Staff Writer

Television character Al Bundy has made a career out of poking fun at balding men who bask in their glory days on the high school gridiron.

Millions of high school football has-beens watch and, probably, laugh, but

still continue to thump their chests, flex their muscles and proudly declare, "I played high school football!"

On Friday night, a proud group of former Pike County High School football players will gather at Brundidge Station to pay tribute, not to themselves or their fantastic football feats, but to the man who led them – Allen Treadwell.

Treadwell coached the Pike County High Bulldogs for five seasons and the boys from Brundidge made a name for themselves as they tackled the toughest opponents and usually came home with the spoils.

Friday night, the 2001 edition of the Pike County High School will tangle with the Dadeville Tigers. Dadeville High School just happens to be Treadwell’s alma mater and Dadeville is his hometown.

"Any time a bunch of us get together, we talk about our high school football days," said Brundidge Mayor Jimmy Ramage, who played for Treadwell. "Since Brundidge is playing Dadeville, we thought it would be a good time to invite Coach Treadwell back to Brundidge and for all of us to get together and relive our glory days."

Ramage said it will be impossible to personally contact all of those who played for the legendary coach of the Bulldogs and those who were associated with the team.

"We want to invite the members of the Pike County High School football teams from 1960-61 through 1964-65 to join us at Brundidge Station for this reunion," Ramage said. "We set the time at 6 p.m., but some of us wanted to get there earlier. Coach Treadwell is going to get into town about 5 p.m. so anyone who wants to come early is encouraged to do so. We’ll reminisce until kickoff time for the game between Pike County and Dadeville at 7:30."

Ramage said anyone who was associated with the teams of the Treadwell era is invited to attend.

"I’m sure there are a lot of coaches and managers and others who would like to visit with Coach Treadwell," he said. "We are expecting a big crowd of team members and many of us haven’t seen each other in years, so it’s going to be a great time for all of us."

For more information, contact Ramage at 735-2351 or Danny Graham at 735-3688.