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Here's to you, Wilson Presidents,
We think you're really great,
And we are proud to claim you
As Champions of our State.
LEO ANTONUCCI
Captain
. . . All Southern, All State
. . . All Tidewater,
. . . All Foreman Field, All Eastern
courtesy Portsmouth Star
State Champions "'47"
For the first time in 20 years the State Championship is in the hands of Wilson High School. Dis-playing a powerful offense and rugged defense, the Presidents rolled on to the first unbeaten and untied season in the history of the high school. Pile driving backs like Farris, Borum, Alexander, Klise,Johnson, Pendergraft, operating behind the finest high school line in the state, couldn't be stopped. The line led by Cantain Antonucci, Dave Pond, Wally McCarty, Harry Parker, and ably backed lip by All-State Billy O'Brien yielded but two touchdowns during the entire season, those to Hampton in the most memorable day during the "47" season. Many of these boys will go on to college to receive an education and to make a name for themselves in athletics. Coaches Esleeck, Woodson, and Mast have done a great job with a swell bunch of boys.
WILSON, 21-MORHISON, 0- SEPTEMBER 19
The Presidents, roaming practically at will, romped on the scrappy farmers from Warwick County 21-0. Wilson, hampered by the loss of their two star backs, Borum and Farris, moved with determination up and down the gridiron. With a few more breaks the score would have been much higher. Pendergraft, Johnson, and Griesbach carried the offensive-minded Presidents across the final strips three times. Billy Farris added placements after each touchdown. Brillant defensive work by the Wilson line kept the "Prexies" out of trouble. Nice down field blocking by Antonucci, Alexander and David Pond were highlights of this contest.
WILSON, 14-0LYMPIA, 0-SEPTEMBER 26
Wilson's devastating single wing attack, operating behind a powerful line proved too much for the tricky Red Devils from South Carolina. The Presidents showed much improvement over the previous week. The Wilson line stopped practically every running attack by the Olympians. The "Prexie" backs and backerups held the visitors highly-touted passing attack to a minimum. It marked Olympia's first defeat in 19 games and Wilson's 2nd victory in their championship quest. Farris converted after both touchdowns.
WILSON, 28-RALElGH, 0-OCTOBER 3
Once again the mighty Wilson line arose to slap the opposition backwards and to hang up anothergreat defensive record. Displaying their best form of the year, the Prexie backs roared loud and strong on the striped field and sent the Carolina boys back with weird tales of the amazing power of the Wilson Presidents. This game stamped Wilson as a serious threat to the former State Championship Granby Blue Comets. Billy Farris coverted after each touchdown.
WILSON, 12-JOHN MARSHALL, 0-OCTOBER 10
A slippery turf failed to stop Wilson's powerful footballers in a conference battle with the "Justices"from Richmond. Six thousand cold and wet fans sat in Municipal Stadium and saw Howard Borum and "Potsy " Klise cross the goal line, Klise raising the crowd to its feet on the famed "Hipper Dipper." Borum smashed off the right side of the line and scored standing up for his touchdown. Billy Farris missed both extra points in the driving rain and ended his streak of9 straight conversions. The Wilson line again withstood every attack by the visitors and smacked them into the mud. At the final whistle, the Prexies were slipping and sliding to their third touchdown.
WILSON, 19-NEWPORT NEWS, 0-OCTOBER 18
Off form in the early stages of the game, the Presidents appeared sluggish, but soon caught fire and exploded for 3 touchdowns against the hard fighting Typhoons. The Presidents played a slow and deliberate game and mixed their passing and running plays up in order to confuse the Newport News team. Wilson line fought off every Newport News attack and again held the opposition scoreless.
WTLSON, 7-PETERSBURG, 0-OCTOBER 25
Wilson came back strong after a slow start and scored on a pass from Borum to scat back Johnson which covered approximately 50 yards. Farris converted for the extra point and the Presidents were in front to stay. This marked Petersburg's first loss and gave Wilson an open path towards the state championship. Petersburg threatened many times on long passes, but, failed to make any head way on running plays through the undaunted Wilson line. At the game's end, the "Prexies" were rolling in high gear once again towards the "Crimson Wave" goal line.
