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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Former Jackets Hamilton And Pratt Teams Face Each Other, October 12, 1979

Florida Field 1979
Crimson Tide Kept Coming and Coming But Bubba Stayed Tough

By Stan McNeal
Sports Editor
Leesburg Commercial
October 12, 1979

GAINESVILLE - Bubba Pratt was all over Florida Field Saturday. All Afternoon long.

Seems the Florida Gator defensive end, a former Leesburg Yellow Jacket, couldn't find time to rest. For that he can thank the Alabama Crimson Tide.


Wayne Hamilton, on the other hand, barely had time enough to work up a good sweat on the warm, overcast afternoon. Hamilton, another former Yellow Jacket, plays defensive end for Bama. The way Bear Bryant shuttled his players in and out of the 40-0 "whipping," combined with the way the Gators weren't moving the ball (three first downs, 66 total yards), gave big Wayne a lot of time to sit on the Alabama bench, where he was often under bombardment of flying saucers (coke cup lids) from the student stands.

When the Gators had the ball, it was run one, run two, pass three, punt. The Gators possessed the pigskin for 21 1/2 minutes, compared to Alabama, which held it 38 1/2, enough time to let 13 people run with it.

"They really wore us out, again," a tired Pratt said after the Gators worst whipping in eight years. "You're getting tired out there, and they're shuttling guys in and out, And says Bubba, there isn't much difference in the guys coming in and the guys going out."



For example, Hamilton, a loping 6-5, 232 pound senior, made All-Southeastern Conference last year. This season he's second team, having lost his starting spot to Gray Deniro, a 6-0, 211 pound junior.

"Early in the year, I wasn't playing with a lot of intensity," recalls Hamilton. "But it doesn't matter, as long as I'm playing, This is a super team."

Big Wayne played enough Saturday to recover a fumble and tear to one Gator runner in half, at least it looked like Gordon Pleasants was crunched when Hamilton met him the backfield like a locomotive hitting a paper wall.

Pratt, a 6-0, 209-pound senior, looked tough too, and not only because he had more time to do so. Florida coach Charley Pell singled out Bubba along with David Little, for having an "outstanding game." Included in that were six tackles, a fumble recovery and an 8-yard sack.


"I had a pretty good game," admitted Pratt, who usually splits time with Yancy Sutton. "Alabama's just great, in all aspects of the game. But I don't believe they were 40 points better than us"

Alabama players agreed. "Florida's got some great athletes," said Alan Gray, a quarterback who played a little wide receiver Saturday.

Their defense was on the field a long time," said Hamilton. "It was just a matter of time before our offense wore them down."

The Tide has worn down five opponents so far, and should take over the No. 1 ranking in the country since Southern Cal tied Stanford Saturday.

"If we keep playing like we're playing, no one can beat us," said Hamilton, who hasn't felt that losing feeling much in his three years as an Alabam regular.


And what about next year, will Hamilton put his Crimson Tide influence to use in the NFL?

"I'll say this, if I play good the rest of the year, I'll be smiling when it's (the draft) over," he says, in that slow, smiling way of his.

The Gators, meanwhile, aren't waiting for next year to start next season.

"We just ended the first season," said Pratt. "When we go back out and line up with Tulsa (at homecoming in two weeks), we'll be 0-0-0. Everything that has happened to us is behind us."

And the Bear, who will retire before Florida plays Alabama again in 1985, will never be back.

Most of the 64,552 quick-to-leave Florida Field fans are glad of that.

Listen live on my790am or www.my790am.com Saturday February 25, 2012.


Former Leesburg High School and Florida Gators Football standout Bubba Pratt will make his first appearance on The Lake County Sports Show February 25, 2012.

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Resources
Stan McNeal
Sports Editor
Leesburg Commercial
October 12, 1979


Leesburg Public Library
100 East Main Street
Leesburg, Florida 34748
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Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
















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