1933 Tallulah High School Football Season

Louisiana Class “B” State Champions For 2nd Consecutive Year

 

The following reformatted newspaper clippings were collected by the late Coach M. A. Phillips. The clippings were scanned by Janet Byram Newsom and converted to a computer-sensible format (OCR) by Dick Sevier.

 

1933 Tallulah High School State Champions

 

TALLULAH BEATS FOREST, 12 to 0

Class B Champs Pushed to Trim Strong West Carroll Team

 

TALLULAH, Nov. 24.—(Special)--Held scoreless for the first half by a scrapping Forest football team, the Tallulah Trojans were pushed hard here today but managed to push over two touchdowns in the last half to gain a 12-0 victory. The win gives Tallulah the right to enter the playoff for the district championship.

 

In the opening period Forest took possession of the ball in the midfield and on 2 successive first downs car­ried the oval to the Trojan 25 yard line. After two plays Day, Tallulah intercepted a pass and the ball went over to the Trojans.

 

The Trojans scored their first touchdown midway in the third period. A pass from Morton to Wixson for 20 yards gave the Trojans a first down on Forest's 35 yard line. Herbert Day, fullback, hit center for 12 yards, and Morton skirted left end for 20, placing the oval on the Forest 2 yard stripe. On an attempted buck Day fumbled and Morton, on the alert, quickly scooped up the ball and ran wide around right end to score standing up. Wixson missed goal.

 

Early in the last quarter Tallulah tallied their last score. With Day and Lindsey carrying the oval, the Trojans advanced to the 2 yard line where Lindsey sprinted off right for the second touchdown. A pass, Wixson to Morton was grounded for the extra point.

 

In the Trojan line the vicious tackling of Right End Bray was sensational while Boswell, Towne, and Watts were defensive stars. Lindsey and Day in the backfield continued their fine offensive work and Mor­ton and Wixson also turned in a good game. For Forest, Bass and Jones played well in the backfield, while the defensive work of Williamson, Everett and Holloway stood out in the line.

 

            Tallulah (12)            Pos.    Forest (0)

            Gandy            LE        Williamson

            Boswell          LT        Everett (C)

            Scurria           LC        Fox

            Towne           C          Ross

            J. Wade         HG      Everett

            Watts             HT       Freeman

            Bray               RE       Holloway

            Day                 FB       Crowe

            Morton         HB       Davis

            Lindsey          HB       Bass

            Wixson          QB      Jones

 

            Tallulah         0 0 6 6—12

            Forest            0 0 0 0 ----0
            Summary—Scoring touchdowns: Tallulah, Morton. Lindsey. First downs: Tallulah, 15; Forest 5.

            Offi­cials: referee, Weathersby (La. Col­lege); umpire, Lovelace (L. S. U.); headlinesman, Brown (L. S. U.)

 

 

Tallulah Defends Grid Title In Thanksgiving Game Against Mangham

TALLULAH, La. Nov. 29 (Special) M. A. Phillips, who is to the Tallulah High school Trojans what Hector was to the defenders of Troy in the olden days of Greek mythology, cast an admiring glance out over the athletic field, where his gridders were practicing Tuesday afternoon and his f a c e was wreathed in smiles as he said to an assistant, “that’s the finest bunch of boys that any man ever had to build a team from".

He stood there only for a moment though, and then digging his cleats into the sod he rushed pell mell into the midst of the huddled varsi­ty, shouting, "What in the sam hill's the matter with you fellows, can’t you see where those plays are going?"

The plays he had reference to were those employed by the unde­feated Mangham eleven, which comes here Thanksgiving Day for a game which will decide the championship of the Northeast Louisiana, and determine just how far the powerful Trojans will go this year in defense of the state class B championship which they won in a glorious campaign last season.

To the players, Coach Phillips is a stern master of strategy who rules with an iron hand and seldom cracks a smile on the practice field, but much of their success during the past two years can be attributed to their compliance with his orders and adherence to his clean sportsmanship and hard fight.

