1955 Bucks clean up on District 2A-8 challengers

The 1955 Breckenridge Buckaroos collected a string of wins in their District 2A-8, with wins against the DeLeon Bearcats, 51-0, the Mineral Wells Mountineers, 39-0 and now the Stephenville Yellowjackets, who were conquered 46-6.

First, the Bucks “B” team had to play the Weatherford Kangaroos “B” team, under the coaching of Truett Holland. The “B” team was behind at the half, 0-16. The Bucks came back out for the second half with a new attitude and tallied three touchdowns against one touchdown by the Kangaroos. The final score was 19-22 for the Kangaroos but the Bucks “B” team demonstrated their fighting spirit and some quality players coming up to the varsity next year, with Jerry Green, Larry Kimberlin, Joe Crouson, Maurice Mehaffey and Elias Cruz. Defensively, the Bucks had Charles Huddleston, Johnny Funderburg and Tommy Kirkham.

The Bucks were rated at the top of District 2A-8, with Graham second and Cisco right behind the Loboes. The Bucks had to play both of those teams to end district play.

The sports press acknowledged the deceptive ball handling of Bennett Watts (QB), which confused the Yellowjacket defenders and the strong, consistent ground game of Bill Taylor (FB) as two big factors for the Bucks offensive attacks. Watts had an 84-yard jaunt on one play but was stopped at the Jackets five-yard line and Eddie Offield (LHB) had his own 39-yard run after grabbing an interception.

The Bucks scored first and then the Yellowjackets grabbed one of their own to tie the score. It would be their one and only touchdown in the game.

The Bucks started their first series on the Jacket 38, after the Bucks recovered a fumble. That was followed› by plunges by Watts, Taylor and Buddy Hamilton (RHB) to the 14-yard line. Watts took it in for the touchdown. Hamilton’s kick failed and the score was 6-0.

The Yellowjackets intercepted a Watts pass at the Bucks 39. Six plays later, the Jackets had their first and only touchdown of the night.

The score at the end of the first quarter was all tied up at 6-6. On the next series, the Bucks began at their own 40 and 11 plays later, with a pass from Watts to Taylor, put the Bucks from the 43 to the 17-yard line of the Jackets. On the next play, Taylor took the ball in for the Bucks second TD.›Watts made the kick good and the score was now 13-6.

On the next Buckaroo series, Offield took the punt at the Bucks 47. Watts took it to the 42 on a short gain. Offield took it to the 38 and then Hamilton to the 34. Next, there was a hand-off to Taylor, who took the pigskin over the goal line and a third TD for the Bucks. Watts kick was good and at the half, the score was 19-6.

On the first Bucks series of the second half, the Bucks were forced to punt, which was the only one of the game for the Bucks. Next, the Jackets punted deep into the Bucks territory. Offield passed the ball to Watts in a cross play on the 10-yard line. Watts took off down the left sidelines, while a majority of the Jackets pursued Hamilton until they figured out what had happened and then cut off Watts at the five-yard line, an 84-yard jaunt for Watts. Taylor took the ball across the goal line in the next play and Watts kick was good. Score was now 26-6 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Joe Fonville (LG) intercepted a Jacket pass on the Jacket’s 37. Watts passed to Hamilton, who only got a yard to the 36. four plays later, three by Hamilton and one by Watts, put the ball on the Jackets 11-yard line. Taylor went over on the left side for another Buckaroo TD and Watts converted to make the score 33-6.

On the next series by the Bucks, the Bucks began on their own 35. There were two carries by Watts and two passes to Jerry Payne (LE), which took the ball to the Jacket 5. Taylor took it over for TD. Goswick’s kick was short and the Bucks led 39-6.

With less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter, Offield staged his own dash. The Jackets had gotten from their own 20 in four plays to their 39. Offield intercepted a Jacket pass›and dashed to the goal line and another Buckaroo TD. Watts made the kick good and the score was 46-6 at the end of the game.

Bill Taylor had 115 yards rushing in 15 carries, Watts had 101 yards in 17 carries, which included his 84-yard jaunt, Hamilton got 58 yards in 12 carries and Offield tallied 50 yards in two carries, which included his own 39-yard run.

The Bucks had three straight wins in District 2A-8, with just Graham and Cisco to go, which were the two most serious challengers for the Bucks for the District 2A-8 title. Only the winner of the district title went to the play-offs in that era of Texas football.