Unicoi County High School - Nolichucky Yearbook (Erwin, TN)

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the irsulirburkp Football fBy Babe J The football season of 1924 was one of the most enthusiastic in the history of the school. Those who enjoy the game can never forget the tense moments and feeling of clear cut victories which marked the season and they will remember it as a successful year. Every game was a decisive victory and in no game was there a lack of spirit on the field or on the sidelines. Football was surely advanced in Erwin this year. Speaking of the games, there were some which stand out far above others. The Central High game will not be forgotten by those who saw it. The game was exciting throughout. Central's well balanced and excellently conditioned team suc- ceeded from the first in gaining consistently through our line, it was their big advantage and they used it consistently. From the first it looked like an early touchdown for Central when an Erwin punt was blocked and Pinkie Walden, the Central's team flash, was thrown for losses time after time. The score at the end of the half was 0-0 with both teams fighting hard. Our line, minus Harrison fthe blonde tacklej, funtioned well in stopping the heavy Central backs. In the third quarter Babel of Erwin went through for the first touchdown of the game. Cope- land then with his magic toe kicked goal for the extra point. In the final period of the game Shull the Erwin's cyclone received a punt and with excellent interference raced 67 yards for a touchdown. Copeland again kicked goal. At the final whistle the score was 14-0. Erwin thus won the State Championship-won it cleanly and gracefully, in a game well played and free from all but the best of sportsmanship. The first game of the season was played away from home with Greeneville. It was a good showing, and from the 74+-0 victory the school looked forward to a pennant season. On the Saturday following the Greeneville game, the team went to Bristol to play Virginia High. The game was lost 13-O, and it seemed as a valuable gauge to the strength of the team. The line especially showed need of improvement and to this end many efforts were extended the following week. This game did not count in our championship record as it was a Virginia team. The next game was played at home with Greeneville. Erwin won 48-0. Bristol, Tennessee was Erwin's next victim. They were quite surprised to be beaten 62-Og and local fans were delighted at the showing of the Higgins men. The line was greatly improved and the team all around showed Championship form. Morristown was next taken into camp to a 21-0 tune. Erwin again exhibited championship form. The next game of the season was with Kingsport. The game was a decisive victory for Erwin, as Kingsport refused to play. Thus Erwin claimed Upper East Tennessee Championship. The following week Erwin played Jefferson City and defeated them to the count of 33-6, which was the first Tennessee team to score on Erwin during the year. Page Sixty-one

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iltbz mulinburkp FOOTBALL QContinuedj Erwin next journeyed to Emory, Virginia to play the Emory and Henry Junior Varsity. Erwin played a wonderful game by defeating them 43-0. Erwin next met her rival, Johnson City. The game was played before a large crowd of fans both of Erwin and Johnson City. Erwin won 20-0, minus three of the regular players, Copeland at end, Smith at full, and Babel at quarter. Erwin then played Central High of Knoxville for the championship at Knox- ville and won 14-0, thus having an undisputed claim for the State Championship. - There weer no individual players on the team. Bailey, at left end, show skillful playing and much is expected of him next year. Harrison, the blonde giant, at left tackle. was a valuable asset to the team. He is a stellar lineman and did much to strengthen the forward wall. Cacy, at left guard, showed some real football and was capable of holding his position. Dennis, at center, was a bear on defense and his passing on offense was accurate. His kicking on the kickoff was very helpful to the team. Baughman, at right guard, was never questioned as to his ability. He held his position down capably. Wohlford, at right tackle, showed some real skill in that position. They always stopped when he hit them. He was chosen captain for 1925. Copeland, at right end, was a shark at snaring passes, and was noted also for his drop-kicking. Shull, at half, showed real football ability, he is speedy, well built, and knows the game. Meredith, at half, displayed some good work. He will be back next year and much should be expected of him. He should develop into a good punter. Babel at quarter piloted the team well. He is a consistent player and a student of the game. He displayed exceptional ability as a field general. Captain Barron, at full and half, played some wonderful football. He was a bear on defense and was always in the best of form. He is fast, a good kicker, a line plunger, and has a good knowledge of the game. Smith, at full back, exhibited some of the best punting ever seen by a high school player, he was a good line plunger, and his passes are accurate. Pa Weaver was an all-around player. He started in at half and was then shifted to guard, then tackle, then end. He is a'team in himself. McNabb, at guard, in his first season of football, showed some real fight. He has three more years, he should develop into a good player. Those who showed ability as players and who were faithful to practice were: Erwin, Phetteplace, Epperson, Belcher, Bailey, Brandt, Duncan and Wright. lNIuch credit is due Coach Red Higgins for the team produced last season. In spite o fthe fact that twenty-five men were out at the first of the season, Coach developed a championship team. ' Eight players graduate this year, but there is an abundant amount of material in the school-so here's hoping that Erwin has another championship team next year. Page Sixty -three