As he looked over the men who on Thursday must meet a machine that has run roughshod over all opposition, leaving the wreckage of title hopes in its wake, Coach Phillips wondered to himself just how much of this terrific pressure the Trojans can endure and how much longer they can set the dazzling pace which began with the opening shot of the 1932 campaign.

 

Thanksgiving Day this year again finds the Trojans unbeaten. In 22 consecutive victories their banners have been carried to victory by men who don't know what it is to lose, and hope never to experience the sting. In Mangham they face a smart and deceptive aggregation —a team which has scored eight wins in a row. Heavy and fast, the Richland parish warriors will roar into Tallulah tomorrow, hop­ing, and confidently expecting to make a quick killing.

 

Under the tutorship of John Whatley, a former Tulane star, Mangham's football teams have had to be reckoned with in deciding the Northeast District championships for the past three years, and again they're in the thick of the fight with a bigger and better team than ever.

 

The age old adage that "uneasy rests the head that wears the crown" could be appropriately ap­plied to the locals as they polish off their defense and go over final phases of their attack plans for the Mangham battle. Since they became state champions last year, they have been targets for those teams who aim high and shoot the works at the mark.

 

But even though they've been shot at on nine different occasions this year, the Trojans have yielded but two touchdowns while their fleet footed ball carriers have amassed a total of 295 points. This record is compared to that of the 1932 season when Tallulah scored 13 victories with 378 points to 14 for the opposition.

 

One of the principal reasons why Tallulah has shown so much scor­ing punch this season is the great work of Morton, a shrivel-hip halfback who has beat a worn path to enemy goal lines, crossing them for 22 touchdowns and taking the state scoring lead with 134 points. He has been accorded brilliant support by Lindsey, his running mate at half, with Wixson and Spinks contributing considerable yardage to the cause and playing leading roles in the blocking show which the team puts on in every performance.

In the line Towne, at the pivot post has been a bulwark on the de­fense and his great ball handling has kept fumbling at a minimum. Boswell, who plays tackle and guard is heavy and fast, although Holloway, a tackle, is the biggest man on the squad, weighing about 185 pounds.

 

With both Mangham and Tallulah employing the Warner system of gridiron procedure which includes among other things worlds of de­ception through trick reverses, spinners and laterals, fans attend­ing Thursday's game should be treated to a rare bit of football. Each team will be able to diagnose the others plays with a fair degree of accuracy and for this reason, a small score is expected.

 

Tallulah is football minded as the hour of the big game approaches. On every street corner, in drug stores and even in class rooms when teachers aren't looking, the principal topic of conversation is the Tallulah-Mangham battle. Out at the park athletic officials of the school are putting in additional bleachers to care for the big crowd which is expected to witness the colorful classic.

 

Tickets will be on sale only at the gates, the price of admission being 75 cents for adults and a quarter for students. With stores closed in Tallulah, the whole town will turn out to cheer the Trojans on to victory, and some five hund­red Mangham fans will accompany that team here. The kick-off is at 2:30.

           

Fortunately the defending title holders are in the pink of condition as they gird themselves for the crucial tilt, and practice sessions outlined for the week were arranged to minimize the danger of incurring injuries.

 

Yesterday afternoon's work start­ed with a kicking and passing drill that was followed by a lengthy signal session in which both the varsity and reserve elevens snapped through their entire reper­toire of plays.

 

Coach Phillips has added a couple of new plays to the bag of tricks which the Trojans will open against Mangham, and the aerial attack was given some last minute changes designed to render it more effective. Pass defense was also stressed, because it was believed here that the invaders would take to the air if they found the Tallulah forward impregnable as other teams have.

 

Although Tallulah holds a slight edge over their rivals, not even the most ardent supporter would be willing to spot points for the Thanksgiving game.

