In 99 having 20 Sr's def helped. We improved a great deal from on year to the next. We had been close once before and let it slip through our hands and worked harder as a TEAM than in 98. We were not as deep or as talented overall but we played together better and quieted many critics and half the town along with probably you that year that said we couldnt win it all. We won it all because we had HEART, overcame adversity and never quit.
Yes Thomas Payne was better than Sanders but you have to understand we made Payne's entire 98 highlight tape that night. If you recall on the films we watched prior to that game he hadnt performed anywhere close to what he did that night. Although it does help when your running through massive holes with nobody around. Couple of bad angles and 2 carries for 150 yards later and the ballgame was changed entirely. Btw yes the defense we ran in 99 wouldve made a "HUGE" difference had we ran it the year before. 98 will always hurt everyone involved. 99 for those involved will always be sweet revenge and help heal some of the sting. Sorry you wasnt around. Nothing more to talk about
Back to the topic Hale put the entire team on his back at times last year and did as much as anyone thats ever came through the school in one season. He belongs on a looong list of great ones. Robinson and Jones are up there as well. Moore, Pickett, Mitchell and Tipton all from the 90's are in that elite group too