The Andalusia High School Football Hall of Fame has inducted five new members on Friday September. 29 just after the parade to celebrate homecoming, which included Lucky Cope, Tracy Davis, Michael Jackson, Lex Short and Marlon Thomas.

The Football Hall of Fame began in the year 2010, and last Friday was the 11th class of new inductees. The HOF now has 51 members in the HOF and seven teams in the Hall of Fame.

The LUCKY COPE

Lucky Cope was both an excellent fullback on offense as well as a linebacker on defense between 1971 and 1973. He was a four-year player on the defensive side at Auburn University, and after leaving the insurance business by 2022, he took on the role of the coach of strength and conditioning of the Bulldogs. In the first year of his position, AHS won the state 4A championship. He is the founder of the Andalusia Football Foundation.

TRACY DAVIS

Tracy Davis was a two-year participant (1973 as well as 1974) at safety for AHS football teams who never suffered an out of season loss and compiled a 21-1-1 record which included the State Runner-up team of 1973. The year 1974 was the time that Davis received the honor of being named to first Team All-State in The Montgomery Advertiser, named All-South Alabama Conference Defensive Back, and named the AHS’s best defensive back. Davis was also an outstanding basketball star at AHS.

MICHAEL JACKSON

Michael Jackson was a four-year athlete on his school’s AHS football team between 1987 until 1990. He was on both defensive and offensive lines in the years 1990 and 1990. He was also a part of the weightlifting squad and had many wins for bench press as well as deadlift. In his senior year, the athlete was heavily sought after from the universities of Alabama and Auburn and various other Power Five universities. However, a road accident ended his career as a player. After 1996 Michael began working with the newly formed Andalusia Youth Football League in the capacity of a trainer and is currently in his 27th season with the league.

LEX SHORT

Lex Short was a three-year player at quarterback between 1976 1977, 1978 and 1976. The Bulldogs recorded an average record 35-1-1. The team and won their State Championships in 1976 and in 1977, and established the state record with 58 consecutive regular season games with no loss. The year 1977 was the time he backed his Bulldogs to a flawless season of 14-0, and also the State Championship. As a quarterback, he was able to throw for greater than 1600 yards, 16 touchdowns, and winning 21 consecutive games, and was 4-1 during playoff matches. He is still a supporter of AHS football and is an early part of the Andalusia Football Foundation.

The name of the person is MARLON THOMAS.

Marlon Thomas, a 3-year player at both defensive and offensive tackle. He was named All State tackle for the Andalusia Bulldogs in the 1957-58 season. Thomas was named the andalusia’s Most Valuable Player that year and was a participant at the State All-Star Game. Thomas was also responsible for kickoffs for the Bulldogs and was the captain of the team in throughout his final year. Thomas as well as his co-captain Ashton Wells, earned football scholarships to the University of Alabama. Thomas was also a scholar star at AHS. Unfortunately, Marlon died in an accident in the 70s His daughters, Lisa Thomas Maultsby, was present to receive the award.

Andalusia High School Football Hall of Fame Committee members choose honorees every year. The members comprise Lucky Cope, Robert Cremer, John Jones, David Moore, Joe Nix, Larry Brown, Will Sconiers, Lex Short, Jimmy Wilson, Jackie Woods Jr., Kyle Gantt, Trent Taylor, and Ray Wilson.

HOF Committee member John Jones did the welcome and the Mayor Earl Johnson was the guest speaker as was The judge Ben Bowden introduced the honorees.

The article AHS Football Hall of Fame has inducted five new members for the 2023 class was originally published at The Andalusia Star-News.