 

 

TALLULAH BEATS DUBACH IN TITLE BATTLE, 26 to 13

 

TROJANS TURN ON POWER IN FOURTH QUARTER TO WIN

Plungers Outclassed in Class B Game; Trojans Play Lafayette

 

TALLULAH, Dec. 15.-(Special)-Using perfectly timed forward passes and slashing off tackle thrusts, coupled with sweeping end runs, the Tallulah Trojans, defending class B state champions, scored in all but one period here today to rout the highly favored Dubach Plungers 26-13 and capture the class B championship of north Louisiana.

 

The Trojans thus won the right to play Cathedral high of Lafayette for the state championship here next Friday.

 

The starting Trojan backfield played brilliant football and honors for the day went to them. Captain Junior Morton, all-state halfback, scored three of his team's four touchdowns. Bill Lindsey led to the first score of the game by a long jaunt on a triple reverse around left end for 37 yards and made other sensational long runs. Cy Wixson, triple threat, not only hurled bullet-like passes but caught several from the hands of Morton which finally led to scores and it was the hard driving of Herbert Massey, fullback, which carried the Trojans deep in enemy territory.

 

Before the game was three minutes old the Trojans had carried the oval across the Plungers goal line. Lind­sey, on a triple reverse around left end, made 37 yards to place the ball on the 28-yard line. A pass, Wixson to Morton was good for 32 yards and a first down on the Plunger two-yard line. Morton crashed right tackle for the score. Wixson kicked goal per­fectly and the Trojans led 7-0 at the end of the first period.

The Plungers came back strong in the second quarter to score but missed the extra point.  At one time during the period the Trojans took the pigskin to the Dubach 18-yard line but failed to go over. After an exchange of punts, Dubach took possession of the oval on their own 45. Consistent line gains with Schuler carrying the ball completed three first downs and with the ball on the one-yard line and fourth down, Schuler went off left tackle to score. His kick for ex­tra point was wide.

Just before the period ended, Lind­sey crashed off left tackle for 40 yards but the half found the Trojans leading 7-6.

 

At the start of the third period, the heavy Dubach team returned to the field in a weary mood. The pass combination, Colvin to T. Napper failed to click consistently but one completion gained 30 yards. Schuler, rangy fullback, bore the brunt of the offense but time and again the Tro­jan linesmen rushed in and threw Colvin, Hinkie and Schuler for losses. Captain Mount played a great game for the visitors and his defensive work stood out exceptionally.

 

Tallulah scored its second score when the Plungers punted poorly and the Trojans took the ball on the Du­bach 38-yard line. Another bullet pass Morton to Wixson, netted 20 yards and with the oval on the eight yard line, Morton dashed off left tackle for a touchdown. A kick by Wixson was blocked. Toward the end of the quarter, Wixson passed to Mor­ton for 33 yards but a fumble later gave the ball to Dubach.

 

The Trojans' offensive power took the ball to the plunger one-yard line in the last period but a fumble behind the goal was recovered by Du­bach, Taking the oval on the Du­bach 47-yard line, three first downs advanced to the 11-yard stripe and on a triple reverse around left end, Lindsey tallied standing up. Lindsey skirted left end for the point.

 

Recovering a fumble by Ferguson on the Dubach 30-yard line, Tallulah scored their last marker. With Massey and Morton toting the leather, Mor­ton swept around right end for 12 yards and the final tally. His kick was wide.

 

With the Trojan second stringers in the game, Dubach scored their second touchdown. Spinks punted to the Plunger 40 and Hinkie, with beautiful blocking and interference, swept down the left side line for 82 yards and a score. Schuler scored the extra point.

 

In the Plunger line, T. Napper, Capt. Mount and Smith were outstanding while Hinkie, Schuler and Colvin were the boys who bore the brunt of the Dubach attack. Gandy, Holloway, Towne, Boswell and Watts played a stellar game in the line for the Trojans while the entire backfield starred.

