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Woodrow Wilson
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Portsmouth, Virginia
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Gahagan + team + victories
equals Eastern Regional title.
1970
Kenny Parsons
downs a Norview back.
A pensive Coach Gahagan
watches the action.
Dwight Leonard leaps
to break up a pass
Collins and Leonard move to stop an Indian River runner.
A Homecoming touchdown is scored against Oscar Smith.
Wilson rolls in early season play,
B. Dunn, QB S. Perkins, HB D. Moss, T
D. Leonard, DB Q. Gaines, DB A. Ely, DB
Moody grinds out extra yards against Churchland.
Gahagan “discusses" a point with Ronald Hardy.
Wilson 42, J. F. Kennedy 0
Portsmouth, September 11 —
In the first game of the season the Wilson Presidents surprised local prophets of doom by proving their ability to win in 1970. By the end of the first quarter of the opening game of the season, against Kennedy of Suffolk, it was clear that Coach Gahagan had replaced his 1969 scoring machine with one equally as powerful.
Wilson lost no time scoring, and pushed the score to 20 to 0 in quarter number one. An explosive Offense kept piling up points throughout the game, and a solid defense held Kennedy scoreless.
Quarterback Bobby Earl Dunn threw two touch- down passes for the Prexies, one to Robert "Baby" Powell, and one to Ronald Hardy. Kenny Moody and Darrell Rodgers were the stars in Wilson's running department.
Encouraged by this initial success, Wilson play- ers and fans alike looked forward to another big season and began preparing for their next opponents, the Churchland Truckers.
Wilson 76, Churchland 0
Portsmouth, September 18 —
The Churchland Truckers came to Frank D. Lawrence Stadium on September 19, and were practically run out of the stadium by the end of the first half.
The Presidents could do nothing wrong; as they rolled up the third highest point total in Wilson's fifty-two years of football. Their ten touchdown outburst was led by the running of Robert Davis, Sebastian Collins, and Charles Harris and by the accurate passing of Bobby Dunn and Eddie McSweeney.
The first unit played a perfect game, scoring every time they had the ball. Robert Powell was instrumental in the victciy, catching three touchdown passes. Eddie Powell and Ronald Hardy each caught one. Quarterback Bobby Dunn threw three passes for T.D. 's and backup Eddie McSweeney threw for two.
but bows to Norview's Pilots.
Another Wilson touchdown --- this time agaist Indian River.
L. Bagley, G R. Hardy, E R. Davis, HB
B. Oark, E E. McSweeny, QB R. Moody, FB
M. Atkins, K M. Vaughan, FB K, Parsons, HB
Wilson 22, Indian River 0
Deep Creek, September 25 —
After holding two opponents scoreless, the Presidents met Indian River in Deep Creek stadium for a battle of the unbeatens. A week earlier, several comments were made in the paper concering which Wilson squad was better; the of- fense or the defense.
Although the offense played a good game, the defense quickly showed who was the best of the two. Led by the tremendous line play of Mike Fagan and Heartwell Harrison, the Presidents made it three straight shutouts. Blaine Clark, end, and linebackers Alvin Ely and Stanley Perkins also had very fine games.
The offense was led by Kenny Moody whose hard running alone accounted for the first touchdown. Sebastian Collins converted a crisis fourth down into a touchdown. Passing a halfback option to Robert Powell. Ronald Hardy
proved his worth as a receiver making important catches.
Norview 8, Wilson 0
Norfolk, October 2, —
Wilson traveled to Chittum Field in the hope of winning its eighth straight game. The Presidents had previously shut out three straight opponents. To win. Coach Ralph Gahagan said that the Wilson defense would have to hold down All State running back, Larry Stepheny.
The defense responded to this by holding Stepheny to just over one yard per carry but the offense never caught on, making ten turnovers.
The defense was led by the play of the line, anchored by Mike Fagan, David Moss, Steve Philbrick, Ronald Hardy, and Mike Lawson.
The only time the defense allowed the Pilots to score was after Wilson fumbled deep in their own territory.
