friday night life state champion edition

Table of Contents 7 Letter from the Editor 8 Handley Football History 9 2011 Schedule 19 Memorable Moments 21 Tiger Seniors 22 vs. Heard County 24 vs. BB Comer 26 vs. Beulah 28 vs. Clay County (Region) 30 vs. Sweet Water 32 vs. Marbury 34 vs. Coosa Central 36 vs. Walter Wellborn 38 vs. Leeds 40 vs. Lineville 42-43 State Champions 45 vs. Slocomb 46 vs. TR Miller 48 vs. Washington County 50 Handley Anthem Part I 52 vs. Clay County (Semifinals) 54 Tigers Make it to T-Town 58 Handley Anthem Part II 60 vs Madison Academy 66 Handley Anthem Part III 68 21 years in the ‘Handley Family’ 70 2011Handley Tiger Roster 73 Tennants full of Handley Heart 78 Congratulations from the Handley Nation

General Manager

LEISEL CALDWELL [email protected]

Editor

KELLY CALDWELL [email protected]

(256) 276-7959

Social Media Manager

AMANDA CAUSEY [email protected]

Advertising Sales

LAVOY CALDWELL [email protected]

(334) 863-0737

Contributors

MARY LEE CALDWELL, MIKE FISHER, CHRISTIE FORDHAM, PATRICIA GUINN,

WES KINSEY, CHUCK MARCUM

Neighborhood Publishing 18285 Highway 431 Wedowee, AL 36278

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For the love of Handley Football I have had family members walk the halls of Handley High School for every decade since

the 1930s so the phrase Handley Family rings very true to us. We have had football players, cheerleaders, band members and fans through those years. And, even though my dad didn’t graduate from Handley you probably won’t find a bigger fan than him.

So, when the Tigers played for the state title on December 1, the family was definitely well represented to include three players, a cheerleader, a manager, a cheerleader sponsor and a

photographer on the sidelines not to men-tion lots of fans in the stands. We all cheered on the Tigers, and when Handley finally won a state championship we were thrilled. Nearly two hours later, we were looking over pictures at a restaurant in Tuscaloosa when the decision was made to do this magazine. And, by the time we returned to Roanoke, our game plan was set. We hit the ground running and in three short days our magazine exploded from a 52-page commemorative issue to 84 pages (the same size of our preseason magazine that covers six schools).

We have worked countless hours in two very short weeks to get this magazine to you in time for Christmas and to say it takes a village to publish this issue is an understatement.

There are a few people that this magazine would never have seen the light of day if it had not been for their help. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Christy Fordham, Mike Fisher, Wes Kinsey and Merredith Sears not to mention the administration at Handley High School for let-ting us visit every day for a week.

Handley Tiger football celebrated its 90th anniversary this season and Friday Night Life: Handley State Champion Edition not only highlights the events of this season but also pays tribute to teams that paved the way for the 2011 Tigers.

I have many fond memories of Handley Tigers over the years as I am sure all reading this do, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a man that for more than 50 years was the voice of Handley Tiger football at Wright Field. This current class of players probably don’t know him other than his name is on the press box, but Col. Worth “Pappy” Jordan loved Handley football. And, I know he is smiling down on this team saying Way to Go Handley Tigers!

Kelly Caldwell Enjoy Friday Night Life!

To appreciate what this season's Tigers accomplished on Dec. 1, 2011, you must take a look back at the history of Handley Tiger Football. Coach Mike Fisher, known to most simply as Coach Fish, generously comprised this brief history.

1920s

1921 - The team of 1921 was the first to represent Handley High on the gridiron. Lewis Yates was the first captain. The team went 2-5 on the year with wins against Randolph County High School (20-7) and LaGrange, GA (7-0). Yates was a triple-threat back, being the punter, fullback and quarterback at times. He also became the first All-State player for the Tigers 1922 – The team represented

Handley with sportsmanship and added a few more wins with a 2-6 record. The Tigers defeated Lanett 33-0 and Opelika 13-0. 1923 – Experience helped this

season's squad and Iverson Wright was the captain. The Tigers won five games and lost two. Bob Rowe was the coach and Conner Owens was the athletic director. 1924 – Luther Judge Bevis led a

strong Handley team in 1924 hold-ing six opponents scoreless and los-ing its last game of the season to Opelika. 1925 – Handley was sensational

recording its first undefeated sea-son. Big wins came against Opelika, and Sylacauga. Fuller Jones was voted captain and Bob Rowe con-tinued as the coach. 1926 – It was a down year for the

Tigers going 2-5. James Slappy was voted team captain. 1927 – Coach E.G. Samuels took

over athletics at Handley with very little experience on the football field. Handley's lone win came against Wedowee 13-6. Ben

McDonald was the captain. 1928 – Johny Henry Pate was

voted captain with Frank Mink Ste-venson serving as co-captain. Wins were recorded against Wedowee, Milltown and Five Points. Members of the team were John Pate, Frank Stevenson, Jr. Mitchum, Fred Wade, Pete Camp, M.H. Radney, Robert Mashburn, Hoyt Mann, Joe Danielly, Freeman Cooper, Curtis Bartlett, T.G. Bowen, Mutt Enloe, Millard Stevens, Vernon Harlin, Woodie Caldwell and Laude Slay. 1929 – The Handley Tigers

marched through the season unde-feated recording seven wins and one tie. Coach Hugh Stevensons line averaged 165 pounds and the fleet footed backfield averaged 150 pounds. The biggest win of the sea-son came against Alex City 12-7. The winning touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a pass from Monk Stevenson to Frank Waid.

1930s

1930 – The team was led by cap-tain Woody Caldwell who guided the team to a stellar seven wins and one loss. The loss came at the hands of Alex City 6-0 The paper states to all citizens to get there early due to seating being limited to 250 people. Coach Stevensons record is 14 wins, one loss and one tie in two short years. 1931 – Handley lost a lot to

graduation and the record reflected it. The Tigers went 3-6. Handley did manage to defeat two county rivals Wadley 6-2 and Randolph County 9-7. BB Cofield made All State. 1932 – Penny Carver was se-

lected to lead the team into the sea-son as captain. The squad recorded a 5-2-1 season. Coach Stevenson continued on as Handley's coach. 1933 – The squad is a little

smaller than usual, but it managed to elect Perry Jones and Lawrence Huey to lead the team. They opened with a win against Milltown 13-0, tied RCHS 0-0 and beat Lafayette 26-6 before losing to a strong Opelika squad 12-2. The team finished the season with a loss to LaGrange 31-0 for a record of 4-3-1. 1934 - Fred Hodges was elected

captain of a team that had very little depth. The team won three games but lost five. The big win of the sea-son came against Opelika (7-6). 1935 – Bill McCurray and Fred

Pate were co-captains of the team. The squad posted a 7-2 season and scored 194 points while giving up only 54. The big wins were against Oxford 26-6 and LaGrange 27-6. 1936 – This team is the first Tiger

squad to go undefeated and untied recording nine wins. The defense gave up only 46 points while scor-ing 235. 1937 – Coach Stevensons squad

started off with 54 men reporting for practice but with no experience, the team could manage only two wins. Buster Estees, Wesley Wood, Tom McCurray and James Sharman made the All-County team. 1938 – October 14, the lights

came on at Wright Field for the first time and the Tigers defeated Wood-land 33-0. The Tigers finished the season 8-1. James Sharman, quarter-back, and Buster Estes, center, are the co-captains. Two of Handley's former players join the Alabama Crimson Tide. John Hanson and Bill McCurray. 1939 – William Hanvey was

named captain and Herman Wil-kins served as captain alternate for the quad. The Tigers have several key injuries early in the season but manage to win four games while losing five. The highlight was beat-

handley football history

Friday night life 9

Handley 48 Heard County 13

Handley 43 BB Comer 14

Handley 51 Beulah 13

Handley 20 Clay Co. 13

Handley 48 Sweet Water 27

Handley 29 Marbury 14

Handley 48 Central Coosa 12

Handley 43 Walter Wellborn 21

Handley 46 Leeds 0

Handley 35 Lineville 14

CLASS 3A PLAYOFFS

Handley 28 Slocomb 0

Handley 21 TR Miller 19

Handley 26 Washington Co. 7

Handley 13 Clay Co. 6

Handley 20 Madison Academy 14

It’s Great to Be A Handley Tiger!

10 Friday night life

ing Auburn 6-0.

