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•The West Georgian-Wednesday, October 21, 1992 12 The 1982 Notional Championship Season 38 Miles College 6 45 Baptist U. 0 41 at Milsaps 6 48 Hampden-Sydney 0 45 Knoxville ■ 3 34 Randolph Macon 0 41 C. Florida 7 42 Morehouse 6 45 Maryville 13 NCAA SOUTH REGION TITLE GAME 31 Widener 24 NCAA SEMIFINALS 27 Bishop 6 NCAA DIVSION ID NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 14 Augustana 0 Coaching Staff Head Coach: Bobby Pate Assistants: Jack Brinkley, Chuck Taylor, Mike Earwood, Jimmy Stokes, Allen Gaston, Steve Campbell, Johnny Morris, Tom Hall Stokes remembers National Championship and anticipates another one shortly By Chris Bridges Sports Writer Almost 10 years ago as the game clockcounted down to zero, the West Georgia College football players and coaches realized they had just ac complished something special. WGC had won the National Championship and one of those men responsible was defensive line coach Jimmy Stokes. Stokes helped coach a tough Braves defense that shut out its opponent, Augustana, 14-0 in the title game. “I can honestly sat that December 4, 1982 was the finest day of my GO BOWLING! WIST GA. BOWLING CENTfR in the West Ga. Shopping Center 832-BOWL 10% DISCOUNT WITH COLIiGE I.D. ♦CALL AHEAD FOB GROUPS Of 10 OR MORI WGC dominated opponents to win ’B2 title By Gid Rowell Sports Writer The year was 1982. It is a season that West Georgia football fans will never forget. WGC was in its second season under head coach Bobby Pate when it accomplished a feat some football programs strive for decades to accomplish. WGC won the NCAA Division 111 National Championship while posting a 12-0 record. Despite fielding a team consist ing of 102 underclassmen, lOjuniors, and three seniors, WGC led the na tion in several statistical categories. On offense, the Braves led the nation in scoring with 37.6 points per game, in total offense with 443.4 yards per game, and in rushing with 315.3 yards per game. On defense, WGC led in scoring defense with 5.9 points per game, in total defense with 200.5 yards per game, in rushing defense with 52.1 yards per game, and average win margin with 31.7 points per game. Even more impressive is the fact the Braves won the championship in its second year after football had life,” Stokes said. ‘‘While some of the former players and coaches have gone on to higher things, we will always remember that day.” Stokes said he remembered how close and tightly knit that 1982 title team was. Not only did the team enjoy playing football, but they had a good time. The stage began to be set for the West Georgia Braves the previous season when they lost to Widener in the first round of the playoffs 10-3. “We all felt if we had beaten them then we could have won the whole thing that year also,” Stokes said. When the 1982 season arrived been brought back to the school after a 23-year absence. West Georgia’s toughest game of the season, and possibly the greatest game in WGC history was against defending national champion, Wid ener University. In the NCAA South Region Championship WGC defeated Widener, who defeated WGC in the 1981 playoffs, 31-24; but the game was not without its moments. Both Stokes recalled everyone looking in the paper each week to see how Widener had done because there was a feeling that the two schools would meet in a rematch in the first round of the playoffs. The predictions were right. Widener and West Georgia met in the first round and played in what Please see "Stokes", pg 13 HAIR ETC... 834-0006 SOUTH PARK PLAZA HWY. 27S across from Pizza Hut 10% off for students and staff teams battled for three overtimes until WGC scored the winning touchdown. After a 27-6 victory over Bishop in the NCAA Semifinals, WGC met Augustana in the nationally tele vised, NCAA Division 111 National Championship Game. In the Stagg Bowl, played in Phenix, Ala., WGC defeated Augustana 14-0 before a crowd of more than 10,000 fans. As the season concluded, WGC Clothes Accessories and Gifts 10% off with college I.D. (not including sale items) 2 buildings down from Spyro Gyro Aikido A Japanese Martial Art Visitors are welcome at Garn's Gym 206 Rome Street, Carrollton Student Discounts Available 836-0911 Players and fans gather around West Georgia head football coach Bobby Pate after WGC’s 14-0 win over Augustana in 1982’ s national championship game. Pate is shown holding up the national championship trophy that WGC claimed with the win. The title is the Braves first and only in WGC football history. had four All-American selections On offense, quarterback David Ar cher and offensive tackle Bruc< Pritchett, and on defense, defensiv< end Angelo Snipes and linebacke Derrick Germaine, represented th Braves. After the ’B2 season, WGC move up to Division II and to membershi in the Gulf South Conference as Di vision 111 schools refused to con tinue playing the powerful Braves, PROOFREADER Retired prof, will proof term papers, theses, dissertations, and manuscripts. Material must be typed and double-spaced. $ lO minumum for up to 15 papers, longer papers $ lO per hour. Call 834-8111