WWHS - Portsmouth VA - Faculty and Staff

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web pages designed and maintained

by John "Eddie" Lee class of '68

Woodrow Wilson

High School

Portsmouth, Virginia

The Class 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. 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.

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

All the pages in this section of the website may take tme to load as it is made up of pictures and graphics. Every effort has been made to make them as small and fast loading as possible.

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

1951 Basketball Eastern District Champions

Seated: Parker, Myers, McFadden, Moynithan, Curry. Standing: Meginley, Dalton, Slaughter, Daniels, Rodman, Barnes, Key, Coach McClurg.

1952 Basketball Eastern District Champions

Basketball . . . District

Champions . . . again!

SEASON'S RECORD

Norfolk Academy

South Norfolk

Lynchburg

Maury

Newport News

Norview

Granby

Warwick

Hampton

South Norfolk

Cradock

Norview

Granby

Newport News

Hampton

Maury

Cradock

Warwick

Norfolk Academy

District Play-Off

Newport News

State Tournament

Lynchburg

Washington & Lee

Coach McClurg is carried from floor after Newport News victory.

Curry

Dalton

Beards off after Typhoon victory

Moynithan

Myers

Daniels

Kneeling: Ireland, Myers, Sidwell, Coach McClurg, Curry, Moynihan, Key, Clark

Back: Dalton, Mason, Slaughter, Daniels, Hutchinson, Walker

Qast, Landers -- Managers

Clark

(1) Knowles, Riley -- Managers

(2) Male, Skeeter, Kidd, Campbell, Lee, Smith, Taylor

(3) Cummins, Baily, Johnson, Keel, Williams, Leonard, Coach Mills

(4) White, Martin, Severin, Bruce, Rakestraw

Captain Bubber Barnes

Coach McClurg

EASTERN

DISTRICT

Coach Mills

CHAMPIONS

VARSITY BASKETBALL

Wilson

Norfolk Academy

Wm. and Mary Frosh

Lynchburg

Maury

Newport News

Norview

Granby

Warwick

Hampton

Lynchburg

Cradock

Granby

Newport News

Hampton

Maury

Craddock

Long Beach

Ramsey High

Warwick

Norview

The season’s record was Fifteen

wins and Five losses.

First Row, left to right: Sidwell, Ziggenhain. Second Row: Severin, Markman, Pugh, Jackson, Cummins, Batten, Helms. Third Row: Harrell, Peck, Clark, Houghton, Jean, Walker, Phelps, Coach Mills.

J. V. BASKETBALL

Wilson 61 .......................Norfolk Academy 26

Wilson 61 .............................South Norfolk 19

Wilson 53 .........................................Maury 44

Wilson 43......................................... Maury 47

Wilson 48 .........................................Maury 54

Wilson 49 ............................Newport News 35

Wilson 41 ......................................Norview 40

Wilson 52..................... Norfolk Cath. High 29

Wilson 53 ........................................Granby 54

Wilson 51 ..................................... Warwick 41

Wilson 51 .....................................Hampton 41

Wilson 49 .....................................Craddock 37

Wilson 46 ........................................Granby 47

Wilson 47 ............................Newport News 46

Wilson 45 .....................Norfolk Cath. High 48

Wilson 49 .....................................Hampton 38

Wilson 48 .........................................Maury 40

Wilson 24 ....................................Craddock 37

Wilson 42.......................................Warwick 41

Wilson 42 ..................................... Norview 41

Wilson 48 .............................South Norfolk 34

The season’s record was Fifteen

wins and Six losses.

Captain

Bubber Barnes

Kenny Daniels

Cully Dalton

In his second year as basket-

ball coach at Wilson, popular

Charley McClurg hit the jackpot

in winning the Eastern District

Championship. In doing so his

fast breaking Prexies amassed a

13-1 conference record, edging

out the Newport News’ Typhoon,

last year’s title holder.

Wilson’s only conference de-

feat came at the hands of a hot

Hampton crew who simply

couldn’t miss on their court. Of

the other conference games, only

a few teams gave Wilson any

scares at all.

Also included on the Wilson

slate was a four day trip to New

York where the locals met Long

Island High, and Ramsey of

New Jersey. Although Long

Island handed the McClurg men

a 70-45 drubbing, the Orange

and Blue bounced back with a

decisive victory over Ramsey,

defending New Jersey state

Pop McFadden

Jessel Curry

Juddy Rodman

Finishing regular season play

with a 14 won and 6 lost record,

and winning the Eastern District Championship gave us a third

seeded spot in our second suc-cessive state tournament.

Leading the Prexies into the

tournament was the same quin-tet that started every ball game

Rodman controls tap.

all year. Jessel Curry, All Eastern

Forward and high individual

point maker in the Eastern Dis-trict, paced the high scoring

Prexies, who incidentally aver-

aged almost 54 points per

game to their opponent’s 44. Curry ended the year with well over 300 points for a 17 point

average per game.

Right behind Curry were All Eastern Guard, Pop McFadden,

rangy Kenny Daniels, ace re- bound man all year. Rubber

Barnes and Cully Dalton. In late season games, the last three

named played great ball, and

gave their tournament opponents plenty of trouble.

Tiny Moyinham

Mahlon Parker

Joe Myers

After annihilating Danville 68-

48 in the first round, the Orange

and Blue had a tougher time

besting a good Alexandria com-

bine, 54 - 51. This set the stage

for the third meeting, this time

in the state finals, with the Conn-

coached Typhoon, a team which

Wilson had already downed

twice during regular season play.

As Coach McClurg said before

the Championship game, “It was

tough enough defeating New-

port News twice this year, much

less a third time, and for the

state title.” It proved too tough

a task and the result was an

upset 44 - 42 victory for Newport

News. Although Wilson led

almost the entire game, the Typhoon rallied to take the thriller in the last minute.

Nevertheless, let’s look to the

future, not the past. With Spark-

plug Curry back, along with

Daniels, Cully Dalton, Meyers,

Slaughter, Key, Moynihan, and

Meginley, some of the slack left

by graduating Seniors, McFad-

den, Barnes, Rodman, Parker,

and Rufus Dalton, should be

taken up.

Buddy Key

Rufus Dalton

Arthur Meginley

Enos Slaughter

1947 V Football SC

1951 Basketball VERC

1952 Basketball VERC