1940s

1941 – Coach Stevenson leaves Handley and a new era begins with coach Clayton Hudson. James Baird is elected captain and Fred Camp and Will Huey are alternate cap-tains. The Tigers lose the first game to a strong Lanett team 19-0, but win or tie the remainder of the games for the season to finish with a 7-1-1 record. Handley won the county championship by beating RCHS 26-0, Woodland 20-7 and Wadley 19-7. 1942 – James Baid is elected cap-

tain again and leads the Tigers to a 5-3 record. Key wins were over Au-burn (7-0) and Opelika (7-6). 1943 – The Tigers post a 5-2 sea-

son and the game of the year was Handley defeating Lanett 32-6. 1944 – Jack Hanson and Earl

Parker were voted team captains and Fuller Jones is hired to be Hand-

ley's coach. The Tigers lose their first four games before tying Lanett 13-13 to finish the season 2-5-1. 1945 – Allen Burkhalter and San-

ford Pete George are elected cap-tains. Claude Walker is hired to coach at Handley. The Tigers finish the season blasting Lafayette 32-0 while posting a 4-4-1 record. 1946 – The Board of Education:

PJ Hooton, WP Enloe, Dr. WW Ste-venson, JM Schuessler and IW Wright vote to keep Claude Walker as coach. The Tigers finish the sea-son 5-4. Sanford Pete George is voted All State. Allen Burkhalter (1945 graduate) is a member of the first class at the United States Naval Academy. He played in the back-field and the team went unde-feated. Lon Mitchum and James Fisher were named All State Honor-able Mention. 1947 – Claude Walker says 20

players from last season were lost to graduation, but the squad man-

aged a winning record at 5-4. Bu-ford Chase and Donald Anthony were elected captains. Bentley Bar-nes and Sanford Pete George accept four-year scholarships to Ole Miss. Claude Walker ends his era with 14 wins, 12 losses and one tie in his three year stint. 1948 – A.M. Hinson and Elbert

Couch will be the new coaches at Handley. A new 10 game schedule is announced. Woodland, playing its first season of football since the beginning of the war, is added to the schedule. The Tigers maul We-dowee in the last game of the sea-son 31-0 to finish the season 3-6-1. Bobby Sudduth and Tucker Brown were elected captains. 1949 – Elbert Couch is promoted

to head coach and the Tigers finish the year 5-5. Hookie Young , half-back, scores three touchdowns in a 33-0 win against county rival Woodland. Bobby Messer, Bob Daniel and Carey Patteson were

named All County.

1950s

1950 – The Handley Tigers will open up the 1950 season with five players with varsity experience. Floyd Fetner, Bill Widner, Herbert Taylor, Charles Burson and Charlie Hookie Young. Hugh Lee Morris, the starting quarterback, has been ill. The Tigers open up with losses to RCHS and Valley before winning its only game of the season against La-fayette 27-0. Coach Couch's record is 1-9. 1951 – RCHS defeats Handley in

the opening game 19-0 but the Tigers end the season in fashion beating Heflin 44-7. Coach William T. Fra-zier's first-year record is 3-6-1. 1952 – Coach Frazier's second

year at Handley proves to be a little more successful with a 5-5 record. The Tigers open with a 12-0 win against RCHS and ends the season with a 38-12 win over Wadley. Cap-

tains were David Cauthen, Wayne Wallace and Mac Schussler. 1953 – Coach Bob Jordan is hired

as Handley's new coach and guided the Tigers to a 5-4-1 record. The Ti-gers opened up with a 38-0 win over Wadley. Carey Gantt and Donald Bassett are the captains. Terrell and Ferrell Gilham were voted most out-standing players for the 1953 season. 1954 – Billy Jackson and Carey

Baker are the captains. Coach Oliver Woodard is hired as the new coach with Thomas Ziglar and Mac Schus-sler servving as assistants. Handley opens with a 21-7 win over Hogans-ville. Billy Prestridge is the Handley quarterback after transferring from Double Springs, GA. The Tigers fin-ish the season with a 4-6 record. 1955- The Handley Tigers open

the season with five straight wins before losing to AAA Alex City 7-0 They close the season with another four wins to finish with a 9-1 record. Bill Prestridge, Max Allen, Richard

Pike and Tommy Hill lead the Tigers to the number 1 ranking in the state voted by the Birmingham News. The News Trophy will be awarded Janu-ary 6, 1956 to the High School. Billy Jordan is voted Most Valuable Player. 1956 – New Stadium ready for

the first game. Concession stand built on north end and wooden bleachers on the home and cement bleachers on the visitors side greet fans to a new Wright Field in 1956. Seating capacity grows to 1,500. Handley opens up the season beat-ing arch rival Alex City 14-0. The Tigers lose only two games, 14-0 to Lanett and 25-20 to Auburn. The team finishes 7-2 on the year. Oliver Woodard leaves Handley with a three-year record of 20-9. 1957 – Merle West and James

Cannon are hired to direct the Ti-gers. The Tigers finish with a 1-9 re-cord. The lone win was a 20-6 vic-tory against ASD.

1958 – Coach Roy Mann is hired as Handley's new coach. The Tigers open with a 13-6 loss to Alex City. Several key players were out for the second game but the Tigers did manage a 31-7 win over ASD. With key players injured for the season, the Tigers finish the year at 4-6. 1959 – The Tigers started at 1-3

but managed to end the season 5-5. Handley's starting line of John Harmon, Ronald Traylor, Travis Moon, Larry Benefield, Jack Kitch-ens, James Fincher and Richard Cole opened up holes for the Tigers all year.

1960s

1960 – The Tigers began the dec-ade 7-3. Key wins were against Au-burn, Lanett and RCHS. The three losses were to Alex City, Lineville and Opelika. Stadium wooden seats are added to the visitors side of the field. 1961 – The Tigers are pounded by

Alex City, Lineville and Auburn, but manage to defeat RCHS, Lafayette and Dadeville to finish the season 5-4-1. Anchoring the line for the Tigers were Gary Daniel, Ronnie Lester, Bill Burdette, Danny Belyeu and Frank Carden. Jerry Duke and Waymon Hodges anchor the backfield. Way-mon Hodges and Danny Belyeu are voted captains. 1962 -The Tigers open up with a

14-6 loss to Alex City, but manage to wind up at -1-1 at the half way point. Handley manages to go 3-1-1 in the second half losing only to Lineville 14-7. 1963 – Roy Mann leaves Handley

with a 27-20-3 record after a five year run. Alton Shell is hired and the Ti-gers finish 3-7. Wins came over Pell City, Auburn and Opelika. Handley co-captains were Gary Daniel, Bill Burdette and Don Cotney. 1964 – Donald Summers is hired

as Handley's new coach. He wins only one game in his lone season

with the Tigers. The Tigers only score 31 points all season. 1965 – Coach Bill Tucker is hired

as Handley's new coach and finishes the season 2-6-2. The wins came against Clay County and Lafayette. Mike Cumbee and David Vinson are the Handley captains. 1966 – Head Coach Bill Tucker

and his assistants Tommy Cato, Tommy Maddox and Tommy Hill turn the Tigers around to a winning season with a 6-2-2 record. Hand-ley's big win came against the Valley Rams 28-27 on a last second field goal by Charles Caldwell. After a upset win by Clay County 17-10, the Tigers went on to win their last four games. Bill Ragle signs a scholarship to play for the University of Ala-bama. Danny Whaley and Jimmy Duke are co-captains. 1967 – In his last season with the

Tigers, Coach Tucker leads the team to a 3-5-2 record. The Tigers play a tough border conference slate.

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Handley beats Heflin, Lineville and Pell City but loses to Eufaula, Valley and Auburn in conference play. 1968 – Hugh Lee Morris returns

to his alma mater as head coach. Tommy Cato will serve as assistant. The Tigers manage to beat Heflin, Pell City, Lineville and Lafayette to finish 4-6. 1969 – Handley finishes the sea-

son with a winning record of 5-4-1. Paul Caldwell has 14 carries for 150 yards while Mike Whaley carries 12 times for 86 yards and the Tigers throttle Dadeville 40-6. Handley places three players in border confer-ence stats, Caldwell, Whaley and Steve Daniel. This will be the last winning record for the Tigers until 1975.

1970s

1970-74 The early 70s were not kind to the Handley Tigers. During the five seasons, the Tigers managed only five wins. There were also three

coaching changes during this time. Wayne Freeman, Rick Rhodes and Paul Wooley. Wright Field saw im-provements however...The Quarter-back Club added four steel tower light systems . Team captains of note were Jere Adcock and Benny Woody (1972) 1975 – The Handley Tigers en-

tered the season on a 23-game losing streak. The Roanoke Quarterback Club improves the field with some needed work and membership grows to 233 members. Roy Reeves is the Captain. Everything is looking up for the Coach Wooley and the Tigers. Handley finishes the season with a winning record as well as a berth in the state playoffs for the first time in school history. The Tigers win 28-18 over St. Jude in the first round, but lost to Hokes Bluff in the second round. Bob Farrior and Jimmy Peoples are the assistant coaches. 1976 – Coach Wooley starts the

year off with a 28-7 win over RCHS and finishes the regular season with a 34-8 win over Ranburne. The Ti-gers lose in the first round of the playoffs to Elmore County 39-14. The Tigers finish the year with a 9-2 record. 1977 – The Handley Tigers make

it all the way to the State Champion-ship before losing 17-16 to Steven-son. The Tigers other loss of the sea-son came against Lanett (24-13). Jimmy Peoples, John Houge and Amache Phipps are the assistant coaches. The Tigers were ranked number 1 in the state until the Lanett loss. 1978 – The Tigers started off the

season with a big win over Dadeville 33-0 but in the second game lost a heart breaker to Weaver 15-14. The Tigers made it to the first round of the playoffs but lost to Elmore County 42-7. They finished the sea-son with a 5-6 record. 1979 – Handley lost its first three

games to Dadeville, Lanett and Weaver before winning over Clay County 6-3 in the fourth game of the year. The team finished the season 4-6 and coach Wooley leaves Handley with 37 wins in seven years.

