Pre-1954
Linda McKinley and Carol Mosley clowning around.
Students gathered at breezeway outside canteen, circa 1966.
Pre-1954
Welcome LHS Alumni !
Welcome to the home page of the alumni of the original Lyons High School in Lyons, Georgia. We offer this website free to fellow graduates and hope that each of you help make it a success.
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Although the offspring of LHS have dispersed all over the planet, this website has reunited us in one place in cyberspace and allowed us to once again walk the halls of LHS, meet on the breezeway, go to the canteen and catch up on the latest happenings in the lives of our classmates. We are united once again!
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Help spread the news. If you know someone who has ever attended LHS at any time it merged with Lyons Industrial High School to become Lyons Senior High School, invite them to this site to join the fun.
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If you are a Facebook user, be sure to click on the Facebook link above to be taken to the Lyons High School of Lyons, GA. group page. That's where all the alumni hang out these days!
Class of '65 finalizes their 60th Reunion
(March 5, 2025) Class committee members met at Chatters Restaurant in Lyons on Wednesday, March 5, to set a date for their 60th reunion. After much discussion, the date is set for Saturday, May 31, 2025. All classmates please "save the date" if you plan on attending. Invitations should be sent out in early April. If you would like to attend, but never receive your invitation, you may pay at the door once you arrive. We all are looking forward to seeing everyone again. Its been a minute, hasn't it?
​Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, Class of '65
Class of '69 shares photo of their 10th reunion
Belinda Denmark recently found and shared a photo she found. Belinda quoted, "This was shared with me a while back and my daddy (Ronnie Collins) is in this photo. He is standing beside Buster Akins and I believe Jerry Stephens is beside Buster. I also see Barbara Trull sitting on bottom row. Anyone else? I hope someone enjoys this photo as much as I did." Click here to be taken directly to the reunion page.
​Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, Class of '65
Small Town National Rankings tabs Toombs County Bulldogs at #6
(Dec 28, 2024) The Small Town Top 25 consists of schools with an enrollment under 1,000 students in towns with a population under 10,000. Teams are listed with their final overall record. Rankings are based solely on team's computer rating and are not subjective:
1. Carthage, (Texas) 15-1
2. Marion Local (Maria Stein, Ohio) 16-0
3. Wahoo (Nebraska) 13-0
4. Columbus (Texas) 15-1
5. West Lyon (Inwood, Iowa) 13-0
6. Toombs County (Lyons, Georgia) 13-1
7. Liberty Center (Ohio) 15-1
8. Goldwater (Ohio) 15-1
9. Gunter (Texas) 14-2
10. Elgin (Oklahoma) 14-0
11. Grundy Center (Texas) 13-0
12. Jackson (Alabama) 14-1
13. North Polk (Alleman, Iowa) 13-0
14. Louisville (Mississippi) 13-2
15. Indian Valley (Gnadenhutten, Ohio) 16-0
16. Brock (Texas) 13-2
17. Minster (Ohio) 11-3
18. Bennington (Nebraska) 11-2
19. Malakoff (Texas) 11-2
20. Choctaw County (Ackerman, Miss.) 14-1
21. Andale (Kansas) 13-0
22. Noxubee Co. (Macon, Mississippi) 11-3
23. Madison County (Madison, Florida) 10-3
24. Hitchcock (Texas) 10-2
25. Tuttle (Oklahoma) 13-1
Courtesy of: MaxPrep
Article written by: Kevin Askeland
Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, LHSAA Sports Editor
Toombs County Bulldogs Capture First State Championship in School History with 38-18 Victory over Northeast Raiders
(Dec 13, 2024) The Toombs County Bulldogs cemented their place in history by defeating the Northeast Raiders 38-18 to claim the Class A Division 1 State Championship. In front of a sea of red and white-clad fans in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Bulldogs delivered a dominant performance to secure their first football state title.
A Back-and-Forth Start
The game began with Northeast striking first on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 8:48 left in the opening quarter. Hayden Roy made a key play by blocking the extra point, keeping the Raiders’ lead at 6-0—the only lead they would hold all game.
The Bulldogs wasted no time responding. On their next drive, Toombs marched 81 yards in just six plays, capped by a 29-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback TJ Stanley to senior wide receiver LaGonza Hayward. Alex Otero added the extra point, giving Toombs a 7-6 lead with 5:38 remaining in the first quarter.
Big Plays Set the Tone
After trading possessions, Toombs took over deep in their own territory at the 7-yard line. The Bulldogs put together an electrifying 93-yard drive, punctuated by a 47-yard touchdown strike from Stanley to Game MVP Mike Polke, extending their lead to 14-6 with 8:28 left in the half.
