Recently, at a home football game, Trion High School’s 1974 Football team was recognized before kickoff. The team was celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the amazing achievements of this team and all involved.
The 1974 Bulldogs were highly successful on the field in their day, as the team held a 13-0 perfect season that year. The winning team was under the direction of head coach Clarence Blevins, and assistant coaches Alan Harwell, Robert Floyd Jr., Donald Hassler, Gregory Williams, as well as JW Greenwood. The team co-captains were Jeff Ware and Jeff Bowers. This coaching staff is often commended for their dedication on and off the field.
The 1974 team has gone down in Trion Football history as one of the greatest Trion Teams to ever touch the field. This team is remembered for winning and the journey the group went through during the games to get to the win. If you were to ask a football fan what they recall of the 1974 Trion Football Team at that time, they would likely answer: “The Comeback!” or maybe they would answer “The Battle of Chickamauga!”
The Comeback refers to the 74′ Breman game. The Dogs were down 0-13 at the half, but the team rallied together in the final count to claim a 14-13 victory.
The Battle of Chickamauga is the season’s game over the age-old rivalry, Gordon Lee. This was the last game of the season and the only thing between Trion and the wrap to the dream season. Both teams had a perfect 9-0 record, both highly ranked, and both hungry for a spot in the state playoffs in Berth.
The 1974 Bulldogs pulled through and secured a spot in state playoffs, a region title, and, of course, a 10-0 record.
Soon after, Trion would defeat Buford in the first round, Hogansville in the second round, and finally took home a win over legendary Lincoln County in the championship game. Both Lincoln and Trion battled, and word echoed that they would end up being coined co-champions. However, the 74′ dream team would have to part in a co-championship.
So in the 4th quarter, with a minute forty left, the Bulldogs pulled off the unthinkable, scoring a historic touchdown just after a 4th down conversion. Tight end David Williams broke open in the left corner of the endzone, and quarterback Ware threw the ball and landed it into Williams’s hands.
Earning the Bulldog State Championship.
Current Athletic Director Jason Lanham said, “The fight, toughness, and never-say-die spirit this group showed on the gridiron in 1974 will never be forgotten. It was a truly magical season…from the school building to the field, to the post-games gathering at the Perry house, this group had a remarkable bond of love and friendship.”
The recognition that took place signaled the all-state selections of the year:
All State Selections for this special group would include Ware (who passed for 1279yd and 10TDs), Bowers (the overall state lineman of the year who led the defense with 156 tackles and 131 assists), Randy Peace (who rushed for 1283yds and 18TDs), and honorable-mention to Tim Perry (who rushed for 814 yds).
All of these Trion Football legends will tell anyone who asks that this was a special team effort and all of the remarkable achievements would not have happened without all of those involved.
All Bulldog Nation honors the 50th Anniversary of the efforts and successes of the iconic 1974 Trion Football State Champions. Job well done to all; we are so grateful to each member of the 1974 Trion Football Team for creating a forever memory in the hearts of all Bulldog Nation!! GO DOGS!!!
