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Decatur High School (Alabama)
Encyclopedia
Decatur High School is a public high school in Decatur, Alabama
, United States
. It is one of two high schools in the Decatur City School District
. Decatur High offers technical, academic, and International Baccalaureate programs, as well as dual enrollment with the John C. Calhoun Community College System.
Decatur High, along with southwestern Decatur's Austin High School
, were the first International Baccalaureate schools in Alabama north of Birmingham, Alabama
.
at the southern end of the campus. The stadium is named for a former Decatur High coach, "Shorty" Ogle. The high school's sports teams often use the field as a practice field.
.
in the class 5A Alabama State Championship game on May 10, 2008. The game was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, and after two 5-minute overtime periods the game remained 2-2. Offensive player Sally Adams took the position of goal keeper, knocking down the Lady Lion's final shot, to win the state championship. Adams was named the State MVP. This was Decatur's first soccer state championship.
The Cross Town Rivalry
Nothing in the central Tennessee Valley
matches the annual "Decatur - Austin" game on a late season Friday in November (this game will now be played the first game of the season). Nearly 11,000 fans pack into Ogle Stadium
to watch one of the most heated rivalries in Alabama high school football. The series dates back to 1965 when Decatur defeated Austin in the first meeting 27-7. This marked the beginning of a rivalry that fans schedule and plan events around. The 2010 game was a great game for DHS who came out the victor, 50-21.
Decatur high leads the series 33-14.
The Cross River Rivalry
This is Decatur High's oldest rivalry, dating back to before the creation of Austin High. This rivalry is one of the most intense among North Alabama
high schools. This is because in the years that the two high schools began playing each other, they were the largest in North Alabama, as the city of Huntsville, Alabama
, was still near the bottom when compared to the cities of Decatur
, Florence
, and Athens
. Up until 1965 no other game came close to comparing in the minds of the Decatur fans. This rivalry was soon eclipsed in the mid 1970s by the Decatur - Austin
game. As the area grew larger and soon left the city of Athens in its wake, the cross-town rivalry soon took the top spot.
When Decatur High dropped in the AHSAA classifications to 5A in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, this rivalry took on a new meaning. The change brought the intensity that the game had lost in years past. Both schools were in the same region, and fought for the same title each year, in one of the most competitive regions in 5A AHSAA football. However, due to new realignments, Decatur resumed class 6A play in the 2008 season.
The In-County Rivalry
This is also an old rivalry for Decatur High. The annual game, that both schools now play in regional play, inspires the yearly Hartselle Hick Day at Decatur. Students dress up as farmers in plaid and overalls, and dance to the tune of Cotton Eyed Joe during the pep rally.
This is Decatur High's biggest rivalry. The two high schools compete against each other twice annually at the 3,000-seat Carlton Kelly Gymnasium at Calhoun Community College's Main Campus in Decatur, Limestone County
. The athletic rivalry with Austin surrounds all kinds of sporting events from football to marching band. But, as soon as football season ends, basketball is king, and the competition on the court begins.
Decatur High has the longest string of District Festival Superior Ratings in Alabama, dating back to the festival's formation in 1947, never receiving anything less than a superior rating.
Decatur High also continues to lead in total number of Alabama Bandmasters State Festival Superior Ratings at 58, more than any other high school in state history.
The Decatur Red Raider Marching Band won the Tennessee Valley Invitational at Muscle Shoals High School
in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
in 2006. Since then, the band has won its class twice at the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational. During their undefeated 2010 season, the Red Raider Marching Band became the first ever band from the state of Alabama to win a class at the prestigious Contest of Champions in Murfreesboro, Tn. The Contest of Champions is the oldest marching contest in America with 49 straight years of competition. This is the most important award that the band has earned since the new band director, Robbie Stout, took control of the band in 2004.
Decatur, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is one of two high schools in the Decatur City School District
Decatur City Schools
The Decatur City Schools is a school system located in the city of Decatur, Alabama, and is home to seven of Alabama's International Baccalaureate schools.The school system is also the second largest employer in Decatur.-Basic Overview:...
. Decatur High offers technical, academic, and International Baccalaureate programs, as well as dual enrollment with the John C. Calhoun Community College System.
Decatur High, along with southwestern Decatur's Austin High School
Austin High School (Decatur, Alabama)
Austin High School is in Decatur, Alabama and is part of the Decatur City Schools System, enrolling over 1,400 Students. Since its establishment in 1962, Austin has been one of two high schools in the Decatur area. It boasts a variety of Programs.-Curriculum:...
, were the first International Baccalaureate schools in Alabama north of Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
.
Athletics
Decatur High's football and soccer programs play at the 9,000 seat Ogle StadiumOgle Stadium
Ogle Stadium is an 9,000-seat stadium in Decatur, Alabama, located on the southern end of Decatur High School's campus, and is owned by the Decatur City Schools....
at the southern end of the campus. The stadium is named for a former Decatur High coach, "Shorty" Ogle. The high school's sports teams often use the field as a practice field.
Football
Decatur has produced many players that went on to play in the Collegiate and Professional leagues. Some of these include Bobby Freeman, Moose Malinowski, Benny Perrin, Tucker Dodd, Rolando McClain, Jerraud Powers. Bobby Joe McPoolihan, Tom Calin, Don "Lard" Whitmire, and several professisonal baseball players..
