About 30 miles southwest of Troy, there is a coach who is looking to accomplish something he started 11 years ago.

Brantley High School head coach David Lowery, who has been with the Bulldogs since 1999 and posted a 122-22 record, will make his third Super Six appearance today.

A win for the Bulldogs would give Lowery his first state title as head coach and third overall for the Bulldogs since 1993.

“When we went to that camp, I saw something different about how we went about our business — an emphasis on character and leadership,” Lowery told the Montgomery Advertiser earlier this month. “Our seniors got together and made a commitment to work hard starting that day, and it’s what has gotten us to this point today.”

Lowery and his team have done just that.

After falling to rival Luverne on the road in the season opener by one-point, 22-21, the Bulldogs have rolled off 13 wins in a row and now find themselves preparing for a showdown with the Hackleburg Panthers in Bryant-Denny Stadium for the right to be called champions.

However, that’s not the only winning streak Brantley is riding into the game with.

The team has not lost a region game since the 2001 season, and that 56-game winning streak is tied for third best all-time in the state.

“There has been a lot of wins at Brantley, but the fact we’ve only won two championships has provided our guys with some added motivation,” said Lowery to the Montgomery Advertiser. “They realize this is their chance to make their mark on the history of Brantley athletics.”

How the team got to his point is a story all its own.

Twelve of the Bulldog’s victories have been by double-digits, and in seven of those games, the defense held its opponents to seven points or less, including four shutouts in-a-row.

The playoffs were no different.

The team has scored 41 points in three of its games, with the only real scare coming in the third round against Linden, when Brantley won 13-6.

Brantley defeated Loachapoka 41-14 last Friday night to earn the chance to play for the state championship.

Lowery credited the offensive line for the victory over the Indians.

“Our kids came out ready to play and took control of the game early, especially up front,” Lowery said. “Our offensive line won it for us Friday night – we were able to rush for over 300 yards – the offensive line doesn’t always get all the credit deserves.”

Kickoff is at 3 p.m. from Bryant-Denny Stadium.

*Regina Grayson of the Luverne Journal contributed to the article.