A 3-sport standout, Joe Barker excelled at Central High in the mid-to-late 1960s. In ’69 he was named the All-Vol Conference and All-Mid South quarterback, and was the starting quarterback for the West team in the TSSAA All-Star game. On the hardwood he started at guard on the ’69 squad that was the last boys team from Savannah to reach the state tournament. On the diamond he was a 3-year letterman who pitched and played 3rd base, earning All-District honors. He earned a football scholarship to Chattanooga and subsequently transferred to UT Martin on a baseball scholarship. Later elected as county executive, he was instrumental in bringing the NAIA Football National Championship game to Savannah.

In the early-to-mid 1990s, Robby Locklear was truly dominant. As a sophomore he was All-District as a running back and punter. As a junior he was All-Region and All-West Tennessee running back, All-Region and Honorable Mention All-State punter, and “Best of the West” Player of the Year. As a senior he was All-Region running back and punter, Region player of the year, All-West Tennessee punt returner, All-State running back, and was named TSSAA’s “Mr. Football”. Upon graduation he held school records for single-game and season rushing, single-game, season and career points, career rushing and all-purpose yards, career touchdowns, carries, yards-per-game and 100-yard rushing games. Locklear was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Memphis.