1955 Bucks clean up on District 2A-8 challengers

Historically Speaking

As I research and write about these historic Breckenridge Buckaroo games, I run across some interesting tidbits that are worthy of sharing. Here is one for the books.

It was interesting to note that Dr. Frank C. Payne, the team doctor for the Bucks, had four sons who had played or were currently playing for the Bucks varsity. First there was Frank Jr., then Jimmy and then Jerry, who was a senior at left end in 1955 and then Ronnie, who was a sophomore in 1955 and was also a substitute end.›All four had broken their leg playing Buckaroo football. Additionally, Jerry Payne played the championship game in 1954 with a broken hand, which was padded and tapped by his father and not revealed until after the game with Coach Joe Kerbel.

The Payne brothers come the closest to the Magness brothers who had five sons who played for the Bucks, which included “Bull” or Bert, “Boon” or Boyce (FB), who played on the 1929 co-championship team along with brother Aubrey, who was the quarterback. Next, there was “Moko” or Maurice and then the fifth Magness brother was James.

I am sure there were other brothers who played for the Bucks, like the twin sons of Coach Cooper Robbins, who played for their father at the end positions, although one of the boys (Ronald) broke his collarbone and could not complete his senior year in football with his brother (Donald) and dad, but was there to cheer the Bucks on the sidelines and in the coaches booth during the games.

In 1955, the Bucks were ranked first in District 2A-8, with Cisco in second place and then Graham, both opponents that the Bucks had to face in the waning weeks of district games. The Cisco Loboes were reported to be a much tougher adversary than the Bucks had faced so far in 2A football.

The Bucks won the toss and elected to receive the opening kick-off and scored first but failed to complete the conversion kick, making the score 6-0. The Cisco Loboes came right back on the next series with their own 80-yard dash to the goal line, made the extra point and led 6-7.

In the next Buck series, Tony Andress, in for Joe Bob Jackson at RE, took the ball at the Buck 39. Five plays later Bill Taylor (FB) took the last 15 yards and headed for the goal line and the second Bucks TD. Watts converted this time and the Bucks led 13-7.

The kick-off to the Loboes bounced around the their own 35 and an alert Eddie Offield (LHB) got the bouncing ball under control on the 38. From that point, Bennett Watts (QB) directed the next eight plays. Buddy Hamilton (RHB) pitched out to Taylor who took the pigskin the last 11 yards for another Bucks TD. Watts kick failed due to a bad hike from center to get the ball on the tee for his kick. The score was now 19-7.

On the next series, Offield handed off to Watts and he went down the sidelines for another TD, which was called back due to a clipping penalty to the Buckaroo 20. Watts punted. Cisco took the ball on their own 45 but fumbled on the second play and Johnny Swan, in for James Stanford at (RG), recovered the ball for the Bucks on the Cisco 44. Unfortunately, Watts was forced to punt three plays later.

The Loboes fumbled the reception once more and Ronnie Daniels (LT) recovered for the Bucks on the Cisco 22. Watts hit Jerry Payne (LE) for a completed pass and Taylor got the last 10 yards for another Bucks TD. Watts made the conversion and the score was 26-7 at the half.

To start the second half, Cisco took the ball at their 28 and 14 plays later climaxed in a pass for the last 20 yards and a second Lobo TD.

Their conversion was successful and the score was now 26-14. Also during the third quarter, Watts had a pass intercepted that ended one drive and then one of Watts pitchouts was fumbled to end another drive. Except for that one Cisco TD, play during the third quarter was contained between the Cisco 30 and the Bucks 31. As the quarter ended, the Loboes had punted to the Bucks. Offield took 24 yards in three plays and Taylor tallied 38 yards in three more runs on the ground. Watts got 24 yards in four dashes with the last one for nine yards and a TD. Watts kick was good and the Bucks led 33-14.

The next Cisco series failed. Watts fumbled the punt return but an alert team mate recovered the ball on the Bucks 5-yard line. The Bucks dug out of their hole with nine plays that included 17 yards by Taylor in three attempts and Offield got 16 more yards in three runs. Billy Langford (RHB), in for Hamilton, got two yards. Watts then dashed 25 yards to the Cisco 35. On the next play, Watts faded back to pass to Payne on the Cisco 5-yard line and observers stated that Payne drug a few Lobo defenders across the goal line with him to score the final Bucks TD, in the final seconds. Unfortunately, the officials ruled there was an illegal receiver down field, which cancelled Payne’s TD. The score remained 33-14 for the Bucks and another district win. Only one more team to face, the Graham Steers.