Basketball
Decatur High School has had one boy's state championship under coach Earl Morris and five girl's state championships under coach Mike Smith. The 1948 basketball teach was the first Decatur team to go to the state tournament, lead by center Aubre "Dunk the Skunk" Free and Carles "Half Court" Woodruff, but did not win the county tournament, being beaten for the third time that season by Union Hill with the Morris brothers.Soccer
The Decatur High School girl's soccer team defeated Briarwood ChristianBriarwood Christian School
Briarwood Christian School is a school in Birmingham, Alabama. It was started by Briarwood Presbyterian Church in 1965. In 1977, the school had its own dedicated facilities constructed on Highway 119, about 15 miles south of the current church campus...
in the class 5A Alabama State Championship game on May 10, 2008. The game was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, and after two 5-minute overtime periods the game remained 2-2. Offensive player Sally Adams took the position of goal keeper, knocking down the Lady Lion's final shot, to win the state championship. Adams was named the State MVP. This was Decatur's first soccer state championship.
Football
- Austin High SchoolAustin High School (Decatur, Alabama)Austin High School is in Decatur, Alabama and is part of the Decatur City Schools System, enrolling over 1,400 Students. Since its establishment in 1962, Austin has been one of two high schools in the Decatur area. It boasts a variety of Programs.-Curriculum:...
(Decatur, AlabamaDecatur, AlabamaDecatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
) 1965-present
The Cross Town Rivalry
Nothing in the central Tennessee Valley
Tennessee Valley
The Tennessee Valley is the drainage basin of the Tennessee River and is largely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. It stretches from southwest Kentucky to northwest Georgia and from northeast Mississippi to the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina...
matches the annual "Decatur - Austin" game on a late season Friday in November (this game will now be played the first game of the season). Nearly 11,000 fans pack into Ogle Stadium
Ogle Stadium
Ogle Stadium is an 9,000-seat stadium in Decatur, Alabama, located on the southern end of Decatur High School's campus, and is owned by the Decatur City Schools....
to watch one of the most heated rivalries in Alabama high school football. The series dates back to 1965 when Decatur defeated Austin in the first meeting 27-7. This marked the beginning of a rivalry that fans schedule and plan events around. The 2010 game was a great game for DHS who came out the victor, 50-21.
Decatur high leads the series 33-14.
- Athens High School (Athens, AlabamaAthens, AlabamaAthens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 18,967. According to the 2009 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 24,234...
)
The Cross River Rivalry
This is Decatur High's oldest rivalry, dating back to before the creation of Austin High. This rivalry is one of the most intense among North Alabama
North Alabama
North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally considered to include 12 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston, with a combined population of 958,247, or 20.84% of the state's population as...
high schools. This is because in the years that the two high schools began playing each other, they were the largest in North Alabama, as the city of Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, was still near the bottom when compared to the cities of Decatur
Decatur, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
, Florence
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
, and Athens
Athens, Alabama
Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 18,967. According to the 2009 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 24,234...
. Up until 1965 no other game came close to comparing in the minds of the Decatur fans. This rivalry was soon eclipsed in the mid 1970s by the Decatur - Austin
Austin High School (Decatur, Alabama)
Austin High School is in Decatur, Alabama and is part of the Decatur City Schools System, enrolling over 1,400 Students. Since its establishment in 1962, Austin has been one of two high schools in the Decatur area. It boasts a variety of Programs.-Curriculum:...
game. As the area grew larger and soon left the city of Athens in its wake, the cross-town rivalry soon took the top spot.
When Decatur High dropped in the AHSAA classifications to 5A in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, this rivalry took on a new meaning. The change brought the intensity that the game had lost in years past. Both schools were in the same region, and fought for the same title each year, in one of the most competitive regions in 5A AHSAA football. However, due to new realignments, Decatur resumed class 6A play in the 2008 season.
- Hartselle High School (Hartselle, AlabamaHartselle, AlabamaHartselle is the second largest city in Morgan County, Alabama, United States, about south of Decatur, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2006 census estimates, the population of the city is 13,479. Hartselle was...
)
The In-County Rivalry
This is also an old rivalry for Decatur High. The annual game, that both schools now play in regional play, inspires the yearly Hartselle Hick Day at Decatur. Students dress up as farmers in plaid and overalls, and dance to the tune of Cotton Eyed Joe during the pep rally.
Basketball
- Austin High SchoolAustin High School (Decatur, Alabama)Austin High School is in Decatur, Alabama and is part of the Decatur City Schools System, enrolling over 1,400 Students. Since its establishment in 1962, Austin has been one of two high schools in the Decatur area. It boasts a variety of Programs.-Curriculum:...
(Decatur, AlabamaDecatur, AlabamaDecatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
) 1965-present
This is Decatur High's biggest rivalry. The two high schools compete against each other twice annually at the 3,000-seat Carlton Kelly Gymnasium at Calhoun Community College's Main Campus in Decatur, Limestone County
Limestone County, Alabama
Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...
. The athletic rivalry with Austin surrounds all kinds of sporting events from football to marching band. But, as soon as football season ends, basketball is king, and the competition on the court begins.
Fine arts
The Decatur High School's Chorus and Concert Bands have consistently received superior ratings in both District and State festivals.Decatur High has the longest string of District Festival Superior Ratings in Alabama, dating back to the festival's formation in 1947, never receiving anything less than a superior rating.
Decatur High also continues to lead in total number of Alabama Bandmasters State Festival Superior Ratings at 58, more than any other high school in state history.
The Decatur Red Raider Marching Band won the Tennessee Valley Invitational at Muscle Shoals High School
Muscle Shoals High School
Muscle Shoals High School is the sole public secondary education institution in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. MSHS was recently awarded the Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Award for Excellence.- Academics :Traditionally. Muscle Shoals students excel academically...
in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
in 2006. Since then, the band has won its class twice at the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational. During their undefeated 2010 season, the Red Raider Marching Band became the first ever band from the state of Alabama to win a class at the prestigious Contest of Champions in Murfreesboro, Tn. The Contest of Champions is the oldest marching contest in America with 49 straight years of competition. This is the most important award that the band has earned since the new band director, Robbie Stout, took control of the band in 2004.