Chapters 7 Through 18 – Brownwood Lions Football State Championship – Long Version Good

CHAPTER SEVEN

The Blessed Brownwood Lions Football State Championship – Part I!

I was Recruited off of The Brownwood High School Football Team in Brownwood, Texas where I was a member of The Brownwood High School 1960 Texas 3A High School State Football Championship Team as a Junior and then as a Senior, I was Team Captain of The Brownwood High School Track Team that won the 1962 Texas 3A State Track Championship. I was a Two-Time All-State Football Player and I was High Point Man at the 1962 Texas 3A State Championship Track Meet. Both State Championships Were The First In The History of Brownwood High School Athletics.

In Football, I was the Leading Rusher and Leading Scorer on the the 1960 State Championship Football Team with 1,363-Yards Rushing. I also Scored 10 Rushing Touchdowns and 4 Two-Point Conversions for 68-Points. I also Returned 2 Kickoffs For a Touchdown (Killeen and Weatherford); Had One Interception for a Touchdown (San Angelo); and Passed For Two Touchdowns To Lawrence Elkins (San Angelo and Mineral Wells); giving me 98-Points Accounted-For in The 1960 State Championship Season.

I Also Finished my Varsity Career with 27 Touchdowns Accounted-For and 178 Points. I also Finished my Three Year Varsity Career with 2,214-Yards Rushing and another 2,071 All-Purpose-Yards giving me 4,285-Yards of Total Offense.

My Three-Year Rushing Stats Included 177-Yards in 1959; 1,363-Yards in 1960; and 674-Yards in 1961, giving me 2,214-Career Yards Rushing. My All-Purpose Yards Included 606-Yards in 1959; 2,623-Yards in 1960; and 1,056-Yards in 1961, giving me 4.285 Yards of All-Purpose Yards.

I Was Also Responsible for Scoring a Touchdown In Seven Different Ways, including Rushing, Pass Receiving, Kickoff Return, Punt Return, Defensive Fumble Return Recovery for Touchdown, Interception Return for Touchdown, and I also threw Two Touchdown Passes to Lawrence Elkins (San Angelo Central and Mineral Wells) and in my Three-Year Varsity Career, I Averaged 11.1-Yards Per Touch on 386-Touches.

I also Recorded Six Interceptions in The 1960 State Championship Season, including Four Interceptions in The San Angelo Central Opening Game and One Interception Against Waco; and One Interception in The 1961 Season Against Weatherford.

How Ironic was it that The 1960 Brownwood Lions only Returned Six Lettermen from their 1959 Powerhouse Brownwood Lions Team, although they lost the 1959 District Championship to the eventual State Champion Breckenridge, Coached by Texas Hall of Fame Coach Emory Bellard.

Then in the Off-Season, after the 1959 Season, both Coach Bellard and Coach Wood, decided to leave their Respective Teams to Pursue a Coaching Position with a Higher Classification Team. Both Coaches Applied for the San Angelo Central Coaching Job and they Hired Coach Emory Bellard over Coach Gordon Wood.

Bellard then arrived in San Angelo Central in 1960 after leading the Breckenridge Buckaroos to a 1958 State Championship and a 1959 State Co-Championship. His next Challenge was To-End The San Angelo Central 10-Year Playoff Drought.

Later, I became a Great Friend with Coach Bellard and I was 1-1 Against Him, as he Recorded an Incredible 177-59-9 Record in 21 Seasons in High School Football, including Two State Championships at Breckenridge and one State Championship at San Angelo Central. His impact in San Angelo was Great, but not as Great as Coach Wood in Brownwood. Coach Wood Won Nine State Football Championships, including Seven State Championships in Brownwood.

Then in 1960, as Fate would have it, Both of these Texas High School Hall of Fame Coaches would play their Opening Game Against Each Other in The Old Brownwood Lion Football Stadium. The San Angelo Central Bobcats, with their New Hall of Fame Coach Emory Bellard, were Rated and Ranked by the Texas Sportswriters as the #5 Team in the State in Their 4A District, which was the Largest Classification in the State, at that time.

The Brownwood Lions were only Returning Six Letterman and were Rated and Ranked by the Texas Sportswriters as the #5 Team in their 3A District. Everyone in the State felt that the Bobcats would Blow the Lions off of the Map. One thing that the Sportswriters and Fans did not take into Consideration was that the 1959 Brownwood Lions “B” Team was Loaded with Talent, because of so many Seniors on the Varsity and that Brownwood “B” Team finished with a Great 8-1 Season. The Texas Sportswriters also did not take into Consideration that the Six Returning Letterman were Unusually Talented and Gifted.

Game One – San Angelo Central Bobcats

So in the Coach Gordon Wood 1960 Opening Game, Against San Angelo Central, after a Fumble Recovery, the Lions Scored their First Touchdown of the 1960 Football Season, as Future 2006 Hall of Champions Quarterback Ben Elledge hit another Future 2000 Hall of Champions and Texas Hall of Fame Strong End Lawrence Elkins with a Beautiful “Over-The-Shoulder” 56-Yard Touchdown, on the Second Play of the Season to give the Lions a Quick 6-0 Lead.

The Impressive Lions Defense was Led by Two Senior Linemen, Future 2003 Hall of Champions Offensive and Defensive Tackle Ronney Moore and Defensive Lineman Mike Greer as they helped cause Three Fumbles and Put Great Pressure on the Bobcats Quarterback, Larry Mullins, which caused an Unbelievable Six Interceptions. One of my Best Friends in High School, Quick End Eddie Daniel, who caught a 26-Yard Touchdown Pass from another Best Friend, Elledge, in the Fourth Quarter to End the Lions Scoring and Shock the Texas Sportswriters and Sports World with a Phenomenal 34-6 Upset Victory.

In that Game, I had Four Interceptions, for 133-Yards, including one for a 65-Yard Touchdown, another Interception for a 37-Yard Return down to the Two-Yard Line, and another Interception Return for a 29-Yard Return; I Rushed for 43-Yards on 15 Carries, and threw a 26-Yard Touchdown Pass to 2000 Brownwood Hall Of Champions and Hall of Fame End Lawrence Elkins.

Also, in the San Angelo Game, one of the Interceptions was a One-Handed Catch, for Two-Yards, just before going Out-Of-Bounds. With Four Interceptions for 133-Yards, 43-Yards Rushing, and a 26-Yards Touchdown Pass to Elkins, I Finished the Game with 202-Yards of Total Offense and a 10.1 Yards Per Touch Average.

Game Two – Killeen Kangaroos

Then in the Second Game in 1960, against Killeen, I Rushed for 147-Yards on 16 Carries and Returned the Opening Kickoff 90-Yards for a Touchdown and then another Kickoff Return for 46-Yards, and Finished With 283-Yards of Total Offense, One Touchdown, and a 15.72-Yards Per Touch Average.

The Lions Completely Dominated the Game after Intermission, although the Kangaroos went ahead in the Fourth Quarter, but The Lions Scored the Winning Touchdown with 44 Seconds Left in the Game for The 26-20 Victory.

Ben Elledge started the Winning Drive with an 11-Yard Pass to John Cadenhead, down to the 25-Yard Line. Following an Incomplete Pass, Emfinger Circled left-end and ran Five-Yards, down to the 20-Yard Line, before purposely Running-Out of bounds to stop the clock. Facing a Fourth and Five, from the 20-Yard Line, Elledge called on Cadenhead again and he ran-down to the 12-Yard Line. Elledge, then Rolled-Out and Sprinted into the End-Zone for the Winning Touchdown with 44-Seconds Left in the Game and a 26-20 Victory.

Although the Final Score was close, the Lions were Clearly The Superior Team. The Lions had 13 First Downs to 8 for Killeen and Out-gained the Kangarroos in Rushing by a 263-Yards to 136-Yards.

