Wichita Falls High School - Coyote Yearbook (Wichita Falls, TX)

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The 1961 Tri-Captains-George Overstreet, Larry Shields and Bob Colvard-have proved their devotion and 1n valuableness to the 1961 Coyote Football Team. Their leadership and inspirational play, on and off the field set a fine example for the rest of the team to follow. As the gun sounded at half time in Fort Worth's TCU Stadium, the scoreboard displayed a disheartening 6-0 lead for the South Texans. However, the scene did not stay dark long. From the kickoff beginning the second half, there was a marked change in the type of football played. The Coyotes began to hit harder and to push the bigger Yellow Jackets all over the field. As a result of this great second-half effort, the mighty mites scored three touchdowns to Galena Park's one and won 21-14, to complete the first undefeated, untied season for WFSH in 12 years and become the State Champions of Class 4-AAAA football. ln addition to winning State, the Coyotes accomplished other such outstanding feats as being the first and last 4-AAAA team to score during the regulation 48-minute time limit. They were thelonly undefeated team in the class, and all fourteen teams which they beat outweighed this uscrappy bunch of lit- tle guysf, Coach ,loe Golding has frequently referred to the Coyotes as his 'alittle menf, Even though they comprise one of the state's smallest teams, they appear as physi- cal giants in the eyes of the multi-million population of the Lone Star State. Coyotes, words do not express the gratitude that we, the student body of WFSH, have for you. We are indebted to you for the recognition you have brought our school, and we shall always retain glorious memories of the 1961 football season. Sept Sept Sept. Sept Oct. Oct. Oct. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov Dec. Dec. Dec. 1961 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Ada, Okla. Breckenridge Amarillo Lawton, Okla. Vernon Longview lrvingf Arlingtonif Haltom Cityii Grand Prairie Borger San Angelo Ft. Worth Paschal Galena Park 5fDenotes District Games

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We, the Department of Sports for the Coyote Annual Staff and the entire 1961 Coyote Football Team, realize that without the efforts, knowledge and understanding of the above men, Coaches Joe Golding, Hunter Kirkpatrick, ,less Stiles and Donnel Crosslin, there would not have been a 1961 Coyote Championship Team. With this in mind, we have placed them first in the football section-our small tribute to four great men. The 1961 Coyote football season was filled with tremendous accomplishments and glorious memories. On August 25, 1961, returning lettermen and upcom- ing Rowdies donned their practice togs and began pre- paring for the first game of the season, which was played September 3 against Oklahomais top team, Ada. The Pack took the opening kickoff all the way for a score and within fifteen seconds was leading 7-0. Thus the Coyotes became the first team in the state to score and went on to win 55-6. The second foe was Breckenridge, which the boys in Red-and-Black romped by a score of 41-6. On the fol- lowing Friday, Amarillols '4Golden Sandstormf' still smarting from their defeat in 1960, blew into town with revenge in their eyes. ln spite of a supreme effort put forth by the Sandies, the scoreboard displayed a 14--0 win for WFSH when the final gun sounded. Next, two traditional rivals, Lawton and Vernon, fell as the Coyotes stomped the Sooners in Lawton 11-8-0 and dropped Vernon 57-0. The Lobos of Longview, next victim of the Coyotes, did not make is easy on the Pack, as the 'alittle men had to fight for a 27-6 win. The Coyotes were rated as the No. 1 team in Texas two weeks before the beginning of the season and still held that position as they prepared to defend the 4-AAAA district championship, which they have never lost. The Tigers of Irving were beaten 34-Og then Arl- lington fell 35-12. The Buffaloes of Haltom City were 2l4 the next to be crushed, 33-6. The next game, deter- minative of the district champion, was against the Grand Prairie Gophers. Although outweighed fifty pounds per man, the Pack ruined the homecoming game for Grand Prairie and captured the district crown as they defeated the Gophers by a score of 22-0. When the mighty mites entered the state playoffs, they still retained their No. 1 rating. However, they ran smack into a Borger Bulldog team which was Htough as a boot, and the Pack was happy with its 14-0 win. The ensuing week looked just as rough as the Coyotes traveled to San Angelo to scrap with the No. 2 rated Texas team. Had it not been for a freak play on the opening kickoff, the Bobcats would have never scored. The Pack made it look like 'gkid football as they mauled the boys from San Angelo 42-8. Next the mites traveled to Farrington Field in Fort Worth to meet Fort Worth Paschal, the only other undefeated, untied team in Class 4-AAAA football. The Paschal boys were big and rough, but they also fell as the Coyotes used long runs and clutch plays to win 41-12. For the fourth straight year WF SH was represented in the State Championship game. Having lost the two previous years, the Pack was determined to capture the crown. South Texas was represented by a formid- able foe in the form of Galena Park. Making their initial trip to the State game, the Yellow Jackets were also determined to win, and looked as if they might.

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FIRST ROW: Coach Hunter Kirkpatrick, Dean Gilbert, Bob Colvard, Kenny Sims, Richard Cohen, Royce Gragg. SECOND ROW: Tommy Anderson, manager, Sammy Milam, Jay Lavender, George Overstreet, Mike Tracy, Larry Hanvey, Guy Fowler. THIRD ROW: Head Coach Joe Golding, Gary Gorham, Bobby Rogues, Terry Worrell, Rodney Mossman, Val Glenn. FOURTH ROW: Robert Rector, trainer, Mickey McShan, Delbert Rodgers, Larry Cordon, Hershal Coleman, James Pope, Mickey Maroney.