DEMOPOLIS &045; The most talked about player of this 2004 championship team series, a name that has been mentioned when the subject of the championship game comes up, has been Dusty Gracie.

Everyone has mentioned the big screen pass that turned things around for the Demopolis Tigers in the second quarter of the 2004 championship contest against Deshler.

After a scoreless first quarter of the big game, Gracie took the screen pass and broke away for a 53-yard touchdown. It capped an 11 play, 90 yards drive. The play pumped the Tigers, who exploded for three touchdowns in the quarter.

Gracie put the icing on the cake in the fourth quarter of the contest, when he caught another touchdown pass, this time for 64 yards to give Demopolis a two-touchdown advantage.

He finished the day with 126 receiving yards on five catches to go with his two touchdowns. He also rushed for 66 yards.

Gracie started at the tailback position the season and handled most of the running for Coach Doug Goodwin that season. He says they wouldn’t let him play on the defensive side of the ball.

The togetherness of the team has also been express by all of the players, including Gracie.

Due to his age, Gracie was not eligible to play football in the 2005 season.

Though he didn’t play football during the 2005 season, Gracie was still recruited by the University of West Alabama upon graduating from high school.

He was red-shirted during the UWA 2006 football season. It gave him the opportunity to get or stay in football shape. The six foot, 210 pound running back is expected to move into the starting slot or get plenty of playing time in the up coming 2007 season. He is expected to play a big role for the UWA Tigers.

Gracie talked about one the difference between high school and college football.

Gracie is majoring in physical education and has kept his grades above average in his first year of college.

Editor’s note: This is eighth in a series of the Demopolis 2004 championship team and where they are today.