Woodrow Wilson High School Alumni "Sports Pics for Class of 1962"

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.

Row one: John Brooks, Gary Lusk, Billy Mann, Fenton Vaughan, Harvy James, Robert Barileu, Cary Bonenberger, James Langston, Arnold Hendrix. Row two: Clair Hillard, Dale Heely, Bobby Vernon, Ray Baker, David Smith-captain, Larry Davis, Bobby Cross, Mike Opauski. Row three: Coach Ralph Gahagan, Ronnie Evans, Ricky Turner, Gary Owens, Carl Rhodes, Bobby Cook, Frank Culpepper, Tommy Morgan, assistant-coach Howard Beale. Row four: Kenny Robinson,Jimmy Thacker, Bunting, Barnard Doleman, Jerry Lawson, Don Riddick, Sammy Brooks, Chester Harrison .

OSCAR SMITH 21 - WILSON 6

The potent offense and equally effective defense of the Smith Tigers proved highly effective as they downed the Prexies, 21-6, in the opener.

The Wilson eleven could not gather enough punch to pick up a first down until midway the second quarter. At halftime the score was 14-0, Oscar Smith.

At the beginning of the third period, Wilson supporters were given an inkling of the President's potential as they took the kickoff and racked up four consecutive first downs, but once more the Oscar Smith defense proved too much as it halted the drive. Defensively, things also looked better, with the Prexies holding the Tigers scoreless in the period.

Early in the fourth period a Smith punt was fumbled on the Wilson 42 yard line, and Oscar Smith drove for the score from that point. The Presidents averted a shutout by taking the ensuing kickoff and driving for their only tally late in the fourth period.

Frank Culpepper, playing his first varsity game, scored on a one yard plunge.

WILSON 7 - NEWPORT NEWS 7

Beaten 21-6 by Oscar Smith in their opening game, the Presidents traveled to Newport News to playa slightly favored Typhoon which was un-defeated in two games. The first quarter proved to be a stalemate, but in the second quarter, due to the inspired running of team captain David Smith and Frank Culpepper, the Presidents hit paydirt on Culpepper's three yard plunge.

The third quarter proved to be all Newport News as the Typhoon took the kickoff and moved 80 yards to tie the score 7-7.

Neither team could provide a serious threat until the fourth quarter when sophomore Larry Davis moved the squad downfield Within throwing distance. He tossed a touchdown pass to Carl Rhodes who caught the ball out of the end zone on the fourth down, and the play was nullified.

Newport News took over, but failed to score, and the game ended in a tie.

WILSON 6 - NORVIEW21

Still looking for their first win, a fired up President eleven took on the highly-favored Norv tew Pilots who had a 33 game wiJming streak broken the week before by E.C. Class of Lynchburg.

Hoping to extend. the Norviews losing streak, the inspired Presidents held the Pilots scoreless in the first half.

The third q uarter opened with Ronnie Spruill taking the kickoff on his 18, cutting to the right sideline, and racing 82 yards for the touchdown. On the following kickoff Tommy Morgan Iumbled, and Spruill gathered iJI the loose ball to score again from 24 yards out. This made the score 14·0, with the second half just 33 seconds old. The rest of the quarter proved a stalemate.

The Prexies came up with a sustained drive in the fourth quarter, climaxed when Larry Davis went five yards for the score. Norv iew quickly responded for their third tally, with fullback Ken Whitley carrytng the last ten yards.

WILSON 21 - CHURCHIAND 0

Still smarting from the stunning 13-7 upset handed them by the Truckers last year, the Presidents were determined to even the score. This they did with a hard-earned 21-0 victory.

Larry Davis was the standout in the win. He ran 34 yards to score late in the first period, and in the fourth quarter, hit Carl Rhodes with a 28 yard touchdown pass. The first score of the game was recorded by halfback Tommy Morgan on a short run. Jerry Lawson managed the three successful conversions.

The Wilson defense, led by tackles Gary Luskand Chester Harrison, proved im-pregnable as Churchland was unahle to come up with a sustained scoring drive. Ends Don Riddick and Carl Rhodes were highly commended hy Coach Ralph Gahagan for their superior play.

