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

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Wasson's massive defensive line prepares to battle Palmer's offense. The crowd reflects intense anticipation as Mike Rothe blasts a field goal. Scanning the field for available receivers, Rocky Whitworth carefully plots his aerial attack.

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WASSON SACKS THIRD ON S.C.L. GRIDIRON nder the leadership of head coach Dick Westbay, backfield coach George Kalber, end coach Tom Falgien, defensive coach Bob Eastock and line coach Ed Green, the T-Bird gridders saw their hopes for the S.C.L. title slip away with a referee's decision during the crucial game with undefeated Trinidad. The call came with less than a minute left in the game when defensive end Mike Rothe scooped up a Trinidad fum- ble and ran it into the end zone. This would have tied the game, and an extra point would have given the T-Birds a victory. However, the referee, who was closely watching the play, had blown the whistle, nul- lifying the touchdown. After a grueling game the football team pauses for a moment ofprayer 2 E i Exerting everything he has, a T-bird receiver lunges for the pigskin. The Thunderbirds, however, came back to win the next four out of five games. One of these wins came with a 19-0 defeat over 4th place South. The biggest win of the year, though, was the last game of the sea- son when the Wasson gridders stomped Adams City of the Skyline League, 38-13. Bringing individual honors to the team were Mike Bennett and Mike Rothe, who were both selected to the first All-South Central League first offensive and defensive teams. Bob Craun was also selected as a first string tackle. Selected to the All-City team were offensive tackle Mike Bennettg defensive halfback Rick Lohmang offensive tackle Bob Craun, and defensive tackle, John Ponting. His body buckling a Trinidad Miner is elled b the vicious tackle 0 ' , f y f Michael Bennett, who was an all-league linebacker and halfback.

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T-BIRDS D DAMS CITY VARSITY FOOTBALL FRONT ROW: Rick Lohman, Rocky Whitworth, Bob Craun. Jim Palmer, Mike Bennett, Mike Rothe, Doug Spears, Dennis Parker, Roger Gandy, Dave Richards, Mark MacFarlane, John Ponting. ROW TWO: John White, Ken Roper, Mike Gallogly, Brendon Dodd, i Steve Hughes, Jim Bonner, Dennis Pope, Bob Hogg, Mark Clarry, Cito Kirkpatrick, Alan Lan- l des, Dave Svoboda. ROW THREE: Mike Simco, Bernie Duarte, Tom Colon, Jim Switzer, Barry i Stuart, Ken Brown, Rob Wilson, Jim Rouse, Sam Houston, Bob Knox, Ron Steinkichner, Ed- die Barnes. ROW THREE: Mike Filler, Jim Havens, Herb Rogers, Hoyt Wills, Bob Johnson, Paul Smith, Jim Reeves, Jim Wilson, Tom Briggs, Jeff Zinn, Dave Lohman, Ken Grimes. ROW FIVE: Mike Doherty, Steve Titus, Ray Martinez, Mike Hamilton, Gary Spears, Steve Decker, Tom Shipp, Mike McCullough, Don Joiner. BACK ROW: Coach Westbay, Goach Green, Coach Eastock, Coach Falgien, Coach Ortiz, Coach Sherman, Coach Larson, Coach Ring, Coach Kal' ber, Coach Nighswonger. WCSSOn Opponent 6. . . .Aurora Central. . . .13 10. , .Lakewood ..... .. . .20 14. . . .Pueblo Centennial.. . .10 27. . . .Palmer ......... . .19 21. . . . .Trinidad ..... . . .27 19. . . .Pueblo South.. .. O 48. . . .Central ...... . . 6 14. . . .Mitchell .... . .21 39. . .Pueblo East. . . .17 36.. ..Adams City. . H13 Fast-moving Doug Spears, Wasson captain, gains tough yardage.