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Feb. 18, 2007

1920 HOW TO SILENCE A PIANO

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Page last updated: Feb. 17, 2008

1920 BEARCATS

CAPTAIN: RALPH PITTMAN

Autrey Self

Carrol Stover

C.O. Bragg

Robert Pittman

Boyd Sharp

Clay Morris

Bassel Hilton

Finis Bell

Fulton High

Otho Bell

Woodley Reed

Robert “Slatz” Patterson

Paul Morgan

1920 Bearcats

   De Leon was reclassified from a Class B to Class A school in 1920, as enrollment grew due the oil boom.  The schedule shifted dramatically also, but it was not caused by the move to a larger class. 

    The bad blood between De Leon and Comanche resulted in the dropping of the game in 1920.  Dublin decided that their 85-6 whipping in 1919 would suffice for at least another season.

     The Bearcats had a new head coach, J.O. Milstead, whose primary responsibility was that of principal.  Milstead was a graduate of Sam Houston and Peabody College of Tennessee.

     The Bearcats lost most of the experienced talent that had built the winning teams since 1914.  In fact, only three lettermen returned for the ’20 season.  But, the returning lettermen, Ralph Pittman, Autry Self and Boyd Sharp were as good of players as played in those days.  Fifteen players went through the season.

       It is assumed that there were other games played but no records have been located.

WALNUT SPRINGS

  Walnut Springs came to De Leon for the opening game.  While the inexperience of the Bearcats showed, Walnut Springs could not stop the sweeping end runs.  The Bearcats rolled to a 39-7 victory.

EASTLAND

A much lighter Eastland team came to De Leon to be trounced 69-0.  Most of the scores came on long end runs by Pittman and Autry Self.  The defense did not allow the Mavericks a first down.

STRAWN

The Greyhounds had just overwhelmed Ranger and in the process had been badly bruised up.  The Bearcats gave up only one first down in a 32-0 romp.

CLIFTON LUTHERAN COLLEGE

The first game away from De Leon was at Clifton.   The Bearcats spent a sleepless night traveling on the train but whipped the “mostly Norwegian” college men 56-15.  Pittman took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown.  Self suffered a separated shoulder in the the third quarter.  C.L.C.’s Shew and the Harris brothers were their standouts.

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CUBS

On Armistice Day the Baylor University Cubs came to De Leon and were defeated 62-0 as Boyd Sharp, Pittman and Self piled up heavy yardage.  The Bearcats speed offset the twelve pounds per man weight advantage of Baylor.  If B.J. Pittman, by then playing for the Bears, had no influence on the Baylor coaching staff to secure brother Ralph for the Bears, surely Ralph’s performance in the game insured that he would follow B.J. behind that good ol’ Baylor line.

HILLSBORO

The Bearcat finale was played at Hillsboro.  The team left De Leon on the train on November 19 for a 3:00 p.m. game on the 20th.  Reaching Waco, the team had to switch to a box car to get to Hillsboro.  The Bearcats took the opening kickoff and returned it for 15 yards.  They moved into Eagle territory on a series of off tackle “bucks” and end runs but fumbled away a scoring chance near the goal line.  At the half the game was scoreless.

   At the start of the third quarter, Pittman was knocked out and carried from the field.  Paul Morgan substituted.  Within a few minutes both Bragg and Morris were K.O.’d and Self’s shoulder was dislocated again.  With the key men out of the game Hillsboro scored two touchdowns and won 13-0.

  Word began to leak the players in the third quarter that Hillsboro was playing a bunch of “ringers” and also had several ineligible players.  Confirmation was soon received on the bench and with the referees seemingly slanted in their calls, the Bearcats decided to do something about it.

  Hillsboro had no band but they had placed a piano on the sidelines.  Ralph Pittman and Autry Self decided to “take out” that piano.  On a subsequent running play De Leon obliterated the instrument.  De Leon won the music competition, Hillsboro the game.

   A football banquet was held at the brand new Travelers Hotel on December 3.  Captain Pittman presented Coach Milstead with a $70 gold watch.

Photos from The De Leonian

The Bearcat lineup for Eastland from The De Leonian

Boyd Sharp carrying the ball from The De Leonian

The 1920 Bearcats from The De Leonian

1920 BEARCATS

CAPTAIN: Ralph Pittman

Autry Self

Carroll Stover

C.O. Bragg

Robert Pittman

Boyd Sharp

Clay Morris

Bassel Hilton

Finis Bell

Fulton High

Otho Bell

Woodley Reed

Robert “Slatz” Patterson

Paul Morgan