Love Laurel Hill. Great basketball in that neck of the woods. Malone, Grand Ridge, Ponce de Leon, Sneads, Cottondale and Graceville. If I remember correctly Laurel Hill had a fantastic women’s volleyball program in the 80s. Good stuff. “Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”
Grew up on a Farm and Ranch about 5 miles from Laurel Hill at the intersection of 393 and County Rd 2. I well remember when Grover Hicks coached the 1975 Hobo's to a 1A state championship against Frostproof. The 76 team 28-4 (one of the best ever at Laurel Hill) lost to Malone in the Regional Finals so didn't repeat. Malone was a powerhouse, they won a ton of state titles. Your right, some good competition in the area: among other small schools you did not mention: Paxton, Bethlehem, Baker, Freeport, Century, Jay, Chumcukla, Pleasant Home, Munson among others. I played at Crestview my Sr. year (1977) that was 3A, at 5'-8" with small hands, I was relegated to the bench......lol Small school basketball was important in those communities with the smaller schools, especially those that did not field football teams. Every time I watch Hoosiers, I think back to my experience at Laurel Hill. Treasured memories.
my grannies basketball team won the state tile in Alabama and it must've been the 40s, her and three of her sisters started on the team, and her youngest sister was still in junior high school
#66 Robin Fisher NG (1978-81) At barely over 200 pounds Fisher was too small to play nose tackle in the rugged SEC. But don’t tell him (or his opponents) that. He overcame his lack of size with great quickness and effort and was one of Florida's best defensive players in the 1980s. Fisher, from Satellite Beach, started for most of his career from 1978-81 and used his quickness and surprising strength (he could bench 505 pounds) to amass 21 sacks (tied for eighth in school history) and 41 tackles for loss (13th). He also is eighth in school history in tackles with 348. Other notables: DT Keith Williams, DT Scott Hutchinson, NG David Hitchcock, DL Larry Beckman.
Hey Player, how about a spot for one of my all time favorites. Fernando Jackson. Fernando was not exactly big either but he was a tackling machine! Guy racked up impressive numbers.
No a 5' - 11" 215 lb middle linebacker that went toe to toe with Herschal Walker. 1980 - 1982 One of the top tacklers on the Gator defense. Sadly passed of a heart attack at only 34 years old.
#65 Jawaan Taylor OT (2016-18) Taylor was an unheralded recruit from Cocoa High who basically was a starter at right tackle from the moment he stepped on campus. Originally committed to Miami, he switched his commitment to Florida. He was a freshman All-America selection in 2017. He turned pro after his junior season and was a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. #65 Jimmy Ray Stephens DE, C, LB, TE (1972-76) In 1973, Stephens was second-team All-SEC at center. He was again second-team All-SEC three seasons later at tight end. In the 1990s, Stephens joined Florida's staff as an offensive line assistant and helped us win our first Natty. Other notables: OL Dan Plonk, OL Gary Lenard, DL Robbie Rebol.
#64 Walter Mayberry QB (1934-37) Walter “Tiger” Mayberry was a quarterback and a halfback for the University of Florida football team. He became the Gators’ first ever All-SEC player in 1937. Walter was also widely recognized for his punting ability. Mayberry was the 8th pick in the first round of the 1937 NFL draft. During World War II, he became a Marine fighter pilot. His plane was shot down and he was captured. Mayberry died in a Japanese POW camp in 1943 during an Allied air raid on Rabaul. He was one of seven former Gator football players who lost their lives in the war. #64 Burton Lawless OL (1972-74) Lawless was a high school tight end at Punta Gorda Charlotte who was converted to guard during his freshman season. He became a three-year starter at guard. He earned All-American honors as a senior in 1974, when the Gators averaged 271.8 rushing yards per game. UF asked its guards to pull a lot, and Lawless’ athleticism (he also starred in basketball in high school) served him well.
#63 Mike Williams OT (1973-75) Williams was one of the best players in the state as a high school senior at Orlando Jones in 1971 and ended up being a three-year starter for the Gators. UF ran the Wishbone in those years, and Williams helped pave the way for three of the most prolific rushing attacks in school history. He was a first-team All-SEC pick and an honorable mention All-American as a senior in 1975. Other notables: DL Jack Thomson, OL Jim Tartt, OL Tracy Daniels.
#62 Mac Steen OL (1967-69) In 1969, the “Super Sophs” were guided by a strong senior class that included Steen, who was a steading influence on the offensive line, and one of the reasons Reaves-to-Alvarez became such a big hit that season. Steen, from Melbourne High, started for three seasons with the Gators; he played guard in 1967 and ’68, then moved to tackle as a senior. He was a team captain as a senior, when he was a first-team All-SEC pick. He also was an academic All-American, and became an orthodontist. Coach Ray Graves rated Steen as the Gators best right tackle of the 1960's. Other notables: DE Alonzo Mitz, OG Corey Yarbrough, OT Dean Golden.
This stuff makes me feel old, which I am. I see a name and immediately think "oh yes, he played 25 years ago"....but it was 40 or 50! Ouch. Robin Fisher. Was at a bar in New Orleans and he and another guy come in. We are all going to UF-Lsu game in Red Stick. When the other guys says, my friend here played for UF and so did I. So I'm asked to guess who they are. I say give me a first name. Naturally, Robin on a black guy can only be Robin Fisher, so I say, #99, NT, Robin Fisher! We can a great time going thru games.