1965 Football Season

My senior season was one of the best teams Hillcrest had ever dressed out. Whenever we have a reunion, several teammates always bring up our great senior season and what it meant to them. I am afraid that some of those memories are starting to fade and I really want to get them down in writing and hope others can remember and share some of the great times
Our Wildcats were seven wins and two defeat. The two losses were to the two teams that won the state title in their divisions... Lower Richland and East Clarendon. I cannot remember too many of the other games, but some of the plays of these games have stuck with me for over 40 years.
Let me see if I can remember the players. I played right guard, George Woodsby was center, Clarence Strickland was tackle and I Rick Ransbottom was the right end. On the other side of the center was Charlie Stubbs as left guard, Don Roberts as tackle and Chappie McCown as end.  Not this was on offense. I am a little fuzzy about defense. I know I played left end, then Don Roberts as tackle, I think Charlie Stubbs was also left guard. I think George Woodsby was center and Kris Shekitka was right guard, Clarence Strickland was right tackle and I can not remember who was right end.

Now the backfield was often changing. I know John Kelly was always the quarterback. The Lindler twins, Bill and Dick were often in the backfield as was Charlie Craven. I think we had others in the offense as well, but I cannot remember. In out defensive backfield, I think we had Kelly, the Lindlers and maybe Craven too. Someone has to help me out here.

I entered Hillcrest my freshmen year and had never seen a football game in my life. My first one was at Lamar and I had not a clue what was going on. I really did not learn that much by my sophomore year, but I went out. Hillcrest teams had a reputation of never having a winning season. If they won 4 games it was a victorious season. I figured I would probably play a little. I was athletic and in good shape. Later that year I made the varsity basketball team and the track team. But apparently I did not take to football too well, or at least the coaches did not think so. We only had about 23 players on the team. I went to most every practice, ( except the 4 days I missed while in the hospital for being dehydrated) and dressed for all be two games.  However, I never was sent in to play one play all season...not once!!! I have never forgiven those coaches....never.  The next season I started every game and almost played every minute all season.... go figure!

I bet Chappie, Don, Charlie and Clarence remember the games and the season. I have memories of the East Clarendon game when I had to punt because Kris Shekitka was hurt. I was terrible. I may have cost us the game. I recall Lower Richland because we played in the Sumter City Stadium and both of us were 6 and 0 at the time. Mooney Player, their coach ran a trick play in the beginning and we did not catch it!  They scored on the first play and we never recovered. We lost 13-7 I think.

I want to say that my year with those guys were the greatest. We became a team and great friends that have stayed that way until today. We sweated, showered, and slaved together on the hot summer, dry field of the HHS practice fields. We were respected in the school, in the community and among parents. I think that season gave us all a sense of pride that many of us still have today. My hat off to you guys! And the girls who cheered us on and dated us too.