CARROLLTON, GA — A former Trojan cheerleader in possession of an important historical artifact from the 1972 state championship football game donated the item to Carrollton High School – 51 years after the Trojans beat Mitchell County 35-15 on the Eagles’ home turf in Camilla.

In fact, it was an artifact from that home turf – the 50-yard line marker – that ended up at Alfreda Cooke Brown’s home in storage. The marker documents the historic Trojan win in Brown’s own handwriting, which she said she added to make sure she didn’t forget the details of that spectacular night.

Brown said she’s had the marker for decades, and almost donated it last year but just wasn’t sure she was quite ready to give it up. She reached out to the school system a few months ago to say it was time. She showed up Thursday to present the marker to CHS Principal Ian Lyle and head football Coach Joey King. The marker then was added to the 1970s artifact case in the Trojan Hall of Fame.

After placing the marker in its new home, the school’s unofficial historian, Rita Gentry, presented Brown with an original copy of the Gold and Black newspaper that announced the cheerleading squad for 1972, including a photo of Brown with the other cheerleaders. The gesture visibly moved Brown, who said she enjoyed her journey down memory lane and that even today, as a Class of 1973 alumna of Carrollton High School, she is proud to be a Trojan.

“Today has been a wonderful day."

Former Trojan cheerleader Alfreda Cooke donated an important historical artifact to Carrollton High School – 51 years after the Trojans beat Mitchell County 35-15 on the Eagles’ home turf in Camilla. Pictured from left are CHS Principal Ian Lyle, Alfreda Cooke, and CHS Head Football Coach Joey King.