1955 Bucks face Stamford in quarter-final

Historically Speaking

The quarter-final matchup between the Breckenridge Buckaroos and the Stamford Bulldogs was set for Saturday, Dec. 10, 1955, at Buckaroo Stadium, since the Bucks had won the coin toss.

The Stamford Bulldogs had been the 1954 2A Champions and the Breckenridge Buckaroos had been the 1954 3A Champions, which was an unusual situation in a build-up to this game. There was an estimated crowd of more than 8,000, with standing room only in every nook and cranny Buckaroo Stadium.

The only common opponent both teams had played in the 1955 season was Stephenville. The Bucks had defeated Stephenville 46-6 and the Bulldogs had beaten them 34-0.

The big question was the status of the Bucks quarterback, Bennett Watts, if he was able to play and the question was answered when he stepped forward as one of the trio of team captains for the game with Jerry Payne (LE) and Buddy Hamilton (RHB). Watts had been injured in the Ballinger game the previous week and left the game in the third quarter.› He had not practiced until Friday in the light workout. A specialist examined Watts and it was determined his dizziness was caused by sinuses and not as a result of a concussion, as originally thought.

The early part of the first period was a back and forth between the teams, with punts by both when they were forced to give up the ball.

The Bucks had only made it to the Bulldogs 30 and were stopped. Finally, the Stamford Bulldogs got the ball back and started on their own 30. On the first play, Larry Munnerlyn (RT) and Hamilton hit the Bulldog player with a three-yard loss, back to the Bulldog 27. Then, the Bulldogs used what is referred to as a ‘University of Rice draw play’ and the Bulldog running back ran 73 yards through all the Buckaroo defenders for a touchdown, but they fumbled the extra point attempt. The score at the end of the first quarter was 0-6 in favor of the Bulldogs.

The Bucks turned the ball over on downs and the Bulldogs started again on their own 25 and after 14 plays were stopped on the Buckaroo 5-yard line. The Bucks put up their defensive wall and determination to force the Bulldogs to turn over the ball.

Despite Watts directing the next 10 plays, the Bucks were unable to get past the Bulldogs 25 and Watts was forced to punt once again. The Bulldogs were at their own 49 as the half ended, with the score maintained at 0-6, in favor of the Stamford Bulldogs.

Hold onto your hats because the Bucks and Bulldogs were only getting started to test each other back and forth and inching forward each time. The Bucks would have to figure out that ‘University of Rice draw play’ and produce some offense to go with their tightened up defense.

It would be an interesting second half with the Bucks down by six points and stymied at their usual offensive domination.

The Bulldogs started the second half with receiving the kick-off. In 10 plays, the Bulldogs had made 40 yards, which was topped off by a pass to take the Bulldog receiver in for a touchdown and then the extra point was made as well. The score was 0-13 in favor of the Stamford Bulldogs.

Watts took the Bulldog kick-off on the Bucks 15 and managed a jaunt to the Bucks 40. In several ground plays, Watts moved the Bucks down to the Bulldog 34 before the Bucks had to cough up the pigskin once again.

However, on the first Bulldog play, the ball was fumbled and recovered by the Bucks’ Jon Fonville (LG) on the Bulldog 36. Unfortunately, two plays later, Watts fumbled the ball back to the Stamford 20. Then, the Bulldogs managed to move the ball to their 41 and fumbled it away also. Ronnie Daniel (LT) recovered the ball for the Bucks. Watts passed to Eddie Offield (LHB) for 11 yards and then Bill Taylor (FB) managed to get to the Bulldogs 25 as the third quarter ended. Watts passed to Payne for a 25 yards and a Buckaroo touchdown. Taylor rammed it in over left tackle for the extra point. The score was now 7-13 for the Bulldogs but the Bucks were now hot on their trail.

On the next Buckaroo series, Watts engineered the drive from the Bucks 36 down to the Bulldog 8. The Bucks needed six yards for a first down and eight yards for a second TD.› Unfortunately, Watts got hit really hard while trying to go over LT and it jarred the ball loose. The Bulldogs recovered the football and ran out the clock.

The Bucks lost their bid for another attempt at another possible state championship. The 1955 season was over for Breckenridge.