1980s

1980 – Bill Ragle returns to his roots to coach the Handley Tigers. The Tigers are short on experience and can only manage two wins. Ragle hires Steve Calabro and James Richards as assistants. 1981 – The Tigers lose the first three games before

turning it around and winning six of the last seven. Big wins came over Opelika 31-18 and Elmore County 35-34. Doug Moore and former Tiger captain Jere Adock are hired as assistants. 1982 – The Tigers reel off five straight wins before

losing to Lanett 41-6. The Tigers play 5A Opelika down to the wire before losing 9-7 and finish the season with a 7-3 record. 1983 – The people of Roanoke have high expecta-

tions for the Handley Tigers this year, and the team doesn't disappoint by finishing the year with a 11-2 re-cord. The lone loss in the regular season came against Opelika 34-7. The Tigers make it all the way to the quarterfinals but lose to Cottonwood 32-23. The Tigers were led by senior standouts Steve Battle, Jackie Tucker, Richard French and Stacy Brooks. 1984 – The Tigers shock no one finishing 9-3. The

only regular season losses came against 5A Smiths Sta-tion and Opelika. The Tigers make it to the second round of the AHSAA state playoffs losing to Tallassee 28-21. In regular season, the Tigers defeated Tallassee 34-20. 1985 – Coach Bill Ragle takes the Tigers to the state

playoffs for the third straight season. Handley wins its first five games before losing to Lanett, Opelika and Smiths Station. Handley makes it to the third round before losing to Hillcrest, Tuscaloosa 13-0. Captains for the year were Stanford Brooks, Walter Collins and Mark Farmer. The Auburn newspaper voted Brooks along with Eric Phillips and Reginald Winston to the All Star Team. 1986 – This team enters the season with very little

experience and finishes with a 4-6 record. The Tigers manage to win its first two games over Cherokee County and Tallassee before losing five of the next six games. Handley finishes on a winning note beating Beauregard 37-16. 1987 – Ragle hires assistants Larry Strain and Keith

Howard. The Tigers open with Cherokee County los-ing big 34-0. The Tigers rebound with a 14-0 win over Tallassee but can only manage to break even for the season at 5-5. The Tigers beat Beauregard 32-0 to end

the season and what would be Bill Ragle's last game as head coach at Handley. He finishes his eight year run with the Tigers with a 53-35 re-cord and three trips to the state play-offs. 1988 – Ron Swann is hired as the

new head coach for Handley and finishes the year with one win. The Tigers win the last game of the sea-son against Beauregard 20-12. 1989 – The Tigers open the season

with a 63-22 loss to Munford fol-lowed by losses to Tallassee and Al-exandria before besting RCHS 28-7. The Tigers can manage only on more win and finish the season at 2-8. Swann leaves Handley with a 3-17 record.

1990s

1990 – Mike Parker takes the helm at Handley. The coaching staff of Chuck Marcum, Alan Garner, Randy Hamilton and Larry Strain. The Tigers surprise everybody fin-

ishing 9-4 and making it to the third round of the playoffs. Stacy Garrett, Chris May and Jon Overton are named to the Alabama Sportswriters Associations All State Team and Mike Parker is named Class 4A Coach of the Year. The playoff run is ended with a 22-9 loss to BB Comer. 1991 – The Tigers make it to the

semifinals of the Class 4A State Play-offs before losing to TR Miller 39-20 in a game known as “The Night the Lights went out at Handley.” The Tigers lost only two regular season games to Alexandria and Reeltown before moving on to the state play-offs. Six Handley players were named to the ASWA All State Team. Chris May, Stacy Garrett, Chris Davis, Darrell Sanders, Lewis Battle and Ryan Condy. May was chosen to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game and Garrett was named a Super 12 Athlete by the ASWA. Three players signed foot-ball scholarships to Southeastern

Conference Schools. May went to Ole Miss (where he started as a true freshman), Sanders signed with Au-burn and Davis signed with Ken-tucky. 1992 – The Tigers played their

hearts out and reached the semifi-nals once again before falling to Daleville 14-12. New assistant coaches for the season were Jeff Smith, Merritt Bowden and Randy Reeves. The Tigers ring up 11 wins and only three losses. Handley out-scored its opponents 305-89. Making the All State team were Joe Trammell, Lewis Battle, Calmease McCray, Tommy Neighbors and Brian Huey. Battle was named a Su-per 12 by the ASWA and invited to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game. He signed with Auburn. 1993 – Coach Park hires two new

assistants Kevin Rose and Paul Bishop. The Tigers start off 2-6 be-fore winning the last two region games to make the playoffs. The Ti-

gers lose in the opening round 22-8 to Lanett. Jody Pike, Earnest Jones and Tom Landers were named to the All State Team. Mike Parker leaves Handley with a 35-17 record in four years. 1994 – Tony Motley takes the

helm for the Tigers. He hires assis-tants Paul Gay, Chris Cagle and Blaine Hathcock. The Tigers lose their first seven games before win-ning its last two over Tallassee and Lafayette. 1995 – The Tigers win only one

game this season. The season opener against Munford. 1996 – The Tigers are Region

Champs and make the playoffs for the first time in three years. The Ti-gers start off 5-0 before losing to Tallassee 28-14. Handley loses in the first round of the playoffs to TR Miller 54-20. 1997 – Coach Motley hires Roger

McDonald, Don Turner and Jimmy Holley as assistants. The Tigers win

six of the first seven games before making the state playoffs. In the third-round the TR Miller curse strikes again and Handley loses on a last second field goal. John Elliot makes the All State team. Handley finishes 9-3. Motley leaves Handley. 1998 – Jimmy Holley is hired as

the new coach. Assistants are Ear-nest Hill, Scottie Ward, Chuck Marcum, Paul Gay and Roger McDonald. The Tigers win their first two games before losing the next three. Handley digs deep and wins the final four games of the regular season to make the state playoffs. Handley wins the region but loses to TR Miller 42-21 in the first round of the playoffs. 1999 – Handley loses its first

game and reels off five straight wins, barely missing the playoffs. The team finishes the season with a 6-4 record. Cedric Phillips and Jona-than Rowland are named to the All State team. Phillips signs a scholar-

ship to Troy State University. Row-land goes on to play at Alabama A&M University. The big win of the year was a thriller over Lanett 33-26.

2000s

2000 – Handley starts off with a big 20-14 win against Valley, then adds two more wins before losing to region foe Coosa Central. The Tigers end the season at the .500 mark. 2001 – Holley hires Patrick

Henderson and Tim Ward. The Tigers win three of its first four games before losing to Lineville 26-7. The Tigers come back and win three out of four region games to make the playoffs for the first time in three years. In the first round, the Tigers beat Andalusia 31-7 at home before falling to Dale County 41-20 in the second round. 2002 – The Tigers win five of its

first six games and the rivalry with RCHS is renewed. Handley

beats RCHS 10-0. The Tigers make it to the second round of the state playoffs before losing to UMS Wright 36-0. Handley has a good season and ends with a 9-3 record. 2003 – Handley loses its first

game to Valley 46-15 and its last game to RCHS 33-0. The Tigers manage only three wins the entire season. Holley is hired as principal at Handley and finishes his tenure with the football team with a 36-28 record and one region champion-ship. 2004 – Mike Battles, Sr. is hired

as Handley's new head coach. The Tigers lose their first two games by one point each before winning their next three. Handley makes the playoffs winning its first game against Andalusia 28-13 before los-ing to Trinity 38-8 in the second round. 2005 – The Tigers reel off four

straight wins before losing to Line-ville 24-6. The Tigers make the

playoffs but lose 48-7 to Demopolis in the first round. 2007 – Handley goes undefeated

in region play and finally beats TR Miller in the playoffs 34-14. The second round goes Handley's way as well with a 28-14 win over Trin-ity. Handley travels to Thomasville in the third round and falls short 49-12. 2008 – Handley goes 6-1 in re-

gion play losing only to Lincoln 38-34. The Tigers make the playoffs with a first round 21-7 win over Calera which set up a rematch with Lincoln. The Tigers skin the Bears 47-13 before falling to UMS Wright 38-12. 2009 – Coach Mike Battles, Sr.

and the Tigers make history by posting their first 13-win season. (At that point the most in school history) The Tigers enter the play-offs ranked third in the state. Handley defeats Greensboro 49-8 in the first round and Saks 43-14 in

the second round. The Tigers travel to UMS Wright with a thirst for revenge and beats the team 13-10. The Tigers make a long road trip again the following week to face Jackson and fall 31-14 to end the season 13-1. Cory Smith, Ladarius Phillips, Taylon Hunter and Xavier Brooks make the All State Team. Phillips signs with Auburn.

