LHS Golden Bears Football History

11/28/2025

November 28, 1980 - What is a Gordo? Quite possibly one of the best small-school football teams in state history. The Bears hopes of a state championship came to an end on a bitterly cold Black Friday in a 36-15 loss to the Green Wave. Gordo scored on its second possession, a 22-yard pass from QB Jeff Parker to Tommy Gosa. The Bears tied the score three plays later on a 57-yard pass from Byron Hall to Ron Toner. The Bears wouldn't score again until 3:36 left in the game on a one-yard run by Johnny Waddell. Gordo QB Jeff Parker was 4-8 passing with 3 touchdowns in the win.

Two articles are attached here, one from the Times-Daily, the other from the Tuscaloosa News.

Gordo traveled to Southern Choctaw a week later and defeated the Indians 26-22 for the 2A state championship. At least seven players from that teams signed Division-I scholarships, including Tony Shirley, who of course found his way to Lexington as a teacher/coach several years later.

How cold was it that night? According to NWS records, the low temp at the Tuscaloosa airport Saturday morning was 29 degrees, so it was likely several degrees colder in rural Pickens County.

The 1980 Bears finished 11-1 and, based on win percentage, are still the best team in school history.

11/28/2025

November 28, 1980 - Mike Goens previewed the Bears matchp with the Gordo Green Wave, a #1 vs. #2 matchup with a trip to the 2A state championship game on the line.

11/21/2025

November 21, 1980 - J.R. Ewing couldn't keep Bear fans from flocking to the quarter-final matchup with the Section Lions. On the night that J.R.'s shooter was revealed, Johnny Waddell ran for 170 yards and four touchdowns as the Bears won 42-22. Section scored first on a 14 play, 69 yard drive, but Waddell evened the score on the Bears' first play from scrimmage. Phil Springer added a pick-six, and Buck Bailey a touchdown run to cap the scoring. The win setup a much anticipated 1 vs. 2 matchup with Gordo.

Several folks brought portable TV's to the game to watch the reveal on "Dallas" which stood as the most watched TV episode in history until it was eclipsed by the series finales of "M*A*S*H" (1983) and "Cheers" (1993).

Also that night, several Section students were taken to ECM hospital after becoming ill during the game.

11/20/2025

After dispatching Tanner in the first round, the 1980 Bears were taking a business-like approach to preparing for the quarterfinal matchup with the Section Lions from Jackson County. The 1979 season ended on a wet night in Jackson County (at Stevenson) so the Bears were looking forward to a home game this time around. Here is the preview of the game from the Friday, November 21 edition of the Times-Daily.

11/16/2025

The 2005 Lexington Golden Bears remain one of the top three teams in school history. Finishing 11-2, they became the third team to reach 11 wins, joining the 1980 and 1986 teams.

As would be expected, they were also a highly decorated team. David Hill was named to the All-State first team at tight end by both the Birmingham News, and the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Michael Harbin was also named to the Birmingham News first team at linebacker and seniors Drew Williams and Mark McLemore were honorable mentions to the Birmingham News team at defensive back, and offensive line respectively.

Head Coach Ricky Putman was named 1A-3A Coach of the Year by the Times-Daily, and Hill, Harbin, McLemore, and Williams were named to the Times-Daily All-Area first team. The Times-Daily awarded honorable mentions to Jeremy Beavers, Zac Toner, Tyler Killen, Jimmy Springer, Matthew Weigart, Jake Herrera, Ryan Toner, and Mitchell Oliver.

11/16/2025

November 18, 2005 - The Bears' season came to an end at the hands of the Lineville Aggies. The Aggies held the Bears to 90 yards rushing and forced three turnovers. The Bears only score came on an 8-yard pass from Drew Williams to Ryan Toner.

Lineville would lose to eventual state champion Clay County 16-12 in the semi-finals.

11/16/2025

November 14, 1980 - The #2 ranked Bears opened the playoffs with a convincing 34-6 win over the Tanner Rattlers. The offense rolled up 401 total yards while the Grape Crush defense allowed the Rattlers only 90 yards. Byron Hall had two touchdown runs, and two touchdown passes (to John Wayne Masonia, and Ron Toner). Johnny Waddell scored the Bears final touchdown on a 1-yard run. The Bears would host the Section Lions in the state quarterfinals next week.

11/07/2025

November 11, 2005 - The Bears controlled the line of scrimmage, and the football to earn a 24-13 win over perennial power Fyffe at Raymond McMeans Stadium. The Bears first scoring drive was only 49 yards, but consumed over 9 minutes of the first quarter over 19 plays. Drew Williams capped the drive with a 1-yard run. Fyffe held a 7-6 halftime lead thanks to 73-yard drive that consumed 5 minutes of the second quarter.

The Bears took control after halftime. Drew Williams returned the kickoff 48-yards, and Jimmy Springer had a 27-yard run before Jeremy Beavers scored from 24-yards out. Springer added a 20-yard field goal, and Mitchell Oliver a 66-yard pick-six to cap the scoring.

With the win, the 2005 Bears moved to 11-1 on the season, becoming the third team in school history to reach 11 wins, joining the 1980, and 1986 teams. They also became the fifth team to reach the third round of the playoffs joining the 1980, 1986, 1991, and 1992 teams. Up next was a trip to take on the Aggies of Lineville.

11/07/2025

November 7, 1980 - There was a week off between the final game of the season and the start of the playoffs, so the 1980 Bears were preparing to host a first round game with the Tanner Rattlers.

Later this weekend, we'll look at some of the best teams in Lexington history.

11/07/2025

https://www.timesdaily.com/sports/lexington-advances-behind-stampede-of-points/article_04ce76a2-1208-444a-a327-54d3b38ab858.html?utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwY2xjawN6xoBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeHwTU0qMvG0Q9OxGtnW-Iun-B15hzEa6EWVVYo22zLvZ1VFaZ-f2yWE3sX-s_aem_8wdE3exXVm4d7IoOOVrPig

LEXINGTON — In his first year as head coach, Lexington head coach Brett Mask is taking his squad to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs after a 52-23

10/31/2025

November 4, 2005 - The Bears hosted the Falkville Blue Devils in the first round of the playoffs and claimed a lop-sided 56-20 win. The Bears defense forced six interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. Jimmy Springer opened the scoring with a 64-yard pick-six on the game's opening possession setting the tone for the rest of the contest. The Bears outscored the Blue Devils 28-0 in the second quarter and led 42-6 at halftime. Jeremy Beavers, Drew Williams, Ryan Toner, and Matthew Weigart had rushing touchdowns. Williams added a touchdown pass to Mitch Eubank and a pick-six, and Mitchell Oliver added a pick-six.

Now 10-1 on the season, the Bears would host the Fyffe Red Devils in the second round.

10/31/2025

October 31, 1980 - On Halloween night in Town Creek, the Bears claimed a 13-7 overtime win over the Hazlewood Golden Bears to complete the school's first and, to date, only unbeaten regular season. Johnny Waddell scored from two-yards out on the Bears opening drive. Hazlewood QB Joseph Langham led a game-tying drive midway through the second quarter, but Hazlewood missed a 30-yard go-ahead field goal as the first half ended. Dale West ended Hazlewood's best second-half drive with an interception, and Kerry Goode did the same on Lexington's best drive to force overtime.

Hazlewood's overtime drive started with a penalty and a play for no gain before a Kevin Garner interception ended the drive. Ron Toner then secured the victory with a 10-yard touchdown run on first down.

After a week off, the 9-0 and #2 ranked Bears would host 2A Area 14 champion Tanner in the first round of the state playoffs.