The Lion Defense was led by Senior Lawrence Elkins; Sophomore  Doug Young; Senior Ronney Moore; Junior David Smith; Senior Mike Greer; Senior Gerald Pitts; Junior Terry Dummer; Junior Bobby Staudt; Sophomore Dale Wheelis; Junior Jesse Hernandez; and Junior Eddie Daniel.

Emfinger led the Lions Rushing Attack with 147-Yards, which was more than the Entire Killeen Team. A.D. Carnes had 60-Yards, Elledge had 29-Yards, and Cadenhead had 23-Yards. Cadenhead also had a 33-Yard Run Called-Back due to a Penalty.

Game Three – Waco University Trojans

Brownwood Bulletin
By Bill Stovall

SEPTEMBER 24, 1960 – “This Game was played on a Very Muddy Football Field in Old Lion Football Stadium after an Inch of Rain just before the game. The Trojans Scored First and went ahead by a 6-0 lead and an Upset Appeared in the Making, but The Lions Stormed-Back, late in the First Quarter as Max Emfinger Returned a Beautiful Punt Return for 25-Yards to Set-Up the Lions at the Waco 41-Yard Line.

It required The Lions, but five plays to go the distance and Dead-Lock the Game at 6-6. A 16-Yard Keeper by Quarterback Ben Elledge was the Key-Play in the Drive. Emfinger Smashed-Over from Six-Yards out on the Final Play of the First Quarter. The Kick was missed, but the scored remained tied at 6-6.

After a Change of Punts, The Lions Zoomed into the lead for good, late in the Second Quarter on a Beautiful 57-Yard Pass and run play from Elledge to Lawrence Elkins.

Facing a First and 10 situation on the 43-Yard Line, Elledge Drifted-back and hit Elkins with a Line-Shot, just behind the Waco Safety on the 25-Yard Line. Elkins out-legged the Trojans into the End-Zone. It marked Elkins Third Touchdown Pass in the First Three Brownwood Games. Elledge Kicked the Extra Point and The Lions went ahead 13-6 with only 2:50 Left in the First Half.

In the Fourth Quarter, Emfinger Swiped a Duane Hale Pass and Returned it 22-Yards to their 46-Yard Line. The Lions then Marched 54-Yards for its final Touchdown midway through the Fourth Quarter. Elledge and Cadenhead had some great runs in this drive, but two of their big runs were called-back, because of penalties. Emfinger Capped the Drive by Diving-Over from the Two-Yard Line. The Extra-Point was missed again, but the 19-6 was the Final Score in the Lion Victory.

Emfinger, a Jack-of-all-Trades, romped for 155-Yards in 16 tries; while Elledge had 43-Yards in 8 tries; Cadenhead had 71-Yards on 3 tries; and A.D. Carnes, who turned-in an unusual Superb All-Around Game, had 47-Yards on 13 tries.” – End

In the Third Game Against Waco University, I Rushed for 155-Yards on 13 Carries and Two Touchdowns; had Two Kickoffs for 65-Yards, including a 47-Yard Kickoff Return, had another Interception-Return for 22-Yards, and a 25-Yard Punt-Return, giving me 267-Yards of Total Offense, Two Touchdowns, and a 15.7  Yards Per Touch.

CHAPTER EIGHT

1960 Game Four Against Temple

In Game Four in 1960, against Temple, I Rushed for 183-Yards on 21 Carries, had a 45-Yard Catch, had a 44-Yard Touchdown Run, had a 32-Yard Kickoff Return and another 38-Yard Kickoff Return, and Scored on a Two Point Conversion, for 298-Yards of Total Offense and a 12.42-Yards Per Touch Average.  The Brownwood Lions lost their First and Only Game in 1960 to Temple 26-22 in the Fourth Game of the Season.

In this Game, the Brownwood Offensive and Defensive Lines were Outweighed as much as 50-Pounds Per Man, but Ben Elledge Completed 14 of 30 Passes for 228-Yards in the Game. The Lions took the Opening Kick-Off and Stormed 73-Yards for the First Touchdown on the Pin-Point Passing of Elledge and the Drive took nine plays. The “Big-Plays” were 24 and 12-Yard Elledge passes to Eddie Daniel and Lawrence Elkins. I also has a Nifty 12-Yard Run in the Drive.

The “Pay-Off Play” was an Unbelievable and Incredible Play on Second and 10-Yards to go at the Temple 25-Yard Line. Elledge hit Daniel “Over the Middle” and he turned and lateraled to Elkins, who was “Trailing-Him” and he raced into the End-Zone, untouched, for the Touchdown. Both Super-Star Ends, Daniel and Elkins had some Fabulous Catches in the Game.

A.D. Carnes was again a Fabulous Blocker and a Dominating Defensive Player, but one of the Biggest and Most Exciting Plays of the Night came with 11:05 Left in the Game as I received a Pitch-out from Elledge, cut-in just before reaching the sideline and raced 44-Yards Untouched, to-end the scoring for the night and then I Blasted-Over, behind Right Tackle Ronnie Moore for the Two-Point Conversion, to make the Score 26-22, but it was not enough.

The “Ring-Leaders” on Defense included Seniors: Ronnie Moore, Mike Greer, A.D. Carnes, Lawrence Elkins, and Gerald Pitts; Juniors: Eddie Daniel, David Smith, Terry Dummer, and Bobby Staudt; Plus Super Sophomores: James Crow, Dale Wheelis, and Doug Young. 

Charles Coffey and John Cadenhead were Great-Blockers at Blocking Wingback, on Offense with Blocking Fullback Carnes, but they were also Outstanding on Defense.

CHAPTER NINE

1960 Game Five Against Stephenville Yellow Jackets

After the Temple Game, the Brownwood Lions Breezed-To Ten Straight Victories on their Journey in Winning the 3A State Football Championship. In this Game, The Lions Won with a 22-0 Victory in what the Sportswriters called a “Lackluster” Game.

The First Team Offense Scored all Three Touchdowns, but the Second Unit Played the Yellow Jackets on More than Even-Terms for over Half half-of-the-Game. I Rushed for 114-Yards on 15 Carries; had a 25-Yard Screen-Pass Catch; had 36-Yards on a Kick-Off Return; Scored on a 15-Yard Draw-Play; and Ran for a Two-Point Conversion, giving me 178-Yards on 17 Touches and a 10.3-Yards Per Average Touch, One Touchdowns, and a Two-Point Conversion.

This may Sound a Little Weird, but Lawrence Elkins, Max Emfinger, and Mike Greer Scored Touchdowns for The Lions; while Ben Elledge Scored a Safety when he Tackled the Stephenville Running Back in the End-Zone for a Safety. Reserve Tailback Jimmy Thompson played about Half of the Game for me and he was Outstanding as he Rushed for 61-Yards on 14 Carries.

Super Two-Way Player, Mike Greer, opened the Lions Scoring in the First Quarter, as he “Picked-Up” a Yellow Jacket, Mid-Air Fumble, and Romped 15-Yards into the End-Zone, for the Touchdown with 8:51 to go in the First Quarter, giving The Lions a Quick 6-0 Lead.

Another Tremendous Defensive Play was in the Second Quarter, when Ben Elledge, Playing Defensive End for the First Time, Trapped the Stephenville All-District Running Back in the End-Zone for a Two-Point Safety.

Still, another Great Defensive Play was when another Two-Way Super-Star, Charles Coffey, Intercepted a Stephenville Pass at the 15-Yard Line and Raced 38-Yards to the Stephenville 47-Yard Line. The Starters were in the Game and it took them Four Plays to Score. I ran 11-Yards to the 36-Yard Line and after two runs, we were at the 20-Yard Line and Elledge Rifled a Pass to Elkins in the Left Flat and he Raced into the End-Zone with three Defenders on his back.