2010s

2010 - The Handley Tigers are talking about a state championship. Handley wins its first six games before losing to eventual state champion Leeds 14-3 on the road. The Tigers make the playoffs fin-ishing as region runner up. With key players out, Handley wins in the first round 49-0 over Aliceville. Handley travels to Gordo for the second round and falls short 20-14 in a defensive battle. Breyon De-berry is named All State honorable mention and the Tigers finish the season 10-2.

The Hand-ley Tigers have made history this season, but it also started with a day they will never for-get. During spring work-outs on March 23, Quentin Pitts earned a new nickname in what could have been a devastating blow, but has since become one of the funniest moments for the team.

“It was crazy,” Pitts told team-mate Breyon Deberry in a recent interview.

While Pitts was practicing on the field between Wright Field and the Hugh Lee Morris Little League Field, a sinkhole opened up and Pitts fell about 20 feet into the hole.

“We were over in groups and the next thing we know everyone is surrounding this little hole in the ground,” Dexter Reese said. “And, they are saying Caveman is at the bottom of it.”

Once Coach Mike Battles dis-covered what happened, he cleared the team from the field and went to his house (which is nearby) and got a ladder.

“He crawled over to make sure he was alright,” Reese said. “Then he went and got the ladder.”

Another coach crawled over to check on him.

“Coach Drummond crawled over there and looked down at Pitts and said 'Hey Pitts, Smile I'm

fixing to put you on facebook,” Dejion Williams said.

This remarkable season for the Handley Tigers is filled with

memories and recently the seniors sat down with Friday Night Life's Kelly Caldwell to give some of

their favorite moments of the 2011 season.

Breyon Deberry When we played Leeds, it was

the most talked about game. It was the most intense coin toss I have ever been a part of. Also when Clay County called their last time out in the semifinals. I knew we were going to the title game at

that moment. And we were going to win.

Chris Dillard

I have two...First, in the preseason against Bow-don, I was chasing an offensive player. He kept going

and I ran to the wall and left a big dent in the

stadium. Second against Sweet-water. We just got the ball and Herbert Staples took off down the field untouched. I thought to my-self that with talent like that we can win a state title.

Anthony Foster

First time playing Clay County. That was the biggest game and this season was my first season as a starter. I was nervous at first, but we got out there and played, that's when I knew we could play with anyone.

Zack Hall First time starting on defense

and then the Lineville game when I kicked a 55 yard punt.

Demetris Foster

When the helicopter dropped down before the Heard County game and Keimon went out to get the game ball. That was pretty special.

Tiger Memorable Moments of 2011

Quentin Pitts was the center of one of the most memorable moments before the sea-son ever started when he fell 20 feet or more into a sinkhole during practice.


Quay Hunter Coach Fordham asking how is

the Big Three going to finish...

Caleb Kinsey

Second time we beat Clay County and I realized that we were actually going to the state title game. And, everyone rushing onto the field after the game.

Eric Phillips

When Breyon went down with the ankle injury and Quay had to put the team on his back on of-fense. In that Slocomb game, it was up to Quay to run it because Breyon couldn't. He didn't let up the whole game.

Dexter Reese

In the regular season against Leeds, everyone had a good game and I remember pulling down a

jump ball and Coach Henderson had a look on his face like he could have done that. Also, I was more happy when we beat Clay County and got over that hump to make it to the state title game. And, we got to do it at Wright Field with all of our fans and my family there.

Quinton Rowland

First played Heard County and scored three times in a row on the same play.

Keimon Sanders

My first practice back (during Sweetwater week) after getting cleared from breaking my leg. Duran breaking that 80-yard run against Clay County in the regular season.

Herbert Staples

When I broke the long kickoff

return against Clay County in the region game.

Doug Tucker

In the Championship game, when Duran broke loose. He hit me on the back and the other guy tried to grab him and he kept go-ing... The other one was against Slocomb, When Quay couldn't be stopped. He just kept scoring and scoring and scoring.

Dejion Williams

Against Heard County it took about four players to bring me down. When I got up, I was alive then. My other most memorable moment came in the fourth round against Clay County. Breyon gave us a little speech when we were in a timeout. He kept saying “Two minutes to State, Two minutes to State... Can you feel the Ring com-ing... Two minutes to State.”

Demetris “Meatball” Foster Eric Phillips Quentin Pitts

Anthony Foster

Zack Hall Keimon Sanders Chris Dillard

Dexter Reese Herbert Staples Jr. Dejion Williams

Quinton Rowland Doug Tucker Breyon Deberry

Quay Hunter Caleb Kinsey


The much anticipated 2011 and preseason #4 Handley Tigers took Wright Field in week one to battle the Heard County Braves from Franklin, Georgia. Five players combined for seven touchdowns as Handley rolled up 449 yards of offense to beat the Braves 48-13. Breyon Deberry had 130 yards rushing and two touch-downs on only 6 carries. Duran Zachary also added two rushing scores. (Recap by Wes Kinsey)

Handley 48 vs. Heard Co. 13 Heard County May Think They're Hot But the HHS Tigers Own the #1 Spot!

Week two brought the opening of region play at B.B. Comer. The Handley Tigers and their fans poured into Sylacauga to watch as the Tigers from Roanoke roll over the home team Comer Tigers 43-14. Wadley transfer Quay Hunter scored twice on only five carries and Trae Kyles tossed a touchdown pass to Tevin Cook as Handley dominated. (Recap by Wes Kinsey)

Handley 43 vs. BB Comer 14 I am a Tiger Fan to the Core Watch me Yell , Hear me Roar!

Photos by Christy Fordham


Handley 51 vs. Beulah 13 Want to see what Champions look like? Give us 4 Quarters

Week three saw Clay County break into the Alabama Sports Writers Association Top 10 poll in Class 3A. The Panthers entered at no. 7 while Handley remained no. 4 behind the defending champion Leeds Green Wave at no. 1. Meanwhile, Trae Kyles threw for three touchdowns and the Tigers rushed for four more. Handley even returned a muffed punt for a touchdown as the Tigers clobbered the Bobcats 51-13 at Beulah.(Recap by Wes Kinsey)

Week four and Clay County moves to no. 4 with a 14-7 win over then no. 1 Leeds. The Handley Tigers had moved up to the no. 3 spot. The hills were covered with fans from both sides. Even the Executive Director of the AHSAA, Steve Savarese, was on hand as two titans in 3A squared off in a Region 3 showdown. The game lived up to the hype. After return-ing the opening kickoff, the Tigers looked poised to go up quick but the Panthers inter-cepted a pass at their own 5. After Handley forced a Clay County punt, the Tigers set up at the Panther 29. Six plays later Chris Dil-lard powered in from the 2-yard line for Handley's first touchdown of the night. Con-nor Boyd added the point after kick as HHS went up 7-0 with 6:39 to go in the first quar-ter. The score remained that way until CCHS capped off a drive with a Shawncey Sim-mons pass to Jamari Staples for the score at 10:04 left in the first half. Breyon Deberry dashed to the end zone on an 11 yard run with 7:30 remaining and Boyd's PAT made it 14-6 with 7:33 remaining. Handley again drove deep into Panther territory but a 41-yard field goal attempt was no good, and the half ended 14-6.

Handley again moved deep into Clay County territory midway in the third but turned the ball over at the 15-yard line. Then in the final stanza, fullback DeJuan Clark bolted 80 yards for a Handley touch-down with 8:40 left in the game. The extra point attempt failed, but Handley took a 20-6 advantage. The Panthers never quit and scored again on a Simmons to Staples pass with 2:47 to go in the game. Simmons added the extra point to make it 20-13. The ensuing onside kick failed to go the re-quired 10 yards and the Tigers went into the victory formation to end the game. Handley moves to 4-0 and 3-0 in the region. The Tigers were in the driver’s seat for the Class 3A region 3 championship. (Recap by Wes Kinsey)

Handley 20 vs. Clay Co. 13 The Red and White are colors of success. The One and Only...OH YES! Tigers!

In week 5, after leading only 14-7 at the half, Handley exploded for four third quarter touchdowns to beat visiting, Class 1A No. 6 Sweet Water 48-27 Friday night. Back to back scoring drives with runs of 26-yards and five-yards by Quay Hunter made it 28-7 as the Tigers totaled most of its 449 rushing yards in the third quarter. Hunter finished with 100 yards on nine carries and scored two touchdowns. Breyon Deberry carried the ball 14 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns.

Handley held the Bulldogs to 170 yards on the ground and 59 through the air. Handley reaches the regular season midway mark at 5-0.

Handley 48 vs. Sweet Water 27 If you even DREAM about beating us you better wake up and APOLOGIZE!

Great Job Tigers! www.fridaynightlife.com

Handley 29 vs. Marbury 14 The battle has begun, get out of our way, there's only room for one! Tigers!

