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| GLADEWATER - Unheralded Jerry Stewart led Coach Bill Stages well-drilled Gladewater grid team to a wild and wooly 34-27 upset over the Longview Lobos in a thrill-packed Thanksgiving Day football classic played before 3,500 fans here Thursday. The Oil City Bruins staved off a whirlwind last quarter attack by the Lobos to eke out their first district triumph of the 1949 season. Longview, paced by the magnificent John Linney who played his last game, scored three times in the final period after Gladewater enjoyed a third quarter 34-7 lead.
The underdog Bruins drew the first blood of the ball game late in the initial period, piecing together a 41-yard march which was highlighted by the accurate jump passes of slender Jerry Stewart. Ground plays carried down to the 31, then Stewart flipped to Harry Free for 13 yards. He nailed Free again on the 14, then Billy Jack Barton faked a pass and romped up the middle to the four-yard line. Stewart immediately circled end to score standing up. Stan Howling converted and the inspired Bears went out in front 7-0. The Lobos' John Linney uncorked a whirlwind passing attack in the dying minutes of the second period to knot the score. Tommy Bufkin partially blocked Don Cole's third down kick which rolled crazily to the 48. The Green Wave started rolling from that point and, sparked by Linney's pin-point aerials, moved into the Gladewater end zone less than three minutes before the gun sounded ending the first half. Johnny flipped to Jones for seven, then found Jud McRee on the 19. He pitched a third down pass to Jim Sanford for a couple then nailed Tommy Rae on the three-yard line. Jones bulled over in two tries, then added the extra point to even the score at 7-7. The Green Wave reached the Bear 23 after recovering a Gladewater fumble by Jerry Stewart, but Gladewater reoccurred a McRee bobble at that point and Stewart broke off tackle for 63 yards before Tommy Rae hauled him down from behind on the Longview 13-yard line. Barton pitched to Stewart for the touchdown on the next play and Bowlin sent the 14th point sailing through the uprights. The Bears intercepted a Linney pass not he Lobo 30 and Barton immediately tossed to Charley Gary on the Longview four-yard marker. Barton faded to his 15 seeking a pass receiver, saw everyone covered and zig-zagged his way over the goal line standing up. It was a nifty bit of footwork by the stocky Barton. The clock showed 13 seconds remaining when the Bruins fullback turned in his touchdown jaunt. The half ended before Longview could run another play from scrimmage. Glade water needed only six minute of the third quarter to hang over another six points. Taking over on the Lobo 38, they marched 68 yards in five plays. Barton threw a 26-yard pass to Gerald Wilks. Stewart shook loose down to the 14, and Barton ripped off seven. Cole, who moved into the backfield from his center posted, bulled his way to the two-yard stripe, and Stewart snake-hipped his way over. The phenomenal Grizzles scores again the next time they got possession of the ball. Taking over on the midfield stripe, Barton heaved to Wilks on the 29. Two plays later, Stewart danced down to the 14 before Barton pitched a touchdown strike to Stewart to make it 34-7. The Green and White added their second touchdown by marching uninterrupted 73 yards after the Gladewater kickoff. Linney again paced the drive with completed aerials to Jones, Dick Nash, Jud McRee and the gallant Glenn Savage. Savage finally bulled his way through from the two-yard line to rack up the touchdown. The try for the point was no good and the Oil City eleven led 34-13. Longview's Jim Sanford intercepted a Barton lateral at midfield to set the stage for the Lobos' next touchdown. Moments later the sensational Linney tossed a 13-yard pass to Sanford good for six points. Jones added the point after and the Green Wave narrowed the gap to 34-20 with five minutes remaining. The crowd went completely wild as Longview added another score with little more than a minute remaining. They went 70 yards for that one and once more it was Linney, Linney Linney - passing as only the great T.A. Scott could have done. He nailed Jud McRee on the Bruin 45, and the Bears immediately drew a 15-yard penalty for roughness. Linney ran to the 32 and Jones romped to the 18. Johnny was tossed back to the 30, but nailed Dick Nash on the five, on the next play. Nash juggled the ball on his fingertips as he hauled it in on the 18, then raced down to the five where ehe was pushed out of bounds. The Gadewater team drew a five-yard penalty which moved the ball down to the one, then Jones crunched over for the touchdown. He calmly added the extra point that made it 34-27. |