Buccaneer Football History
By Wayne Wood
"I want to see our tradition continue at this new high school we're moving into" said Coach Bob Finley as we discussed the upcoming changes of moving into the new facility at Hoover High School. It was the last week of June in 1994 and the old Berry High School was transforming and transferring into a bigger and newer complex. Coach Finley was in the midst of moving into his new office and he was emotionally torn between his love, loyalty and memories for the old place and the anticipation of a new one. He was very emphatic that the old orange and black Buccaneer tradition he helped build continue and planned to see it through.
Bob Finley came to Berry in 1964 as an assistant football coach and head coach for basketball. At the time, Larry Wilson was the head football coach who, with the help of Bud Bishop and Jimmy Johnson, began the program in 1962. The Bucs started out with a, squad of sophomores and freshmen that first year. Wilson had winning seasons his 4 years through 1965 and had a 26-11-1 record. Wayne Sims took over in 1966 and 1967 but had losing records. Finley took over in 1968.
Finley and his assistants Joe Perkins, Gerald Gann, Wayne Sheets and Wayne Williams instilled a very tough work ethic and a 9-2 record was the result. The next season of 1969 was even better at 11-1 with the Bucs only loss to Montgomery-Lee in the state title game. The following teams of 1970-1976 all had winning records accumulating a total record of 46-21-3.
In 1977, the Bucs went 13-1 and won their first state title. In 1978, they went unbeaten until the 2nd round of the playoffs. After two average years, 1981 was another unbeaten season until losing in the 1st round of the playoffs. In 1982, the Bucs started the year slowly but got things rolling and played in the state title game and a 10-10 tie vs. Enterprise (there were no tie breakers that year).
The Bucs had some up and down seasons from 1983-1987 but after another slow start in 1988 managed to get things rolling again into the state title game where they lost big to a very talented Vigor team. The rest of Finley's career from 1989-1993 was a respectable 40-19. His overall record from 1968-1993 was 198 wins, 92 losses, and 5 ties. Sadly, on July 31, as he was working on the field bearing his name, he died all the while preparing to start the year at the new Hoover school.
Since 1988, the Bucs had played many of their home games at the Hoover Met (now Regions Park). With the high school nearer the Barons stadium, the Bucs soon claimed the place as their home field as well. Mike Thorsen took over as interim for the 1994 season and produced a 4-5 record. Gerald Gann took over in 1995 and had a fine 11-2 record but the following seasons of 1996-98 were losing years. In 1999, Gann was replaced by Rush Propst who produced a remarkable record through 2007 with 5 state titles in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, & 2005 and two second place spots in 2001 & 2006. Propst was replaced by Josh Niblett.
There might be a significant historical comparison for the years of 1968 and 2008. Both Bob Finley and Josh Niblett became Buccaneer head coaches exactly 40 years apart. Their moral traits, character, dedication and work ethic are very similar. It is expected that Coach Niblett will carry on the Buc tradition of winning with class and character. GO BUCS!
Stan White remembers his days as a Buc QB
Former Buc Player Steve Shaw-Current Top Football Official
The First Football Games at the Met (Regions Park)
© 2008 Hoover Football
