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| HENDERSON - Maco Stewart's Longview Lobos defeated Jack Tittle's Henderson Lions 26 to 21 in a sensationally thrilling free-scoring battle filled with outstanding plays and players in which the two never-say-die district 11-AA opponents treated a wildly-cheering capacity crowd of nearly 5,000 fans to one of the most exciting grid games in the annals of this section of the state Friday night in Henderson.
The Lobos surged from behind of the second time during the game late in the fourth quarter to gain their margin of victory of a perfectly executed "hideout" play. Little Don Barton, who chalked up three of the winner's tallies, drifted over to the west sideline unobserved by the opposing team, took a pass from Jack Serpass and raced 64 yards to pay dirt untouched to make the final count read Lobos 26, Lions 21. Prior to this play Henderson led 21 to 20. The home team took quick command of the game early in the first quarter when Cashell's partially blocked kick went out of bounds on the Longview 44 yard line. The Lions marched straight down the field on running plays to the 8 where Pat McClelland tossed to Warren Ramsey in the end zone for the score. The try for extra point was wide. The Lions stubbornly protected the six point lead for the remainder of the half with neither team making a serious threat. John Rogerson took the second half kickoff on his own 15, raced straight up the field to his 40 where he squirmed through a mass of defensive players, broke into the clear, race call the way for the tying marker. Cashell's kick from placement split the uptight, giving the Lobos a one-point lead. The rampaging Wolves quickly exploded for two more touchdowns in the same quarter. Big Algie Callahan charged through to block Forman's fourth down pass on the Henderson 27. Harris, Rogers and Pakenham hit the line for a first down on the 10 where three line plays lost 4 yards. Serpass then tossed to Barton, standing all alone in the corner of the end zone for the tally. Try for extra point failed. On the first play after the kickoff Pakenham recovered Skelton's fumble on the Lion 33. Rogerson raced around end for a first down tot he 10. A holding penalty set the Lobos back to the 33. Amy Rogers pitched a strike to the speeding Barton who raced 15 yards to pay dirt. Cashell converted, making the score 20 to 6. A few minutes later Ken Bounds' kick from his own three-yard line was blocked by a host of Lions sending the ball rolling back out of the end one of a safety. Then young Skelton took over and immediately filled the air with passes hitting Ronald Moore, Arnold and Rea with constant success. An interference penalty called against the Lobos gave the Lions the ball on Longview's four. Skelton then tossed to Moore for the score and kicked the extra point, making the count Longview 20, Henderson 15. After an exchange of kicks the Red and Blue eleven gained possession on the Lobo 40. Skelton immediately hit Arnold with a 20-yard bullet and he raced over for the final Lion marker. Try for extra point was wide making the count Henderson 21, Longview 20. On the first play after the kickoff Serpass turned and pitched a pass to Barton who had drifted over to the sidelines unseen by any of the defenders. Barton raced 64 yards untouched by the surprised Lions. A final desperate Lion passing attempt was killed when Barton intercepted Skelton's heave on the Lion 33 as the game ended. The win gives Longview a clean slate in two district starts and was Henderson's first conference clash. Both teams produced brilliant and spectacular plays both on offense and defense. Although the team tallied seven times, not a one of those scores was made through an opposing line - all came on passes with the exception of Rogerson's scintillating return of the second half kickoff. For the Lobos center Don Menasco, tackler Algie Callahan, Wendell Graves and Bobby Anglin, ends John Callahan, Ed Roach and Max Langston turned in great performances. For the Lions center Torry Forman, ends Charley Joe Propes, Doyle Duran and Ronald Moore and tackle Buck Oberthier stood out. The backs were equally outstanding. Rogerson's runs. Barton's pass catching and the passing of Serpass and Rogers paced the winners. The losers probably displayed the outstanding individual performer of the night when they unleashed a young 15-year-old passing wizard in the person of Joe Skelton, playing his first "A" game for Henderson. Coming into the game late in the third quarter he proceeded to throw 21 passes, completing 14 for two touchdowns and a total of 147 yards. He also kicked the Lion's only extra point to almost give the Lions the verdict before the hideout payoff play. |