Yesteryear 1974 Marianna Bulldogs

This week’s Yesteryear is a photo of the 1974 Marianna Bulldogs lineman. The front row is the starting offensive line and they are from left to right: Wiley Barnes, Larry Barrentine, Kenny Hamm, Frank Bondurant and Richard Spink. The back row is of two defensive lineman and an assistant coach. They are Leon Kelly, Tee Jackson and Lemuel Granberry.

The 1974 Bulldogs (graduating class of 1975) were under the direction of Head Coach Ron Clark. They finished the season with a record of 6-3-1 and were members of the West Coast Conference. They had wins against Walton, Abbyville, Crestview, Gulf Breeze, Monticello and Port St. Joe. Their losses came to Thomasville, Rickards and Chipley. Their tie came against Mosley. Bulldogs selected to the All West Coast Conference team included: Granberry, Bondurant, Spink, Barnes, Ronnie Myrick and Kirk Hartwell. Barnes was the leading tackler on the team and was selected as a First Team All American.

Wiley Barnes – lives in Marianna and is a teacher at the Adult Education program; he went to the University of Alabama on a football scholarship and played for Paul “Bear” Bryant. He returned to Marianna after graduation and served as a long time assistant football coach for the Bulldogs. In 1987 he also served as the Interim Head Coach for one game.

Larry Barrentine – passed away in 2008; at the time of his death he was working as a brick mason and living in Greenhead; after high school Larry played baseball at Lurleen B. Wallace College;

Kenny Hamm – lives in Marianna; after attending and graduating from FSU in 1980 he has spent 30 years working in the fire sprinkler business; he is currently a general manager with Century Fire Protection.

Frank Bondurant – lives in Marianna and is an attorney; his son Rob was a two year starter for the Bulldogs.

Richard Spink – lives in Jacksonville and is an executive Vice President with Georgian Bank; graduated from West Florida and got his masters from Southern Miss.

Leon Kelly – lives in Marianna; retired from the army after 23 years; currently a member of the “Buffalo Soldiers”, a civic organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers Calvary Units of the U. S. military.

Tee Jackson – Came to Marianna with Head Coach Ron Clark and left when Clark left Marianna, returning to the state of Tennessee. While coaching for the Bulldogs Jackson organized the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club at Marianna High School; his current whereabouts are unknown – if any of our readers know where he is please let us know.

Lemuel Granberry – passed away about five years ago; after high school he went into the military and then went to work for the postal service; he was living in Washington State at the time of his death.



Thanks to Betty Crawford for supplying this Yesteryear photo and remember to send or drop off any pictures of your favorite sports memories to the Jackson County Times.

E-mail: clintcox@jacksoncountytimes.net

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Office: 2866 Madison St. Marianna, Fl. 32448