DeKalb County’s winningest coach, William "Buck" Godfrey’s legacy was landmarked Saturday night as 8,500-seat Panthersville Stadium was officially renamed William “Buck” Godfrey Stadium.
Credit: Craig Sager
Credit: Craig Sager
Godfrey recorded a 273-89 record while coaching the Southwest DeKalb Panthers for 30 years, built a program that reshaped the athletic hierarchy in the state of Georgia. After starting his tenure with a small staff of just three coaches, Godfrey turned Southwest DeKalb into a factory for collegiate and professional talent that grew a strong community of support and transcended the gridiron into the classroom.
“I had to teach five classes of English before I came out to practice every day," reflected Godfrey." For the players that listened and let me coach and teach them, I thank you. The academics were so important to me. It’s [success is] all about critical thinking, critical writing and reading things. Those things will permeate throughout all aspects of your life.”
The hundreds in attendance for Saturday's pre-game celebration shared stories and honored a man who has already been a symbol within the community with the perfect structure to embody a legacy that strives for continued growth on and off the field.
Credit: Craig Sager
Credit: Craig Sager
Over 270 of Godfrey’s former Southwest DeKalb players received college athletic scholarships and 200 of them earned bachelor’s degrees, 37 have master’s degrees and 17 earned doctorates. The vote by school board members to rename Panthersville Stadium in honor of Godfrey back on April 1 was unanimous. Former players and colleagues shared stories throughout the night as the newly-christened William Buck Godfrey Stadium hosted the fourth annual Inner-City Classic between Mays and Southwest DeKalb.
Reigning state finalist Mays handled business on both sides of the football and ran away with a 42-6 victory after leading just 7-0 at the half. UGA-commit Randrecous Davis caught the first four Mays touchdowns from junior quarterback B.J. Phillips. Phillips ran in a 13-yard touchdown with 9:54 left in the game to push the lead to 35-0.
Credit: Craig Sager
Credit: Craig Sager
Southwest DeKalb finally got on the board with a 42-yard touchdown catch by Jonathan Green but Mays running back Armis Stokes answered 21 seconds later with a 44-yard touchdown run to make it 42-6.
Here is a montage of all four Randrecous Davis touchdowns
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