Tony Young

 A junior during the 1985 football season, the 5-foot-7, 195-pound Young rushed for more than 2,300 yards and 23 touchdowns over 15 games as Alexandria High School claimed the AHSAA Class 4A state championship. Alexandria won five straight playoff games and finished 13-2, capped by a 35-0 championship game win over Elba.

             Young scored four touchdowns and totaled 150 yards on the ground on 17 carries as Alexandria opened the playoffs at Cherokee County and won 44-6. Next, Alexandria avenged an area loss to Munford. Young ran 24 times for 96 yards. He didn’t score but 15 of his rushing yards set up his team’s initial touchdown and the Cubs won 17-14.

             Young ran for 135 yards and scored twice to lead Alexandria past Fairfield 28-0 in the quarterfinal round. At Hanceville in the semifinals, the Valley Cubs won 44-15. Young rushed for 91 yards and scored on a 41-yard scamper. Against Elba, Young ran 29 times for 202 yards and three touchdowns.

             As a senior, Young rushed for 19 touchdowns and almost 1,800 yards. Alexandria’s season ended with an upset loss in the first round of the playoffs. Young rushed for over 100 yards in 10 of the 11 games and topped 200 rushing yards four times.

             Young started at nose guard for the varsity as a freshman. He moved to tailback as a sophomore and rushed for 1,200 yards. His three-year ground total exceeded 5,300 yards. He was a first-team All-County performer as a junior and again as a senior after receiving honorable mention recognition as a sophomore. Young was a first-team Class 4A running back in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s All-State selection in 1985 and was ASWA 4A player of the year in 1986.

             Troy coach Rick Rhoades convinced Young that Troy’s run-oriented offense was perfect for him. Young played as a true freshman in the 1987 season when Troy finished 12-1-1 overall and won the NCAA D-II national championship. He was the only true freshman to make the travel roster. At Troy, Young lettered at fullback in 1987 and 1988. He rushed for 710 yards and nine touchdowns.