VH1's "I Love the 80s" featured talking heads waxing nostalgic about their favorite memories from their favorite decade. We decided to put a high school football spin on the idea.
On the prep gridiron, the 1980s featured outstanding teams from Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Valdosta (Ga.), as well as some of the game's greatest players in Emmitt Smith, Cris Carter, Rod Woodson and Junior Seau.
We break down the best of the decade below.
The tradition is still strong at Valdosta, where Nick Hyder led the Wildcats to 125 wins during the 1980s.
Photo by Tracey Long
Offense
WR — Hart Lee Dykes,
Bay City (Texas), 1984
WR — Andre Hastings,
Morrow (Ga.), 1989
TE — Derek Brown,
Merritt Island (Fla.), 1987
OL — Bill Fralic,
Penn Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.), 1980
OL — Bob Whitfield,
Banning (Wilmington, Calif.), 1988
OL — David Richards,
Highland Park (Dallas), 1983
OL — Mark Stepnoski,
Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.), 1984
OL — Aaron Taylor,
De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 1989
QB — Jeff George,
Warren Central (Indianapolis), 1985
QB — Todd Marinovich,
Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo, Calif.), 1987
RB — Terry Kirby,
Tabb (Yorktown, Va.), 1988
RB — Marcus Dupree,
Philadelphia (Miss.), 1981
RB — Emmitt Smith,
Escambia (Pensacola, Fla.), 1986
K — Phillip Doyle,
Huffman (Birmingham, Ala.), 1986
Defense
DL — Jerome Brown,
Hernando (Brooksville, Fla.), 1982
DL — Alonzo Spellman,
Rancocas Valley (Mt. Holly, N.J.), 1988
DL — Marc Spindler,
West Scranton (Scranton, Pa.), 1986
DL — Sean Gilbert,
Aliquippa (Pa.), 1988
LB — Chris Spielman,
Washington (Massillon, Ohio), 1983
LB — Junior Seau,
Oceanside (Calif.), 1986
LB — Marvin Jones,
Northwestern (Miami), 1989
LB — Jessie Armstead,
Carter (Dallas), 1988
DB — Rod Woodson,
Fort Wayne Snider (Ind.), 1982
DB — Mark Carrier,
Long Beach Poly (Calif.), 1985
DB — Patrick Bates,
Ball (Galveston, Texas), 1988
DB — Corey Sawyer,
Key West (Fla.), 1989
P — Tom Tupa,
Brecksville-Broadview Heights (Ohio), 1983
Winningest programs
Permian (Odessa, Texas), 122-11
Winningest coach
Nick Hyder, Valdosta (Ga.) 125-10
Leading rushers
8,411 — Robert Strait,
Cuero (Texas), 1985-88
7,761 — Carlos Snow, Cincinnati Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio), 1983-86
7,439 — Terry Kirby,
Tabb (Yorktown, Va.), 1985-88
7,355 — Marcus Dupree,
Philadelphia (Miss.), 1978-81
7,342 — Eddie Dixon,
Emanuel County Institute (Twin City, Ga.), 1980-83
7,258 — Robbie Allen,
Butler (Mo.), 1986-89
7,079 — Jerry Marks,
Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.), 1984-87
Leading Passers
9,182 — Todd Marinovich,
Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo, Calif.), 1984-86
9,056 — Ben Gardow,
McDonell Central (Chippewa Falls, Wis.), 1986-89
8,533 — Chris Meidt,
Minneota (Minneota, Minn.), 1984-87
8,326 — John White,
Metairie Park Country Day (Metairie, La.), 1982-84
8,204 — Steve Clements,
Huntsville (Texas), 1986-89
8,126 — Jeff George,
Warren Central (Indianapolis), 1983-85
8,005 — Ty Detmer,
Southwest (San Antonio), 1983-86
7,768 — Sol Graves,
Ouachita Christian (Monroe, La.), 1983-85
7,631 — Barry Helton,
Simla (Colo.), 1979-82
Leading scorers
841 — Robert Strait, Cuero, 1985-88
648 — Carlos Snow, Cincinnati Academy, 1983-86
645 — Setrick Dickens,
Quanah (Texas), 1985-88
636 — Emmitt Smith, Escambia, 1983-86
618 — Terry Kirby, Tabb, 1985-88
606 — Willie McClendon,
University Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.), 1985-87
594 — Willie Mack Garza,
Refugio (Texas), 1984-87
588 — Brian Preston,
West Marshall (State Center, Iowa), 1986-89
587 — Burt Austin,
Franklin Central (Indianapolis, Ind.), 1980-82
Greatest game
Both St. Paul and Bishop Amat entered the Angelus League final game with 9-0 records and it took four overtimes to determine St. Paul as the winner. Alex Espinoza connected with Xavier Espino for the winning touchdown in the fourth overtime. Bishop Amat had a chance to tie, but Jose Pina intercepted a pass on the Lancers' possession to end the game.
Top 10 teams
2.
East St. Louis (Ill.), 1985, 14-0
3. Archbishop Moeller, 1982, 13-0
4.
Berwick (Pa.), 1983, 13-0
5. Valdosta (Ga.), 1986, 15-0
6. Permian (Odessa, Texas), 1989, 16-0
7. Valdosta, 1984, 15-0
8.
St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 1989, 13-0
9.
North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.), 1987, 13-0
10.
Warner Robins (Ga.), 1981, 15-0
Comments or questions? Contact Kevin Askeland at kevinaskeland65@gmail.com.
