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Habersham Central linebacker Jeff Gerrin had a clean jersey in this picture, but had no reservations about getting down and dirty on one of the Raiders’ best all-time defenses.
There are many great defenses remembered throughout history – the 1985 Bears, the early 2000s Ravens and Buccaneers, and the Blackshirts of Nebraska.
Habersham Central’s version that predated all those wrecking crews is the 1981 Raider squad that allowed just 90 points over 11 games.
Statistically, they were the second-best defense in school history. But new Ring of Honor inductee Jeff Gerrin has a different view.
“I would say we were the best one, seeing as we played against the highest classification,” said Gerrin, who was a ferocious linebacker and leader on that team.
Gerrin joins fellow inductees Jerry Pulliam, Fernandez West, Chad Radcliffe, and Coach George McMillian in the Class of 2020, which will be honored July 28 at The Orchard with a luncheon, golf tournament and awards ceremony.
Gerrin started every game at the varsity level as a junior and a senior at linebacker. He also played some as a blocking tight end during his senior season. He lead the 1981 team in total tackles (123), just ahead of Mike Butler (117).
“I am excited about this honor,” Gerrin said. “Some of my other teammates have made it, and I am honored to go in alongside them.”
Gerrin, a lifelong Habersham County resident, said he never shied away from the contact.
“We all loved to hit,” he said. “That was the most fun part about playing football in those days.”
Gerrin received the coaches award for Best Defensive Player and made the Anderson Independent 1981 All-Area Defensive first team.
Teammate Joel Patrum played defensive line on that Raider hit squad.
“We like to think we had a pretty good defense,” Patrum said slyly. “Jeff was a very smart player and he told everyone what to do and where to be on that defense. He was a go-getter but even more importantly, you did not want to get hit by him. That whole defense was just plain mean.”
Defensive tackle Keith Hulsey agreed and said one of the team’s strengths was chemistry through all 11 players out there on defense.
“We had a lot of tough players who played well together,” Hulsey said. “We backed each other up and it was a lot of fun to be on that team. Jeff was a good player to have behind you, because nothing got past him.”
Assistant coach Arnold Meeks said Gerrin was a leader among his peers.
“He was a headhunter who could make an impression on you that you wanted to forget. He was a determined player who loved the game of Raider football,” Meeks said. “He and his teammates Joel Patrum, Mike Butler, Trent Primer, Keith Hulsey, Steve Quillian, Greg Helton, Scott Lokey, James Wiley, Roy Lee Williams, and Shaun Means could be one of the best defensive teams in school history.”
One of the 1981 squad’s greatest triumphs was a 7-0 win over Clarke Central at Raider Stadium, ending their 25-game subregion winning streak.
Coach Rodney Walker recalled what an amazing win it was during an interview with WCON Radio.
“It was a great football game,” Walker said. “They were a powerhouse that had won two of the last four state championships. … That was one of the biggest wins I ever had. It was important to this program and the community.”
Walker said the defense was phenomenal and memorable even today.
“They could really run, they had super speed on that football team, and they were really going to strike you,” Walker said.
Walker added that Clarke Central Coach Billy Henderson congratulated the Raiders after the game, telling Walker “Y’all play football like I want our teams to play football.”
The Raiders made two goal-line stands and blocked a field goal to preserve that shutout.
“That was an amazing win, and we really bowed up and stopped them when we had to,” Gerrin said. “That team was a real brotherhood, and we had each other’s backs.”
More than an hour after the monster win, the Raider fans, parents and band members were still outside the locker room waiting for the boys.
“It was kind of surreal when we realized everyone was still there,” Gerrin said, adding that the level of support from the community was typical for that time.
“They came out in force for every game, they even had more people at road games than other people’s home crowds,” Gerrin said. “They had amazing support for us, they fed us steak and chicken on Thursday nights. It was a great time.”
After graduation, Gerrin went to work at Habersham Metal products for 13 years. He spent most of those years as a supervisor and working in the engineering department. In 2000, he started his own door and hardware business, Chattahoochee Professional Door. He also is a captain with the Habersham County Fire Department after more than 25 years as a firefighter.
Gerrin has been married to his wife Sylvia for 24 years, and they have two daughters and five grandchildren.
In addition to his loving family, Gerrin has another family in that hard-hitting Raider squad even nearly 40 years later.
“They are still my brothers and they always will be,” he said “I am very blessed.”