In this Game, there were a Lot of Great Defensive Plays to keep the Yellow Jackets “Out-of-the-End-Zone” and those Defensive Stars included Elkins, Greer, Elledge, Coffey, Ronnie Moore, James Crow, David Smith, Bobby Staudt, Gerald Pitts, Doug Young, Ronnie Middleton, Grayson Wetzel, Eddie Daniel, and Ronnie Davis. Elledge looked Especially Good in his First Game at Defensive End.

After this Game, the Brownwood Lions were Ranked Fifth in the State by the Sportswriters and Sixth in the State in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

1960 Game Six Against Mineral Wells Mountaineers

Brownwood Bulletin
By Bill Stovall

OCTOBER 22, 1960 – “Quarterback Ben Elledge provided most of the Offensive Punch in Mineral Wells Friday Night as The Brownwood Lions scored on three of their first four possessions to a Methodical 25-0 Victory over a Mineral Wells Team before 4,000 Bi-Partisan Fans.

Elledge Ran for Two Touchdowns and passed for another Touchdown to set the Offensive Pace for The Gordon Wood Coached Brownwood Lions. Lawrence Elkins also had another great game as he Strengthened his Bid for All-State Honors, as he Caught a 25-Yard Scoring Pass from Elledge in the First Quarter and then Latched-On to a 12-Yard Running Back Touchdown Pass from Max Emfinger in the Fourth Quarter to Close the Scoring for The Lions. Ronnie Middleton Kicked the Extra-Point after the Second Touchdown.

Brownwood played most of the game without Emfinger, who went into the game Averaging over 100-Yards Rushing Per Game and over 200-Yards of All-Purpose Yards Per Game. Emfinger suffered a Sprained Ankle midway through the Second Quarter, but Returned and Still Hobbling, for only One Play in the Fourth Quarter and that One Play was the Touchdown Pass to Elkins. Emfinger also rushed for 50-Yards on 6 Carries and with his 12-Yard Touchdown Pass to Elkins, and Finished the Game with 62-Yards and an 8.86-Yards Per Touch.

The Brownwood Defense allowed The Lions to Completely Dominate the Game and they Turned-In their Second Straight Shutout, shutting-out Stephenville 22-0, two weeks ago. The Lions Secondary provided the big noise as they Picked-Off Five Interceptions, including Two Each by Charles Coffey and Ronnie Davis. A.D. Carnes also had an Interception.

Other Defensive Stars included Elkins, Carnes, Ronney Moore, and Mike Greer, who is one of the Most-Under-Rated Performers in the District. Lending a Great Lending-Hand were Eddie Daniel, David Smith, Gerald Pitts, Bobby Staudt, Terry Dummer, Doug Young, Dale Wheelis, James Crow, Middleton, Elledge, and John Cadenhead.

The Second Unit played mostly in the Fourth Quarter after the Emfinger to Elkins Touchdown Pass. Senior Quarterback Jimmy Herman led the Second Unit, but Elledge his Donnie Gersbach on a 43-Yard Pass. Gersbach, a Senior and playing in his first year of football, might have scored on the play, but he lost his footing and was tackles before scoring.” – End

1960 Game Seven Against Vernon Lions

Brownwood Bulletin
By Bill Stovall

OCTOBER 29, 1960 – “The Brownwood Lions surged into Undisputed First Place in District 4-AAA with a 16-0 Victory over the Vernon Lions before 4,000 Rain-Soaked Lion Stadium Fans.

The Lions punched 80-Yards for their First Touchdown in the Second Quarter. The Drive was given a New-Life by a Roughing the Kicker Penalty. Max Emfinger supplied The Key-Play of the Drive and possibly the Ball Game when he Hobbled 10-Yards to the Vernon 27 on a Fourth Down and Five Situation at the 37-Yard Line. Other Big Plays in the Drive were an 18-Yard Pass from Ben Elledge to Lawrence Elkins and a Nine-Yard Run by Emfinger.

Wingback John Cadenhead, who turned-in a Great Performance, got the Touchdown on a Seven-Yard Reverse at 7:13 left in the First Quarter. The Speedy Cadenhead had to use a “Hipper-Dipper” Move to gt to the End-Zone Flag for the Touchdown. Elkins Split the Uprights for the Extra Point, but The Lions were Off-Sides and the Play was brought back. Elledge, then hit Wingback Charles Coffey for the Two-Point Conversion and an 8-0 Lead for The Lions.

Tailback A.D. Carnes, playing for the injured Emfinger, led all Rushers with 131-Yards on 22 Carries. Helping Carnes with the running load were Cadenhead with 35-Yards on 4 Carries and Sophomore James Crow, playing Fullback for Carnes, with 33-Yards on 5 Carries, including a nice 19-Yard Run.

Emfinger got most all of his playing-time in the First Half and he got 31-Yards on 8 Carries; plus a 12-Yard Pass to Cadenhead. Emfinger also had a Beautiful 42-Yard Touchdown Pass to Elkins, but it was called back because of an Off-Sides Penalty. Elkins made a Great catch at the Vernon 25-Yard Line and Faked the Safety Man out of Position and Scored Standing-Up.

The Brownwood Defensive Line was Outweighed by over 25-Pounds Per Man, but they had a Great Performance in Recording their Third Shutout. Showing the way were Ronney Moore, Mike Greer, Elkins, Carnes, Coffey, Crow, Cadenhead, Elledge, Doug Young, Bobby Staudt, Gerald Pitts, Terry Dummer, and Ronnie Middleton.

Ronnie Davis and Eddie Daniel, the two-deep Brownwood Lion Safeties did not allow a Single Completion for the Visitors.” – End

CHAPTER TEN

1960 Game 8, 9, and 1o Against
Graham, Breckenridge, and Weatherford

1960 Game Eight Against Graham Steers

Brownwood Bulletin
Bill Stovall

NOVEMBER 5, 1960 – “A Superb Defense that collapsed on only one play, proved to be the Key here on Friday Night as the Hard-Nosed Brownwood High School Lions took a Giant-Stride toward the District 4-AAA Grid Title with a decisive 24-8 win over the Highly-Regarded Graham Steers before some 4,500 Lion Stadium Fans.

The impressive win sets the stage for next week’s battle with traditional Rival Breckenridge, which lost to Vernon by 30-24 last Friday. The Lions only need one more win to clinch a berth in the Playoffs.

The Lions reached its greatest height of the season on Friday as they Completely Bottled-Up the Heralded Graham Offense. In this game, The Lion Defense Kept the Steers from Crossing into Brownwood Territory only twice under their own steam.

Once again, The Lions Defense, sparked by four rock-ribbed Seniors who have supplied great leadership for this young Brownwood Team throughout the year, included Ronney Moore, A.D. Carnes, Mike Greer, and Lawrence Elkins. On one play, Elkins pinned the Graham Speedy Super Running Back Ken Thetford for a huge 20-yard loss. Moore, Greer, and Carnes were also in on plays which saw Thetford get tackled behind the Line of Scrimmage.

This Fearsome Foursome received able help from Sophomores Doug Young, James Crow, and Dale Wheelis; along with Junior Charles Coffey, Junior John Cadenhead, Junior David Smith, Junior Bobby Staudt, Senior Gerald Pitts, Junior Eddie Daniel, Junior Ronnie Davis, Junior Ronnie Middleton, and Junior Terry Dummer.

Quarterback Ben Elledge, Carnes, and Max Emfinger were the Sparks on Offense. Elledge scored Two Touchdowns of One-Yard and 19-Yards, and threw a beautiful 29-Yard Touchdown Pass to Eddie Daniel. Carnes Rushed for 45-Yards, did a great job on blocking, and Scored Six Points on three Two-Point Conversions.

