Tailback Donnie Bratton runs behind blocking from Jerry Anderson and Leon Alexander in a game against Battleground Academy. The Tigers tromped BGA 20-0. (Photo courtesy of Linebaugh Library.)
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Quite possibly the best high school football team ever to play in Murfreesboro will celebrate its 40-year anniversary next month.
Experts that have seen high school football in this area for many years think the 1970 Murfreesboro Central Class AAA state championship team is the measuring stick for football in the city. People will have a chance to look back at this legendary team on July 1 and 2.
For those that were not born at that time, or those that need a refresher course, check out these stats that might back up the claim that the 1970 Central High School Tigers are one of the greatest teams in state history. The Tigers were a perfect 12-0 during a time in which only four teams made the state playoffs. The last three squads they defeated were unbeaten.
Sixteen of the players played major college football, including two teammates who won a couple of national titles as Oklahoma Sooners. An additional member played professional baseball.
“It just happened that they were all there at the same time,” Central head coach during that season, Gene Windham said. “It was a dream team to coach.” He also added he hated to give them up after their high school careers were over.
This was during a time when Central was the only high school football team in the city. The Tigers would play in front of sellout crowds at MTSU’s Jones Field, at that time it sat only 12,000.
“That was the thing to do in the community,” Windham said. “We had great support.” He also said the players were well known around the city and were treated as such. At the same time, many of those same fans would travel to all of the games, regardless of location.
Leo Martin, who played for the Tigers at that time added, “It was pretty special. Friday nights were amazing. That is something you never forget.”
Central dominated its victims by a large margin. The team outscored their opponents, 474 to 66.
It outgained rivals 3,672 yards to 929 yards, and passed for 1,078 yards, while only giving up 481 yards through the air.
The Tigers only trailed once during the season.
During that magical season, Central averaged 393 yards of total offense and 40 points per game.
The defense gave up only an average of 90 yards of total offense and a whopping five points.
“We enjoyed playing football together,” Martin said.
The team was the only one in state history to be named state champions in five different polls in the same year: TSSAA, UPI, AP, Litkenhous and Action Ratings.
Back then most of its opponents treated the Central contest as their game of the season.
That included a heated rivalry with Clarksville, known as the “Apple” game. Each year the loser had to hold on to the fruit on their campus.
This state championship team came at end of a three-year stretch is which the Tigers were a combined 30-3-1, that included a Tobacco Bowl appearance and two state tournament berths.
Joe Rushing, who was a tailback on the team, is trying to get all of the players, coaches and other members of the team for a celebration called, “Remember the Tigers” that will take place Saturday, July 2 at Central Magnet School. It is a part of the 1968-1972 Central High class reunions that includes a celebration on the Square Friday, July 1.
“It’s certainly time to do it,” Rushing said. “So it’s working out.”
Starting at 3 p.m., all of the members of that team will have a chance to share their memories of being a part a state title team. An hour later, it will be the coaches’ turn to revisit the incredible memories and also Rushing has converted the highlight footage from that time period to a DVD format. It will be shown during the ceremony.
Windham said leadership within the players was the main reason they were so dominant.
“The No. 1 reason was the leadership among the players themselves, including the seniors, position players and the wrap-around players ...” Windham said. “They practiced like champions and they played like champions.
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