On Aug. 15, the 1965 Andalusia High School football team will be forever etched in the Andalusia history books as they are inducted into the AHS football Hall of Fame’s 2015 class.

 

That season, the Bulldogs went into the season with very little expectations, but went on to a 9-1 record and spent several weeks as the state’s No. 1 4A team.

 

In those days, 4A was the highest classification in the state, and it was the year before a playoff system was implemented.

 

The 1965 team didn’t have a coach until June, when Doug Barfield came from UMS-Wright.

 

Then the state champion was determined by who ended the season as the state’s No. 1 team.

 

“Our only loss that year was to Enterprise,” team captain David Moore said. “Before that game we had spent four or five weeks as the No. 1 team, but we just couldn’t work our way back up the poll. I think we finished the year at No. 6.”

 

The Bulldogs started off the season with a 32-7 victory over Ozark, and during that same week A.G. Parrish of Selma defeated defending 4A state champions Lanier. The next week Andalusia traveled to Selma and defeated A.G. Parrish 13-7.

 

“After the week, we started thinking that we just might be a pretty good team,” Moore said.

 

During the 1965 season, the Bulldogs only gave up more than seven points just twice. Once in the 27-13 loss to Enterprise and the other was in a 42-20 win over Elba.

 

Moore said the toughest ball game the team played that year was against Florala.

 

“They were a tough group of hard-nosed players that came into the game with an upset on their mind,” Moore said of Florala.

 

That 1965 team had several players that went on to play college football as Larry Moulton went to Auburn, Terry Dubose went to Alabama, Mike Ray went to Samford, Ricky Kale went to Memphis State and Moore went to Marion Institute.

 

They also have several members that have already been inducted into the Andalusia football Hall of Fame.

 

When the group is inducted into the HOF on Aug. 15, it will be 50 years to the day that they meet up for their first practice of the 1965 season.

 

Moore said that at least 21 of the former players will be present for the banquet, that two of the three coaches will also be in attendance.