Emfinger, still a little handicapped by a Sprained Ankle, ran wild with 143-Yards on 20 Carries and almost Broke-Loose on two other occasions. He picked-up 129-Yards of his 143-Yards in the First Half. The 155-Pound Junior also nearly broke on Two Kickoffs, returning them 49 and 46-Yards. Emfinger Returned the Opening Kick-Off 46-Yards to the Graham 48-Yard Line.

The Lions started their Opening Drive at the Graham 48 and it took them eight plays to go the route. Emfinger had runs of 21-Yards and 11-Yards in the drive and it was climaxed by a One-Yard Quarterback Sneak by Elledge. Carnes, then rammed through a gaping-hole behind  Moore at Right Tackle for an 8-0 Brownwood Lead.

The Lions Second Touchdown was a Thing-of-Beauty. Elledge, Switching the Football behind his Back, completely fooled the Graham Secondary and heaved a 29-Yard Scoring Pass into the waiting arms of Daniel in the End-Zone. With only 40-Seconds left in the First Half, Carnes blasted-over again for the Two-Point Conversion and a 16-0 Half-Time Lead.” – End

In Game Eight, against Graham, I Rushed for 143-Yards on 20 Carries and had Two Kickoff Returns for 95-Yards, giving me 238-Yards of Total Offense and 10.8-Yards per Touch in the 24-8 Victory.

1960 Game Nine Against Breckenridge Buckaroos

Brownwood Bulletin
By Bill Stovall

The Brownwood High School Lions, already famed for their heroic efforts during the torrid 1960 Football Campaign, provided “The Granddaddy of Them All” on Friday Night, Storming 72-Yards in the Final Two Minutes and 59-Seconds of play to down the Breckenridge Buckaroos for the first time Since 1940, by an 18-14 Score.

This Victory for The Lions was only their Second Win over the Buckaroos  in 34 Games, Dating-Back to 1925. It was also only The Lions Second District Championship. Their only other District Championship was in 1953, when Breckenridge was in another District.

The Victory gave The Lions a 4-0 Record in District Play and with only one game left on the schedule, Weatherford. Vernon is the only team that can Tie The Lions for the Title, but Brownwood would still represent the District on the basis of their 16-0 Victory over the Vernon Lions earlier in the District.

This Brownwood Victory must bring-back memories of their last Victory in 1940 when The Lions had to overcome a 13-0 deficit to score their historic 14-13 Victory. This game was vastly similar as Brownwood fell behind by 14-6, but battled back with two Touchdowns on perfectly executed Pass Plays to claim the victory.

The Lions struck first, after stopping the Bucks on their first drive and then driving 60-Yards to go ahead 6-0 with 6:06 Left in the First Quarter. It took The Lions nine plays before A.D. Carnes ran 23-Yards down to the Bucks 35-Yard Line and then ran twice for 2-Yards before scoring from the 2-Yard Line. Max Emfinger gained 28-Yards in the Drive on runs of 5, 5, 7, and 11-Yards.

Troy Kennedy scored on a One-Yard Touchdown Run in the Second Quarter and the kick was good, giving the Bucks a 7-6 Lead. Also in the Second Quarter, Then Floyd Swain scored on a 9-Yard Touchdown Run for the Bucks and the Extra Point was Good again, giving Breckenridge a 14-6 Lead.

All-State Candidate Lawrence Elkins was All Over the Field on Offense and Defense. Then, with 1:09 left in the Second Quarter and with the Bucks still ahead 14-6, Ben Elledge his Elkins on a Beautiful 24-Yard Touchdown, and the Extra Point was missed again, but The Lions cut the lead to 14-12 before Half-Time.

The Two Plays that the Lion Fans will Never Forget; and probably the Most Important Plays in the History of Brownwood Lion Football. With 1:25 Left in the Game and time is running-out and the Bucks still ahead 14-12. The Lions were 62-Yards away from being the District Champion and Disappointment.

Elledge Cocked his arm for the Most Productive Plays of the Game, Hitting three passes and one of them on a Fourth-Down situation. With Fourth and 10,Elledge Cooly faded-back and hit Elkins for a 14-Yard, Never-To-Be-Forgotten, First Down at their own 42-Yard Line.

Three plays later, Elledge teamed with Eddie Daniel and Elkins on a “Hook and Ladder” Pass Pattern. Elledge hit Daniel, who lateraled to Elkins for another First Down at the Breckenridge 42. Elledge then his Fullback A.D. Carnes with a Screen Pass and he Bulled his way down to the 21-Yard Line.

The “Play-of-the-Year For The Lions” was when Elledge Dropped-Back to Pass and hit John Cadenhead with a “Bullet-Pass” at the 10-Yard Line and Cadenhead managed To-Crash into the End-Zone for The Winning Touchdown and The Lions Touchdown of the Century. The run by Carnes failed, but The Lions Still had the 18-14 Victory.

For The Lions, Elledge, Carnes, Emfinger, Elkins, Daniel, and Cadenhead were the Big-Guns on Offense. Carnes, running like a bull, led all Rushers with 62-Yards on 13 Carries, while Emfinger, who sparkled in the early drive had 50-Yards on 19 Carries, plus a nifty 36-Yard Kick-off Return. Kennedy led the Bucks with 59-Yards on 18 Carries.

Elledge enjoyed his greatest success when under pressure, Completed 7 of 19 Passes for 121-Yards and Two Touchdowns. Elkins Caught 4 passes for 84-Yards and a Touchdown.

Ronney Moore, Elkins, Carnes, and Mike Greer, all Senior Veterans, again led The Lion Defense. Daniel was also outstanding as was Junior Charles Coffey; Sophomore James Crow; Sophomore Doug Young; Junior Terry Dummer; Junior Bobby Staudt; Senior Gerald Pitts; Junior Ronnie Davis; and Junior Ronnie Middleton.” – End

SIDEBAR: I will always remember that Bobby Staudt, Troy Kennedy, and I were Very Best Friends from the First Grade until the Summer before our Sophomore Years in High School. Also! Eddie Daniel and Ronnie Davis, along with Tommy Womack were in my Singing Quartet for Four Years.

1960 Game Ten Against Weatherford

Then in the 10th Game against Weatherford, I Rushed for 120-Yards on 10 Carries, including a 63-Yard Touchdown Run, a 90-Yard Kickoff Return for a Touchdown, and a Two-Point Conversion Pass to Elkins. In this 28-0 Victory, I had 210-Yards of Total Offense, a 90-Yard Kickoff Return for a Touchdown, and 19.1-Yards Per Touch, and The Two-Point Conversion Pass.

Brownwood Bulletin
By Bill Stovall

NOVEMBER 18, 1960

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The 1960 Brownwood Lions Football State Playoffs – Snyder – Part I! 

Our First Playoff Game was Against Snyder in Old Brownwood Lion Stadium. This Game Marked our First Bi-District Championship, in Brownwood Lion History, as we Won 29-20. I Rushed for 56-Yards 8 Carries and had Three Kick-Returns for 83-Yards, giving me 139-Yards of Total Offense and a 12.6-Yards Per Touch Average.  Wingback John Cadenhead Scored the First Lion Touchdown as he grabbed a 26-Yard Touchdown Pass from Ben Elledge in the Second Quarter.

Cadenhead also grabbed Two Passes for 39-Yards, Scored Two Touchdowns, and Rushed for 39-Yards on Four Carries, giving him 77-Yards, Two Touchdowns, and a 12.8-Yards Per Touch. Elledge Scored the Second Lion Touchdown with an 11-Yard Touchdown in the Third Quarter to make the Score 23-6.

