Wasson High School - Wahian Yearbook (Colorado Springs, CO)

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JOE HENDRICKS, Wasson's versatile aerial artist, tries to out-run hopeful opposing tacklers. T-Birds Gain Victor Over Centennial I8-6 Faking with near perfection, the Thunderbirds paved the way for a convincing 18-6 South Central League victory over the Pueblo Centennial Bulldogs. Hard-running backs, solid blocking, and fine passing made it a convincing game for the Thunderbirds. Nine plays after the kick-off the Thunderbirds moved across the Bulldog goal line to score the first touchdown of the game. This score, plus one more in the first-quarter and one for the Bulldogs, left the Thunderbirds ahead 12-6 at half time. The Thunderbirds, realizing that Centennial had of- fensive potential, dominated the play in the second half and scored once more. This win gave the Thunderbirds a 2-1 mark in league play and 4-2 for the season. T-Birds Smash E a s t 3 O - 0 Soaring through the air, the Thunderbirds brought forth an outburst of speed to win 30-O over the Pueblo East Eagles for a South Central League victory. The Thunderbirds moved out quickly to score two touchdowns in the first quarter and one in each of the remaining quarters to assure themselves of the win. This was an outburst long awaited by Wasson fans and the team, whose touchdown output in four previous games had been rationed to never more than a pair. When gaining possession of the ball, the Eagles had a complicated time. The Thun- derbird defensive unit piled up the Eagles in their own backfield consistently. When the teams departed from the field at half time, East had a net of minus one yard rush- ing. East had a frustrating time in the second half also, but never were able to score on the mighty Thunderbirds. TACKLING THE opposing team with a low tatkle is blurry Bartell 1

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SWEEPING AROUND THE end for another of his sizable gains and trying to evade the opposing tackler is Pete Rowe. T-Birds Skim Past Littleton Wasson's Thunderbirds waded through a shower of red flags to win 14-6 over the Littleton Lions before 3,500 fans. Penalties which totaled 65 yards had the Thunderbird backfield backstepping over the majority of what they gained. This, com- bined with fumbles and interceptions, kept the Lions' goal line out of reach, and the T-Birds behind 6-0 at the half time. Coach Funk's half time pep talk, however, proved to be the proper solution. The Thunderbirds raced onto the field, scored, and converted within four minutes, making the score 7-6. Early in the final quarter, a second Thun- derbird touchdown with a conversion upped the margin to the final score, 14-6. Spirited Wasson Eleven Fall to Junction 33-7 Coach Funk and the Wasson Thunderbirds traveled to Grand junction for their first league game with the Tigers. It was a spirited effort for the Thunderbirds, but the opposi- tion was too talented and defeated them 33-7. From this score it appears as if it were a one sided game, but pressing into the final quarter the Thunderbirds trailed by only one touchdown. -JERRY BARTELL, number 32, is tackled by a host of eager op- The Tigers threw the rirst punch by scoring the first touchdown with the conversion in the first quarter, but the spirited Thunderbirds came back in the second period to tie the score. It was short lived, however, as the Tigers came back with a 68 yard march and another seven points which lasted them until the last quarter. The Tigers then over- whelmed the Thunderbirds by scoring nineteen points during the last twelve minutes to assure themselves of the win, 35-7. ponents after another Thunderbird gain. Other NX'asson players helping on the play are Bob Burgan, 66. jim Ozburn. 76. Garry lsraelson, 63.

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PETE ROVUE is tackled hard by a pair of Palmer Terrors but manages to drive onward for a few extra inches for the Wasson Thunderbirds. Trinidad Trips Wasson I4-0 Wasson had few fumbles all season, but a last minute fumble halted a brilliant rally, allowing the Trinidad Miners to win 14-10 and stay undefeated, The Thunderbirds led 7-0 at halftimeg they then scored three points after the start of the second half to widen their margin. This was the last score the Thunderbirds could come through with, however. The Miners came roaring back with seven points in the third quarter and seven more in the fourth quarter with only four minutes re- maining in the game. The Thunderbirds recovered, and on their next drive pushed to the Miner two yard line and had one minute to go. On the next play, however, Wasson fum- bled the ball Cand the gamej into eager Miner hands, leaving the final score 14-10. A crowd of 7,500 saw the beginning of what promised to be one of the state's top football rivalries when the Thunderbirds de- feated Palmer 12-7. The story-book game kept the overflowing stands in constant tumult from the opening kickoff to the spectacular finish. The Thunderbirds scored the first blow when they converted a second quarter Terror fumble into a quick touchdown. The extra- point try failed, and the T-Birds lead 6-0. This lead vanished, however, when the Ter- rors ended a long drive in the T-Bird end zone and completed the extra point, giving them a 7-6 lead in the third quarter. After that, the T-Birds were almost con- stantly moving toward the Terror goal. A field goal attempt by the T-Birds just nar- rowly missed the uprights. With less than two minutes remaining in the game, the climactic turning point was reached. In des- peration, the T-Birds tried a fourth-down field goal attempt. It was a low kick that barely cleared the charging Terrors and roll- ed toward the goal line. The T-Birds re- covered the loose ball, and three plays later they took it across the goal line with thirty- one seconds remaining in the game. BOB HOXVARD slips as he makes a sharp turn, but not until after he had made a sizable gain against the Trinidad Miners. dv T-Birds ose Out Palmer I2-7