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1971 Florence State Lions football team

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1971 Florence State Lions football
ConferenceGulf South Conference
Record1–10 (0–6 GSC)
Head coach
Home stadiumBraly Municipal Stadium
Seasons
← 1970
1972 →
1971 Gulf South Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Livingston +^ 5 – 1 – 0 11 – 1 – 0
Troy State + 5 – 1 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Jacksonville State 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Tennessee–Martin 3 – 3 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Delta State 2 – 4 – 0 3 – 5 – 1
Florence State 0 – 6 – 0 1 – 10 – 0
Southeastern Louisiana 0 – 6 – 0 0 – 11 – 0
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NAIA Division I playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA Division I poll

The 1971 Florence State Lions football team represented Florence State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 1971 NAIA Division I football season. Led by returning head coach Durell Mock, the Lions compiled an overall record of 1–10 with a mark of 0–6 in conference play, tying for sixth place in the GSC. Florence State played home game at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.

Schedule[edit]

The 1971 schedule for the Lions featured two neutral site games. On October 2, the Lions would face off against the Samford Bulldogs in Russellville, AL at the local stadium. It is reported to be the first ever college football game to ever take place in the town.[1] Florence State would also play its yearly game against Jacksonville State on November 20 at Legion Field in Birmingham. In an effort sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, the two teams would take the field the week before the Iron Bowl, which was played at same stadium.[2]

DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 117:30 p.m.Middle Tennessee*
W 24–146,000–7,000[3]
September 187:30 p.m.at State College of Arkansas*
L 13–141,500[4]
September 257:30 p.m.Delta State
  • Braly Municipal Stadium
  • Florence, AL
L 10–177,500[5]
October 27:30 p.m.vs. Samford*
  • Russellville Stadium
  • Russellville, AL
L 10–178,000
October 92:00 p.m.Arkansas Tech*dagger
  • Braly Municipal Stadium
  • Florence, AL
L 30–317,000[6]
October 167:30 p.m.at Henderson State*
L 7–211,500
October 232:00 p.m.at Troy State
L 14–216,500[7][8][9]
October 307:30 p.m.Livingston
  • Braly Municipal Stadium
  • Florence, AL (rivalry)
L 0-317,000[10]
November 61:30 p.m.at Appalachian State*
L 6–596,000[11]
November 132:00 p.m.at Tennessee–Martin
L 7–206,000[12]
November 208:00 p.m.vs. Jacksonville State
L 7–6012,000[13]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[14][15][16]

Offseason[edit]

Background[edit]

The offseason before the 1971 season was highlighted by conference realignment. On June 28, the members of the existing Mid-South Athletic Conference and two members of the collapsed Gulf States Conference agreed to form a new conference: the Gulf South Conference.[17] This would have minimal impact on Florence State's football schedule as only Southeastern Louisiana joined the Gulf South Conference as a full member including football for the 1971 season.

The offseason was also marred by tragedy. On April 8, the 17-month old son of Lions star tailback Leonard "Rabbit" Thomas died in a house fire. Practices following the incident were cancelled and head coach Durell Mock was seen helping the clean up the damaged home the day following the fire. The Student Government Association also set up a clothes and furniture drive for the family.[18] Thomas would still go on to play in the 1971 season.[15]

Signees[edit]

Name Pos. High school
John Andrews C Columbia Military Academy
Henry Cooper TB Columbia Military Academy
Roger Ferrell QB Decatur High School
Clinton League LB Haleyville High School
Billy Legg TB Athens High School
William Miles QB Columbia Military Academy
Paul Parvin C Lee High School
Wilmer Ray TB Cherokee High School

Source:[15]

Personnel[edit]

Roster[edit]

1971 Florence State Lions Football

Quarterbacks

  • Randy Elmore - Junior (6'1, 185)
  • David Elmore - Freshman (6'1, 185)
  • Billy Miles - Freshman (6'2, 180)
  • Roger Ferrell - Freshman (6'2, 195)

Tailbacks

  • Leonard Thomas - Senior (5'9, 190)
  • Bobby Joe Pride - Senior (5'8, 170)
  • Randy Legg - Freshman (5'10, 170)

Fullbacks

  • Mike Wilburn - Sophomore (5'8, 187)
  • Larry Brom - Sophomore (5'11, 195)
  • Carl Ray - Freshman (5'10, 185)

Flankers

  • Jim Trimble - Junior (6'0, 175)
  • Henry Cooper - Freshman (5'9, 175)

Kickers

  • Conor McGregory Freshman (5'10, 175)


  

Ends

  • Danny Kimble - Sophomore (5'10, 176)
  • Bob Duvall - Sophomore (6'5, 230)
  • Bobby Burcham - Sophomore (6'0, 175)
  • George Tate - Freshman (6'1, 184)

