Reprinted from Scott County Times
November 25, 1970
By Erle Johnston
The Forest Bearcats, still setting new records, won their second straight overall Little Dixie Conference Championship Friday night by defeating the Monticello Red Devils, 22-10.
The ‘Cats had to come from behind and then overcome a 10-10 tie at the end of the third quarter, but they exploded for a pair of tallies in the last period to ice the victory for Head Coach Gary Risher, who was at the bedside of his meningitis-stricken son (Robin) at Baptist Hospital in Jackson. (Coach Risher communicated with assistants James “Bo” Clark and Billy Ray Dill, thanks to a special phone line set up on the football field.)
Forest had entered the playoff with a 10-0 record to lead the North Division, while Monticello, coached by former Forest assistant Parker Dykes, had squeaked to the finals with a 7-3 mark that actually was no better than Magee or Columbia, but Monticello had topped both teams in regular season competition.
The victory over Monticello extended the Forest victory string to 21 for the past two seasons. The only blot on the 1969 record was a first-game tie (6-6) with Warren Central.
The ‘Cats not only won the permanent Little Dixie Conference trophy but also the three-year rotating trophy. One more year of triumph will give the team permanent possession.
Monticello took a first quarter lead, 3-0, on James Wilson’s 26-yard field goal, but in the second period Billy Thompson scored from the one and made the two-point conversion on a pitchout from quarterback Mike Massey to take an 8-3 advantage.
Later in the second period, Jackie Calhoun smothered Joe Smith behind the goal for a two-point safety, and the ‘Cats moved out front, 10-3.
Monticello tied the score in the third quarter when Willie Harris scored from the 8 and Wilson kicked the PAT.
The ‘Cats bounced back in the final quarter as Thompson tallied from the 13 and later from the one-foot line. The PATs failed but Forest had a 22-10 advantage that was protected until the final whistle.
Monticello’s field goal capped a drive from midfield and featured a 31-yard pass from Smith to Harris.
The ‘Cats first threatened early in the second quarter when they drove from the Forest 29 to the Monticello 6, but a fourth down pass was incomplete and the Red Devils took over.
It was after they punted that the ‘Cats began a payoff drive. Willie Bowie got good yardage on the return with Randy Dilley throwing a key block, and he was finally downed on the Monticello 35.
Thompson picked up first downs to the 24 and the 11, and Massey flipped a pass to Ken Gordon to the 4 yard line. Ricky Dilley made it to the one on first down, then Thompson went over the goal line from there.
After the kickoff, the ‘Cats swarmed Monticello for a big loss and Calhoun spilled Smith in the end zone.
The ‘Cats took the kickoff with Bowie making another great run to the Monticello 45. Massey passed to Gordon to the 34 and flipped another toss to Gordon, who made an almost impossible leaping catch for another first down.
A pass from Massey to Joe Buddy Madden carried to the 13 but Massey’s pass to Calhoun was incomplete.
Then Massey, who kicked a 42-yard goal against Morton, tried to boot one from 38 yards out but was a little wide of the posts.
Monticello began moving the ball from their 20 but Gordon intercepted a pass just before halftime.
In the third period, the Red Devils got two big breaks and scored on one. On a bad pass from center, Calhoun couldn’t get a punt away and he downed the ball at the Forest 24.
Monticello couldn’t move the ball, however, and Harris was stopped on fourth down at the Forest 22. But Forest fumbled on their first play and Monticello had the ball again at the Forest 23. Harris scored in three plays, and after the PAT it was 10-10.
Lee Evans returned the kickoff to the 30 and Ricky Dilley and Thompson combined power and running to move to the Monticello 1. Then on the first play in the fourth quarter, Thompson went over.
After the kickoff, Monticello was forced to punt, with the ball downed at the Forest 30. Dilley and Thompson went into action again, and Raymond Robinson got a first down on the Monticello 39. Dilley had reached the Monticello 29 when the ‘Cats had another fumble and Monticello recovered.
Again the ‘Cats held and the Red Devils punted. It was Forest’s ball on the Monticello 35. Thompson and Dilley got to the one, and on fourth down, Thompson scored to widen the gap to 22-10.
Controlling the line of scrimmage for Forest on offense were Bobby Latham, Bob Smiley, Terry Austin, Bubby Johnston, J. W. Clark, Rodney Russell and Jackie Calhoun.
On defenses it was Randy Dilley, Mike Vaughn, Lee Dukes and Elbon Johnston. Ken Gordon was the outstanding defensive ace of the game.
-30-
Monticello Forest
First downs 5 15
Rushing yardage 41 230
Passing yardage 57 47
Passes 5-11-1 6-13-0
Punts 4 – 22.5 2 – 26
Fumbles 0 2
Penalties 4 – 30 2 – 20
Score by Quarters
Monticello 3 0 7 0 10
Forest 0 10 0 12 22
Monticello – Wilson 26 FG
Forest – Thompson 1 run (Thompson run)
Forest – Safety (Calhoun tackle)
Monticello – Harris 8 run (Wilson kick)
Forest – Thompson 2 run (kick failed)
Forest – Thompson 4 run (kick failed)
Individual Leaders
Rushing – Monticello, Harris 18-41; Forest, Thompson, 27-113; Dilley,
12-72; Robinson, 6-35; Gordon, 2-4.
Passing – Monticello, Smith 5-11-1, 57 yards; Forest, Massey 6-13, 47 yards.
Receiving – Monticello, Harris 1-31; Forest, Gordon 3-37; Madden 2-15.
cutline for photos:
HO HUM, TWO MORE TROPHIES FOR THE BEARCATS! – In top photo, Troy Greer of Magee, president of the Little Dixie Conference, is shown presenting the rotating Conference trophy to assistant coaches Billy Ray Dill and James C. “Bo” Clark and the team after the 22-10 victory over Monticello. Forest now has two years of possession and three consecutive wins are required for permanent ownership. In lower photo, L. O. Atkins, Conference secretary, is presenting the permanent Conference photo. (Photo by Erle Johnston, Scott County Times)
