All the distractions of Homecoming, Senior Recognition, and the after-game presentation did not help Aquinas, as the Irish became the 31st straight Buddy Bufford Field Homecoming victim. You don't beat Lincoln County when the Red Devils are honoring their own.
While the Red Devils still did not look sharp, the 47-2 final score left no doubt as to the best team. Two defensive touchdowns added to the Devil rushing attack and a bit of razzle-dazzle in the passing game. The final 45-point winning margin was just the opposite of the first Aquinas game against Campbell Devils, when the Irish won 45-0 in 1972 in Coach's worst point loss ever.
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After the game, Coach Larry Campbell was presented with a proclamation by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners naming October 2002 as Coach Larry Campbell Month. With former and present coaches and players surrounding him, he was also presented with a crystal football honoring his accomplishment as Georgia's all-time winningest coach.
In his remarks, Coach Campbell said that he no longer wanted to be considered "N-F-L" (Not From Lincolnton), since the folks of Lincoln County are his life. He said he would coach the Red Devils as long as the local faithful would have him, and "would go play with his cows" after that.