B.A. "Bama" Falls earned the nickname Bama because he was the only player on Pearl River’s team from 1951-53 from the state of Alabama. Stephenson, Ala., was his hometown.

Falls, an All-State defensive guard for the Wildcats and according to his children cherished his time at The River. 

"Pearl River was the high point of his life after his childhood," said Bruce Falls, one of Bama’s three sons. "He was an aggressive person on and off the field."

According to Bruce Falls, Bama lost his right eye when he was 10 years-old in a school-yard accident involving a bow and arrow. "Daddy fought off a lot of personal problems growing up due to losing that eye," said Bruce. "Coach Holden was a major turning point in his life. If anybody ever had influence on his life, it was him. He always talked about him. He kept every football program from his playing days at Pearl River."