Strong End Lawrence Elkins Grabbed One Pass and Kicked a 25-Yard Field Goal and Two Two Extra-Point Kicks. Split End Eddie Daniel Caught Two Passes for 55-Yards and his 42-Yard Catch from Ben Elledge to Set-Up another Lion Touchdown.

Charles Coffey Intercepted an early Snyder Pass at the 45-Yard Line and the Lions were on their way for their First Touchdown after Four Plays, as I Scored the First Touchdown from the One-Yard Line. Then Ronnie Middleton returned an Attempted On-Side Second Half Kickoff to the 46-Yard Line and the Lions were on their way to Victory.

Super Sophomore James Crow and Super Senior Tackle Ronney Moore, along with Super Seniors Elkins, A.D. Carnes, Mike Greer, and Gerald Pitts were the Top Defensive Players for the Lions. Those Fabulous Super Six Defensive Players seemed to be involved in Every-Single-Tackle.

Lending-a-Hand to those Super Six Defensive Players, were Juniors Bobby Staudt, David Smith, Coffey, Ronnie Davis, Eddie Daniel, and Middleton, along with another Super Sophomore Doug Young.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The 1960 Brownwood Lions Football State Playoffs – Monahans – Part II! 

In this State Semi-Finals Game, one of the “Unbeatable West Texas Schoolboy Teams” came to Old Brownwood Lion Stadium, as the Monahans Lobos came to Town. The Monahans Game was going to be a Classic Battle between Two of the Top Quarterbacks in the State of Texas in the 1960 Football Season. Brownwood Quarterback Ben Elledge, who would later Sign with Texas Tech and Lobos Quarterback, Norman Smith would Sign with Oklahoma.

Elledge was the “Clear-Victor” as the Lions Upset the Lobos 37-16, as he Scored Three Touchdowns on Runs of 5, 65, and 40-Yards, had a Two-Point Conversion Run, and led all Rushers with 154-Yards on 14 Carries. Elledge also Completed 5 of 14 passes for 91-Yards, and 245-Yards of Total Offense with a 12.4-Yards Per Touch Average in Front of 6,000 Fans.

Elledge had a lot more help than Smith, as I Rushed for 96-Yards on 15 Carries, Scored Two Touchdowns, Ran for a Two-Point Conversion, Returned Two Punts for another 46-Yards, and Two Kickoff Returns for 60-Yards, giving me 206-Yards of Total Offense and a 10.84-Yard Per Touch Average and 14-Points Scored.

Fullback A.D. Carnes Rushed for 46-Yards on 10 Carries, to go along with His Great Defensive Game. Lawrence Elkins caught all Five Passes of the Elledge Pass Completions for 91-Yards, Averaging 18.2-Yards Per Catch. Two of The Elkins Catches were Incredible Catches.

The Standing-Room-Only Crowd Only was Electrified on The Fourth Play of the Game as I Circled Left End and Raced 62-Yards  for a Touchdown, with only 50-Seconds of Playing Time Elapsed. Then, when Elkins ran for the Two-Point Conversion, The Lions Took a Quick 8-0 Lead, on their way to the 37-16 Victory. I also Scored on a Six-Yard Touchdown and a Two-Point Conversion.

On Defense, David Smith Recovered a Fumble; while Ronney Moore and Mike Greer Were Sensational In Leading The Lions Defense in Tackles. Other Defensive Stars Included Carnes, Elkins, Charles Coffey, Eddie Daniel, Bobby Staudt, Ronnie Davis, Terry Dummer, Gerald Pitts, and John Cadenhead. Two Super Sophomores, Doug Young and James Crow Were Also Outstanding.

Four Fabulous Plays In Monahans Game! 

This Monahans Semi-Finals Game was over 50-Years Ago, but I can still remember Four-Plays in that Game, like it was Last Week.

The First Play that I will Always Remember was the Fourth Play of the Game. The Standing-Room-Only Crowd of 6,000 was Electrified when I Circled Left End and Raced 62-Yards  for a Touchdown, with only 50-Seconds of Playing Time Elapsed. Then, when Elkins ran for the Two-Point Conversion, The Lions Took a Quick 8-0 Lead, on their way to the Huge 37-16 Upset Victory.

The Second Play was in the Second Quarter, with about 4:00 Minutes Left, Quarterback Ben Elledge Faked a Pitch to me around the Right End and then tucked the ball on a Bootleg Play Around Left End and got-by the initial Linebackers, before any Lobo Defensive Players Realized where the Football was and Sprinted 65-Yards for an Incredible Touchdown, giving the Lions a 22-0 Lead. Elledge, then ran for the Two-Point Conversion, to Up-The-Score to 24-0. I later Scored on a Six-Yard Run to give the Lions a 30-0 Lead at Half-Time.

Then the Third Play was an Unbelievable Play. I had already returned Two Punts for 46-Yards and at the End of the Third Quarter, I was Back in Punt-Return Formation, getting Ready to Receive a Punt. On this Particular Punt, the Monahans Punter Kicked Short and I Ran-Up and Called for a Fair-Catch, and as I Made-The-Catch, The Play was Ruled Dead. Then, one of the Monahans Defenders, Running-Down-The-Field, covering the Football hit me about as hard as I was ever hit and knocked me back, about Five-Yards, from where I Signaled for a The-Fair-Catch.

Obviously, the Lobos were called for a Hitting-Late Penalty and they Received a 15-Yard Penalty, but a few years later, while I was at Baylor, I “Found-Out” that the Lobo Tackler was Instructed to “Get-Me-Out-Of-Game” if he could. The Tackler was told that they were going to Kick-Short so I would call for a Fair-Catch and it would give Them a chance to Really “Hit-Me-Hard” and Get-Me out of the Game.

The Fourth Play was on An “On-Side-Kick” that John Cadenhead made a Fabulous Diving Recovery.

Every Single Day in Practice, the Lions would Spend 10-Minutes on On-Side-Kicks, but most of the time, we NEVER had to Use-It, but in this Very Important Game, Coach Wood decided to use it. We Practiced so much on these On-Side Kicks, we knew that we could “Pull-One-Off” if we needed.

In the First Quarter, Super On-Side Kicking Expert Ronney Moore Kicked a Perfect “Bouncy Ball” near the Sideline and Speedy John Cadenhead Dived for It and Covered It. Moore, also Recovered another Fumble, in the Game, along with David Smith.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The 1960 Brownwood Lions Football State Playoffs – Jacksonville – Part III!

The Waco News Tribune

“Both Brownwood and Jacksonville Teams have some really Standout Players that will be Performing and Playing on the Baylor Stadium Turf,” said The Waco News-Tribune. “Big Names in the Brownwood Lineup include Quarterback Ben Elledge, Running Back Max Emfinger, and Tight End Lawrence Elkins.

“After 12 Games, Elledge had Completed 63 of 146 Passes for 1,213-Yards and 12 Touchdowns. Emfinger had Rushed for 1,188-Yards on 151 Carries for an 7.87-Yards Per Carry Average and Emfinger also had Recorded 2,254-Yards of Total Offense and 10 Rushing Touchdowns. Elkins had Caught Nine Touchdown Passes and Coach Gordon Wood Calls Elkins the Best End in Texas. “Tight End Pete Lammons and Defensive Tackle Ray Dudley are the Two Big Time Players for Jacksonville.”

The “Big-Game” with Jacksonville was a Classic Defensive Struggle in the Pouring-Down Rain. In the First Quarter, I Ran 24-Yards Down to the Two-Yard Line and Elledge Scored on a Two-Yard Sneak to give us a 6-0 Lead with 5:40 Left in the Quarter after our Try for a Two-Point Conversion, Failed on a Fake Kick. In The Game, I Rushed for 68-Yards on 19 Carries; Returned Two Kickoffs for 73-Yards; Two Punt Returns for another 46-Yards; giving me 187-Yards of Total Offense and an 8.13-Yard Average Per Touch .