Northeast fought back, going 49 yards in six plays and scoring on a 3-yard pass to pull within 14-12. But Polke immediately stole the momentum. Fielding the ensuing kickoff at the 8-yard line, Polke sprinted 92 yards untouched for a touchdown, igniting the Toombs crowd and pushing the lead to 21-12.
With time winding down in the half, Otero connected on a critical 25-yard field goal, sending the Bulldogs into the locker room with a 24-12 advantage.
Defensive Resilience and Fourth-Quarter Domination
The third quarter turned into a defensive battle as both teams struggled to gain traction. Northeast finally found the end zone on a 6-yard touchdown run, but Roy came through once again, blocking his second kick of the game to keep the Bulldogs ahead 24-18 heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth, Toombs County shifted into high gear. A pivotal fourth-down stop by the Red Bullet defense swung the momentum fully in Toombs’ favor. The offense capitalized, with Justin Powell powering his way into the end zone, followed by a Stanley rushing touchdown to seal the victory.
A Historic Moment for Toombs County
With the final whistle, the Bulldogs celebrated a 38-18 win and the program’s first-ever state championship. The victory was a testament to the team’s grit, talent, and determination, guided by Head Coach Buddy Martin and his staff.
The Toombs County faithful, who packed the stands throughout the season, were once again a driving force, creating a home-field atmosphere in Atlanta.
Congratulations to the Bulldogs on their historic achievement, and to the Toombs County community for their unwavering support. This is more than a championship—it’s a legacy for the ages.
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Courtesy of Toombs County Athletics
Article written by: Matt Lynn
Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, LHSAA Sports Editor
The Class of '65 turn out to celebrate their 59th Class Reunion
(Aug 27, 2024) In anticipation of their big 60th reunion next year, the Class of '65 got together at the VFW in Reidsville for their 59th class reunion. Click here to view a few of the photos taken.
Beyond the Lights: The Best Burger in Georgia High School Football?
(Aug 1, 2024) In the final episode of the summer for "Beyond the Lights", we take a look at one of the most important aspects of high school football in Georgia: the food. Is the famous Billy Burger at Toombs County's Booster Stadium the best concession stand treat in all of the Peach State? Some people think so. Toombs County High School Board member, Michael Grimes, joins Hannah Goodin, sports broadcaster for GPB Sports, to tell us all about the famous "Billy Burger" you can only find only at a Toombs County High School football game!
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Click here and when you get to the GPB Sports page, click "Listen".​
(Courtesy of GPB Sports, Hannah Goodin, Sportscaster
Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, LHSAA Sports Editor
Georgia's Greatest 100 High School Finals: #25; Lyons 20, Duluth 12
(1975 Class B State Championship)
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Note: Keep in mind this is not the 100 Greatest Finals from just Class B, but from every high school from every classification in the state of Georgia! Lyons was a three touchdown underdog entering the game!
Trailing 12-7 in the fourth quarter, Lyons faced a third-and-14 from its own 9-yard line. Lyons hadn’t completed a pass in the game. The other team had George Rogers, the future Heisman Trophy winner. Not looking good for the home team. Next came a screen pass to Eugene Corbett. The Lyons Progress newspaper wrote that Corbett “zig-zagged, twisted, turned and broke at least five tackles.” The play went for 77 yards. Lyons needed five plays to advance the final 14 yards, but Corbett’s 3-yard run hit paydirt, making it 14-12. The Bulldogs still had to contend with Rogers, or maybe not entirely. Duluth had a third-and-1 at its own 35 yard line but was stopped cold on consecutive plays. Rogers didn’t get the carry in either play. Lyons quarterback Timmy Vaughn then completed his second pass of the game, a 24-yarder, setting up another score and a 20-12 lead. Duluth got to Lyons’ 43 yard line after a long Rogers kickoff return but was sacked twice and lost a fumble. Rogers finished with 135 yards rushing. Corbett ran for 93 and had a game-high 170 yards from scrimmage.
(Courtesy of Georgia High School Football Daily)
Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, LHSAA Sports Editor
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Class of '46 alum shares recently found photos
(Oct 23, 2022) Bobbie Rae Durst, Class of '46, shared the following photos with us before she passed away in 2009. The photos have been added to the Gallery section under Memory Lane. Click here to be taken directly to the page.