 

The playoff for the state champions will be contested here next Friday at 2:30 when the Trojans meet Cathedral high of Lafayette, it was decided after the game by a committee representing both Tallulah and Cathedral high school.

 

            Tallulah (26)            Pos.    Dubach (13)

            Gandy                        LE        T. Napper

            Holloway                  LT        J. Harrist

            Scurria                       LG       Mount

            Towne                       C          Smith

            Boswell                      RG       Bailey

            Watts                         RT       Trussell

            Bray                           RE       W. Napper

            Wixson                      QB      Colvin

            Morton                     L H      Hinkie

            Lindsey                      RH       Center

            Massey                      FB       Schuler


            Score by quarters:

            Tallulah         7 0 6 13—26

            Dubach         0 6 0   7—13


Scoring touchdowns, Tallulah. Mor­ton, 3; Lindsey; Dubach; Schuler, Hinkie.

Points after touchdowns, Wixson and Lindsey; Dubach, Schuler.

Substitutions Tallulah, Spinks for Lindsey, C. Wade for Scurria, J. Wade for Watts, C. Wade for Boswell, A. Cagnolatti for Bray; for Dubach: Ferguson for Center.

First downs: Tallulah 13, Dubach 9.

Penalties, Tallulah 15, Dubach 10.

Officials: Albright (Texas), referee; McFarland (L. S. U.), umpire; Thompson (La. Tech), head linesman; Madden (Centenary), field judge.

 

 

TALLULAH DEFENDS STATE GRID CHAMPIONSHIP IN CLASSIC WITH SOUTH LOUISIANA CHAMPS FRIDAY

 

TALLULAH, La. Dec. 21.-Four all state high school football stars will see service here Friday afternoon when a pack of title hungry Tigers from Lafayette clash with the fighting blue and gold Tallulah Trojans. The class B cham­pionship of the state is at stake and a crowd of 3,500 fans has been set as the goal by the local school and civic officials.

 

In Broussard, a powerful center, and Castel, a tireless end, Cath­edral will parade before the eyes of local fans two of the most daz­zling performers ever to don Lafayette uniforms. Both of these men were overwhelming choices for positions on the all-state class B eleven, and both have been swamp­ed with college and university bids, proving more than any other one thing, their superior calibre.

 

The Tigers, coached by A. G. LaCour, have tasted defeat but one time this year and then the dregs were sweetened, because it was a fast Jesuit team from New Orleans which proved their ne­mesis and the Jesuits are playing Byrd Hi of Shreveport for the state Class A championship, which doesn't make them look so bad after all.

 

Coach LaCour will bring a squad of 25 men here for the game and hundreds of fans from South Lou­isiana, who have seen the Tigers bowl over opponents like a bowling ball over wooden pins, will accom­pany the team here for the classic.

 

W. Martin, a sensational halfback, who has led Cathedral in their scoring of 205 points against 32 for the opposition, made the second all-state team and is expected to be a shining light in the team's offensive performance when they meet the lion-hearted Trojan forwards.

 

Other outstanding players on the Cathedral roster include D. Mouton, who was another to make all-state second team; Prejean, team captain and star guard, who along with A. Duhon, received honorable mention. The Tigers have a rather heavy line, and a set of shifty, versatile backs.

 

Coach "Ma" Phillips, who taught the Trojan warriors, what football they know, and experts will agree that they know plenty, is burning midnight oil over at his house each night as he stays awake perfecting plans for his team's defense of its hard-earned laurels.

 

Of course he expects to give the Visitors a good game, maybe his boys will score a touchdown, but that's as far as he will go in dis­cussing the chances of Tallulah winning the crown for the second successive year.

 

He knows that Cathedral will have its heaviest guns slung for firing a final salute to the closing season and one which they confidently believe will blast Tallulah's title hopes---as it has blasted -----?

 

General admission for the game is 75 cents, although seats on both ends of the stands are going for a "buck" each and going fast. General admission is only good for the visitors' side of the field.