Row 1: Eddie McSweeney, Kenny Moody, Dwight Leonard, Stanley Perkins, Steve Philbrick, Sebastian Collins, Blaine Clark, Heartwell Harrison, Louis Bagley, Bobby Dunn. Row 2: Charles Harris, Mike Lawson, Darrell Rodgers, Eddie Powell, Tom Mayo, Joe Wright, Alvin Ely, Edward Daniell, Mike Atkins, Olendus Gaines, Coy Godwin, Jon Kube. Row 3: Robert Davis, Mike Vaughan, Darryl Hall, Willard Matthews, Curt Baker, David Moss, Steve Austin, Richard Frahm, Ronald Hardy, Kenny Parsons. Row 4: James Whitehead, William Bowen, Jim Crodick, Coach James Sherill, Coach Ralph Gahagan, Coach Eddie Bullheller, Coach Howard Beale, Robert Griffin, Mike Fagan, Robert Powell.
VHSL point system rates Wilson number two.
A familiar sight — Bobby Dunn picking up yardage.
It's no use to get upset — you know Wilson will win!
Co-Captain
Sebastian Collins, H.B.
Co-Captain
Steve Philbrick, C.
Prexies gain victory at homecoming and revenge against Great Bridge.
Dunn moves out as Moss blocks against Oscar Smith.
C. Harris, HB D. Rodgers, HB C. Baker, C.
W. Matthews, G. E. Daniell, G. M. Lawson, G.
Wilson 38, Oscar Smith 12
Portsmouth, October 9 —
The Presidents got back to their winning ways as they defeated Oscar Smith in the Homecoming game by a score of 38 to 12. Bobby Dunn, Kenny Moody, and Pot Gaines led Wilson's offensive attack.
Wilson scored quickly and piled up 22 points in the first quarter. Bobby Dunn scored a touchdown on a 56 yard run, Olendus "Pot" Gaines returned an Oscar Smith punt for another score, and Eddie Powell grabbed a touchdown pass thrown by Dunn. To this total the Presidents added one more
touchdown, as Kenny Moody scored late in the second quarter.
Oscar Smith's only score of the first half came on a 37 yard pass from Donald Thomas to Keith Pager.
The second half was a defensive battle. Both teams failed to score in the third quarter. Then, in quarter number four, Wilson
fullback Kenny Moody scored his second touchdown of the night. The scoring was completed as Donald Thomas threw another touchdown pass to Pager for Oscar Smith.
The final score was Wilson 38, Oscar Smith 12 .
Wilson 34, Deep Creek 8
Deep Creek Stadium, October 16 —
Wilson's sixth opponent of the season did no better than the rest of them, as Deep Creek fell to the Presidents by a score of 34 to 8. Wilson struck early and struck hard, as Davis and Charles Harris both scored touchdowns. Robert Powell caught a touchdown pass, as did Eddie Powell.
The Wilson defense, led by Moss, Pagan, and Harrison, held mightily until late in the game, when Deep Creek scored their only
touchdown.
This was the third year in a row that Deep Creek was defeated impressively by Wilson. The Prexies won 51-20 in 1968 and 50-6 in
1967.
Defense in action against Deep Creek.
D. Hall G. H. Harrison, G J. Whitehead, T
J. Wright, G J. Kube, T C. Godwin, T
Wilson 32, Norcom 12
Portsmouth, October 31 —
Once again, Wilson put it all together as the Prexies downed their strong crosstown rivals, the Norcom Greyhounds, by a score of 32 to 12.
Scoring the first three times they had the ball, the Wilsonites quickly put the game out of reach. Robert "Ton" Davis, in the game's
first score, ran the ball over the Norcom goal line from the one yard line. Halfback Sebastian Collins threw an option pass to Robert Powell, who carried it in for a touchdown.
Davis scored twice more, both times with one yard runs. Freshman halfback Charles Harris completed the Presidents' scoring with an 11
yard run late in the game.
Led by Davis, who picked up 105 yards in 17 carries, the mighty Presidents garnered 376 yards by rushing — their best total of the
year.
The Wilson defense also shone on this gray Saturday afternoon. President defense men intercepted three of Norcom Quarterback Winfield Copeland's passes, and al- lowed him to complete only four passes. Norcom's rushing yardage was held to 105 yards.
Wilson 16, Great Bridge 14
Great Bridge, October 23 —
Wilson ventured to Colon Hall Stadium on October 23 with the hope of gaining revenge against the Great Bridge Wildcats. The Wildcats upset Wilson 31-24 in 1969. It was a different story this time, however.
Great Bridge scored first with Everette Hardy going over for the touchdown. Wilson matched this score with a Robert Davis touch- down. Disaster struck for Wilson on the kickoff as Elwood Etheridge raced 95 yards untouched for a touchdown. The two point conversion failed and Great Bridge led by only 14-8.