WILSON 45 - NORFOLK CATHOLIC 14

Having failed to win a game in their first three starts, the Presidents took the field against Norfolk Catholic determined to do something about it. This they did, taking advantage of every scoring opportunity to run up a halftime score of27-7. Catholic scored on a 54 yard pass to Mike O'Brien just before the end of the second quarter.

The second half proved much the same, with Larry Davis ahly directing a smooth-working and talented backfield. Wilson depth showed up for the first time in this game, with every offensive back scoring, and defensive backs coming up with six pass interceptions.

Davis accounted for three touchdowns, scoring twice, and connecting with Jerry Lawson on a pass for the third.

PRINCESS ANNE 14 - WILSON 13

For the second week in a row a winning team moved into Portsmouth Stadium, this time in the person of the Princess Anne Cavaliers who were riding a five game winning streak. Sophomore quarterback Buster O'Brien loomed as the big passing threat, and the Wilson secondary was primed for a rough workout.

The Prexies felt they were better than their 3-3-1 record, and were out to prove they belonged near the top of the standings.

The defense, geared to stop O'Brien and left end Chuck Carr, did not take into account the lull ability of the Cavalier's other end who caught O'Brien's 20th touch-down pass in the first quarter. The determined Prextes came back and scored, twice, which put them in front 13-7 at halftime.

The usually good second half performance of the Presidents failed to materialize, and the Cavaliers, sparked by O'Brien and fullback John Sims, soon had the equalizer as O'Brien came up with his 21st scoring pass. .

Carr kicked the all-important point after for the margin of Victory

WILSON 31 - HAMPTON 0

Homecoming day turned cloudly and rainy, but the 31-0 victory over the punchless Crabbers brightened things considerably.

The game, which was scheduled for Friday night, had to be postponed until the next afternoon. Even the muddy field could not dampen the homecoming spirit, or contain the Prexy offense.

Quarterback Larry Davis led the scoring attack with two touchdowns. The first was scored on a first quarter punt return which covered 90 yards.

Halfback Tommy Morgan carried the ball over for the second score, and Davis went into action again, scoring the third touchdown.

The second unit, led by quarterback Ray Baker, moved the ball down field for the fourth score, and Davis' closed out the point total with a short pass to Frank Culpepper who got loose in the end zone.

The defensive unit was gh'cn special praise by Coach

Gahagan as it came up with its second straight shutout.

MAURY 13 - WILSON 0

In a continuance of one of the longest football rivalries in Virginia, the Prex ies, riding a three game winn ing streak, were given a very good chance of upsetting the undefeated Commodores.

Maury, scoring both touchdowns in the first half, was led by equally capable quarterbacks, Dickie Joynes and Tommy Waterman. Fullback John Sims, was the leading ground gainer wuh 92 yards, and scored the second touchdown to top off a 97 yard drive.

The President offense, which had racked up 97 points in the last three games, was completely stymied by a fired up Maury defense. Wilson, although runn ing without first string quarter-back, Larry Davis, played the Commodores on even terms in the second half.

The locals threatened only once in the third period as they penetrated to the three yard line, but were stopped by a costly fumble. The one bright spot was the agility shown by Frank Culpepper in playing both fullback and halfback. Also, his inspired running kept the offense moving.

WILSON 13· GRANBY 0

In the next to the last game of the season the Prestdents journeyed to Foreman Field where they downed th e Comet eleven, 13·0, in a game rated as a toss up.

Wilson had to go all out in this win, and without the fine defensive play of the forward wall, thegame could well have gone either way. The first half ended in a 0·0 deadlock.

At the begtnntng of the third period, Frank Culpepper rambled to the Granby 12 with the kickoff, and then drove to the two yard line, but the threat ended when Ray Baker fumbled, and Granby took over. The Comets moved to the Prexie 24, aided by a 42 yard pass, and the running of fullback Bryan Becker. A penalty and a rugged defense led by end Gary Owens and linebacker Dave Smith stoppedthedriveatthe 22.

