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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: 5A-R3

Select Year:

1922 <-- 1999 <- 2000 -> 2001 --> 2024

2000 Season Highlights

Phil Lazenby enters his 4th season as Head Coach at Benjamin Russell.

First 13 win season.

The Wildcats move from Class 6A and into Region 3.

The Wildcats won the Class 5A Region 3 Championship.

2000 Season

Date	Opponent	Score
Fri., Sep. 1	vs. Homewood	25	18	W
Fri., Sep. 8	@ Russell County *	43	13	W
Fri., Sep. 15	vs. Valley *	45	0	W
Fri., Sep. 22	vs. Auburn	20	0	W
Fri., Sep. 29	@ Pine Forest FL	0	26	L
Fri., Oct. 6	@ Stanhope Elmore *	6	0	W
Fri., Oct. 13	vs. B.T. Washington *	35	6	W
Fri., Oct. 20	@ Wetumpka *	16	0	W
Fri., Oct. 27	vs. Eufaula *	28	7	W
Fri., Nov. 3	@ Opelika	3	0	W
Playoffs
Fri., Nov. 10	vs. Carroll	38	0	W		1st Round Playoffs
Fri., Nov. 17	vs. Citronelle	33	7	W		2nd Round Playoffs
Fri., Nov. 24	@ McAdory	17	6	W		3rd Round Playoffs
Fri., Dec. 1	vs. Williamson	18	15	W		Semi-finals Playoffs
Fri., Dec. 8	Homewood	34	41	L (5OT)	Legion Field	Championship Game

2000 Season Totals
Record	13-2
Points Scored	361
Scoring Average	24.1
Points Allowed	139
Defense Average	9.3
Opponents Record	99-65
Region Record	6-0
Home Record	8-0
Away Record	5-1

2000 Class 5A Rankings
Date	Week	Rank	Record	Votes	Source
8/20/2000	PS	6			ASWA
9/6/2000	1	5	(1-0)		ASWA
9/13/2000	2	5	(2-0)		ASWA
9/27/2000	4	5	(4-0)		ASWA
10/4/2000	5	8	(4-1)		ASWA
10/11/2000	6	5	(5-1)		ASWA
10/18/2000	7	5	(6-1)		ASWA
10/25/2000	8	4	(7-1)		ASWA
11/1/2000	9	4	(8-1)		ASWA
11/8/2000	Final	3	(9-1)		ASWA

2000 Class 5A Region 3 Standings
	Regular Season			Playoffs			Region/Area Record
Team	W/L/T	PF	PA	W/L/T	PF	PA	W/L/T	PF	PA	Coach
Benjamin Russell	13-2	361	139	4-1	140	69	6-0	173	26	Phil Lazenby
Stanhope Elmore	8-4	309	152	1-1	41	21	4-2	141	63	Jeff Foshee
Eufaula	5-5	186	182	0-1	20	28	4-2	104	62	Shayne Wasden
Wetumpka	7-4	213	151	0-1	15	28	4-2	126	75	John Maddaloni
B.T. Washington	2-7	126	252				2-4	108	167	Edward Patrick
Valley	3-7	136	195				1-5	54	140	Danny Walker
Russell County	0-10	71	434				0-6	46	219	Vantriese Davis

2000 Player Awards
Player	Position	Class	Ht.	Wt.	Award	Team	Source
Justin Buchanan	DL	Sr.	5-11	265	AL-MS Game
Matt McBurney	DL	Sr.	6-0	250	Super All-State		Bham News
Matthew McBurney	DL	Sr.	6-1	250	All-Star Game
Richard Rhodes	P	Sr.	6-1	190	AL-MS Game
Richard Rhodes	P	Sr.	6-1	190	Super All-State		Bham News
Thomas Kelley	OL	Sr.	6-0	290	All-Star Game

2000 All State Players
Player	Position	Class	Ht.	Wt.	Team	Source
Brent Dye	PK	Jr.			HM	BN
Brent Dye	PK	Jr.			HM	ASWA
Matt McBurney	DL	Sr.	6-0	250	1st	ASWA
Matt McBurney	DL	Sr.	6-0	250	1st	BN
Richard Rhodes	P	Sr.	6-1	190	1st	ASWA
Richie Rhodes	P	Sr.	6-1	190	1st	BN
Shundell Russaw	LB	Jr.			HM	ASWA
Shundell Russaw	LB	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.
Join us in the forums to submit corrections and new information.

Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History

Morris Higginbotham coached three different teams to divisional state championships in the 1950s. He won titles at Walnut Grove in 1952, West Blocton in 1955 and Enterprise in 1960.