AHS Hall of Fame inductees announced
Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 9, 2011
Andalusia High School and the Quarterback Club will induct four former players and the 1947 football team during its second annual Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony, set for 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 12.
In-ductees include:
Tim Nall
At last year’s AHS Hall of Fame induction ceremony, coach Don Sharpe said Nall “was the best all-around football player I ever coached.”
Nall played for the Bulldogs from 1974-1977 as a starting linebacker. His high school career included two state championships, in 1976 and 1977, and one state runner-up, in 1975. The AHS record for those years was 53-2-1.
Nall was named first team All-State and All-SAC in 1977. He also played in the Alabama High School All-Star game in Tuscaloosa and led both teams in tackles with 13.
Edwin Burnett
Burnett was an outstanding lineman on AHS’s first undefeated team in 1947. He was a four-year letterman and a three-year, two-way starter for the Bulldogs. He was named first team All-State guard in 1947 by the Birmingham News, Montgomery Advertiser and Mobile Press-Register. He received the most votes among linemen on the All-State team. At that time, Alabama had only one classification.
Burnett was recruited by every college in the South, but the legendary coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant, then head coach at the University of Kentucky, signed him. Burnett lettered in both football and track at UK.
Harris Rabren
Rabren was a four-year letterman at AHS. He was named All-Conference in 1973 and 1974; was named first team All State in 1973 and 1974 by the Birmingham News; was named most valuable player in 1974; named Super All State by the Birmingham News and to the Orlando Sentinel’s All Southern team in 1974. He was elected captain of the Alabama High School All-Star game in 1974.
Rabren was recruited by every major college in the country, but signed a scholarship to Auburn, where he was a three-year letterman. As a junior, he led the team in tackles, (110); led the team with the “most big plays” and was named defensive player of the game against Vanderbilt. In 1979, as a senior, he was elected captain by his teammates; was the second leading tackler (70) despite missing three games with a knee injury; and was named defensive player of the game in the Iron Bowl.
Fred M. Crittenden
Crittenden was a five-year letterman and four-year, two-way starter at Andalusia’s Covington County Training/Ralph Bunche high schools (1956-1960). He was named Outstanding All-Purpose Player on Ralph Bunche High School’s undefeated and untied football team (1960). He was recognized by his teammates as the most valuable player in 1959 and 1960. He was the leading rusher and leading scorer in 1959. He was leading rusher, leading scorer and co-captain in 1960.
After graduation in 1961, he joined the U.S. Army where he continued playing football for the Cavaliers in South Korea. He retired as a master sergeant E8 in 1983.
1947 Football team
The 1947 team was Andalusia’s first undefeated and untied team. The team went 10-0 for the season, scoring 290 points and giving up only 13 points. They beat Eufaula (13-0); Hartford (12-0); Georgiana (45-0); Troy (21-7); Greenville (39-0); McKenzie (44-0); Florala (25-0); Enterprise (38-0); Samson (33-0); and Opp (20-6).
William S. Norred was the head coach and H.M. McInnish was the assistant coach. Players included Edwin Burnett (All-State guard; University of Kentucky); Joe Hilson; Charles Little (Auburn University); and Henry Moore. Captains were Fred Lamar Locklier and R.E. Henderson.
The event will be held in the girls’ volleyball gymnasium at Andalusia High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and former Auburn University place kicker John S. Riley will be the keynote speaker.
Tickets are $25, and are available by contacting Ken Raines 334-382-2639 or 334-343-6593; Terri Jones at 208-0643; the Chamber of Commerce at 334-222-2030; or Jeff Hopkins at 334-222-0996.