While growing up in Thomas, Oklahoma, Al’s life was impacted greatly while playing for legendary Coach Joe Ross. His dream was to follow in his mentor’s footsteps and then it was realized when he moved to Potter, Nebraska in 1958. During his 20 seasons at the helm, his Potter teams won 17 conference titles while he compiled a career record of 146 wins, 27 losses and 5 ties. In 1978, Coach Combs was selected to be an assistant coach for the very first Eight Man All-Star Game and then served as the West Head Coach the following year. After he retired, the young men Al coached in Potter saw fit to name the football field “Combs Field” in honor of their coach. He is most proud of those relationships and life-lessons he shared with his athletes over the years and as one former player told him: “The lessons you taught us in football really had nothing to do with football—They were lessons in life.” The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Eight Man Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017.