This set the stage for the winning touchdown. Robert Davis carried it over with little over two minutes remaining. The important two point conversion was carried over by Sebastian Collins and Wilson carried away a 16-14 victory.
Wilson defeats Maury in Eastern Regional Championship game.
S. Austin, G R. Powell, E T. Mayo, E
M, Fagan, T E. Powell, E R. Frahm, E
Wilson 26, Cradock 0
Portsmouth, November 20 —
The Presidents finished their regular 1970 season with a 26 to 0 drubbing of traditional rival Cradock.
Two plays worked incredibly well for Wil- son on this November night. One was the quarterback keeper plays, and scored one touchdown on a run of 53 yards. The other key play was the halfback pass. Sebastian Collins threw three passes in this situation, and he completed all of them, including one for a touchdown to Robert Powell.
As usual, the Wilson defense stood out. Holding Cradock scoreless. Senior defensive back Dwight Leonard intercepted a Cradock pass to make it the third straight year in which he has picked off at least one Cradock aerial.
Most Wilson players and fans thought that this would be the Presidents' last game of the 1970 season. On Thanksgiving Day, However, A suprising Newport News team defeated the previously undefeated Hampton Crabbers and opened an Eastern Regional playoff berth for Wilson.
Cheerleaders stir crowd during Cradock game.
Players and coaches observe the action.
Wilson 52, Western Branch 22
Portsmouth, October 30 —
The Western Branch Bruins came to Frank D. Lawrence Stadium with an outside hope of wrecking Wilson's chance for the Southeast- ern District title. For three quarters, the President's first team built up a thirty point lead. Then the backups came in and provided a 44 point
quarter, each team matching the other with three touchdowns.
For Western Branch, Junior running back Rochelle Carney was the sparkplug scoring all three touchdowns; one on a kickoff return.
Robert Davis matched Carney with three touchdowns, one of his also on a kickoff return.
Next years entire backfield played well with quarterback Eddie McSweeney throwing for one touchdown and Kenny Vaughn making very good gains on the ground. Robert Davis, Kenny Moody, and Charles Harris will complete next year's backfield.
Wilson 16, Maury 6
Norfolk, December 4 —
Once again Wilson played the role of spoiler in the Eastern Regional Championship game as the Prexies defeated Maury 16 to 6,
dashing the Commodores' hopes for a perfect season. In 1968 Wilson accomplished a similar feat by beating previously undefeated First Colonial.
Maury struck early and scored the first time they had the ball. John Bell scored for the Commodores on a six-yard run. The conversion attempt failed, and Maury led six to nothing.
The last three quarters were another story, as Wilson completely dominated the game. The first President score was an eight-yard touchdown pass from Sebastian Collins to Robert Powell in the second quarter. Ton Davis scored the two point conversion, and Wilson led Maury eight to six. In the fourth quarter Robert Powell intercepted a Maury pass and ran it back to the Commodores' 35 yard line. Wilson moved the ball down to the Maury 14 yard line.
Then Sebastian Collins carried the ball over the goal line for another Wilson touchdown. Davis scored the two point conversion, and Wilson led sixteen to six. Maury was unable to score and the game ended as a sixteen to six Wilson victory. This was Wilson's second Eastern Regional title in three years and made the Presidents the number two team in the state.
Ton Davis dives for yardage against Maury.
Blocking clears the way for a Wilson runner.
Alvin Ely moves in to stop John Bell.
W. Bowen, Mgr.
J. Crodick, Mgr.
R. Griffin, Mgr.
Wilson Wins Second Straight Eastern Regional Title
Row 1: Leslie Thorne, Robert "Baby” Powell, Mike Atkins, Curt Baker, Robert “Ton” Davis, Thomas Mayo, Mike Newby, Mike Vaughan. Row 2: Richard Frahm, Eddie McSweeney, James Whitehead, Mike Lawson, Kenny Moody, Steve Philbrick, Mike Fagan, Eddie Powell, Kenny Parsons, Donald Quidgeon. Row 3: Steve Austin, Coy Godwin, Mike Lilley, John Moss, Jimmy Redmon, James Robinson, Lawrence Bates, Mike Hudson, Cecil Eley. Row 4; Bruce Bunyan, Butch Daniels, George Williamson—manager. Assistant Coach Howard Beale, Head Coach Ralph Gahagan, Assistant Coach Jim Sherrill, Jim Crodick—trainer, Carl Williamson
Fighting Presidents do their thing at pep rally.
