The last State Title..

Mayfield Pride was everywhere!! The scene was Walker stadium in nearby Pretoria..Pretoria was  hosting the state title game that year, and the Mayfield Wildcats were painting the town Black&Gold. The Wildcats had won a "heart-stopper" a week earlier and now it was time too "finish it." The Wildcats were pretty "banged-up" by the time they got to the state championship, it didn't matter this was Mayfield's year and nothing was going to get in the way of a championship..

"It has been a long year! We have been tested! Look at me! There is no way the Wildcat's are going to lose this bleeping game." Coach Frost was giving his last pep talk before kick-off and the Wildcat's were listening. "Now get in here" Frost yelled.."This is our time..we have come close too many times..We are going to take that state title trophy home..Anyone got anything to say before we break?" Coach Frost quipped.."Coach we are going to FIND!! a way to win, now BREAK!!!!"  G.L. Tanner yelled..

Mayfield High had a bunch of good football players and GL Tanner was at the top of the list. G.L. rushed for nearly 1500 yards in the "bruising" LCL (Linn County League) and was a unanimous first team selection. G.L. Tanner was powerful and elusive when he had a football in his hands, if Mayfield was going to win this game?G.L. and his powerful linemen were going to have to play like they did all year.

I remember that game like it was yesterday, The weather was terrible and whomever could run the ball most effectively was going to win..Mayfield's opponent that year was Linnood.. The game was knotted 0-0 midway through the fourth quarter when GL Tanner and the PIGS (PIGS aka..the Mayfield High offensive line) took over. The Mayfield defense was rock solid that year..They had shut-down Linwood all day long and knew that sooner or later someone would "make a play on offense".

"Come on offense, get that ball in the end zone one-time and the title is ours" Coach Frost was watching his Mayfield Wildcats put on a clinic in the fourth quarter, all the rigors of a long season was coming down to this last drive. The Mayfield strategy for winning this battle was simple..Run..Run..Run.."One more first down" GL told himself as the Mayfield marched into the red zone.."One more time" GL would say as he was following the blocks of his PIGS.."State title how bad do you want this" GL was trying to pump-up his team mates and it was working..I still remember the exact play that sealed a state title for the Wildcats

GL broke off tackle from the 4 yard line. He ran straight into Linwood's linebacker and wrestled free..GL was at the two yard line when another guy hit him, as he was staggering forward he leaped over a third defender and "out-stretched" the football into the end zone. It was Mayfield's day and nothing was going to get in the way. One of my favorite photo's? The pool hall in Mayfield sports a "blown-up" and framed picture of GL stretching across the goal line and sealing the title for the Wildcats..Great picture.. :)

Go Bulldogs..Woof..Woof..Woof...