In week 6, Handley remains at no. 3 in this week's ASWA Poll. Leeds is no. 5 while Clay County is no. 7. Handley travels to take on the Marbury Bulldogs is a class 3A region 3 game. Logan Taylor ,in just his second start at quarterback, tosses a 13-yard touchdown pass to Tevin Cook and a 23-yard pass to Connor Smith as the Tigers took its record to 6-0 overall with a 4-0 region mark.

Handley 48 vs. Coosa Central 12 Determined...Believe it! We Will Achieve It! (Happy Homecoming 2011)

In Week 7, Handley remains at no. 3 while Leeds moves to no. 4 and Clay County to no. 6 in the ASWA Class 3A Football Poll. It was homecoming for the Tigers as they rolled over the Cougars 48-12. Fourteen dif-ferent Tigers carried the ball amassing 339 rushing yards and seven touchdowns including a 74 -yard kickoff return by Herbert Staples to start the second half. Handley moves to 7-0 and 5-0 in region play as three tough regular season games remain.

Handley 43 vs. Walter Wellborn 21 Headed to the Top and we'll take nothing less! Handley, We are the Best!

In week 8, Handley Head Coach Mike Battles returns to a previous stop to hand the Panthers a 43-21 loss. Handley scored on three of its first four plays from scrimmage and built a 36-0 lead by 10:05 of the third quar-

ter . The Tigers outgained Wellborn 369 yards to 253. The Tigers scored on their first play from scrimmage, Breyon

Deberry’s 50-yard run. On Handley’s third possession quarterback Trae Kyles ran it in from 43 yards . The next time Handley touched the ball, Herbert Staples broke a 45-yard touchdown run. Handley went to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in region 3 and prepared to meet the Leeds Green Wave.

Handley 46 vs. Leeds 0 PROTECT THIS HOUSE!

In week 9, it was a match between no. 3 Handley and no. 4 Leeds. Those who had watched this football team felt it was com-ing. Handley seemed to keep its complete game in a back pocket all season long do-ing just what it took to win but holding something back. Against the defending Class 3A state champion Leeds Green Wave, the Tigers opened the flood gates: 381 yards rushing, 65 yards passing, one defensive touchdown, a number of defen-sive stops on fourth down and short, and a shutout. The wave rolling at Wright field in Roanoke that night was all cardinal.

The scoring began with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Trae Kyles to Quay Hunter near the end of first quarter cap-ping off a 90-yard drive that included a 61-yard run by Breyon Deberry. Connor Boyd added the point after and Handley led 7-0. The Tigers scored again on an 88-yard drive in the second quarter as Kyles exe-cuted a 9-yard jump pass to Connor Smith. The PAT failed and Handley led 13-0.

Handley went back to the air late in the second aided by a 37-yard run by Duran Zachery to the Green Wave 34 when Kyles hit Dexter Reese for another touchdown. Handley went to the locker room leading 20-0. The Tigers went up 27-0 with 10:16 to go in the third on a 30-yard Duran Zachery scoring run. Tailback Quay Hunter added a 23-yard score with 6:20 to go, and Hand-ley went up 33-0. With only seconds re-maining in the third and the Green Wave on their own 15, Kenny Seiffert blitzed and blasted the quarterback causing a fumble. DeJuan Clark scooped it up and ran it in for the score. Handley went up 40-0 headed into the fourth. Duran Zachery added another touchdown in the fourth on a 41 yard run to end the scoring. Mike Battles notches his 67th Handley head coaching win. The Tigers went to 9-0 on the year and claimed the Class3A Re-gion 3 title. (Recap by Wes Kinsey)

www.fridaynightlife.com

In the final week of the regular season, Handley finished with their second 10 win season in three years with a 35-14 win over the Lineville Aggies. Quay Hunter rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns and Chris Dillard and Duran Zachery added scores as the Tigers dominated the game with its longest running rival. This marked the last meeting of the two teams as Lineville will merge with Clay County to form one consolidated school (Central High School of Clay County) in the fall. Handley ends the series against Line-ville with a 32-24-3 record. Handley ends the year ranked no. 3 in the final ASWA poll and prepares for the playoffs. (Recap by Wes Kinsey)

Handley 35 vs. Lineville 14 On the road to success, the Handley Tigers are the BEST! Nothing more and Nothing less!


handley tigers

2011 class 3a state champions

Friday night life 43

handley tigers

a state champions

Handley 28 vs. Slocomb 0 T-Town will be Tiger Town. 1st Round State Bound

Handley beats Slocomb at Wright Field in Round 1 of the playoffs 28-0. The 11-0 Tigers now host TR Miller next week. On offense, it was the Quay Hunter show as the senior tailback scored three touchdowns. Herbert Staples scored the final touchdown in the fourth quarter. Coach Mike Battles is now tied for most wins as a Handley Head Coach with 69 wins. Handley extends it's home win streak to 32 games. (Recap by Wes Kinsey)


Handley 21 vs. T.R. Miller 19 We are the Best Tigers, oh Yes! Second Round State Bound

The Handley Tigers rolled up 18 first downs and 344 yards on offense as they ousted six-time state cham-pion T.R. Miller at Wright Field 21-19. The Tigers had to overcome seven penalties for 63 yards in the first half en route to the win. Quay Hunter capped a 59-yard drive on the Tigers first possession with a 15-yard sprint into the end zone. The point after at-tempt by Connor Boyd was good and Handley took a 7-0 lead with 9:58 re-maining in the first quarter. On Handley's next possession, Trae Kyles hit an open Anthony Foster for a 16-yard touchdown. Boyd's kick was good and Handley led 14-0 with 5:28 to go in the first quarter. Miller got its highly talented offense going in the second quarter on a 16- yard run by Darrion Salter. The point after at-tempt failed and Handley led 14-6 with 9:08 to go in the first half. Hand-ley answered with a 51-yard scoring drive ending with Hunter scoring on a 2-yard run. Boyd’s kick was again perfect, and Handley went up 21-6 with 2:15 to go in the half. Darrion Salter added an 18-yard

touchdown with 5:56 to go in the third quarter. The two-point conver-sion failed and Handley led 21-12. T.R. Miller added a another touch-down with 6:24 left in the game, but the Handley offense practiced clock management for the remainder of the game. Hunter had 21 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns, Breyon Deberry added 17 key carries for 127 while Duran Zachery and Herbert Staples added 28 and 35 yards respec-tively to seal the win for the Tigers. Mike Battles now holds the most

wins as a Handley head coach with 70 while the seniors became the win-ningest class with 45. The home win-ning streak extended to 33 games.

Handley 26 vs. Washington Co. 7 Day by Day We get Better and Better, 'til we Can't be Beat, Won't be Beat!

The Tigers relied on a tough and gutsy defense and spectacular special teams play to whip the Bulldogs in Chatom 26-7. A swarming Handley defense held the Dogs to just 67 yards rushing and forced two intercep-tions. Handley blocked a punt in the second quarter, and Breyon DeBerry scooped it up and sprinted into the end zone for a touchdown. The win made the Tigers 13-0 and set up a show down with the Clay County Pan-thers at Wright Field in Roanoke to determine the South Champion.


Handley Anthem Part 1 Who the best that ever did it? Who the best now?

Who the legends still reppin? And who the vets now? Who the soldiers on the field battling for the ring? To land they spot in history the 3A kings! Eye of the tiger we fighters we ain’t going down! So when you fit us for a ring, fit us for a crown! Hard hitters tell the com-

petition have some! Ziggy YB DJ giving y’all the Handley Anthem!

Since 08 we been grinding to the playoffs Now in 11 it looks like it finally paid off

Quay Hunter joined the team to give the team an extra boost; When Herbert Staples in he’s breaking getting extra loose; Chris Dillard hit you once you’ll

probably need surgery. Bradley Bozeman blocking three guys that’s cer-tainly; Anthony Foster a genius, a top safety

Going to T-Town, bringing the trophy home safely; Dejuan Clark is up and coming and so stunning. Dex-ter Reese small but the kid stay head hunting; Dejion

do his job perfect player, all aspects. The starters out the game and it ain’t even reached the half yet

(Chorus)

I talked to Coach Battles, he said he’s confident; The former players said get it; they send their compli-ments. A lot of people envy our speed, plus want the strength; We all great, top players to those on the

bench; Eric Phillips stay bucking that’s little Cat-Man. Demetris Foster hit you, you gone need a cat scan.

The band live, swag surfin like it’s 09 The competition can’t keep up, they need more

time. Who really want it? I wanna see you grind

With a ring around your finger you can draw the line. Never question greatness, if you do you’re

probably hating Now go and get the ring, the whole city waiting

(Chorus)

Prior to the semifinal matchup against Clay County, D.J. Foster and Ziggy Moss, two former Handley High School students, wrote the Handley Anthem Part I. The song was shared over and over on facebook.com the week leading up to the game. Here are the lyrics.


South Semifinals

Handley 13 vs. Clay Co. 6 10% Luck, 20% Skill, 15% concentrated power of Will, 5% pleasure, 50%

Pain and 100% reason to Remember the Name!

