photo by Hannah Reel

Natchez quarterback Javon Washington runs into the end zone for a touchdown as running back Joel Davis follows during the game against Jefferson County High School Friday night at Natchez High School.

Bulldogs pay last second tribute to Brown

By Jeff Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Saturday, August 22, 2009

NATCHEZ — Up 51-24 with less than 30 seconds remaining, Natchez High had victory assured in its season-opening game against Jefferson County.

But just winning the game wasn’t enough for the Bulldogs. They had one more job to do. And that was pay tribute to a fallen teammate.

On the night that Natchez High retired the No. 59 jersey of former lineman Larry Brown Jr., the Bulldogs scored a touchdown with one second left and made the two-point conversion to put 59 points on the scoreboard in a 59-24 victory over the Tigers.

“Scoring those 59 points was for our program and for L.J.,” Natchez coach Lance Reed said. “We’re not in the business of running up the score, but it was something we had to do.”

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Natchez High head coach Lance Reed discusses the importance of scoring 59 points against Jefferson County Friday night. Watch »

With its backups in the game in the final minutes, the Bulldogs went into a hurry-up offense trying to score a touchdown before time expired.

Following a Dominique Salter run to the 1-yard line, Reed called timeout with two seconds left and put his starters back in the game to score the final touchdown.

Quarterback Javon Washington did just that, sneaking in from a yard out.

Then, with every Natchez player on the sideline holding up two fingers, Washington ran in the two-point conversion in honor of Brown, who died in a car accident last year.

“Coach told me I had to get in the end zone,” Washington said. “I had to get those 59 points on the board. (Larry) helped us get it. He wanted to see his number up on the board.”

Reed said it was the players’ idea to try and score 59 points with the clock running down.

“I was tingling all over watching those guys put forth the effort to make that happen,” Reed said. “The deal I made was, if the back-ups get down there, I’ll put the first team back in to score. I think the kids were elated to make that happen.”

Scoring the 59 points was the final tribute to Brown in a night full of such moments.

Each Natchez player wore a No. 59 sticker on his helmet and the No. 59 was painted at midfield.

Brown’s number was also retired at halftime and a memorial scholarship was announced in his memory in a short ceremony.

It was a very special day for the Brown family, Larry Brown’s mother, Brenda Brown said.

“This means everything,” she said after the halftime ceremony. “The whole area has supported us so much.”

Natchez Touchdown Club President Melvin Davis, who helped spearhead the memorial ceremony at halftime, said this was a way to take some positive out of the tragedy.

“Out of all bad things come some good,” Davis said. “We may not see what it is at first, but it is there. Larry did good things while on earth, and with this scholarship, will continue to do good things after he is gone.”

And on the night that Brown’s memory was honored, the Bulldog players made sure early that his memory would be honored in a win.

The score was tied 6-6 after the first quarter, but Natchez scored 25 points in the second quarter to put the game away.

The main offensive cog was Washington, who rushed 13 times for 183 yards and five touchdowns.

His 66-yard TD run early in the second quarter broke the tie, and he scored two more touchdowns in the quarter.

Damion Williams also had a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 32-18 lead at halftime.

The two teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter before Natchez scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, with the final special eight coming in the final second.

As seasons come and go, most games are forgotten and consigned to the history books.

But Reed said Friday’s win will be one that is long remembered at Natchez High School.

“I know I’ll never for get it,” Reed said. “It was a very special night. We dedicated this night to L.J., and it was very fitting for it to end the way it did.”