Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 14, 1993 TAG: 9310130456
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-48 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB MCLELLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The team won the I-B Blue Ridge District, but "there was no other place for us to go," said Hammes.
"In those days, there were no playoffs and no state championship for I-B teams. I really would have liked to see just what we could have done in a playoff. I think we had it all, and the kids were just beginning to realize what they could do."
Fullback and kicker Bernie Sanders agrees. "We were balanced at every position and had the togetherness that made us good. I think we could have played with any team."
Hammes, Sanders and the rest of the talented 1967 squad relived live those glory days and moaned over what might have been last Friday night during Knight's loss to powerful George Washington of Danville. There were stars aplenty on that 1967 squad. Tackle Bob Hosp was a scholastic All-American. He along with punter and end Andy Harvey, fellow tackle Doug Crisp, guard Gerry Higginbotham, Sanders and running back Cooper Maxey were voted to the first All Blue Ridge team.
Hosp, Crisp, Maxey, Harvey, guard Jon Pence, and quarterback Walt Prillaman also were named to the All Roanoke City-County first team.
But there were others who had a major role in the undefeated season. They were players like 150 pound junior linebacker Philip Wiseman, who made one jarring tackle that stands out in Hammes' mind.
"We were playing at Martinsville," Hammes recalls. "They [Martinsville] had this big 200-plus pound fullback who was hard to stop. They were driving for what could have been the winning touchdown and were near our 10 yard line. It was fourth down and short, and this big guy headed off tackle. But, darn if Wiseman didn't step right up there and stop him cold, and we escaped with a 14-6 win."
There were other big plays during the season. Sanders remembers the game at Buena Vista when the Knights were literally fighting for their lives.
"We were running out of time, and Coach Hammes told us to get the ball in the middle of the field for a field goal try. We had the ball on their 10, and darn if Cooper didn't break it off and give us a touchdown and the 12-6 win as time was running out. I was so excited, I missed the extra point."
The squeaker at Buena Vista was remembered by many as the toughest of the 10 victories. "It was something," said principal Leonard Hale. "I remember they said Coach Hammes told the players to keep their helmets on in the bus after the game because their fans were so angry after getting beat."
Hale, who had been the head football coach at William Byrd High School and is a member of the Roanoke College Sports Hall of Fame, said the championship team did much for the school's morale. He said the players were not only good athletes but also good students and school leaders.
Head cheerleader Beth Willis Slovensky agreed, adding "that was really an outstanding group of players, but it was a real community effort. We had great support from everyone - the parents, fans, cheerleaders, band and drill team. Many of us had been together since sandlots. I know I had cheered for six years. We were just like family."
Slovensky said the season also was special for her because she was dating Steve Slovensky, the reserve quarterback. They married in 1972. "Steve and I will never forget what 1967 meant to us."
It was also the last year in the old high school, which is now Cave Spring Junior High.
The 1967 season opened with a 34-0 win over Roanoke Catholic and ended with close call that resulted in a 7-0 win over Liberty. There also was a 27-7 win over Covington and the 12-6 thriller at Buena Vista. Next was the 27-0 win over Lord Botetourt, and then a close 20-13 win over Leroy Parker and his Group I-A Jefferson High mates.
The Knights also beat William Byrd 21-0 before edging Martinsville 14-6 . The champions then put things into high gear to finish off the perfect year with a 66-0 romp over Northside and a 35-7 win over Franklin County.
The champions rolled up 262 points to only 39 for the opposition. Only Jefferson managed more than a touchdown against the Knights.
"We were especially tough on defense," Hammes said. "The kids were believing no one could score on them. We held many of our opponents to minus yardage. All in all, the 1967 team gave me and the school some memories that we will always cherish. I am just thankful that I was a part of it all."
by CNB