 

            The team rosters:

 

            Cathedral High School Tigers Coach—A. G. LaCour.

            Name                        No.     Pos.    W

            Sonnier                     16       T          140

            Sabatier                    17       E          130

            I. Webb.                    18       G         140

            E. Mouton                19       E          135

            J. Boyd                       20       QB      130

            Estillette                    35       HB       130

            Prejean (C)               36       G         140

            B. Broussard            37       QB      140

            H. Duhon                  38       QB      135

            DeBlanc                     39       C          145

            D. Martin                  40       FB       155

            LeBlanc                      41       FB       145

            W. Martin                 42       HB       145

            Landry                       43       C          140

            D. Mouton               44       T          144

            C. Mouton                45       G         148

            P. Duhon                  46       E          150

            Figueron                   47       HB       135

            W. Mouton              48       T          136

            Chauvin                     49       G         135

            Castel                         50       E          180

            A. Duhon                  51       T          155

            Webb                         52       G         160

 

            Average                                            143

 

Record of team: Won 8, lost 1, tied 2; scored 205 points against opponents 32. Only team to beat them was Jesuit High School of New Orleans 26 to 0. Jesuits are playing Byrd High of Shreveport for Class A championship of state.

 

            Tallulah High School Trojans Coach—M. A. Philiips.

            Name                        No.     Pos.    Wt

            Boswell                      1          G         177

            Towne                       2          C          160

            S. Scurria                  3          G         155

            Watts                         4          T          165

            Holloway                  5          T          170

            Alexander                 6          T          172

            Lindsey                      7          HB       145

            Wixson                      8          QB      161

            Massey                      9          FB       154

            Morton (C)               10       HB       158

            Spinks                        11       HB       146

            Day                             12       FB       140

            Devine                       13       QB      135

            M. Cagnolatti           14       HB       120

            C. Wade                    15       G         144

            Newman                   16       T          152

            J. Wade                     17       G         135

            Jones                          18       G         135

            S. Scurria                  19       C          140

            Gandy                        20       E          140

            Byrd                           21       E          147

            A. Cagnolatti            22       E          130

            Bray                           23       E          140

            Lancaster                  24       E          135

            Gilbert                       45       C          130

            Scott                          47       FB       142

            Byram                        48       T          135

            Bourne                      49       E          110

            E. Smith                     56       T          135

            Capshaw                   57       G         128

            H. Smith                    59       HB       110

            Whitfield                   60       HB       127

            Nelson                       61       QB      127

 

            Average                                            143

 

            Record of team: Won 11, lost 0, tied 0. Scored 347 points against 96 for opponents.

 

 

TALLULAH MEETS CATHEDRAL HIGH FOR ‘B’ TITLE

Trojans Defend Crown Against Lafayette Team

Both Teams in Good Shape for Title Match in Tallulah Today

 

By Jack Fairly

(World Sports Correspondent)

 

TALLULAH, Dec. 21.-(Special)-Tallulah's gallant band of Trojans, un­defeated and untied in Louisiana prep school football since 1931, was all cocked and primed to defend once again its championship crown on the local grid tomorrow afternoon when they tangle with the Cathedral high Tigers of Lafayette, for state confer­ence honors. The kickoff is set for 2:30 o'clock.

 

The Cathedral team of 23 players and coaches, accompanied by a large number of supporters, is slated to storm into town Friday morning and will make headquarters at a local hotel. Reports reaching here were that the visiting eleven was in fine shape for the contest.

 

Meanwhile, local fans were rallying in last minute stages of pep meetings and bonfires. On every street corner of this enterprising little county seat of Madison parish throngs of enthu­siastic football gossipers gathered to discuss the game from every angle and to make dire predictions as to who would win individual honors of the day and to predict the score.

