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AHSFHS Article Series


   The best of the best in Alabama High   
  School Football over the past 100 seasons.





Benjamin Russell Football Team History


Benjamin Russell Wildcats
Benjamin Russell High School

225 Heard Blvd. Alexander City, AL 35010
Stadium: Martin-Savarese Stadium
Colors: Maroon & White
Coach: Phil Lazenby
Region: 6A-R7
Other Sports

 

Team Home Summary Coaches Games by Year Opponents Players Rankings NFL Playoffs OT

Select Year:    
1922  <-- 1996 <- 1997 -> 1998 --> 2024
1997 Season Highlights
 Phil Lazenby enters his 1st season as Head Coach at Benjamin Russell.
 First 12 win season.
 The Wildcats finished 2nd in Region 7.
 
1997 Season
 Date   Opponent  Score   
 Fri., Sep. 5  @ Woodlawn    31   7   W       
 Fri., Sep. 12  @ Hoover    0   14   L       
 Fri., Sep. 19  @ Fairfield    44   8   W       
 Fri., Sep. 26  vs. Talladega    49   6   W       
 Fri., Oct. 3  @ Ensley    27   0   W       
 Fri., Oct. 10  @ Selma    37   14   W       
 Fri., Oct. 17  @ Wetumpka    44   6   W       
 Fri., Oct. 24  vs. Opelika   *  23   15   W       
 Fri., Oct. 31  @ Auburn   *  31   0   W       
 Fri., Nov. 7  @ Central Phenix City   *  0   23   L       
 Playoffs 
 Fri., Nov. 14  @ Murphy    17   14   W (OT)      1st Round Playoffs 
 Fri., Nov. 21  vs. Prattville    18   14   W       2nd Round Playoffs 
 Fri., Nov. 28  @ Jeff Davis    17   14   W       3rd Round Playoffs 
 Fri., Dec. 5  vs. Vestavia Hills    45   42   W (3OT)      Semi-finals Playoffs 
 Thu., Dec. 11   Tuscaloosa County    14   28   L    Legion Field   Championship Game 
 
1997 Season Totals
  Record12-3
  Points Scored397
  Scoring Average26.5
  Points Allowed205
  Defense Average13.7
  Opponents Record84-84
  Region Record2-1
  Home Record4-0
  Away Record8-2
1997 Class 6A Rankings
 Date   Week   Rank   Record   Votes   Source 
8/31/1997PS 9(10-2)27 ASWA
9/11/19971 8(1-0) ASWA
10/30/19978 9(7-1) ASWA
11/6/19979 7(8-1) ASWA
  
1997 Class 6A Region 7 Standings
  Regular Season   Playoffs   Region/Area Record 
 Team  W/L/T  PF   PA  W/L/T PF   PA  W/L/T  PF  PA   Coach 
Central Phenix City 10-22861082-146313-07215  Wayne Trawick
Benjamin Russell 12-33972054-11111122-15438  Phil Lazenby
Opelika 8-22781061-25237  Spence McCracken
Auburn 1-91272690-334102  Bill McCall

1997 Player Awards
 Player   Position   Class   Ht.   Wt.   Award   Team   Source 
 Jason Welch OL Sr. 5-11250 All-Star Game  

1997 All State Players
 Player   Position   Class   Ht.   Wt.   Team   Source 
 Craig LeeDB Sr.5-11160 1st  BN
 Jerome GambleDL Sr. HM  BN
 Jerome GambleDL Sr. HM  ASWA
 Jerome GambleDL Sr. HM  ASWA
 Patrick PearsonLB Sr. HM  ASWA
 Patrick PearsonLB Sr. HM  ASWA
 Patrick PearsonLB Sr. HM  BN
 Phil LazenbyCoach 1st  ASWA
 Roderick SpiveyRB Jr. HM  ASWA
 Roderick SpiveyRB Jr. HM  ASWA
 Roderick SpiveyRB Jr. HM  BN



Some records may be incomplete. We have chosen to publish this information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting us to complete every school.
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Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History

Spence McCracken won a record 21 Area/Region Championships at Montgomery Academy, Lee Montgomery and Opelika during his coaching career.