Editor’s Note: With former SHS football coach Mike Pittman recently being chosen for the FHSAA Hall of Fame, and the 30th anniversary of Suwannee’s first state title approaching, the Suwannee Democrat will be taking a look back at the four state championship teams — concluding this week with the 1990 Bulldogs, who won the fourth state championship.  

LIVE OAK — It was 27 years ago when the Suwannee High School football team entered the record books. 

The 1990 Bulldogs, with first-year starting quarterback Alex Noda, defeated Cardinal Gibbons in the state championship to become the team to win four consecutive state titles.

A new quarterback turned Suwannee into more of a running team, but that didn’t slow the offense down a bit. 

In fact, change was a common theme during the Bulldogs’ four-year reign. 

The Bulldogs had the normal roster turnover of any high school team, but they also won the four state titles with three different quarterbacks, and brought on two new assistant coaches in 1990 — David Campbell and Randy Greene. 

There are now four teams who have pulled off the four-peat as FHSAA state champs, but it was Suwannee who was the first team to do it after a historic 1990 season.

By the numbers: A look back at Suwannee’s run from 1987 to 1990

8 — Longest winning streak: Suwannee had some roadblocks along the way in 1989, but the Bulldogs’ longest winning streak from 1987-1990 came during the ’89 season when they won eight games in a row. 

During the four-year title run, SHS put together five-game winning streaks on four different occasions. 

1,563 — Points scored: An average of 30 points per game for four years. Not surprisingly, Suwannee’s highest scoring season came in 1988 with junior John Palmer throwing to senior Matt Frier. SHS scored 454 points (34.9 ppg) in that season.

26 — Average margin of victory in state championship games: The playoffs belonged to Suwannee. SHS went 12-0 in playoff games, winning 11 of those games by double-digits.   

1 — Number of players who were part of all four state title teams: Tony Branch was the only Suwannee Bulldog who was part of all four state championship teams.

22 — Number of combined wins agains Hamilton County, Quincy, Madison County, Rickards, Wakulla and Taylor County: The Bulldogs were perfect on the field against these opponents four years. Suwannee forfeited wins against HCHS and Quincy in 1990 for using an ineligible player.

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Another change — this time in preseason camp venue — occurred as the Bulldogs were preparing for the season. 

Suwannee’s preseason camp, which was held at Camp Weed from 1987-1988 and Camp Blanding (Starke) in 1989, moved to Niceville and Camp Timpoochee in 1990.

Senior Ralph Lott spoke to the Suwannee Democrat before the season about some of his experiences at these camps. 

“Once you go to camp, you come together as a family,” Lott said. “Camp means preparation; blood and guts. It’s the time of the season to get everybody’s mind right.”

Suwannee certainly got its minds right to start the season.

After camp, SHS got things kicked off with five straight victories. The win streak included a huge comeback against Lincoln High — the Bulldogs trailed 17-0 at the half — that was keyed by Lott. 

“Beating Lincoln High with Kevin Carter was awesome,” Lott said. “I returned the second-half kick and that gave us the momentum.”

Carter went on to have a 14-year NFL career.

A great start, but three of those wins to begin this season ended as losses. Suwannee had to forfeit victories against Lincoln, Quincy and Hamilton County because of an ineligible player. SHS finished the season with a 7-6 record (10-3 on the field). 

1990 results

*Suwannee’s first three wins were forfeited due to an ineligible player.

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An experienced offensive line was the catalyst to Suwannee’s offensive success. The senior-filled line — featuring center Tony Branch, the only Bulldog who was part of all four championship teams — opened up holes for talented backs Billy Plummer and Marcus Nelson. And the running backs took pressure off Noda, who was starting at QB for the first time as a junior.

In a close win against Crestview in the first round of the playoffs, Nelson and Plummer combined for 332 yards rushing. Suwannee clung to a two-point lead late in that game when Anthony Owens intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown to seal the win for the Bulldogs.

SHS was good in the regular season, and even better in the playoffs.

Suwannee went 12-0 in the playoffs from 1987-1990. The only playoff game the Bulldogs won by less than 10 points was that game against Crestview. 

After a challenging first playoff game, Suwannee crushed Bradford 38-0 in a state semifinal and defeated Cardinal Gibbons 44-14 for the state championship.

For Pittman, the four state championships were important, but just as important were the relationships he built with players. 

“We worked them hard, but we treated them well and so did the community,” Pittman said. “The guys that I’ve coached have turned out to be good members of the community. That’s the most important thing — that and the relationships you build with the kids.”

Following the state titles came came the era of superstars at SHS. From the 90’s to the early 2000’s, many Suwannee grads went on to play in college and a few in the NFL.

Some of the Bulldog greats during that time included Kelly Jennings, Jarvis Herring, Kyler Hall, Matt Jackson, Andra Davis and Bruce Johnson. Even with all the great players, SHS has not won a state title since 1990. 

1990 Suwannee Bulldogs football roster