The Handley Tigers moved to 14-0 and secured a date in the Class 3A AHSAA state championship game with a 13-6 win over Clay County at Wright Field. The Tigers earned the right to take on Madison Academy for the championship at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. After a scoreless first period, Quay Hunter capped a 63 yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with the 31 seconds remaining in the half. Connor Boyd's kick was good and the Tigers took a 7-0 lead into halftime. But, the Pan-thers answered with a 15-yard touch-down run by quarterback Shawncey Simmons. The extra point attempt failed and the Tigers led 7-6 with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter. Handley came roaring right back

with a 50-yard scamper by Duran Zachery into the end zone with only 59 ticks left in the third. The extra point kick failed, and Handley went up 13-6. Handley held on with a drive late in the game securing a first and goal at the Clay County 5-yard line with about a minute to play. The Panthers, out of time outs, could only watch as Handley went into the vic-tory formation to secure the win. Coach Mike Battles gets his 72nd

win as head coach and the seniors become the second consecutive class having never lost a game at Wright Field. The home winning streak goes to 34 games. The 14-win season marks the most ever by a Handley team. The previous posted best was a 13-1 record in 2009.


When the Handley Ti-gers defeated Clay County in the semifi-nal round of the Class 3A State Playoffs, they knew things would be different the next week. For starters the team played for the title on a Thursday and in the morning so it created a very short week for preparation, but there were some things they didn't quite anticipate.

The game was played at Bryant Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and prior to the game, the team participated in the Walk of Champions.

“We got off the bus at the Walk of Champions and I didn't think we would have that many people there screaming for us. I felt like I was playing for Alabama,” Eric Phillips said.

The Handley Family made the 160 mile trip by the thou-sands and were there in force when the team unloaded the tradi-tional yellow buses to take the walk to the stadium.

“First thing I noticed were the fans,” Zack Hall said. “We had about twice as many fans as Madi-

son Academy. It was great to see all those people come out and sup-port us.”

It has been estimated that more than 4,000 Handley fans traveled to Tuscaloosa to be part of the Ti-gers first state championship since

the playoff system was created. “We have the most supportive fans,” Kei-mon Sand-ers said. “Every time we go out, we know its going to be packed and Bryant Denny was no different. There were people

every where. They support us where ever we go.” The Handley Fans showed up more than two hours prior to kickoff in order to welcome the team and waited in long lines to enter the sta-dium on the morning of December 1 and some business own-ers even closed up

shop for the day to at-tend. “We have been told that several businesses had signs in the win-

dow saying closed... gone to the game,” Demetris “Meatball” Foster said. “That means a lot to me con-sidering the economy is in the shape it is in for the businesses to close to support us. I am proud to be a Handley Tiger!”

Tigers make it to T-Town

The Tiger Walk on the Walk of Champions took place one hour and 45 minutes prior to kick off. The Handley Family repre-sented the town well in Tuscaloosa welcoming the Tigers to Bryant-Denny Stadium.


While the thou-sands of fans waited to enter the sta-dium, the Tigers were preparing for the biggest game of their lives on a field that most have dreamed about playing on. “When I stepped

onto the field, it hit me that we were playing for a state championship on the same field that Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, Donta Hightower and all the other great Alabama players have played on,” Phillips said. However, for all the excitement

playing at Bryant Denny Stadium brought to the players, there was a job to do.

“When they introduced us, our names and pictures were up on the big screen and all the fans were going wild,” Dejion Wil-liams said. “That was big for me. But, a football field is a football field it is still 100 yards no matter where you are.” “I really respect that it was Bry-

ant Denny Stadium, but when I stepped onto the field I wasn't look-ing at it like that,” Chris Dillard said. “I was thinking about the rea-son we were there. I looked into the stands and saw all our fans. It wasn't about being in Bryant Denny. It was about Handley for me. After we won state, I got to enjoy the fact that we won the state title at

Bryant Denny.” While the team won the state

title, the players understand it is a victory enjoyed by many more than themselves and coaches. “I have had the best high school

football experience ever,” Dexter Reese said. “I feed off the energy of the crowd. They cheer us on. We


won this state title for our fans!” “We have the best fans in the

state,” Breyon Deberry said. “When you come to Wright Field it's a hard place to play and they are big reason for that. I joined the

team as an eighth grader and I can happily say that I never lost in the red jersey and didn't lose to many in the white one.”

The Handley Tigers currently possess the longest home winning

streak in the state. The last time the Tigers lost at home was October 27, 2006 against Cleburne County. This group of seniors mark the second consecutive class to never lose at Wright Field.

Handley Anthem Part ii After the win against Clay County, D.J. Foster and Ziggy Moss, two former Handley High School students, went back to the studio for the Handley Anthem Part II. The song was shared over and over on facebook.com the week leading up to the game. Here are the lyrics.

You ready for the game? It’s time to make a name! Your picture in a frame! The Handley Hall of Fame! So much that you can gain! But you must maintain! The

pressure is insane! But so far we’ve overcame!

We the best that ever did it, we the best now! We surpassed all the greats we the vets now! We the soldiers that brought the victory home! So when you give us this ring give us the throne!

We ain’t going down without a fight never! Us laying down the competition know better!

Going in for years and we finally bout to land one! DJ, YB, ZIGGY, REMIX OF THE HANDLEY AN-

THEM!!!

Finally on the stage Let’s see how you get paid For this road you have made This road you have paved

Trae Kyles is a sage Stay cool never afraid

Historic games he has played Breyon out his cage Duran running hard Defense playing hard

Kenny Seiffert got the heart Handleys work of art

The journey they embark Key players play their parts The fans provide a spark

While the coaches leave their marks…

Conner Smith touchdown then Tevin Cook We need an instant replay I need a second look Conner Boyd snap the ball so we can get started Erick Velazquez hit someone they will get carted After we win, Wright Field we should celebrate

But first storm Bryant-Denny Stadium don’t hesitate And whoever wanna talk trash let um hate! Because December 1st, 011 we won the state!

(Chorus)

Slocomb was the first team we had to get past! They hit hard but we were the team to hit last! Next round T.R. Miller it came to the wire!

They wanted it but in the end we had more fire! 3rd round Washington County they came strong! But 2nd half we fought harder and we came home!

4th Clay County, it was a classic! But in the end for the Panthers it was tragic! Some of those teammates sure did talk static! But in the end just proved to be average! But it’s not about what you did in the past!

It’s tomorrow that counts, no questions asked! Create history by causing teams misery!

Pity the fools that try us like Mr.T! We breed survivors, champions, and fighters!

MAN IT FEELS REAL GOOD TO BE A HANDLEY TIGER!!!

(Chorus)


TUSCALOOSA – Winning a state title is the goal for every high school athlete and coach regardless of the sport or classification. On December 1, the Handley Tigers ac-complished just that in a 20-14 win over the Madison Academy Mustangs to become the first state title foot-ball team for Handley High School since the Alabama High School Athletic As-sociation instituted the playoff system.

The road to the state title was a bumpy one for the Tigers and the championship game proved to be just as intense.

Madison Academy scored on the opening drive that spanned 60 yards on 12 plays.

“After seeing them score on the

first drive, I knew we had to show up and play hard,” Senior Dexter Reese said. “I didn't have my best individual game, but it wasn't about me.”

The Tigers didn't respond im-mediately but on their second pos-

session of the game, Handley went to work. With 2:45 remaining in the first quarter, the Tigers mounted a touchdown scoring drive that spanned 55yards on 11 plays and was capped with a Duran Zachery two-yard run. Breyon De-berry, Quay Hunter Trae Kyles and De-Juan Clark all rushed

for yardage on the drive including Clark for 21 yards on a fourth-and-four situation to end the first quarter.

Connor Boyd added the extra point to tie the game with 10:22 remaining in the first half.

“The team played the game that we needed to play,” Reese said. “DeJaun Clark and Duran Zachery were two underclassmen that

Handley 20, Madison Academy 14Hold on to a Winner! We made it. We're Here. It’s On.

Title Game by Kelly Caldwell

really stepped up and played their hearts out.”

The remain-der of the first half was a defen-sive battle for the two teams and included Hand-ley's Kenny Seif-fert recording a quarterback sack for a loss of nine yards as well as a Reese forced fumble and re-covery.

“Every time we would have a three-and-out possession, Trae Kyles would send booming punts to Madison Academy to give our defense a chance to stop them which would give our offense bet-ter field position,” Dejion Williams said.

Kyles recorded four punts for

an average of 45 yards. Handley failed to get a first

down to open the second half and Madison Academy took over on their own 14-yard line after Kyles 41-yard punt. The Mustangs used that possession to take a 14-7 lead scoring on a 86-yard drive that spanned eight plays.

