Coach Madness - #12 Tom Brattan v. #4 Bill Powers

[CRF4Dan]

1st Round Results:
Coach Powers took 83% of the vote over Coach Browning of Henrico.
Coach Brattan pulled off the upset of the tourney thus far topping Coach Rinaldi with 85% of the vote.

Two heavyweights of the old Colonial District days square off in another battle of Highland Springs and Douglas Freeman.

For 12 seasons Coach Bill Powers led the Douglas Freeman Rebels after the legend that was Bill Long. In 12 seasons Coach Powers posted 6 winning seasons making the playoffs 3 times with a mark of 4-3 including region titles in 1971, 1977 and 1980. When Coach Powers left Freeman after the 1981 season he left with a mark of 86-36-4.

Brattan took over for Rinaldi in 1979 after 1 year at LC Bird. Brattan believe it or not was the first coach of LC Bird and has the distinction of being the only coach to coach at two of the elite programs of the region. In 1978 Brattan led the Skyhawks to their first winning season at 5-3 and in fact he never had a losing record at either school. 5 winning seasons in 5 seasons in the region, Brattan made the playoffs 4 times with a record of 3-4 including a AAA state semifinal appearance in 1981. 5-3 at Bird, 39-6-2 at Highland Springs... Brattan knew how to win finishing with a mark of 44-9-2.

In 3 seasons these two met four times with the split, 2-2. The two Douglas Freeman wins came in 1980 with the Rebels taking the regular season win along with the Central Region title win.

 

[springer76]

1st Round Results:
Coach Powers took 83% of the vote over Coach Browning of Henrico.
Coach Brattan pulled off the upset of the tourney thus far topping Coach Rinaldi with 85% of the vote.

Two heavyweights of the old Colonial District days square off in another battle of Highland Springs and Douglas Freeman.

For 12 seasons Coach Bill Powers led the Douglas Freeman Rebels after the legend that was Bill Long. In 12 seasons Coach Powers posted 6 winning seasons making the playoffs 3 times with a mark of 4-3 including region titles in 1971, 1977 and 1980. When Coach Powers left Freeman after the 1981 season he left with a mark of 86-36-4.

Brattan took over for Rinaldi in 1979 after 1 year at LC Bird. Brattan believe it or not was the first coach of LC Bird and has the distinction of being the only coach to coach at two of the elite programs of the region. In 1978 Brattan led the Skyhawks to their first winning season at 5-3 and in fact he never had a losing record at either school. 5 winning seasons in 5 seasons in the region, Brattan made the playoffs 4 times with a record of 3-4 including a AAA state semifinal appearance in 1981. 5-3 at Bird, 39-6-2 at Highland Springs... Brattan knew how to win finishing with a mark of 44-9-2.

In 3 seasons these two met four times with the split, 2-2. The two Douglas Freeman wins came in 1980 with the Rebels taking the regular season win along with the Central Region title win.

Tom Brattan was one helluva coach.... after high school, he had a tremendous career in the college ranks, William & Mary, Stanford, Maryland, Illinois and Ave Maria Universities!! Offensive Line coach though most of his career.... I had the opportunity to hang out with him and sit and watch the game with him at this years playoff loss to Varina.... Great guy and great coach!!
https://avemariagyrenes.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/tom-brattan/281

 

[CRF4Dan]

Tom Brattan was one helluva coach.... after high school, he had a tremendous career in the college ranks, William & Mary, Stanford, Maryland, Illinois and Ave Maria Universities!! Offensive Line coach though most of his career.... I had the opportunity to hang out with him and sit and watch the game with him at this years playoff loss to Varina.... Great guy and great coach!!
https://avemariagyrenes.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/tom-brattan/281

I had never had the luxury to speak with him till about two weeks ago and I was blown away. His knowledge of the game, his love of those he coached was abundant as he spoke.

 

[springer76]

I had never had the luxury to speak with him till about two weeks ago and I was blown away. His knowledge of the game, his love of those he coached was abundant as he spoke.

At the Varina vs HSHS playoff game at Hermitage, we had a tailgate going in the parking lot. Tom joined us!! We had a great time with him and he sat with us during the game and then back at the tailgate again after the game.... Great guy and so friendly and personable!! Other than the outcome of that game, it was a great day!