Coffee began the season ranked number eight in the first poll by the Associated Press released on September 17, 1964. They quickly rose to the fourth spot in the second poll and hung around there until the 9th week where they had risen to the third spot behind Sidney Lanier and Tuscaloosa. Sidney Lanier lost to Lee Montgomery on the final weekend to leave Tuscaloosa and Coffee in a virtual tie for the championship. Tuscaloosa finished 9-1 and Coffee completed the season a perfect 10-0. In the final Birmingham Post-Herald poll the Black Bears from Tuscaloosa squeaked out the number one spot even though they had lost a game to Sidney Lanier earlier in the season. Not to be denied the Associated Press, which was the forerunner to the current Alabama Sportswriters Association, voted the Yellow Jackets number one and they had their first state title in school history. The Yellow Jackets finished 10-0 for their first undefeated season since 1937. They were loaded with star players scattered throughout the lineup. Led by co-captains Hugh Rice and Joe Hollis they picked up steam as the season went along after several close games early on. The biggest win came in the second game when they face a good Woodlawn team at home. Coffee trailed 6-3 late in the second quarter and had done little of offense. Billy Hunt, who starred at halfback, raced 90 yards with a kickoff to give the Yellow Jackets the lead they would never relinquish. They hung on for the 9-6 victory and managed a 7-0 win over Russellville the following week and with the offense coming together they were able to complete the season unblemished. Two of their opponents, Woodlawn and Walker, were ranked at season end. Coffee had actually led in the polls during the 1959 and 1960 seasons but stumbled along the way each year. They won the always tough Tennessee Valley Conference championship in 1959, 1960 and again in 1964. Joe Grant coached the Yellow Jackets to the title in 1964. He arrived at Coffee in 1958 and would remain through the 1969 season winding up with a 84-38-6 record.
|