“When we were down, I looked around and no one was panick-ing,” Demetris “Meatball” Fos-ter said. “I saw my team and we were determined and focused.” The Tigers mounted several drives in the third and fourth quarters but weren't able to find the end

zone. “The momentum kept shifting

and when they said Quay didn't get the first down, (on a fourth and four situation at the 8 yard line) I thought for a split second that we were going to end the sea-son 14-1,” Deberry said. “But then I thought there was no way. Some-

Handley 20, Madison Academy 14 Hold on to a Winner! We made it. We're Here. It’s On.

thing was about to happen and we were going to get this ring.” The Tigers held the Mustangs

to a three-and-out possession on the next drive with tackles re-corded by Foster, Clark, Hunter, Chris Dillard and Bradley Boze-man. The Tigers took over on the

Mustangs' 31-yard line and after two plays, Kyles handed off to Zachery on third down with six yards to go. “I was really looking for the

first down,” Zachery said. “But my guys created an opening for me and I kept running.” Zachery scored on a 27-yard

run. “We were going for it and

down by seven,” Doug Tucker said. “Every time I pulled, I was determined to hit somebody. When Duran broke, they could have put a diesel truck in front of us, and we would have tried to take that out too. We just kept pounding and pounding the ball at the end.” The Tigers used their last time

out to decide to go for the two-point conversion. “It was like it was out of a

movie,” Deberry said. “Coach (Ron) Watters told us that he had faith in us, He said Clear Eyes, Full Heart, Can't Lose. Watters said he had faith in us and said 'Guys go be men and do what you have to do.'” The two-point conversion failed

and the Tigers trailed 14-13 with 3:53 remaining in the game. Madison Academy prepared for

the kickoff, but the Tigers weren't going to give the ball back easily. “It was supposed to be a des-

peration kick where its on the tee and angle it toward the sidelines,” Kyles said. “But ,they only had two people in the middle and we went for it.”

The onside kick was re-covered by Handley's Clark on the Mustangs' 43-yard line. “When De-

Jaun Clark recovered the onside kick, it surprised eve-rybody, but we knew any-thing is possi-ble,” Dillard said. “We were deter-mined to drive down the field. There wasn't a doubt in anyone's mind that we were going to win that game.” The Tigers

proved to be champions on their final drive of the game that lasted 10 plays and was capped by Dillard's 1-yard run for a touchdown. Boyd added the extra point and the Tigers gained the lead for the first time of the game. Madison Academy didn't give

up, however, and with 42 seconds remaining in the game, the Mus-tangs mounted its own comeback. The Mustangs got to the Handley 12-yard line and lofted a pass into

the end zone as time expired. “On the last play of the game, it

was a jump ball and it was me and number 1 (for Madison Academy) going for it,” Reese said. “We were headed to the sidelines and I kept pushing. He caught the ball, but

he was out of bounds.” For his ef-forts, Zachery was named Most Valu-able Player of the Class 3A State Title game and led the team in scoring on 12 touches for 75 yards and two touch-downs. Hunter led the team in rushing yards with 83 yards on 19 car-ries. Oth-ers rush-ing for the Tigers in-clude Her-bert Sta-ples four carries for 27 yards, Clark two runs for 22 yards and Kyles seven car-ries for 21 yards.

The defense was led by Dillard with four solo tackles and four as-sists, Bozeman with three solos and five assists; Hunter with three solo tackles and three assists, Seif-fert with three solo tackles and two assists.



We Are

HANDLEY!


Handley Anthem Part III Following the 20-14 win over Madison Academy for Handley’s first state title in the playoff system, D.J. Foster and Ziggy Moss, two former Handley High School students, wrote the Handley Anthem Part III. The song was shared over and over on facebook.com

the week leading up to the game. Here are the lyrics.

Handley Tigers stand up cause we finally won it all! Stepped up to battle left nothing,

we brung it all! 3A state champions, that’s what we answer too And stepping in our path know

it’s possible we’ll handle you! Handley Tigers stand up cause

we finally won it all! Stepped up to Battle left nothing


it’s a possible we’ll handle you! Breyon DeBerry got the whole

city cooking! Quay came and amazed now got

the whole city looking! Coach Battles lead the team to a

dream season! Duran trucking everybody 3 been

beastin! Chris Dillard for the game and

now we winning! Herbert and Dexter defending,

the perfect ending! Trae Kyles the captain he relaxing

while passing! Demetris and Kenny tackling,

playing with passion!

Bradley Bozeman played his first game on his home field! These boys never lost at home I

guess home kills! I SAID IT ONCE SAY IT AGAIN

WE ALL FIGHTERS! MAN IT FEELS REAL GOOD TO

BE A HANDLEY TIGER!!! Handley Tigers stand up cause



it’s a possible we’ll handle you! Handley Tigers stand up cause



it’s a possible we’ll handle you! HEY…We did it for real Class of 12 the finest way that

you can end a career I ain’t never seen a trophy that

had so much meaning The clock ran to zero the whole

state start screaming

Coby Floyd said he heard me on his mp3 And it motivated Duran to win

the MVP A lot of teams envy y’all and plus

they envy me BUT WE ON TOP! TELL UM

ALL IT WAS MEANT TO BE!! Bryant-Denny Stadium was our

field for one day We had to make ourselves

known, remembered one way Handley Tiger pride home of the

greatest football! The story is over, we the best

close the book yall!!! Handley Tigers stand up cause



it’s a possible we’ll handle you! Handley Tigers stand up cause



it’s possible we’ll handle you!


21 years in the ‘Handley Family’ I moved to Roanoke in June of

1990 to start my first job after gradu-ating from the University of North Alabama. I must admit the reason that I accepted the job was because it one of only two job offers that I had and the other was from a school in Texas. My plans were to stay here one year and move back to North-west Alabama. Little did I know 21 years later not only would I still be in Roanoke, but be blessed to serve as the superintendent of Roanoke City Schools.

I have served as classroom teacher, coach, principal and now as superintendent. My wife Kippie Taylor Marcum is a Handley gradu-ate of the class of ’89, and we also have two children in the school sys-tem. These factors give me a unique perspective of what it means to be

part of the “Handley Family.” I can honestly attest to the fact that a lot of places talk about “family,” but in Roanoke it is more than just talk.

One example of what makes Roa-noke special is the tremendous fol-lowing we always have every time our Tigers take the field. This is one thing that stood out to me when I first arrived in Roanoke and still holds true. This was obvious by the number of people who lined the “Walk of Champions” for the “Tiger Walk” at 9:15 on the day of the state championship to welcome our play-ers to Bryant-Denny Stadium. It was a memory that I will never forget.

As with all “families” there are

good and bad times to experience. During my time in Roanoke we had made it to the semi-finals on four other occasions (1991, 1992, 2008 & 2009) only to come up short of our goal of winning the state champion-ship. The most disappointing one for me was the 1992 game in Daleville. I was the defensive coordinator of the team that lost 14-12. Our guys played a great game against a great team, but things did not go our way. It would be over a year before I could make myself watch the game film.

One of the first messages I re-ceived after our guys defeated Madi-son County, was a text message from a member of the 1992 team that simply said “Coach- it took us 19 years, but we did it!” I think that was the feeling of all Handley fans-

Handley Family by Chuck Marcum

that WE FINALLY DID IT! I doubt that our 2011 Tigers really knew how many former players, cheer-leaders, band members and fans were living vicariously through them. I could feel it outside the sta-dium, in the stands and especially when I walked down to the sidelines to watch the 4th quarter. What best describes the

“Handley Family” to me ironically comes from someone who was watching his first Handley game the

day we played for the state champi-onship - my step dad. He told me later that night- “I did not know a player or a coach on the team, but by the end of the game I was as nerv-ous & excited as anyone there. I was very impressed with how Handley players played the game and the support & class shown by the fans. It is easy to see that these are good people.” Our “family” is made up of “good people” and it’s what makes Friday nights in the Fall so special

for Tiger Fans. Mrs. Merredith Sears said it best earlier this year in one of the motivational videos that she pro-duced for the team when she said “Small towns have big hearts.” In conclusion, my favorite mem-

ory was being down on the field celebrating with our team after the game and looking back into the stands hearing our fans shout “We Are --- HANDLEY!” Yes we are and I am glad to be a small part of the family.