In the fourth quarter, Larry Davis, who had been injured early in the Cavalier game the week before, returned to action and directed a 78 yard scoring drive. With less Ulan a minute remaining, halfback Tommy Morgan intercepted a desperation pass and raced 55 yards for the second tally.

WILSON 28· CRADOCK 12

Thanksgiving day dawned bright and unseasonably warm, and the Presidents had two things in mind regarding the Cradock game. First, they needed this game for a winnlng season; second, the Admirals had won the past two years.

The two teams felt each other out for most of the first quarter. Just before it ended, Cradock quarterback Alan Baker surprised the Presidents by stepping back and throwing a 50 yard touchdown pass to halfback Mike Crouch to put them ahead 6·0.

Cradock kicked off, then stopped the Prexies on downs. This forced a punt by Rhodes, which was fumbled. Tommy Morgan grabbed the loose ball and sped 24 yards to score, and Jerry Lawson converted for a 7·6 lead. On the first play from scrimmage after the kick off, Wilson linebacker Harvey James intercepted a short pass and rambled 37 yards to put the Prexies in front 14·6 at halftime.

The Admirals came back determined to win, and finally scored in the 4th quarter on fullback Eddie House's 12 yard run around end to make the score 14·12.

The Presidents came right back to score again on Heely's 5 yard run. Later in the fourth quarter the Prexies recorded their last tally on a 26 yard pass from Davis to BobCross, and again Lawson converted for the point.

Row one: Dick Esleek, Curtis Waters, Tommy Overstreet, John Kern, Ronnie Baker, Tommie Lee, Woodie Edwards, Mike Smith, Jimmy Wayland, J.B. Edwa sds, Row two: Jimmy Peakes, Bobby Baker, Al Hannan, Charles Archer, Craig Stevens, Wayne Dowe, Bucky Jones, Ronnie McEwen, Joe King, Bobby Owens-manager. Row three: Coach Bob Smith, Eugene Phillips, Billy Redman, John Nobrega, Fred Dickenson, Charlie Mastro, James Marriner, Tommy Winslow, Donald Langston, Wayne Prince, Wayne Proffitt, Coach Jim Sherrill. Row four: Donald Powell, Tommy Foxworth, Mike Martin, Richard Sorrell, Dan Wyatt, Sammy Benson, David Moody, Donald Bradley, Benny Horton, Chester Forrester, David Turpin.

Wilson 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wilson 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wilson 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wilson 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wilson 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wilson 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wilson 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

With a record of seven wins and no losses, the Baby Presidents completed their first undefeated season in three years. The team was again coached by Jim Sherrill and Bob Smith, former Prexie co-captain who joined the coaching staff this year.

The climax of the season came in the last game win over the Hampton Crabbers at the Stadium. This contest was the annual Band Benefit affair. In thefirstq uarter Ronn ie Baker scored the first touchdown from

six yards out, and Ronnie McEwen scampered 23 yards for the next six pointer in the second period. The extra point resulted from a Don Powell pass to Timmy Wayland. McEwen scored again in the third quarter, and also added the extra point on a line plunge. In the

fourth period powell hit David Moody with a scoring pass that covered 30 yards.

Prior to the Hampton gamethe Baby Presidents walloped Churchland by a32-6score. Touchdowns were scored by McEwen, Baker, Wayne Prince, and Powell, who tallied twice. The two extra points were added by McEwen.

McEwen led the scoring parade for the season with 48 points, followed by Moody with 42. Powell con-nected for nine touchdown passes, and his favorite target was Moody who gathered in 20 tosses. The team ran up a total of 167 points on offense, and the defensive unit yielded just 38 to the opposition.

Defensive standouts were Sammy Benson, Jimmy Currin, Al Harmon, Jimmy Marriner, and Jimmy Wayland. Offensively, lB. Edwards, Richard Sorrell, Richard Vincent, and Mike Smith all did yeoman

work.

Coach Sherrill was especially gratified with the winning season, giving full credit to the defensive unit. The results are even more impressive when it is noted that only five boys were returnees from the previous year.