A Time To Remember: Mel Blount, Lyons Industrial High School Graduate
Today’s featured inductee is four-time Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback and former Southern University and Lyons Industrial player Mel Blount. Blount was inducted into the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
(Oct 5, 2022) Mel Blount, the youngest of 11 children, was a four-sport athlete at Lyons Industrial before becoming one of the greatest cornerbacks to play the game. He excelled as a prep star after mastering what he called the “country football” style his seven older brothers instilled in him. Lyons Industrial was a small Toombs County school for African Americans that closed shortly after Blount graduated in the 1960s. Despite limited exposure, Blount earned a scholarship to Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., and twice was named Southwestern Athletic Conference MVP and earned Pro Scouts All American as a safety and cornerback. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Blount with the 53rd overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft, and he earned the starting cornerback job in 1972 and held the role for 12 years. Blount led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 1975 and was the league’s defensive MVP. He was a three-time All-Pro selection and four-time Super Bowl champion. Blount’s physical style prompted the NFL to change its rules in 1978 to prevent contact with receivers beyond five yards of the line of scrimmage. In 1989, Blount was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1991, he was named one of the Eight National Heroes by the U.S. News and World Report for his impact off the field. He was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All Time Team in 1994.
Reported by the Georgia High School Football Daily.
Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, LHSAA Sports Editor
Coach Jacky Jones honored by the Toombs County BOE
(Jun 10, 2022) Thursday night at the June meeting of the Toombs County Board of Education the board unanimously approved for the field at Booster Stadium to be officially named Jacky Jones Field at Booster Stadium (The Pit). Coach Jones was presented the Home Plate from former Jacky Jones Field.
"I wasn't expecting this but I am truly honored. It is a beautiful field and I want to thank the Toombs County Board of Education." Coach Jones said.
Toombs County Superintendent Barry Waller, "Coach Jones is such a beloved figure here in Lyons and Toombs County and what he has meant to our school system over the years with coaching double digit years in three major sports football, baseball and girls basketball. He said it tonight that it was all about the kids. It is a blessing to be able to honor him. Tearing down the old baseball field and making it a parking lot we didn't want to lose the wonderful memories of Coach Jones. We will unveil the sign at the field during football season. Tonight was an awesome night."
Written by Bob Roberts, Southeast Georgia Today
Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, LHSAA Sports Editor
Entire Mastiffs are now Online!
There have been 20 yearbooks have been published on the LHSAA website.
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Wiregrass: 1924 (1)
Annual: 1936 (1)
Leo-Lite: 1949 (1)
Mastiffs: 1954-1970 (17)
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The years listed above are all the yearbooks that are known to have been published. If you know of any that are unknown to us, please contact us and we will publish it. Click here and check them out!
The Lyons Roars are here!
The Lyons Roars are her and we have gotten our paws on 30 of them. If you have any Lyons Roars in your possession we are itching to borrow them and get them published. Click here to go to the Lyons Roar page!
The Class of '68 come together for their 50th Reunion
On November 3, 2018, the Class of '68 met at Hawk's Point in Vidalia. One classmate brought a photo of classmates when they were 9th graders. Click here to view.
Class of '67 meet at Chatters to celebrate their 55th Reunion
Thirty classmates along with Coach Tom Avret gathered at Chatters Restaurant in Lyons on April 23, 2022, to mark and celebrate their 55th reunion. Click here to some of the photos taken.
Booster Stadium getting a Facelift
The Pit will have a different look when the football season opens against Twiggs County (Jeffersonville, Ga.) on August 23, 2019. A major overhaul to Booster Stadium is currently underway which includes the addition of artificial turf and new aluminum bleachers that will replace the current risers. The slopes will be removed with a wall will be built in place provide addition footage from the back of each end zone. Click here to view photos of the renovation.
Four from LHS Inducted into the Toombs County Bulldogs Hall of Fame
The Toombs County Athletic Association recently voted to add four athletes from Lyons High School. These exceptional four athletes are not only recognized for their accomplishments in football, but all sports that they played which included basketball, baseball, track, etc.
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Bill Alexander - Class of '52
Billy Benton - Class of '57
Jimmy Alexander - Class of '64
J.B. Cone - Class of '67
Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, LHSAA Sports Editor
Class of '63 celebrated their 50th Reunion at the historic Lyons Depot
On October 2, 2013, the alumni from the Class of 1963 returned home to hold their 50th reunion at the Lyons Depot. Click here to view photos of their gathering.
Class of '67 celebrate their 50th Reunion
The Class of '67 held their 50th reunion at the First United Methodist Church in Lyons on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Click here to view the photo gallery of the festivities.