Emerging home Healt Care

Jersey Number Name Grade Jersey Number Name Grade

1111 DEXTER REESE 12 42424242 KENNY SEIFFERT 11

2222 BREYON DEBERRY 12 45454545 JACOB SEIFFERT 9 3333 DURAN ZACHERY 11 50505050 BRYAR CROCKETT 10

4444 CHIRS DILLARD 12 52525252 CONNOR BOYD 11 5555 DIJION WILLIAMS 12 53535353 ANDREW OWENS 10

6666 HERBERT STAPLES 12 54545454 BLAKE CALDWELL 9 7777 CHANDLER MCLAIN 10 55555555 ERIC PHILLIPS 12

8888 TEVIN COOK 11 56565656 QUENTIN PITTS 12

9999 DEMETRIS FOSTER 12 57575757 CALEB KINSEY 12 10101010 MARCELLOUS FLOYD 10 58585858 COLTON MURPHY 10

11111111 SEDRICK TUCKER 11 59595959 BRYAN COTTLE 9 12121212 TRAE KYLES 11 60606060 LUIS VELAZQUEZ 9

14141414 LOGAN TAYLOR 9 61616161 QUANDALE TRAMMELL 10

15151515 TEVIN MORGAN 11 62626262 QUINTON ROWLAND 12 16161616 ANTHONY FOSTER 12 63636363 BRANDON THORNTON 9

17171717 ZACK HALL 12 64 SETH MAY 8 18181818 COBY FLOYD 11 65656565 JOSH MCMANUS 11

19191919 CODY FOSTER 9 66666666 HUNTER FULGHUM 11 21212121 QUAY HUNTER 12 68686868 DOUG TUCKER 12

22222222 BRAN TRAMMELL 11 69696969 MATT DANIEL 9

23232323 DAKELTON DANIEL 9 70707070 BEAU ROBINSON 10 25252525 DEJAUN CLARK 11 71717171 KOLBY SMITH 9

26262626 RASHAD TRAMMELL 11 72727272 ALLEN KELLEY 10 27272727 JERREION WILLIAMS 9 73737373 SHANE ADAMS 9

28282828 ELI TAYLOR 11 74747474 STEVEN ADAMS 9

29292929 RYAN GUNN 11 75757575 SHAQUAN GLASS 11 30303030 JADARIAN FOSTER 9 76767676 WILL TENNANT 11

31313131 MALCOLM PHILLIPS 10 77777777 ERIC VELAZQUEZ 10 32323232 DAMEION WARE 9 78787878 BRAD BOZEMAN 11

33333333 JOHN DAVID FORDHAM 9 79797979 KEIMON SANDERS 12

36363636 JEROD TUCKER 11 80808080 MARQUISE WATKINS 10 39393939 CONNOR SMITH 10 81818181 TODDERICK BURTON 9

40 WILL LUMPKIN 8 83838383 CHRIS JOHNSON 9 41414141 KELVIN KELLEY 9 84848484 MATT WISE 11

2011 handley tigers

The Hand-ley Tiger football team is more than a group of players. They are friends, classmates and while the majority are not related by blood, they consider themselves family.

A big part of that bond is due to an-other family with strong Handley ties.

Johnny and Teri Tennant, both graduated from Handley and their son Will would have been a starter on the 2011 team, if he had not fallen to an an-kle injury in spring training or been involved in an auto accident in June. Although their natural born son did not play a down in the 2011 state title run, the Tennants had other “sons” that played their hearts out.

“Since peewee football Johnny has been a coach to these boys,” Jean Webb, Johnny's sister-in-law, said. “He would take the boys home and give them the shirt off his back if he thought they needed it.

“He has the biggest heart of anyone I know,” she said.

Through the years the bond continued to grow between the Tennants and the players, and a few years ago Will began bringing

some of his friends to his house as well as his aunt's home.

“We watch Alabama football on Saturdays at GG's (Jean),” De-metricas “Meatball” Foster said. “They make us feel at home.”

Through football, the bond was formed and has continued to grow so much that the players of-ten refer to Johnny and Teri as

Pops and Mama T. “I am one of the 'sons,'” Breyon De-berry said. “They welcome anyone into their home. It's unbelievable how much they can care about us.” While football is the common ground, there is more to it for the players. “They have al-

ways been there for us,” Dexter Reese, another “son,” said. “We have fun when we are down there, but you are also learning lessons and morals. They teach us how we need to live our lives. “As long as we show them respect, they show us re-spect,” he said. That respect hasn't come without sacrifice according to Reese.

“In the south area there are some racial problems, but the Tennants are teaching us that color doesn't matter. We are all people,” he said. “Boss (Johnny) is a construction worker and has lost some contracts because we come to his house. But, he will not speak bad about us or disown us. He tells us the world will see there is no black or white, there is no color. We are all people. I know he has given up a lot but he always shows us the same love and affec-tion.”

Tennants full of Handley Heart


Handley Family by Kelly Caldwell


The Tennants have only one child of their own but through the years their “children” have multi-plied, but it is not limited to Johnny and Teri. Webb also has opened her home and heart to the players.

“I am like the nephew to Pops and Momma T because Miss Jean (Teri's sister) is like my mom,” Fos-ter said. “She has been there for me

ever since I was in ninth grade. She would get me and take me to school (and she still does). I am

very grateful to them be-cause there have been times that I have strug-gled and I know that I can always talk to them or escape from (the struggles) at their house or Miss Jean's house.” “Yeah, you can’t forget GG,” Doug

Tucker said. The players

also offered support to the Tennants when Will had his acci-dent in June.

The Tennant Construction (TC) Boys (Photo by Patricia Guinn)


“He was in a hurry to get home to tell his Daddy Happy Father's Day...” Webb said. “He hit a a pine tree with his truck and suffered broken ribs, concussions in the front and back of his skull, a rup-tured spleen, broken left arm, crushed right femur.

“Those boys went to the hospi-tal that night with my daughter Aleigha,” she said. “They love him like Will is their brother. That

group is so special to my family and we all would do anything for them.”

The core group, nicknamed the Tennant Construction (or TC) Boys, include Breyon Deberry, Chris Dil-lard, Demetris (Meatball) Foster, Dexter Reese, Connor Boyd, Kei-mon Sanders, Trae Kyles, Duran Zachery, ShaQuan Glass, Bradley Bozeman, Kenny Sieffert and Will Tennant.

But its not limited to those 12 players.

“They really have opened their doors and hearts to us,” Dillard said. “They are genuinely good people and that's kind of rare in this day and time.

“The Tennants pulled us to-gether,” Bozeman said. “Anyway they can help they have always helped.”

Leading up to the game and for days following, social media exploded with messages of good will and con-gratulations for the Handley Tigers. Here is a selection from former Hand-

ley Students and supporters.

Jonathan Rowland Special S/O To the HHS Tigers

From a Super Bowl Cham-pion/Pro-Bowler!

Robert Mathis of The Indianapo-lis Colts:

Shoutout to my Good friend, Frat bruh and College Football teammate Jonathan Rowland 's high school squad Handley Tigers for their 3A Alabama Football Championship! Congrats Lil Broth-ers!

Marcus A. Ware Woke up this morning smiling,

knowing that my alma mater will soon win its first state champion-ship in years! Very proud of all the players, coaches, cheerleaders, and band members. Play like champi-ons and bring that trophy home!

Jerri Gabriel Remember Handley Ti-

gers.....you are not only playing for yourselves, but for every student, cheerleader, band member, and football player that have walked the halls of Handley High School. We are all living our dreams through you! As long as you do your best, you will always be a winner. Channel the energy from all these supporters....and you should have no problems! Now

bring that Championship home! See ya there....can't wait!

Chuck May I REALLY wish I could be in

Tuscaloosa today to cheer on the Handley Tigers. However, I will be cheering from up here in Madison Academy territory. Go Handley.

Fred Williams Congratulations to Handley

High School in Roanoke, AL for winning the 2011 3A Football Championship! From the players & coaches, to the band, the cheerlead-ers, and the fans, you did it. 15 - 0, the perfect season. You are number 1. Hat's off to the Tigers, for an out-standing job well done! God bless and best wishes. 0:-)

Congratulations from Handley Nation

Chuck Marcum Great Day To Be A Handley Ti-

ger!

Jodi Mitchum Parmer Hard to believe but I'm so ready

to walk thru the doors of HAND-LEY HIGH SCHOOL tomorrow and see all the 3A State Champ football players!!!! HANDLEY FAMILY is the best…

Kannyetta S. Ammons So tired but it was so worth it.

Went to the football game in T-Town. I am so proud of the Hand-ley Tigers - 3A state football champs. I saw so many people I had not seen in a long time. I be-lieve Roanoke was shut down to-day cause everyone was at the game. Wearing my old band jacket tomorrow at work. Go Tigers!

Susan Irvin

Many others have tried it before, Gettin' to the semi-finals but left

starving for more, There's been many other sea-

sons that we considered great, All they lacked was a chance to

be champions of this state, Dec. 1 is a day some have

waited on for many years, It's the reason it was worth all

the blood, sweat & tears, It won't showcase faces of any of

the former teams, Though it will be fighting for

the exact same dreams, On Thursday, the entire city of

Roanoke, not just the schools, needs to be shut down, Because we have long awaited

business to handle in T-Town!!!!

Daffie Dillard How 'bout them TI-

GERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been so busy celebrating and thanking the Lord for us winning the State Champi-

onship.....Hats off to the coaches, the team, cheerleaders, the band and the band directors, the fans, and all the organizations that helped support this BIG WIN.....we all worked together to show that it takes all of us to get things done......"WE WON".....and the Handley Tigers are the reason be-cause of their dedication and hard work......Thank you "TIGERS"!!!!!! We love you. Congratula-tions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOOO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 20-14

Keith McDow Proud to be a Handley Tiger to-

day, 3A State Champions.

Shermeka Terry Handley High School = STATE

CHAMPS!!! I'm about to pull out my old cheerleader uniform lol...Once a Tiger, always a Tiger!!! #proudalumna.

Mike Fields RE/MAX

friday night life state champion edition

Documents

handley anthem

handley heart

handley tiger football

handley football history

love of handley football

handley tiger roster

phrase handley family

handley state champion