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Fifty years ago, there was another Tiger football team that had in mind a district championship. A large contingency of returning starters were vowing to get the job done after suffering through one of the most snakebit seasons a team could endure. They had the great misfortune of losing four games in the final 20 seconds. This certainly gave them the resolve to take the 29A crown and they did.
The opening game at Granger was crucial to the success of the season. It was played on a field standing in water. Granger scored on a 60 run but missed the EP. In the second, Carroll Perkins had his own 60 run. Jay Pittman kicked the winning EP and the team had to worry the entire second half about the 20-second losses. They passed the test. Three close losses to Pflugerville, Manor and Marble Falls did not dim their desire. They were sky-high for Hays and beat them for the first time at the Tigers Homecoming. They went on to sweep district, defeat Brackett 48-6 in Bidistrict but lose 45-13 in regional to a strong Falls City team to finish 8-4 on the season.
It is appropriate this team will be honored at the Lake Travis game on October 20. Lake Travis and Dripping Springs were still one large district at the time. The team was composed of a 50/50 mix from both areas. It was a close knit group and remains so.
For those needing a refresher course of the times, here are the names that made up the season and the other organizations so important to a season.
Team members: Walter Andrus (D), Dale Bassford, Tony Bess, Brett Bray, Gary Draper, Billy Gravenor, Eldon Grumbles (D), Steve Houle, Jay Hudson (D), Randy Hutto, Bill Hyde, Dale Johnson, Ricky Lindholm, Tem McCutchen, Barry McNair, Tommy Moore, Stuart Overton, Carroll Perkins, Jay Pittman, Johnny Preslar, John Roye, Mike Sanders, Allen Spence, Dean VandeHey, David Walker, Bill Whitaker (D), Denny Williamson. Mgrs: Marc Murphy, Mickey Spence (D). Coaches: Poe Shelton 7thgrade; Jerry Nelson 8thgrade; Tom Wells Defensive Coordinator; Carl Waits Head Coach.
Cheerleaders: Tonne Bonnett, Mary Clare Dodson, Theresa Garnett (Head), Annette Gravenor, Donna Sandefur, Sherry Glosson (Tiger mascot).
Band Director: Charles Schandua (D); Drum major: Roy Taylor; Majorettes: Tammie Gillis, Tina Gillis, Charlotte Hohman (Head).
Superintendent: Calvin Knauth (D); Principal: Alfred Chance.