WILSON, 33-MAURY, 0-OCTOBER 31
lt was Halloween night and the Wilson Presidents were garbed in their favorite costumes, those orange and blue uni forms and cleated shoes. The Commodores were duly proud of their black and gold uniforms. With a gay crowd looking on, the "Prexies" gave Maury very little to celebrate about. Starting early and never letting up, the Wilson boys racked up the amazing total of 33 points against the ri vals from across the river.
WILSON, 21-HAMPTON, 13-NOVEMBER 8
"The True Champion Always Comes Back." Wilson's "Fighting Presidents" staged the greatest rally ever made by a Wilson team. Smashing over three touchdowns in the final period to beat the "Crabbers," the Orange and Blue boys virtually designated themselves as "State Champs." Certainly, there was no other team in the state capable of making such a great comeback. The Prexies captured the hearts of everyone in this important tilt.
WILSON, 13-GRANBY, 0-NOVEMBER 15
It was sweet revenge for the Wilson team on this day. This game, played in a sea of mud, clearly showed that the Presidents couldn't be stopped, even by "Ole Man Rain." Billy Farris taking a punt on his own thirty, streaked up the soggy field behind amazing blocking by his teammates and crossed the goal line standing up. The "Prexies" scored again when Wally "The Whale" McCarty waded 20 yards after picking up a kick blocked by "Bullet" Alexander. Farris, then bulled his way across for the extra point and the game was in the bag. The Wilson team held the "Blue Comets" in check throughout the game.
WILSON, 40-DANVILLE, 0-NOVEMBER 27
Displaying their best form of the year, the Prexies slaughtered helpless Danville by the impressive score of 40-0 and clinched Wilson's first state championship in 20 years. With stars, Howard "Sleepy" Borum and Billy "Wigwam" Farris running in high gear, the Wilson lads ran Danville up and down the field in what resembled a track meet more than a football game. The great Wilson line displayed once again their great defensive power and also opened up many huge holes in the visitors' line for the high stepping backs to march through. Farris converted on 4 of 6 conversions. This game ended a 20 year quest for the State Football Championship by Wilson High School.
courtesy Portsmouth Star
HOWARD BORUM
Back
All State, All Tidewater,
All Foreman Field,
All Eastern,
All Southern (Honorable Mention
BILLY O'BRIEN
Center and End
All State, All Tidewater,
All Foreman Field,
All Eastern,
All Southern (Honorable Mention)
BILLY FARRIS
Back
All Southern, All State,
All Tidewater,
All Foreman Field,
Harry Brownley Award,
High School All American Team,
All Eastern
DAVID POND
Guard
All Tidewater,
All State,
All Foreman Field,
All Eastern
HARRY PARKER
End
All State
RICHARD ALEXANDER
Back
WALLACE McCARTY
Tackle
BILLY NEER
Guard
"POTSY" KLISE
Back
JOHN ROCK
End
BURRELL JOHNSON
Back
RAYMOND BECK
Guard
FRANK MADIGAN
Center
ROBERT GRlESBACK
Back
GEORGE PENDERGRAFT
Back
RONALD BEAUBIEN
Guard
LINWOOD PARKER
End
ALBERT CANONIZADO
Guard
AL AUERBACK
Tackle
JACK McLEAN
End
H1NES CREECY
Guard
HARWOOD BLEDSOE
Tackle
RODNEY YOUNG
Back
HOWARD COWAN
Back
Any corrections or omissions please submit them by E-Mail
The pictures are as represented in the Woodrow Wilson High School, Portsmouth, Virginia yearbook or annual of the year indicated on the page. The Memory pictures may not be complete and pictures and names may have been removed by request of the person involved. Also, it does not offically indicate the year of graduation and/or that the party in question graduated. This section of the website is dedicated to the memories of all alumni and are found in personal items that alumni have saved and were kind enough to allow it to be shared with others. Thank You. If you are not represented in your class, or have other pictures for the memories section you may submit a photo to be added. John “Eddie” Lee ’68.
