The Montevallo Bulldogs got a big region win this past Friday, but there was much more to this football night for longtime Montevallo fans.

On the night that the football field was named for former coach Richard Gilliam, a Montevallo player tied a state record with the longest run from scrimmage and Montevallo claimed a needed 27-12 region win over Marbury.

Gilliam coached at Montevallo for 15 years. His 1974 basketball team finished second in the state and his football teams made the playoffs seven times.

His 1977 football team went undefeated in the regular season

In 1976 he became the only coach to coach the all-star basketball and football team in the same year. And his 1984 football team reached the third round of state playoffs. His overall football record at Montevallo was 84-75-2, but for his career he had 143 wins in football.

Gilliam said he felt the naming of the field was great honor and that a lot of people&8217;s names should be on it.

To add more celebration to the night, Phillip Evans ran 99 yards on Montevallo&8217;s third scoring play of the night to tie the state record.

Montevallo head football coach Jim King said it was good to get the region win and that his team came out focused. However he said he was disappointed in a sloppy second half performance.

Still he had praise for Brandon Broadnax at fullback and linebacker and Evans.

Broadnax made four solo tackles and rushed six times for 18 yards.

In addition to his 99-yard brush with fame, Evans also scored on a 7-yard run and a 10-yard run. And Desmond Piper scored on a 43-yard run.

Montevallo led this contest 27-6 at the half.

Now 2-1 overall and 1-1 in region play, the 3A Dawgs will host region opponent Montgomery Catholic this Friday