The Andalusia High School Quarterback Club and Hall of Fame Committee will honor four former players and a championship football team in its fifth annual induction ceremony, set for Fri., Aug. 8.

Ricky Vinson

Vinson starred as a defensive lineman for AHS in 1975, 1976, and 1977. He was named First Team All-State by the Alabama News Journal in 1976 and was named First Team All-State by the Birmingham News and Montgomery Advertiser in 1977. The Montgomery Advertiser named him defensive lineman of the week after Andalusia’s 33-6 win over Ozark in 1976, and recognized him as a member of the defensive team of the week after Andy’s 8-3 win over Enterprise the same year.

Vinson was Andalusia’s Most Valuable Defensive Lineman in 1976 and 1977, and was elected permanent team captin in 1977.

He started 42 games at AHS, and enjoyed a team record of 40-1-1.

1976 Bulldog Team

The 1976 team (13-0-1) won the Class 3A state championship. Alabama had only four classes at the time.

The offense scored 449 total points during the 14-game season, averaging 32.7 points per game.  The defense allowed only 84 points, or an average of 6, during that time period.

The seniors on that team also lay claim to having played on the 1975 state runner-up team and having never lost a regular-season game during their three years at AHS.

Over a three-year period, the seniors on that team recorded 37 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie. They never lost a game in Andalusia Memorial Stadium.

Lamar (Fred) Locklier

Locklier, also known as “Little Lock,” played quarterback for Andalusia in 1945 and 1946, and halfback in 1947. He was co-captain for Andalusia’s 1947 team, which went 10-0. The team was inducted into Andalusia’s HOF in 2011. The 1947 team was AHS’s first undefeated and untied team.

In 1947, Locklier rushed for 487 yards in 77 attempts for a 6.74 yards-per-carry average, edging out 2010 HOF inductee, Charles Little, who had a 427 yards rushing. In 1948, Locklier received a scholarship offer to play football at Florida State, but declined with hopes of playing at the University of Kentucky with his teammate, Edwin Burnett, 2011 HOF inductee.

Kentucky, however, never offered Locklier a scholarship. He joined the Army and served honorably during the Korean Conflict.

He is a lifelong Andalusia resident.

Don Ganus

Ganus, No. 32, was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs, from 1952-1954. He received 13 varsity letters, including three in football, four in baseball, three in basketball and three in track.

Insofar as it can be determined, only two other former Bulldogs, Kyle Gantt and Ashton Wells, have earned 13 letters.

Ganus was a member o the State Class “A” champion track team in 1955, where he was the individual state champion in the discus with a toss of 116 feet, ¾ inch.

In 1954, Ganus was named First Team All-State Halfback by The Montgomery Advertiser and was named Third Team All-State Halfback by The Birmingham Post-Herald. He also was elected Andalusia’s permanent co-captain in 1954 and received the J.J. Motes trophy as the ‘54 season MVP. After the 1954 season, Ganus received numerous scholarship offers to play football, including one from the university of Alabama. However, he elected to sign with the Milwaukee Braves, and played eight years in the Braves’ organization.

Ganus’s unique athleticism was further evidenced by his winning the Andalusia Country Club Golf Championship, right handed, in 1972, and then winning the Greenville Country Club Golf Championship, left handed, in 1995.

Joe Cope

Cope was a four-year started at AHS, from 1998-2001. Beginning his sophomore year, he started every game on both offense and defense. He was named All-County offensive tackle his junior and senior seasons; named AHS’s best offensive lineman, and was elected captain. He never missed a game in four years.

Cope “walked on” at Auburn, where he was a three-year letterman and two-year started at center. He started 23 games at Auburn before tearing his ACL and MCL. He graded 85 percent or higher ever “start” at Auburn.

Cope was named SEC lineman of the week against Georgia in 2005. He received the Eddie Welch Attitude an Effort Award from the coaches after spring training. He was a member of the offensive line that earned the Coaches Offensive Player of the Week honors against Arkansas.

Cope was named to the 2005 Preseason All-SEC team, second team. After graduation, he declined offers to play in the Arena League and NFL Europe.

Doors open at 5:30 and the event begins at 6:15 p.m.
Tickets are available at Harold’s, Advantage Realty and from members of the Quarterback Club.