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The best of the best in Alabama High
School Football over the past 100 seasons.
1983 State Championship Final Summaries
1983 was the last year for only four classification. In 1984 the AHSAA would
go to a new six classification format.
1983 was the first year the AHSAA would allow overtime to settle tie games
after regulation.
1983 Class 4A State Championship Game Murphy vs. Austin
Murphy
Site
PF
Opponent
PA
WLT
OT
A
35
Baldwin County
9
W
H
40
McGill-Toolen
6
W
A
32
Blount
0
W
H
38
LeFlore
6
W
N
40
Davidson
0
W
A
39
Shaw
0
W
A
14
Theodore
0
W
H
28
Williamson
7
W
A
14
Fairhope
10
W
H
7
Vigor
0
W
H
29
Fairhope
27
W
OT
1st Rd
A
17
Theodore
6
W
2nd Rd
H
20
Jeff Davis
6
W
Semi
N
7
Austin
0
W
Finals
360
14-0-0
77
Region Record
4-0
Austin
Site
PF
Opponent
PA
WLT
OT
H
33
Cullman
0
W
A
21
Homewood
0
W
H
38
Coffee
0
W
A
20
Hartselle
12
W
H
14
Butler
10
W
H
28
Athens
18
W
A
35
Lee Huntsville
7
W
H
45
Huntsville
0
W
H
31
Mountain Brook
27
W
A
15
Decatur
12
W
A
27
Grissom
0
W
1st Rd
H
39
Hewitt-Trussville
21
W
2nd Rd
A
23
Woodlawn
21
W
Semi
H
0
Murphy
7
L
Finals
369
13-1-0
135
Region Record
4-0
Game Summary
Murphy
7
0
0
0
--
7
Austin
0
0
0
0
--
0
Scoring Summaries:
Murphy: Paul Davenport 27 yard run (PAT) 1:36
Murphy
Austin
First Downs
12
5
Rush/Yards
45-174
35-83
Pass/Yards
46
11
Pass att/com/int
6-3-1
8-1-1
Total Yards
220
94
Fumbles/Lost
9-3
6-2
Punt/Avg.
4-17.3
5-41.6
Penalties
3-15
3-25
Time of Poss.
28:20
19:40
Game MVP:
Records: Murphy (14-0); Austin (13-1)
Coaches: Larry Henderson, Murphy and Tom Calvin, Austin
Game: Played Friday December 2, 1983 at Legion Field, Birmingham
Summary:
The Murphy Panthers became the first Mobile team to win a state championship since the playoffs began in 1966.
The game matched two unbeaten teams and was played in a heavy rainstorm at Legion Field.
Senior fullback Paul Davenport's 27 yard run early in the game
gave Murphy all the points they needed to claim the title.
The
Panther defense would prevent the Black Bears from scoring from
the Murphy 14 and 7 yard lines in the first half and again from
their 36 yard line in the second half. It was the first time two
unbeaten, untied teams had met in a 4A championship game. Austin
came into the game averaging 28 points and 333 yards of total
offense but on this rainy night they would gain only 94 yards.
Tackle Joel Stallings recovered an Austin fumble at midfield
with just over five minutes remaining in the game and Murphy
would retain possession of the football for the rest of the game
and run out the clock for their first state championship.
Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History
In 1970 Monroe Academy won the first championship in the A.I.S.A. by defeating Lowndes Academy 6-0.