 

Large posters, announcing the contest in huge red letters, hung from every street intersection and circu­lars have been distributed here and in neighboring towns where hundreds of visitors will wend their way to watch the smooth working Trojan machine get into action. Automobiles bore the sign, "Welcome Cathedral High," and the town was all set to welcome one of the largest football crowds assem­bled in north Louisiana.

Captain Junior Morton, flashy all-state halfback, despite a bruised leg, was reported to be at his best and if so, fans who have not seen this speed merchant carry the leather will be in for a rare treat. This season Morton has scored 158 points of the total 347 for the Trojans and fine blocking and punting have paved the way for other touchdowns. Morton is also famed for returning punts and passes as well as he kicks. In Cy Wixson the Tallulah team boasts a triple threat back who plays a consistent game. It is Wixson who boots the extra points for his mates and it is seldom that his educated toe fails to send the ball between the uprights. Wixson passes, kicks, and runs with the ball in a spectacular fashion.

Lindsey and Spinks are the other first string half backs and both have turned in worthwhile records since September. Due to an early injury, Lindsey got off to a slow start but in the last five games he has proven his rank as a valuable asset to the squad. His off tackle jaunts and his peculiar style of running with the ball rate him as a spectacular player and his excellent blocking place him among the best of high school stars. Spinks is another great running back but his specialty is quick kicking, many of his punts travelling within the 10-yard stripe. Herbert Massey, the hard-plunging Trojan fullback, can always be depended upon to give the team the necessary yardage when needed. Massey has played a great game the entire season and is never missing from the lineup except for a few minutes at a time.

Throughout the 1933 schedule, the Tallulah line has turned in a consist­ent brand of football. Featured in the line are Bill Towne, one of the great­est centers seen in action here; Roy Boswell, guard, who breaks up op­ponents' plays and who tackles with the ferocity of a tiger, and Watts, big tackle, who tears down the field with the kickoff to bring the receiver to earth. Bray and Gandy, ends, can always be depended upon to take care of their respective flanks and these two men are two good reasons why long end runs are rare against the Madisons. Holloway at left tackle weighs 170 pounds and his de­fensive game is always outstanding. Clyde and James Wade, although rather light, are capable guards and play hard football when they are in the lineup.

A 35-piece band from Vicksburg, Miss. will be on hand to furnish music for the occasion and will parade on the field between halves.

 

            The probable starting lineups:

            Tallulah         Wt.                 Cathedral     Wt.

Byrd               150     LE        A. Duhon      155

Holloway      170     LT        D. Mouton   145

C. Wade        150     LG       M. Webb      160

Towne           155     C          DeBlanc         145

Boswell          170     RG       Prejean         140

Watts             160     RT       P. Duhon      150

Bray               135     RE       Castel             180

Wixson          160     QB      L. Broussard 150

Morton         155     RH       D. Martin      145

Lindsey          155     LH       Estillette        145

Massey          150     FB       D. LeBlanc    145

 

            Officials: Reid (L. S. U.). referee; Hendrix (L. S. U..), umpire; Wilbanks (L. S. U.), head linesman; Brown (L. S. U.), field judge.

 

TIGERS WORK OUT HERE

The Cathedral high squad of 23 players, headed by Brother Nazaire, F. S. C., athletic director, and Coach A. G. LaCour, stopped in Monroe for a couple of hours yesterday en route to their battle with Tallulah.

 

The squad was divided into two teams and staged a brisk workout at the Ouachita Junior College field. The practice consisted of a brief sig­nal drill and a short session on passing and punting. Coach LaCour pro­nounced his team in good shape for the title game.

 

Cathedral officials asked that pub­lic appreciation be expressed to Oua­chita Junior College, Coach Paul Kemerer and St. Matthew's school for courtesies extended the squad.

 

Coach LaCour said that a large crowd of Cathedral supporters will leave Lafayette this morning for Tal­lulah.

 

The squad, which is traveling by bus, left yesterday at 4:40 o'clock for Delhi, where they spent last night. The party will go on to Tallulah early this morning.