Reprinted from The Clarion-Ledger
November 1970
By Palmer Manning
FOREST – The Forest Bearcats used control at the line of scrimmage and two last-period touchdown runs by halfback Billy Thompson for a 22-10 victory over Monticello and the Little Dixie Conference championship here Friday night.
The win gives Forest a final record of 11-0, while South Little Dixie champ Monticello completed the season at 7-4. (Forest was led by first-year head coach Gary Risher and first-year assistants James “Bo” Clark and Billy Ray Dill. Monticello was led by head coach Parker Dykes, a former Forest assistant coach with Ken Bramlett).
Monticello kicked off and put Forest in the hole when the Bearcats’ receiver had his knee touch the ground at the three. The Red Devils took over six plays later and put together a scoring drive that ended with a 32-yard field goal by James Wilson.
Monticello ran what amounted to an 11-man line and stopped the Forest offense cold until quarterback Mike Massey put the ball in the air to open up the Bearcat offense. A Forest drive was stopped at the Monticello five early in the second quarter.
Forest got on the scoreboard with 3:35 left in the half when Thompson crashed over from the one to cap a 65-yard drive. Thompson ran the conversion for an 8-3 Bearcat lead.
One minute later, end Jackie Calhoun tackled Monticello quarterback Joe Smith in the end zone for a safety and a 10-3 Forest halftime advantage.
Monticello tied it a 10-10 on an eight-yard run by Willie Harold Harris following a fumble recovery at the Forest 25 by Lynn Ray Smith. Wilson’s score tied the game with 2:45 left in the third quarter.
Thompson’s first touchdown in the fourth period came on the first play and from 13 yards out to end a 70-yard drive.
Another Forest drive was killed by a fumble at the Monticello 30, but the Bearcats came back to score again with 1:15 left in the game on a one-yard plunge by Thompson.
Controlling the line of scrimmage for Forest on offense were Bobby Latham, Bob Smiley, Terry Austin, Bubby Johnston, Rodney Russell, J. W. Clark, and Calhoun. On defense it was Ricky Dilley, Mike Vaughn, Lee Dukes and Elbon Johnston. Forest linebacker Ken Gordon was easily the game’s outstanding defensive ace, covering most of the field.
Thompson had 115 yards rushing and Dilley had 83 for the Bearcats. Forest led 19-5 in first downs and 272-90 in total yards.
The Little Dixie Conference championship was Forest’s second in a row, the Bearcats having beaten Magee 46-13 in 1969 season under head coach Ken Bramlett.
Seniors on the 1970 Forest High School Bearcat Football Team are shown receiving letter jackets following their championship season.
Seated from left are Lee Dukes, Bobby Latham, Bob Smiley, Elbon Johnston, Rodney Russell and Mike Massey. Standing from left are head coach Gary Risher; Bubby Johnston, Billy Thompson, Ken Gordon, Joe Buddy Madden, Dave Gibson, J.W. Clark, and assistant coaches James C. “Bo” Clark and Billy Ray Dill. The Bearcat squad captured the Little Dixie Conference Championship and finished the season with a perfect 11-0 mark!
The 1970 Forest Bearcat football team received so many honors for their championship and undefeated season it took several people to display the trophies! Honors represented include the Rotating Forest/Morton Golden Chicken trophy; Forest/Morton winner trophy; North Little Dixie Conference trophy; Overall Little Dixie Conference trophy; and the rotating Little Dixie Conference award. From left are Randy Dilley junior football player/student body association vice president; Supt. L. O. Atkins; Lee Dukes, senior football player/student body association president; Principal McClain Hatch; and Gayle Walsh, senior cheerleader. The presentations were made during a special program held in the Forest Elementary School auditorium. (Rambler photo)
Several ’70 Bearcats Receive Post-Season Honors
Three members of the 1970 Forest Football Team received top honors in helping lead the Bearcats to a second-straight Little Dixie Conference Championship.
The ’70 ‘Cats finished their amazing season with a perfect 11-0 record under first-year head coach Gary Risher and new assistants James C. “Bo” Clark and Billy Ray Dill.
Honorees included Billy Thompson, All-LDC tailback; Ken Gordon, All-LDC linebacker; and J. W. Clark, who made honorable mention as an offensive tackle.
All three were also nominated to participate in the annual All-Star Game, sponsored by the Jackson Touchdown Club, on the basis of ballots received from fans. The ballots were sent to The Clarion-Ledger Sports Department.
Thompson, at 5-11, 182, was also chosen outstanding running back in the conference.
In the 1970 season, Thompson gained 1,048 yards for an average of 5.4 yards per carry. He scored 68 points. In 1969, he was the leading conference scorer with 112 points.
