Bushnell High School - Gator Yearbook (Bushnell, FL)

Page 101 text:

45 Q23 mln mx .....,,...,,........... FOOTBALL SQUAD BUSHNELL GATORS Front Row: Larry Cowart, Larry Taylor, Norman Hurst, L. D. Mc- Donald, Eugene Hamilton, Bobby Hall, Orville Connell, Herman Vickers. Second Row: Gilbert Vickers, Billy Chavous, Bill Livingston, jimmy Branch, Harold Goodwin, Capt., G. W. Fisel, Donnie Graham, jerry Sellers, Buddy Merritt, Bobby Allen, Clyde Hunt. Back Row: L. I. Ramsey, Gordon Craig, Gordon Smith, Co-Capt. Delbert Farrar, Billy Jackson, johnny Bennett, Billy Knight, Bill Branch, Harvey Vann, Kenneth Farrar. Coach A. I. Hayes.

Page 103 text:

Qllllllllllg A thin margin of one point kept the Bushnell High School Gators from capturing the 1948 championship in the West Coast Conference. That heart breaker came on a rain swept field the night the Gators hooked up with the Brooksville Leopards. The conference title was at stake and every person who braved the rain that night knew it. Brooksville came to town, unbeaten and unscored upon, but that latter record was marred be- fore the half. A,tricky pass play was good for a Bushnell touchdown, but the extra point try, also a pass, failed. Then came the play that set Brooksville supporters wild, and was to dampen the title hopes of the Bushnell fans. A 75 yard punt return was good for a Leopard touchdown and the try for the point was good. Thus that thin one point prevented Bushnell from a title, but it didn't keep them from surprising their support- ers with the best grid record here in years. A hint thatBushnell might be a conference power house came in the first game, as Groveland fell 19 to 6. Then came victories over Wildwood 14 to 75 Zephyrhills 21 to 65 Largo 35 to O, and Our'Lady of Perpetual Help of Tampa 47 to 12. Webster, playing inspired ball, held the Gators to a 0 to O tie, and then Inverness was downed 7 to 6 in probably what was the best ball game played here during the season. That defeat knock- ed the Citrus County lads from the title picture. After the Brooksville heart breaker, the Gators rebounded with a fine offensive display to win from New Port Richey 25 to 7. Four Gators were honored on the all conference team. They were Gilbert Vickers and Harold Goodwin, backs, Gordon Smith, a tackle and Billy jackson, an end. All received the conveted gold footballs. A11 in all, the Bushnell team was a team that the fans could root for and mean it. Outweighed andoutmannedin practically every contest, the Gators threw the ball around like it was hot and laterals were used plentifully in their flashy attack. That it worked is evident when it is remembered that Bushnell was the only team to score against the conference winners, Brooksville and that they piled up touchdowns against heavier opponents It was a great season from the Gator point of view. Much, much better than fans had any right to expect before the season began. Early in january the loyal Bushnell Boosters Club entertained the cheerleaders and the football squad at a banquet, Merritt, Farrar, Vickers, Vann , Smith, and Goodwin were presented with sweaters since this was their last year on the team. Dr. Holland and Dr. Benevield, who stood ready and willing at all times to give the boys professional aid, were awarded jackets.