Season Record
Wilson 36 W. Branch 6
Wilson 40 Churchland 0
Wilson 32 Indian River 0
Wilson 26 Norview 14
Wilson 42 Oscar Smith 20
Wilson 52 Deep Creek 20
Wilson 32 Great Bridge 0
Wilson 8 Norcom 20
Wilson 46 Cradock 6
Wilson 60 Granby 14
Eastern Regional Championship
Wilson 20 Maury 6
State Semi-final Championship
Wilson 14 T. C. Williams 36
 | ||||||
Pride, Practice, Determination Describe Presidents
Presenting the offense of the mighty Presidents. They led the state in scoring with 412 points.
Coach Gahagan gets the job done.
A spirit of desire was with them every play.
The defense, always ready to make the hit.
"Little Les” Thorne runs through the line against Granby.
Let's get nice and loose, men.
Coach Beale gives the defensive signals from the sidelines.
Victory is just in our grasp.
McSweeney gets mentally ready before the Norcom game.
The captains of the 1971 “Fighting Presidents,” Steve Philbrick and Kenny Moody.
A solemn and silent atmosphere as a lion before the kill.
“Ton” adds one more to state scoring crown.
That's alright "Baby", we'll get the ball back.
Steve Philbrick
Co-Captain
Kenny Moody
Co-Captain
Curt Baker
Coy Godwin
Thomas Mayo
Mike Lawson
"Ton" takes the handoff behind Les Thorne's block.
Way to throw that ball, Mac.
Mike Atkins
Leslie Thorne
Richard Frahm
Butch Daniels
Mike Fagan
Robert "Baby" Powell
Eddie McSweeney
Kenny Parsons
The superstar in action. “Ton” does his thing against Cradock.
Butch Daniels gets attention by the managers. Every ounce of desire was put in by the “Mighty Presidents”.
Robert "Tori" Davis
Eddie Powell
One of the few times Buzz Atkins gets to punt.
Steve Austin
Charles Harris
Mike Lilley
Mike Vaughan
Davis goes around left end for yardage against Granby.
Do like I told you now, and we can win this one.
"Ton” hits paydirt against Granby.
The play is split right, dive right.
Bruce Bunyan
Lawrence Bates
John Moss
Mike Newby
James Whitehead
I’M calling this game.
Here, I don’t want it, you take
We’re going to win this game tonight.
Lilley puts it in the air against Maury.
Cecil Eley
Donald Quidgeon
Carl Williamson
"Ton” always draws a crowd.
Mike Hudson
Jim Crodick
Wilson Defeats Maury 22-6 in Eastern Regional
Maury player, Donell Leigh, is downed after the kickoff.
Kenny Moody drives Wilson further towards a score.
"Ton" Davis runs through the line with superb blocking from Steve Philbrick.
Touchdown Wilson!!!
Let’s get those two points, fellas!
The spirit behind the team, managers George Williamson and Larry Brown.
Wilson 1971
The 1971 Presidents won their third Eastern Regional Championship in the last four years. They possessed anoverwhelming offense and a good defense. They led the state in scoring with 412 points. Robert “Ton” Davis tied the state scoring record with 171 points. Robert “Baby”Powell again won All-America honors. One by one, the Presidents defeated their opponents. Western Branch, Churchland, Indian River, and Norview were easilydefeated. The Presidents got rolling in October defeating Oscar Smith, Deep Creek, and Great Bridge. Norcom was a different story however. The Greyhounds stunned the Presidents by defeating them 20-8. It was Wilson’s only regular season loss. Victories over Cradock and Granby reserved an Eastern Regional berth for the Presidents. The Presidents defeated Maury 22-6 in the Regional game, thus advancing to the State Semi-Final game against T.C. Williams. The Titans proved to be too powerful, however, as they defeated Wilson 36-14.
There were many outstanding players on the team. Steve Philbrick, Mike Fagan, Robert Powell, and Robert Davis were named to the All-Eastern, All-State, All- Tidewater, and All-Metro team. Eddie Powell was also named to the All-Metro team. Mike Lawson was named to the All-Southeastern team. The co-captains, Kenny Moody and Steve Philbrick, impressed everyone with their leadership ability.
Confident of victory, the Prexies relax at the half.
Having been injured, Donald can only watch Wilson stomp Maury.
1971