Elledge Scored Again on a One-Yard Sneak with only 4-Seconds Lapsed into the Second Quarter and we failed again on a Two-Point Conversion, but we led 12-0 in the Pouring-Down Rain. Then with 5:57 Left in the Second Quarter, but they also did not Score on their Two-Point Conversion, but the Lions went into the Locker Room at Halftime with a 12-6 Lead. With Five-Inches of Rain on the Grass Turf, neither team could kick an Extra Point.

Next Shocking Story Will Shock You!

What is going to happen Next is going to Shock-You and In-Fact, you could go to a High School Football Game every single day for 100-Years and you Will Not Ever see what Happened Next in the Second Half of this Brownwood and Jacksonville Game. Also Remember that the Winner of this Game Would Play in The 1960 Texas 3A State Championship Game.

The Brownwood Lions Football Team went into the Baylor Locker Room Drenched with Rain. Our Socks were Soaked and our Shoes were Soaked. Our Uniforms were so Wet; we probably were Carrying-Around an extra 10-Pounds. So what Could we possibly do, to get ready for the Second Half?

Unbeknownst To All of Us,  The “Universe” was “Taking Care of Us” and Coach Gordon Wood had A Plan and he had Already Thought-Ahead to this Serious Situation and he was about to put His Plan Into Action and Coach Wood had a Huge Surprise For All Of Us. The Managers, including Ronnie Early and Jackie Laughlin, had brought another Complete Set of Uniforms for us to change into, including Socks, Jocks, and T-Shirts, along with New Game Pants and Game Shirts.

So can you Imagine what The Jacksonville Indians Football Team and Fans were thinking about when we came out for the Second-Half Kickoff? I talked to Super-Star Ray Dudley a Few Years later and he told me that they were Pretty Deflated when they looked-up and saw us Coming-Out On-To The Field. Dudley said that the team still thought that they could win, but that they were so “Water-Logged” they NEVER could get anything going and the Final Score Remained at 12-6.

Jacksonville took a couple of Efforts to Score in the Fourth Quarter. They moved to the 38-Yard Line, but Gerald Pitts Stopped the Drive with a Key-Tackle on Fourth Down.

Senior Defensive Tackle Ronney Moore seemed to Spend the Entire Game in The Indians Backfield, but Elkins was also a Dominant Force on Defense. Other Stars on the Lions Defense included A.D. Carnes, Mike Greer, Pitts, David Smith, Bobby Staudt, Eddie Daniel, Ronnie Davis, and John Cadenhead. Two Sophomores, Doug Young and James Crow were again Outstanding.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The1960 Brownwood Lions Football State Playoffs – Port Lavaca – Part IV!

 (In Photo: 1960 Texas State Championship Hall of Champions 1960 Team Players – Fifty Years Later in 2010)

Although the Brownwood Lions Lost to Temple in the Fourth Game of the 1960 Season, the Lions NEVER LOST AGAIN in the Season and Ended with 13-1 Record and a 26-6 Victory Over Port Lavaca in The 1960 3A State Football Championship.

The 1960 Brownwood Lions Football Team won the First State Championship in Brownwood High School History. The Pre-Season Sportswriters said that this Brownwood Team was Too Small and Too Slow to even Win a Single Game in an Always Tough 4-3A District. Then, the Lions were going to Open Their Season Against San Angelo Central, a Pre-Season Pick to Win their 4A District in a 4A District known as “The Little Southwest Conference” in High School Football.

In the Opening Game, The Lions were a 35-Point Underdog, but they went-on to Win 34-6. The Lions were Outweighed by as much as an Incredible 50-Pounds Per Man in Every Single Game. The Lions Offensive Line included a 149-Pound Center in Junior David Smith, a 149-Pound Left Guard in Senior Gerald Pitts, and a 162-Pound Right Guard in Junior Bobby Staudt. None of them had ever Played on The Varsity.

Seniors Ronney Moore at 182-Pounds and Mike Greer at 170-Pounds were the Big Tackles. If you Average these Five Players, you Come-Up with a 162-Pound Average for the Offensive Line. In the Game Today, most Junior High Offensive Lines will Average 220-240-Pounds Per Man.

However, these Players Never Quit and Never Gave-Up and they also Believed that they would Always Win. They also were the Foundation to become a Football Dynasty Under First-Year Head Coach Gordon Wood.

Also Remember: In 1960, there was “No Two-Platoon System” and Everyone Played Both Ways. One Substitute Player Per Play was Installed to get the Quarterback out of the Game on the First Play and Get Him Back Into The Game, when the Ball Changed Hands.

Those 1960 Brownwood Players Included: Junior, OG Roy Bailey; Junior, First-Year Letterman, Manager Lindsey Baker; Senior, First-Year Letterman, Tailback Ray Bledsoe; Senior, First-Year Letterman, OC Jessie Boysen; Sophomore, Tailback James Bunnell; Junior, First-Year Letterman, Wingback John Cadenhead; Senior, Third-Year Letterman Fullback/Linebacker A.D. Carnes; Junior, First-Year Letterman, Wingback Charles Coffey; Sophomore, First-Year Letterman, Linebacker James Crow; Junior First-Year Letterman, Quick End/Linebacker Eddie Daniel; Junior, First-Year Letterman, Defensive End Ronnie Davis; Junior, First-Year Letterman, Senior, First-Year Letterman, OG Terry Dummer; Junior, First-Year Letterman, Manager Ronnie Early; Senior, Third-Year Letterman, Strong End/Defensive End Lawrence Elkins; Junior, First-Year Letterman, Quarterback Ben Elledge; Junior, Second-Year Letterman, Tailback/Safety Max Emfinger; Sophomore, Quick End Phillip Fenton; Sophomore, OT Wayne Garrett; Sophomore, OC Danny Gary; Senior, First-Year Letterman, Fullback Donnie Gersbach; Senior, Second-Year Letterman, OT Mike Greer; Senior, OG Roy Haynes; Senior, Strong End James Herndon; Junior, First-Year Letterman, OT/DT Jessie Hernandez; Senior, Second-Year Letterman, Quarterback Jimmy Herman; Junior, Quick End Donnie Howard; Junior, Tailback Ronnie Jones; Sophomore, First-Year Letterman, Manager Jackie Laughlin; Junior, OG Larry Mallow; Junior, First-Year Letterman, Split End Ronnie Middleton; Senior, Second-Year Letterman, OT/DT Ronney Moore; Senior, First-Year Letterman, OG Gerald Pitts; Senior, Fullback Carlos Robles; Junior, First-Year Letterman, OC David Smith; Senior, First-Year Letterman, Strong End Denny Smith; Sophomore, Quarterback Terry Southall; Junior, First-Year Letterman, OG Bobby Staudt; Junior, OC Alan Sweet; Sophomore, Wingback Mike Teague; Junior, First-Year Letterman, Tailback Jim Thompson; Sophomore, First-Year Letterman, Quick End/DE Grayson Wetzel; Junior, OG Tommy Womack; Sophomore, First-Year Letterman, OT/DT Dale Wheelis; and Sophomore, First-Year Letterman, OG/DE Doug Young.

The 1960 Brownwood Coaches Included: Gordon Wood, Morris Southall, Pete Murray, Gus Snodgrass, and Dale Biggs.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Most Unbelievable Facts To Remember!