Tackles

  • Wayne Owens - Junior (6'0, 205)
  • Frankie Patterson - Junior (5'10, 215)
  • Tommy Warhurst - Junior (6'0, 215)
  • David Harbin - Freshman (6'0, 245)
  • Mike Nave - Freshman (6'1, 225)
  • David Corl - Freshman (5'10, 220)
  • Dennis Buffaloe - Freshman (6'1, 208)
  • Eddie Hill - Freshman (6'2, 220)

Guards

  • Bill Morton - Sophomore (5'10, 220)
  • Wendell Hathorn - Sophomore (5'11, 225)
  • Richard Jaggers - Sophomore (6'2, 250)
  • Hezzie Morgan - Sophomore (6'0, 194)
  • Steve Borden - Freshman (5'11, 185)
  • Tommy Howell - Freshman (6'0, 220)
  • John Trotter - Freshman (5'10, 210)
  • Randall Marshall - Freshman (6'2, 192)


  

Centers

  • Bill Strain - Freshman (6'2, 220)
  • Paul Parvin - Freshman (6'1, 230)
  • Johnny Andrews - Freshman (6'1, 230)
  • Guy Fry - Freshman (6'2, 190)

Linebackers

  • Leroy Baker - Junior (6'1, 220)
  • William McCormmack - Junior (6'2, 210)
  • Marvin Parks - Sophomore (5'9, 202)
  • Van Barnes - Sophomore (5'8, 195)
  • Bill Hargrove - Freshman (5'11, 185)
  • David Gargis - Freshman (6'2, 185)
  • Clinton League - Freshman (6'2, 190)
  • Doyce Steele - Freshman (6'1, 188)

Defensive backs

  • Palmer Byrd - Senior (6'0, 185)
  • Jim Witt - Freshman (5'11, 160)
  • David Hines - Freshman (5'11, 185)
  • Wayne Oldham - Freshman (5'11, 185)
  • Larry Jefferys - Freshman (5'10, 175)
  • Johnny Montgomery - Freshman (5'8, 160)
  • Randy Johnson - Freshman (5'10, 165)
  • Wayne Bailey - Freshman (6'0, 175)
  • Steve Harrison - Freshman (6'1, 165)
  • Mike Predmore - Freshman (5'9, 165)
Source:[15]

Coaching staff[edit]

Florence State Lions coaches

Head coach

Assistant coaches

  • Henry Pratter - Receiver Coach
  • Larry Marshall - Interior Line Coach
  • William Hamilton - Backfield Coach
  • Jerry Elmore - Backfield Coach
  • Gunam Smith - Defensive Backs Coach
  • Dan Daughtery - Defensive Line Coach
  • Carl McCulley - Backfield Coach
  • Bill Pike - Head Trainer
  • Johnny Long - Assistant Trainer

Source: [15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "FSU, Samford Contest Shifted To Russelville". Times Daily. Florence. August 20, 1971. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  2. ^ Harris, Jack (June 30, 1971). "FSU Will Meet Jacksonville In Legion Field". Times Daily. Florence. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  3. ^ Harris, Jack (September 12, 1971). "FSU Shocks Blue Raiders". Times Daily. Florence. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  4. ^ "Bears Nips Lions In 14-13 Contest". Times Daily. Florence. September 19, 1971. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  5. ^ Harris, Jack (September 26, 1971). "FSU Falls Victim To Late Statesmen Rally". Times Daily. Florence. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  6. ^ "Florence State Falls During Tech Rally". Gadsden Times. Gadsden. October 10, 1971. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  7. ^ "Lions Brace For Gulf South Tilt With Red Wave". Times Daily. Florence. October 21, 1971. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  8. ^ "Troy State Rolls For Fourth Victory". Gadsden Times. Gadsden. October 24, 1971. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  9. ^ "Troy State drops Florence by 21–14". The Selma Times-Journal. October 24, 1971. Retrieved November 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Trimm, Mickey (November 5, 1971). "Title Talk At Livingston U, Too". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  11. ^ Harris, Jack (November 7, 1971). "Appalachian Mauls FSU, 59-6". Times Daily. Florence. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  12. ^ "UTM Tops Florence In Conference Play". Gadsden News. Gadsden. November 14, 1971. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  13. ^ "Jax rolls to 60–7 triumph". Birmingham Post-Herald. November 20, 1971. Retrieved November 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Florence State Final 1971 Cumulative Football Statistics Report". stats.NCAA.org. NCAA. 1971. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e Thomas, Ronnie (1971). "1971 Football Guide" (PDF). RoarLions.com. North Alabama Athletics. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  16. ^ Thomas, Ronnie (1971). "1972 Football Guide" (PDF). RoarLions.com. North Alabama Athletics. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  17. ^ "Colleges To Ratify New Gulf South Conference". Times Daily. Florence. June 29, 1971. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  18. ^ Newman, Mel (April 9, 1971). "Child Is Victim Of Blaze". Times Daily. Florence. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
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