While understanding it will take his players some time to fully understand and appreciate just what was accomplished this fall on the football field, Apalachee High School coach Shane Davis already knows.
It doesn’t take the coach, who recently completed his fifth season with the Wildcats, long to admire exactly what his team accomplished in 2009 and how many school records were set.
For Davis, he can look at the following list of accomplishments in 2009:
•first football region title;
•first undefeated regular season in school history;
•first time hosting state playoff games (hosted three in 2009);
•highest ranking ever in Class AAAA (or any classification);
•first time undefeated in region play;
•defeated two teams which would eventually reach the state semifinals;
•defeated one team which reached the state championship game;
“It’s something when you really think about all this team accomplished,” Davis said recently. “This group of seniors has really set a high standard for future teams to meet. It will take a great deal of hard work to top what these players have done.”
Several individal records were also set in 2009. Senior Jon Lee scored 144 points, the most for a season. He finished with 17 touchdowns as a senior and 40 for his Wildcat career.
Lee also compiled the most rushing yards in a season (1,470) and finished with more than 3,500 for his AHS carrer.
In addition, John Ansley set a record with six scoring receptions this past season.
As a team, the offense combined for 3,652 yards on theg round (6.36 yards per carry) and had 4,396 total yards.
AHS scored 361 points in 2009, also a school record, averaging 27.7 a game.
The team set a school record with 56 points in a single game and rushed for 588 yards in one contest.
Defensively, Jeff Haney set a record with 147 total tackles.
While a large group of seniors will graduate this spring, Davis and his coaching staff are looking forward to the challenge of continuing the winning tradition of the program. AHS has now made the postseason four consecutive seasons.
Plans are being made for the football awards banquet to honor the history making season. Davis said the banquet will likely be held in January.
Offseason weight training and conditioning will continue until the start of spring practice.