One of the Most Unbelievable Facts to Remember about The Brownwood High School 1960 Texas State Championship Team was that some of these Players, who had NEVER Played on the Varsity had Incredible Seasons. Everyone Expected the Six Returning Letterman to Play Extremely Well, including Seniors Strong End/DE Lawrence Elkins, OT/DT Ronney Moore, OT/DT Mike Greer, Fullback/Linebacker A.D. Carnes, QB Jimmy Herman, and Junior Tailback/Safety Max Emfinger, but some of the Other Starters were just Plain Mind-Boggling, because No Other Players had any Experience on the Varsity.

In Finishing The 1960 State Championship Season, I Rushed for 1,363-Yards and had 2,623-Yards of All-Purpose Yardage, Scored 10 Rushing Touchdowns, Threw Two Touchdown Passes to Elkins (San Angelo and Mineral Wells), Had Two 90-Yard Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns (Killeen and Weatherford), Had One 65-Yard Interception for a Touchdown (San Angelo), Had 4 Two-Point Conversions, Accounted-For 98-Points and Threw Two Touchdown Passes, and Recorded 6 Interceptions on Defense, including Four Interceptions in One Game Against San Angelo and One Interception (Waco University and Graham).

In The 1961 Co-District Championship Season, I Rushed for 674-Yards and had 1,056-Yards of All-Purpose Yardage, Scored 9 Rushing Touchdowns, had Three Two-Point Conversions, 60-Points Scored and One Interception (Weatherford).

In 1959, As a Sophomore, With 177-Yards Rushing, 606-Yards of All-Purpose Yardage, Three Touchdowns, and One Two-Point Conversion;  My Three-Year Varsity Career was as Follows:

2,214-Yards Rushing – 4,285-Yards of All-Purpose Yardage – 178-Points Scored – Two Touchdown Passes – 4 Interceptions in One Game – 7 Interceptions – 11.1 Yards Per Touch – 386 Touches –

Ben Elledge was a Super-Star Quarterback who was Fabulous as he led the Brownwood “B” Team to a Great 8-1 Season, Losing only to San Angelo Central, but then Beating Breckenridge Twice.

With the New Offense, using the 1-4 Cutback and 2-8 Cutback as Their Most Dominant Plays, it was of Vital Importance that the Two Offensive Guards and Center Needed to be Extremely Quick and Athletic and Senior Gerald Pitts at 149-Pounds and Junior Bobby Staudt at 162-Pounds were Incredible, to go with a 149-Pound Center David Smith in Pulling And Leading Through The Hole. Speedy Junior Wingbacks John Cadenhead at 152-Pounds and Junior Charles Coffey at 140-Pounds and Senior Strong End Lawrence Elkins at 178-Pounds would Double-Team the Defensive End. Junior Quarterback Ben Elledge, at 178-Pounds would join Fullback A.D. Carnes at 171-Pounds, and All Seven of These Super-Stars would Lead-Me around the Right End 1-4 Cutback or Left End 2-8 Cutback and then I would “Cutback” behind all of them for Huge Gains.

With Senior Ronney Moore at Strong Tackle, he would also be Blocking in the Cutback and Senior Mike Greer, who was the Weak-Side Tackle would go Downfield and Join Junior Quick End Eddie Daniel in making Key-Blocks in the Middle of the Field, after I had Broke-Away from all other Would-Be Tacklers.

On Defense, Juniors Ronnie Davis at 161-Pounds, Charles Coffey at 140-Pounds, and Terry Dummer at 165-Pounds were Extremely Great Defensive Players and Sometime Offensive Stars. Sophomores James Crow at 154-Pounds, Doug Young at 168-Pounds, Dale Wheelis at 184-Pounds and Grayson Wetzel at 150-Pounds were Outstanding Defensive Players, but Remember that all of the Starters played on Both Sides of the Line of Scrimmage.

Senior Quarterback Jimmy Herman at 149-Pounds and Senior Quick End Donnie Gersbach at 156-Pounds also made Great Offensive Plays as did Juniors Jimmy Thompson at 144-Pounds and Ronnie Middleton at 150-Pounds.

The 4-AAA 1960 All-District Team Included Several Brownwood Lions, including Quarterback Ben Elledge, Running Back Max Emfinger, Strong End Lawrence Elkins, and Quick Guard Gerald Pitts on Offense and on Defense with Tackle Ronney Moore, Linebacker A.D. Carnes, and Linebacker Eddie Daniel.

In that 1960 State Championship Game, I Rushed for 107-Yards on 16 Carries, had Two Pass Catches for 29-Yards, and a 46-Yard Kick-Off Return and Finished with 182 All-Purpose Yards and a 9.6-Yards Per Touch Average.

As a Football Player, in the Games that I Played-In, My High School Football Record was 28-2-1 in The Three Years on the Varsity Including a 1960 Football State Championship and then In Track, I was a Member of Two Regional Championships in 1960 and 1961 and a State Championship in 1962. I was the Only Three-Year Letterman in my 1962 Graduating Class in Both Football and Track.

After The 1961 Football Season, I was Selected All-District, All-Area, All-State, and All-American by Wigwam Wisemen of America. I was Very Excited about making The All-American Team as I joined Five other Brownwood High School Lion Legends, including some of my Heroes: QB Leondous Fry and OT Ben Woodson in 1952; RB Ray Masters in 1953; QB Tommy Butler in 1958; and End Lawrence Elkins in 1960.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Brownwood Lions In Playoffs For First Time In Two Decades; Plus 1960 4-AAA ALL-DISTRICT DREAM-TEAM!

About this time in 1960, for the record, Brownwood High School Officially Selected their Class Favorite Personalities. Senior Class Favorites were Ronney Moore and Donna McBride; while Junior Class Favorites were Max Emfinger and Claudette Clark; and Sophomore Class Favorites were Grayson Wetzel and Carolyn Glass.

Lawrence Elkins was Mr. Witt and Carolyn Masters was Miss Witt; while Cheerleader Dennis Bloom was Mr. Spirit and Sherry Parker was Miss Spirit; and Eddie Daniel was Mr. Charm and Donna Dennis was Miss Charm.

Also, about this time, the 4-3A All-District Dream Team was Announced in Breckenridge as Selected by the 4-3A Head Coaches. Coach Gordon Wood and his Brownwood Lions, who swept through District 4-AAA play Unbeaten and they Earned Seven Super Players on the Offensive and Defensive “Dream-Team” that was chosen.

Close behind  the Lions in “Dream-Team” berths were Vernon and Graham with Six Players. Breckenridge and Mineral Wells played Three Players; while Weatherford had One Player.

Heading the “Dream-Team” of Returning All-District Players from the 1959 Season were Three Players, including Strong End Lawrence Elkins of Brownwood; Linebacker A.D. Carnes of Brownwood; and Running Back Kenneth Thetford of Graham.

1960 4-AAA ALL-DISTRICT DREAM-TEAM! 

Offense

ENDS – Lawrence Elkins, 175, Senior, Brownwood and Robert Rutledge, 180, Senior, Vernon – TACKLES – Joe Clark, 190, Senior, Vernon and John Hayes, 200, Senior, Graham – GUARDS – Gerald Pitts, 149, Senior, Brownwood and Leslie Nelson, 187, Junior, Vernon – CENTER – Rodney Kelley, 185, Senior, Weatherford – QUARTERBACK – Ben Elledge, 175, Junior, Brownwood – RUNNING BACK – Max Emfinger, 155, Junior, Brownwood; Kenneth Thetford, 160, Senior, Graham; and Buddy Langford, 155, Senior, Breckenridge – FULLBACK – Troy Kennedy, 175, Junior, Breckenridge and Butch Luedtke, 185, Senior, Vernon.

SIDEBAR: The Late Troy Kennedy was my Next Door Neighbor and Best Friend in Brownwood for about Five Years until his Single-Mom was Offered a Great Job in Breckenridge, just before his Sophomore Season in Brownwood.

