Ticket stub from playoff game vs. T.R. Miller in Brewton

Semifinal teams to be honored

By Michael Butler

Just two times in the 123-year history of Tallassee High School football have the Tigers reached the semifinals. The years were 1984 and 1999.

This year marks the 25th and 40th anniversaries of each. And, both teams will be recognized for Tallassee's home opener on Friday night, Sept. 20.

Solomon Rivers in the semi against T.R. Miller

"We're asking anybody who was on either one of those teams to come out when we play Bullock County," THS head football coach L.A. O'Neal said. "Before the game we're going to honor them. It's very rare you get teams that make it to the semifinals, so we want to show them some love."

The 1984 team went 8-6 and fell at T.R. Miller in the fourth round of the Class 4A playoffs, 17-7. The 1999 team finished 13-1 after losing 28-14 to Jemison in the 4A semis.

In addition to '84 and '99, the program has been to the quarterfinals two other times (1991 and 2016). Tallassee has never reached a state championship game.

The playoff system has been around since 1966 in the Alabama High School Athletic Association. Lanier beat Lee 9-7 in the much-heralded state championship game that season played at Montgomery's Cramton Bowl before a sellout crowd of 25,000 fans.

Tallassee's first post-season appearance came in 1983. The Tigers ended the year with a 9-2-1 record after losing in the first round to Sylacauga 20-14 in overtime. Tallassee's overall playoff record is 17-27.