Gordin, at 6’, 175, played offensive wingback/split end and defensive back, averaged eight tackles per game and had four interceptions during the championship season. He was elected co-captain of the 1970 squad.
Clark, who stood 6-3 and weighed 230 pounds, played offensive tackle and defensive end during 1970 season. He averaged four tackles and four assists per game. He was a standout defensive tackle on the 1969 team, which also won the LDC Championship with an 11-0-1 record under head coach Ken Bramlett and assistants Warren Crain and Gary Risher.
A ceremony honoring the 1970 Bearcats on the 50th anniversary of their championship season is scheduled Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, during halftime of the Forest/Florence game at L. O. Atkins Field. Football cheerleaders and members of the 1970-71 All-Superior Forest High Band are invited to participate in the special event. Kickoff for the Forest/Florence game is set for 7 p.m.
A RESOLUTION HONORING THE
1970 FOREST HIGH SCHOOL BEARCATS
FOOTBALL TEAM ON THE
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF WINNING
LITTLE DIXIE CONFERENCE TITLE AND FOR
AN OUTSTANDING 1970 SEASON.
WHEREAS, the Forest (MS) High School Bearcat Football Team in Forest, Mississippi, began its 1970 season as the defending Little Dixie Conference Champions; and
WHEREAS, in the previous season, the 1969 Forest Bearcats captured the conference title with a 10-0-1 record and was led by Head Coach Ken Bramlett, who continued his coaching success on the junior college level;
WHEREAS, the 1969 Forest squad continues to be recognized as one of the best teams in Bearcat history, as several players received scholarships to Southeastern Conference squads and other four-year colleges and junior colleges;
WHEREAS, the 1970 Forest Bearcats were not predicted to be as successful as the previous squad, as they began season action with a new head coach, Gary Risher, new assistants James C. “Bo” Clark and Billy Ray Dill; and a new athletic director, Ken Gordon;
WHEREAS, the 1970 season marked the first year of full integration for Forest High School and the majority of schools in MS, as the team included players of both races and an African-American coach, “Bo” Clark, for the time first time in school history; and
WEREAS, the Bearcats started season action with a decisive victory over Neshoba Central, which was followed by successive wins over Raleigh, Brandon, Clinton, Pearl-McLaurin, Newton, Forest Hill, Carthage, Florence, and ending the regular season by rallying to defeat then-undefeated Morton to capture the North Little Dixie Conference title; and
WHEREAS, the Bearcats, whose superior season was driven by more than the yearning to succeed, intensively amplified all of their hard work, motivation and audacity, which were so apparent all through the season, for the final game that ultimately separated the men from the boys to take down Monticello by a score of 22-10, and take home the Little Dixie Conference Championship for the second consecutive year; and
WHEREAS, unfortunately, Head Coach Gary Risher was unable to be with his team during the championship battle due to the serious illness of his son, Robin, at a Jackson, Mississippi, hospital; and
WHEREAS, not to be deterred, the school administration, led by then Superintendent L. O. Atkins, Principals McClain Hatch and Milton Walker and others helped to provide a special telephone hookup for Coach Risher to be able to communicate with the assistant coaches during the Monticello game; and
WHEREAS, with an outstanding record of 11-0, the Bearcats achieved ultimate victory despite the many obstacles along the road to the championship, and they proved that success can be obtained by both races working together as a team for the same goal, despite numerous challenges, and
WHEREAS, the 1970 Bearcats team was comprised of the following talented student athletes: seniors, Mike Massey, Dave Gibson, Joe Buddy Madden, Billy Thompson, Ken Gordon, Johnny Payton, Bobby Latham, Bob Smiley, Bubby Johnston, Elbon Johnston, J. W. Clark, Rodney Russell, Lee Dukes, Gerald Harper and Henry Thomas; juniors, Walter Hatch, Randy Dilley, Ricky Dilley, Howard Chambers, Tye Gaddis, Raymond Robinson, Larry Risher, Phillip Broadhead, Terry Austin, Mike Vaughn, Jimmy Bradford, Willie Bradford, Charles Lyle, Lambert Lane, Robert Trotter, Tug Ledford, Jackie Calhoun, Jesse Lancaster, Lee Evans, Willie Bowie and Edmond Harvey; sophomores, Steve Gibson, Steve Tullos, Arthur Murrell, Eugene Braggs, Edward Patrick, Ken Melichar, Wally Rushing, Wardell Reed and David Lee; and managers, Grady Austin, Freddy Ledford and Sonny Gibbs;
WHEREAS, the Bearcats received tremendous support throughout the season from the All-Superior FHS Band, directed by Doug Harvel and Drum Major Ginny Lee; cheerleaders Gayle Walsh, Stacey Stegall, Wanda “Tutti” Calhoun, Belinda Wheeler, Martha Marler and Dea McCrory; and the school administration, faculty staff and student body; and
WHEREAS, members of the Forest community showed their support and appreciation of the team’s success by providing funds to send the 1970 Bearcats to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans for a second-straight year; and
WHEREAS, a special recognition ceremony is scheduled Friday, August 21, 2020, (later moved to Friday, Sept. 18, 2020) to honor the 1970 championship squad, cheerleaders and band members, during halftime of the Forest/Lake (Forest/Florence) high school football game at L.O. Atkins Field; and
WHEREAS, the 1970 Forest Bearcat Football Team will be always be known as the first integrated and undefeated championship squad in school history; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the 1970 Forest High School Bearcats Football Team on the 50th anniversary of winning the Little Dixie Conference title and for an outstanding 1970 season.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to team coaches and members, Forest High School, Forest City Hall and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.
ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, March 4, 2020, and signed by PHILLIP GUNN, SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, and TOM MILES, DISTRICT 75, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
By Erle Johnston
(Reprinted from the Nov. 25, 1970 issue of The Scott County Times.)
Little Robin Risher was fighting the infection of meningitis Friday night (Nov. 20) while his father’s football team was winning its second straight Little Dixie Conference championship.
His 36-hour critical period passed after midnight Saturday, and Sunday afternoon he was eating ice cream, taking some nourishment, and conversing with family. The oxygen was removed.
Although he still had pains in his swollen neck and occasionally fretted with discomfort, he was considered well on his way to complete recovery.
Head Coach Gary Risher and his wife, Nelda, rushed Robin to the Baptist Hospital Friday morning after his illness was diagnosed by doctors at Lackey Hospital.
They rode in a Scott County ambulance and were accompanied by Mrs. Betty Ryan, the hospital’s director of nurses.
Examination by a Jackson pediatrician determined that Robin, who turned two years old in June, had contracted an “influenza” type of meningitis that is serious but not contagious.
“That was one of the things that had worried me,” said Coach Risher Sunday. “I knew if he had the contagious kind there might be a quarantine at the school.”
Robin had slept abnormally long Friday and Mrs. Risher decided to stay with him Friday and not attend her classes at Mississippi College. When she could hardly rouse him Friday, and his face seemed flushed with fever, she called Coach Risher and they rushed him to the hospital.
Coach Risher, concerned about his son, knew he would not be able to direct the Forest Bearcats in their championship playoff with Monticello.
Thursday night, before Robin’s illness developed, he had a meeting with the squad. Afterwards he huddled with the seniors and told them:
“I’ve watched you since you were sophomores, and you have come a long way. All I want to say is that I’m counting on you, and the other boys, just like all of Forest is counting on you.”
Supt. L. O. Atkins arranged for a telephone to be installed on a post at the sidelines so regular reports on the game could be called to Coach Risher at the Baptist Hospital. (The game was not broadcast on radio.)
Sunday Coach Risher said he “never worried.”
“I knew Coach Dill could handle the offense strategy and Coach Clark could do the same for the defensive unit, and that’s the way it worked out.”
He said he also had the “utmost” confidence” in all the players and especially those with particular responsibilities, like quarterback Mike Massey, the signal-caller; Bob Smiley, captain of the defensive unit; Bubby Johnston, who kicked off and coordinated the “Mad Dogs,” the kickoff unit; Bobby Latham, coordinator of the kick-off and punt-return unit; Billy Thompson, who handled the same chore for the punting unit with Jackie Calhoun doing the booting.
Coach Risher paced the hospital room Friday night like he paces the sidelines as he awaited the first call from the football field.
Troy Henderson called first and during the evening he had calls from Jimmy Goodwin, Supt. Atkins, and the coaches.
Once it was so long between calls that Coach Risher couldn’t stand it any longer. He originated a call from the hospital.
“I figured Monticello must have scored and they just didn’t want me to know,” he said. “His hunch was correct. Monticello had a 10-10 tie going into the fourth quarter.
But he got the word quickly about the last period touchdowns that put Forest firmly in the lead. It was Troy Henderson, Coach Risher’s uncle, who gave him the final call that Forest had won, 22-10, and Coach Clark also grabbed the phone to say: “We made it. We’re the champs!”
At the Baptist Hospital room, Coach Risher slowly put down the phone and there were tears in his eyes. His wife – Nelda – also rather weepy – put her arms around his shoulders.
Coach Risher looked up and in a choked-up voice, said with pride:
“They are really number one, aren’t they?”
