence will be sorely missed. "Big Zack" may have been one of the most fun to watch players to ever come through Clay County. His brute strength may also go unmatched for a long time to come.
Bass and Hess may be two of the best defensive players ever at Clay County High. These two guys were leaders on the 2001 team that struggled to a 5-5 record. Without these two guys to lead the team and hold the glue together, Clay County High could have realistically finished with a two win season. They were the definitive leaders for this year's title team and you will probably not see anyone sporting #52 or #49 at CCHS for quite sometime, as it would near impossible to find someone who could fill it.
Dewayne Duncan was supposed to be the go-to-guy in 2001, but an injury in the first quarter of the first game sidelined him for much of the season and he never was able to get his legs back the entire season. Dewayne stated before the season that this would be his break out year, boy was he right! On his way to an All-State campaign he racked up 1,206 yards on 149 carries and 21 touchdowns. He was also a standout defensive back for the Panthers and there is no doubt that this title could not have been won without him.
Thomas, Simmons, Ellis and Wilson were all contributors their senior season. Each of the four had several big games and made a lot of big plays throughout the season for the Panthers. Simmons was a two-way starter and one of the teams top defensive players.
Jose simply kicked field goals and PAT's, but my he did it well. Maybe better than anyone ever has at CCHS. He holds the record for most FG's in a season and for the longest FG in school history, when he kicked a 47 yarder at Donoho in week four.
Each of these guys will be remembered at CCHS for years to come. They each made individual contributions and have sealed their place, not only as one of the best teams in CCHS history, but in 1A history.
Here are scores and statistics from the 2002 season and career accomplishments for this senior class:
Clay County 14 Bowdon, GA. 0
Clay County 40 Winterboro 13
Clay County 44 Loachapoka 0
Clay County 34 Donoho 0
Clay County 23 Randolph County 6
Clay County 42 Talledega Central 0
Clay County 71 Victory Christian 0
Clay County 35 Notasulga 12
Clay County 50 Wadley 14
Clay County 21 Lineville 7
Clay County 55 Spring Garden 0
Clay County 33 Addison 0
Clay County 30 Cedar Bluff 14
Clay County 14 Parrish 0
Clay County 29 Autaugaville 0
***Outscored Opponents 535-66.
***Average Score of 35.6 to 4.4.
***Posted nine shutouts.
***Outscored Opponents 161-14 in play-offs.
***Average Play-off score of 32.2 to 2.8
***Michael Bass, J.R. Hess, and Dewayne Duncan all name to the 1A All-State team.
***Michael Bass, J.R. Hess, and Dewayne Duncan, and Travis Zackery all named to the Anniston Star All-Area team.
***Michael Bass signed scholarship with Ranger Community College in Ranger, Texas.
***Danny Horn named Anniston Star Area Coach of the Year.
***Seniors with a 42-9 four year record.
***1999 Area Runner-up, Play-offs, 8-3 record.
***2000 Region Champs, State Champs, 14-1 record.
***2001 Play-offs, 5-5 record.
***2002 Region Champs, State-Champs, 15-0 record.
***Posted a 2-2 Clay Bowl record with wins in 2000 and 2002.
***Homecoming record of 4-0. (Talledega Central 1999, Horseshoe Bend 2000, Beulah 2001, Talledega Central 2002.)
***Career home record of 23-3.
