SALUDA, S.C. — 2019 was a special year for Saluda High School tigers.
1963 was the last time the Saluda High School football team won a State Championship.
That year, the game of football looked quite different from the wide open game we see today.
In the big leagues, George Halas and the Chicago Bears were the kings of the National Football League.
The Saluda Tigers, led by Head Coach Mooney Player, were State Champions.
Heading into 2019, few thought the Saluda Tigers were capable of winning their first state Championship in over 56 years.
That doubt increased when the team lost two straight games in the middle of the season, including a 28-point defeat to state powerhouse Abbeville high.
Coach Stewart Young, Saluda Football Head Coach, never lost faith in his team.
”Nobody at that point expected us to do what was going to happen except for the guys in the four walls in our locker room," Coach Young said. "They were the only ones that believed it.”
The journey for the Tigers started in dramatic fashion when the team defeated Southside, setting up a rematch against Abbeville.
The Tigers defeated Abbeville 32-28, advancing to the 2A State Championship game and ending Abbeville's 35-game winning streak.
For long time Tiger fan Jeffrey Jordan, defeating Abbeville and advancing to the county’s first state championship since 1963 meant everything.
“That Abbeville win, just really propelled us, emotionally, I thought it was just such a release of emotion.” said Jordan.
RELATED: Saluda's job is not finished
But the work for the Tigers did not stop there.
They had one more game to win before they could call themselves state champs.
Noah Bell, Senior Quarterback and Team captain, says Coach Young used an interesting tactic to motivate the team prior to the Title game.
“The Friday of the State Championship game, Coach Young showed us the trophy of the 1963 team and he was like you’re going to get remembered even if you lose but you’ll be immortal if you win.” Bell said.
In the title game, the Tigers stamped their place in the history books as they defeated Barnwell 39-14 becoming state champs once again.
For Bell, who threw five touchdowns in his last high school game, winning the state championship was not only for Tiger players but for everyone who calls Saluda County home.
RELATED: Saluda leaves no doubt
“It’s for them, its for the people that started the foundation, they built it up from where it is now," says Bell. "To just to do it for them, is that much more special.”
For long time Tiger fan Burton Campbell, seeing the team winning a state championship was a spectacular experience.
“It’s like walking on a cloud of air, it’s like your feet are not touching the ground the entire time.” Said Campbell.
A parade was held in the town of Saluda celebrating the team's state title.
RELATED: Tiger tracks in downtown Saluda