Defense

ENDS – Joe Ball, 185, Senior, Graham and Jim Humphrey, 180, Junior, Mineral Wells – TACKLES – Ronney Moore, 188, Senior, Brownwood and Ken Bundick, 200, Senior, Graham – NOSE TACKLES – John Cook, 175, Junior, Breckenridge and Wesley Nelson, 187, Junior, Vernon – LINEBACKERS – A.D. Carnes, 170, Senior, Brownwood; Eddie Daniel, 165, Junior, Brownwood; Charles Daves, 170, Senior, Mineral Wells; and Jerry Tetmeyer, 140, Senior, Graham – DEFENSIVE BACKS – Jess Turner, 160, Senior, Mineral Wells and Jim Bob Bennett, 150, Senior, Graham.

The 1960 Brownwood High School Senior Football Honors went to the Following Players: Fullback/Linebacker, A.D. Carnes – Best Blocker; Strong End/Defensive End, Lawrence Elkins – Most Valuable Player; Defensive Tackle/Offensive Tackle, Ronney Moore – Most Valuable Defensive Player; and Quarterback, Jimmy Herman – Best Sport.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The Unbelievable Story of Gordon Wood Who Was Probably Coach of the Century!

It was in the Spring of 1960 and we had our First Meeting with our New Head Football Coach, Gordon Wood and he Gave-Us a Play Book that Read Brownwood High School Play Book. This Play Book was Given to me about 56-Years Ago and I am Currently Looking at My Brownwood Play Book that I have Used Many Times in my Lifetime.

FORWARD

Football is a Game of Life played on the Gridiron. It can very well be a reflection of what life holds for you in the Future. Your Reactions, Desire, Intent, and Attitude displayed in Football also displays the Type of Person you are and how you will React Down the Road of Life. Remember! Anything Worthwhile requires a Price. It must be Given a 100% Effort. Think in Terms of Success, Pay the Price, and be a Success. Form Good Habits and you will be Rewarded.

IF YOU THINK YOU CAN, YOU CAN!
(I Have UsedThis Poem For Many of My Life Successes)

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you would like to win, but you think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.
It’s as true as the Stars in the skies
That out in the World you’ll find
Success begins in a fellows thoughts
It’s  ALL IN A STATE OF MIND!

Full many a race is lost
Ere ever a step is run,
And many a Task has failed
Before it was ever begun
Think Big and Your Deeds will grow
Think small and you’ll fall behind
Think that you can and you will,
It’s ALL IN A STATE OF MIND!

If you think you are out-classed, you are,
If you’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to think well of yourself
Before you can win a prize
Life’s battles doesn’t always go
To the Stronger or Faster man,
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the Fellow who THINKS HE CAN!

My Four Brownwood High School Coaches: Head Football Coach Gordon Wood (In Photo), Assistant Head Football Coach Morris Southall, Offensive Line Coach/Head Basketball Coach Pete Murray, and Head Track Coach Gus Snodgrass.

Coach Snodgrass was Selected into the 2000 Hall of Champions, along with Ray Masters, Lawrence Elkins, Jimmy Carmichael, and Tommy Vaughn. Coach Southall, Coach Murray, Coach Don Martin, and Coach Ken West, along with Coach Royce Blackburn were Selected into the 2009 Hall of Champions.

Coach Wood, Coach Southall, and Coach Snodgrass were also Selected into the Texas High School Hall of Fame, as Three of the Greatest High School Coaches in the History of Texas High School Sports.

Five Brownwood Hall of Champions Coaches: Include: L to R, Coach Ken West, Texas Hall of Fame Coach Morris Southall, Coach Donald Martin, Coach Pete Murray, and Texas Hall of Fame Coach Gordon Wood.

One of the Funniest Moments that I had with Coach Wood was in the 1961 Vernon Game We had just Scored and we were Winning-Big and we had just Kicked-Off to Vernon and they Fumbled. On our First Down, we ran the ball to about the Five-Yard Line. Coach Wood did not want to Run-Up the Score, so he Sent-In the Field Goal Unit, in which I was the Right Blocking Back. Well! They Blocked the Kick and I looked over to my Right and the Football was “Just-Bouncing-Around” in the Flat, so I went over and Picked-Up the Football and Ran it in for a Touchdown.

But by Picking-Up the Loose Football and Scoring a Touchdown put me in Real Trouble with Coach Wood. When I got to the Sideline, everyone was Cheering Me, but Coach Wood pulled me over to the side and Really Blasted Me for “Running-Up” The Score. Later, we Laughed about it, but it certainly was not Funny at the Time, as we Won the Game by a 42-0 Score.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Coach Southall and I were Great Friends.

Coach Morris Southall was an Assistant Coach for more than 30-Years with Head Coach Gordon Wood, and the last 26 Years in Brownwood. Southall helped Win Seven Brownwood State Championships and 19 District Championships.

Coach Southall and I were Really Great Friends. He Taped my Ankles Every Single Day before Practice in 1960 and then in 1961, after I Strained my Knee in a Pre-Season Practice Game, he Taped my Knee for the Rest of the 1961 Season. The Funny Thing that I will always remember about Coach Southall and his Taping was that when he got through Taping, he would always grab a hair off of my leg.

Coach Southall (In Photo) was an Incredible Coach and and an Even More Incredible as a Person. Most Assistant Coaches are always Looking to Become a Head Coach, but Coach Southall was Content to be the Assistant Head Coach with Coach Gordon Wood. He was so Well-Respected all over the State of Texas and he was Synonymous with Winning State Championships with Coach Gordon Wood. These Two Brownwood High School Hall of Fame Coaches were also Synonymous when Mentioning the Brownwood Lions Football Team.

I also Remember that Two of his Sons, QB Terry Southall (#16) and QB Si Southall (#13) were Two of my Baylor Roommates. In the Summer of 1963, Baylor got Terry and I a Summer Job with a Midland Construction Guy who really did not have a Real Job for us, but he was Trying to Help Baylor Football Players with Summer Jobs. I will always Remember that Terry and I Found a “Huge Clearing in the Forest” and  Terry and I would Practice Running Pass Patterns in the Forest, where we were supposed to be working, but there really was no job for us and so we Worked on Throwing and Catching the Football.

Then in 1971, when I went back to Baylor to work on my Masters Degree, I spent that Spring Semester, with Si Southall, in Room 333 in Martin Hall which was the Baylor Athletic Dorm. I was also the Assistant Dorm Director of Martin Hall.

I knew Shae Southall, but I did not know him like I knew Terry and Si Southall. Terry Southall went into the 2001 Hall of Champions and Si Southall went into 2005 Hall of Champions; while Shae Southall was Inducted into the 2007 Hall of Champions.

SIDEBAR: In 1992, when I Took My Quail Valley Little League Baseball Championship Team to the Waco Little League State Championship Tournament, our Quail Valley Little League Team also Stayed in Martin Hall and My Son, Eric, and I Stayed-In the Same Room 333 that I had Lived-In for Three and a Half Years, while I was at Baylor.

In May of 2010, after all of the Players and Managers on the 1960 Brownwood State Champion Team were Inducted into The 2010 Hall of Champions as a Team, I Received  a Note from Morris and Lorene Southall:

“Congratulations! If I had a Special Team, it would be the “60-Team”. It was a Wonderful Experience. Thank Tour so much For Your Part in it. Your Mom and Dad would have been so Proud of You.”

Love,

Morris and Lorene Southall

On January 18, 2013, Coach Morris Southall, living in San Angelo, Texas, went to Heaven, after several days of Illness at Shannon Memorial Hospital in San Angelo, to Join his Best Friend, Coach Gordon Wood, in Heaven, in Coaching All of The Other “B” Boys in Putting Together another Heavenly State Championship Team.