1984 game program

Anniversaries for semifinal finishers

By Michael Butler

With the advent of the 2024 football season right around the corner, it marks a couple of anniversaries. Only two Tallassee teams have ever reached the semifinals of the state playoffs, both in Class 4A. The 1984 and 1999 teams share that honor. This year, the Tigers drop back down to the 4A classification after six consecutive years in 5A.

New THS head coach L.A. O'Neal took his Booker T. Washington team to the 4A semis last season. Prior to O'Neal's arrival, BTW had never won a post-season game.

As a player, O'Neal was a state championship quarterback on Reeltown's 2001 team with his father Jackie at the helm, who won two state titles as a head coach and another as an assistant at Reeltown.

The state championship game has eluded Tallassee. The Tigers have a 57-game unbeaten streak on their résumé from the 1940s, but it was a time prior to the playoffs.

The 1999 team led by Mark Rose is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 13-1 season that ended with a 28-14 loss to Jemison coached by Steve McCord, who ironically was Tallassee's coach in '84. This year is 40th anniversary of that run that ended with a 17-7 loss to T.R. Miller.

"People ask me if it was some kind of sweet revenge. It had nothing to do with that. It was just another game for me," said McCord of the 1999 matchup. "I really respected the people in Tallassee and the players."

July reunion for players and coaches from the 1999 team (left to right): Kevin Jordan, Jared Blair, Jess Thornton, Justin Williams, Derrick Ansley, Jared Jones, Daniel Hyland, Mark Rose, Ron Griffin, Chris Thompson.

The 1999 semifinal was played in front of Tallassee fans at J.E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium, unlike the one in 1984 that was played in Brewton.

"It was quite an experience to have that many people there. It was a huge crowd," McCord added. "Everybody was extremely pumped. It was very noisy, the way it should be in high school football."

McCord instructs senior quarterback Shane Yankey in 1984

Rose also remembered the crowd that was estimated to be around 5,000.

"There wasn't an empty seat," he said. "They were lined up and down the streets. What an atmosphere for those kids. They earned and deserved it. It was a great experience."

Derrick Ansley, now a coach in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, was an all-state player on the '99 team.

Rose and Ansley during the recent youth camp at O'Brien Stadium

"You have to be a complete team to make a run in the playoffs," said Ansley. "I've had the luxury of coaching in some big games; SEC Championship, playoff games, National Championship games, coaching in the NFL on Monday Night Football, in London. I go back to that game on Friday night, nothing like that atmosphere.

"Coming out of the locker room and not really being able to breathe because there were so many people in one small location. The atmosphere of having Reeltown, Elmore County and Dadeville people there to support you. It was surreal. To me in my career playing or coaching, it's top two or three that I've ever been a part of."

The 1999 team still owns the record for the most victories in a season with 13. They outscored their opponents 454-176, averaging 32.4 points per game and allowing 12.6.

The '84 team was not as dominating. They caught fire in the post-season after a 5-5 start finishing 8-6.

O'Neal after being introduced as head coach by THS principal Drew Glass in January

"We got on a roll going into the playoffs," said McCord. "Tallassee's always been a great supporter of their athletic programs. We had great followings whether we were on the road or at home, also winning or struggling. I remember particularly in the playoffs, it seemed like each week our fan base got larger. They traveled well."

This year's team is hoping to make a turnaround and get back to the playoffs. The 2023 team went 1-9. Tallassee has been past the second round just once since the 1999 season. The 2016 team made it to the quarterfinals and finished with a 9-4 record.

The season kicks off on Aug. 23 at Montgomery Academy. The 1984 and 1999 semifinal teams will be recognized on Sept. 20, the first home game of the season versus Bullock County.

"When you don't cheat the work or process, then you can win at a high level," said O'Neal. "We want to make the atmosphere here at Tallassee the greatest high school experience. We've got everything we need to do it."

2024 Schedule