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

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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

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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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A HOST OF EAGER THUNDERBIRDS pounce on their opponent. Those 13. In the background are ,lay XVillett, 77, Gary Israelson, 63, jack Hoff, 61 making the tackle are joe Hendricks. 12, Dick Tracy, 28, and joe Bergquist, and Bob Howard. 84. Pueblo South Slaps Red and Grey, ll-0 Holding the Pueblo South Colts on the Thunderbirds' six inch line wasn't good enough to pull through a victory, as the Thunderbirds were defeated 21-0 during a South Cen- tral League game. It was a must for both teams as far as the league race was concerned. The Thunderbirds started off to make the game a real contest. The first time the Colts gained possession they moved to the Thunderbird four yard line for a first down. There the determined Thunderbirds planted their heels, and four downs later took over the ball at the six inch line. This wasn't repeated often enough to hold the Colts, however, and they managed to score 14 points in the third quarter plus seven more in the last quarter to shut out the Thunderbirds 21-0. GARY ISRAELSON makes a driving tackle on the opposing runner1 Coming up to help are Bob Howard, 84, and jerry Bartcll. 32. T-Birds Tame Wildcats 26-I9 Since it was the last game of the season, the Thunderbirds gave it all they had and were able to squeak past Pueblo Central 26-19. The Thunderbirds overweighed the Wild- cats in almost every statistical department. They had 318 yards gained and 17 first downs compared to 186 yards gained and 9 first downs for the Wildcats. Wasson was in the lead briefly at the start of the game, but the Wildcats came roaring back, and at halftime were ahead 15-7. During the third period both teams scored six points each. After this the Thunderbirds broke loose to score thirteen points in the final quarter to assure them- selves of the 26-19 win.