Wednesday, September 2, 2015

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Sept. 2, 2015

37 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 7, 1978

“Finishing touches are made to complete the improvement of the ‘home side’ bleachers at Sparta Academy’s Stuart-McGehee Field. The splintered, wooden seats are now covered with concrete, a project the school feels will be appreciated by local fans.”

“The Evergreen Aggies dropped a 31-0 decision to the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles in their second outing of the year this past Thursday night.”
Outstanding Evergreen players in that game included Sanford Moye, Wendell Parker and Keith Rabb. Charles Branum was Evergreen’s head coach.

“The host Conecuh County High Blue Devils lost a heart-breaker to Lyeffion High’s Yellow Jackets in sudden death overtime Friday night. The regulation game ended in a 0-0 tie, but because this was an area game, the teams went into an overtime period which Lyeffion won, 6-0, at Thomasson Field in Castleberry.
“Fullback Kenny Gorum plunged over from the three for the only score. Michael Goldthrip’s extra point try was wide.”
Outstanding Conecuh County High School players in that game included Rickey Reeves. Donald Wiggins was head coach.
Outstanding Lyeffion players in that game included Mike Brown, Eric Finklea, Rickey Gill, Rickey Johnson, Donald Lee, David Mims, Herman Mobley, James Riley, Tim Searcy and Ardell Taylor. Ronny Williams was head coach, and Ed Johnson was assistant coach.

52 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 5, 1963

“Aggies, Jackets open here Friday nite at 8: It’s Aggies vs. Yellow Jackets here Friday in a fierce cross-county rivalry being renewed after some 25 years or more. Kickoff in the season opener for Evergreen and Lyeffion High Schools is at 8 p.m. in Evergreen’s Brooks Stadium and a capacity crowd is expected to be on hand.”
“Lyeffion, as the smaller school, draws the underdog role, but the Jackets are not lacking in supporters and not all of the live at Lyeffion. Coach Shirley Frazier launched his coaching career at Lyeffion three seasons ago with a squad composed mostly of junior high boys. Most of that group are still here, now grown into strapping senior high students.
“This experience, plus blazing backfield speed and a strong forward wall has Lyeffion supporters looking for much better things this fall. The Jackets have shown enthusiasm and desire in pre-season drills and should be at a keen edge tomorrow night.”
Probable starters for Lyeffion included Harold Brown, Pat Brown, Homer Chavers, Mickey Fountain, Donnie Garrett, Ronnie Golson, John Grimes, Larry Hardee, Lee Hardee, Keith Holcombe, Don Jones, Heyward Salter and Harold Wilson.
Probable starters for Evergreen included Scott Cook, Paul Deason, Alvin Dees, Tommy Hartley, Sid Lambert, Mike Mininger, Jimmy Raines, Robert Rigsby, Brent Thornley, Jimmy Warren, Jimmy Weaver. John Robinson was Evergreen’s head coach.
(Evergreen went on to win the game, 26-0.)

67 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 2, 1948

“Football is just around the corner. Evergreen will play Repton here Friday night, Sept. 17, in the first game of the season. Both teams began practice Wednesday and will be scrimmaging next week. Supporters of both programs are claiming vast improvement and a tight game is forecast.”

“WHO CAN TOP THIS: Last week, The Courant carried a story about Tom L. Salter of Evergreen, Route Two, who killed 24 hawks this year. Mr. Salter is noted for his annual toll of hawks.
“Monday Mr. A.G. Stinson of Evergreen, Route C, walked into The Courant office with a string of bird feet several feet long. Mr. Stinson killed the birds to whom these feet belong in the first six months of this year and hasn’t hunted since.
“Mr. Stinson bagged a total of 23 hawks, 30 crows and seven owls in the six months. He stated that all the birds were killed within a short distance of his home. He killed most of them with a 20-gauge shotgun, double-barrel, hammer-cocking-type.
“The Courant is open for bird stories that can top this one.”

From “This Week’s Wash” by Bob Bozeman – “James Kelly has been visiting here this week and reports that all of the Kelly family are fine. Understand that Robert was here over the weekend, but didn’t see him. Robert is in demand since he works in the ticket office at the Auburn-Alabama game.”

82 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 7, 1933

“Evergreen Trims Team From Fort Deposit: The Conecuh County lads took the heavy end of the score of 6 to 2 in a game with the Ft. Deposit team Sunday afternoon played at Gantt Field. Jones for Evergreen held the Lowndes County boys to four hits, while Bevis for Ft. Deposit yielded up eight bingles. Bevis was relieved in the eighth by Hudson. Seven of the visitors were retired via the strikeout route by the lanky twirler from Brooklyn while Bevis was credited with four strikeouts and Hudson one.
“Barfield, Evergreen’s first baseman took off honors in batting, getting a three-bagger and a double. Kendall, shortstop who has been out of the last several games, was back in fine fettle and got a couple of singles as well as playing a good game at short. ‘Longboy’ Kelly got two hits but failed to get an opportunity to catch any flies in the left garden.
“Hansen played spectacular ball in center by robbing Ft. Deposit players of at least three hits in what is ordinarily known as ‘Texas league’ territory. Joe Hagood played right field and didn’t make a bobble, sacking several hits labeled for extra bases.
“Mack Binion, relief catcher was behind the plate throughout the contest and his performance at this position won the approval of those who witnessed the game. Mack’s going to be a strong contender for this position on somebody’s team some day. Tom Melton, served on the hot corner and played it like it was his regular position. Tom’s good anywhere he plays. Maybe he’s little too venturesome on bases at times but he’s a valuable man.
“Hanna at second always plays heads up baseball and the game Sunday afternoon was no exception. Playing deep in his position, he succeeded in robbing Ft. Deposit players of several hits with thrilling catches.
“The local team has only one more game before the ‘little world series,’ the schedule of which has not been announced. Greenville comes here next Sunday for this game. Negotiations are under way for a game at Milton Thursday it is reported.
“Greenville has cinched the pennant for the second half according to reports and Evergreen will play with that team for championship honors. Five games are to be played if necessary. The first of these will be played in Evergreen it is said, the exact date to be announced later.

“Opening of colleges has served to cripple the local outfit to some extent. Elmer Kelley and Mack Binion left Monday for Auburn. Losing those two players is enough to make Manager scratch his head several times. Then ‘Skeeter’ Amos is on the bench with an injured leg with considerable doubt entertained as to his being able to play anymore. Efforts are being made to get Kelley and Binion excused from college duties long enough to play in the series but at present it is not known whether this can be done or not.”

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