University of West Alabama - Paragon Yearbook (Livingston, AL)

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COACHING STAFF-Billy Barker. student assistant; Jimmy Carroll, assistant coach; Morris Higginbothami head coach; Mickey Andrews, assistant coach; and Mitchell Caldwell. student assistant. The 1967 season proved to be one of ups and downs for the Livingston State Tigers. They finished the season with a 4-5-1 record. The four victories came during the middle of the season when the squad was the strongest. The Tigers, under new head coach Morris Higgin- botham and chief assistants Jimmy Carroll and Mickey Andrews, opened the season on a disappointing note. They dropped their first three games. Livingston motored to Magnolia, Arkansas, to battle Southern State in the first game. Coach Higginbothams crew was unable to get untracked and went down 25-7. The lone Livingston touchdown was set up on a pass interception by linebacker Phil Puccio. Quarterback Fer- rell Crimes punched over the score from the two-yard line. Troy State gave the youthful Tigers a licking in the second game to the tune of 33-0. Depth proved the undoing 0f the Tigers as they surrendered 30 points in the second half. Linebacker Nels Strickland and tackles Wayland Blake and Lynn Crocker stood out on defense. Under the direction of quarterback Grimes, Livingston finally struck up an offense in the Florence contest which was to be effective throughout the remainder of the sea- son. Behind 21-0 in the third quarter, the Tigers chalked up one touchdown and threatened twice more before the end of the game. Grimes scored this TD after setting it up With passes to Don Page and Waldon Tucker. Louisiana College was the first of four consecutive victims for Livingston. They fell 26-14. Don Page had a field day by running back a punt 70 yards for one score and taking a pitchout 17 more yards for another tally. Don Chamberlain returned a punt some 55 yards to set up an- other TD, Maryville College was the easiest victory for Livings- ton. The return of injured Richard Abston sparked the of- fense to 42 points while the defense held Maryville score- less until the final play of the game. Ferrell Grimes, Don Page, and James Massey also had big days for the Tigers. A lackluster performance still produced a convincing 20-7 victory over Millsaps in the sixth game of the season. Guard Terry Ray performed admirably in this game by making tackles all over the field and recovering a fumble in the end zone for a score. Punter Homer Faulkner aver- aged 45 yards for 9 punts to keep Millsaps in the hole all day. Livingstonls strongest game of the season came in their next encounter when they defeated previously unde- feated Arkansas A8IM at Monticello, Arkansas. The 17-13 victory was sparked by tailback Richard Abston, who rushed for 165 yards and one touchdown. Fullback Randy Childers also had a big day, running for 64 yards. Line- backers Phil Puccio and R. L. Watson along with half- backs Charles Bowman and Wayne Brunson held the de- fensive forces intact. Jacksonville State University provided the homecom- ing opponent for Coach Higginbothamls squad. Livingston grabbed an early 7-0 lead in the initial half and held it until a fumbled punt late in the third quarter enabled the Jax State men to tie the score. The Tigers threatened in the fourth quarter by driving to the Jax 7-yard line before a wayward pitchout resulted in a fumble, causing the disap- pointing tie. Grimes called an excellent game under center and Charles Bowman, Wayland Blake, R. L. Watson, and Phil Puccio led the stingy defense. A noticeable letdown followed the Jacksonville game and the Tigers lost their final two contests to Mississippi College and Samford University. The scores were 31-13 and 51-27. 129

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MANAGERS-Ronnie Harris, Rodney Harris, Bobby Fairley, and Larry Harri- SOD. FULLBACKS Kneeling: Don But ing: Ken Cillilan and Richard Abs! ler, James Massey. Stand- on. . . . ?;?gvngjt'