Game Seven - Waller Bulldogs - Bellville 59, Waller 2
After the big win over the Cardinals in the District opener, the team would hit the road again and travel to Waller to face the Bulldogs. Waller was coached by George Jett, and they were coming off 3 wins and 7 losses in 1976. They had only managed one win so far in the 1977 season, and would finish the year with a record of two wins, seven losses and one tie.
They were lead by a 6’-3”, 270 pound lineman named Carlos Scott. In 1977 terms, that was BIG. Carlos also threw the discus and shot put in high school, and I got to know him pretty well during the track meets in the Spring. I considered him a gentle giant, but he could throw a shot put and discus farther than anyone at that time. When he threw, you just stood back and watched in awe. Scott was the Texas Class 2A State shot put champion from 1976 to 1978 and set the Class 2A shot put record that stood for 31 years at 67'-1/4". He went on to play football at UTEP and in the NFL for four years for the St. Louis Cardinals and Denver Broncos. Scott was invited to the 1992 Olympic Trials and finished fourth in the discus. He also competed in the 1994 USA Nationals and placed third in addition to winning the 1994 US Olympic Festival discus championship. I apologize for the Scott detour, but I always tried to follow the athletic careers of the outstanding athletes we faced during my time in high school.
As we turn to the football game, Bellville took advantage of eight Waller Bulldog miscues, which led to a number of scores. Allen Ward recovered a fumble on the Waller 24 yard line, and then took it in for a touchdown a few plays later. The extra point by Jackson was no good, and the lead was at 6-0.
On the next Brahma possession, Rusty Parker threw a 50 yard pass to tight end Jerry Reese, and the PAT by Jackson was good for a 13-0 lead. With time still remaining in the 1st quarter, Ward scored again on a 23 yard run after Frankie Krumrey had recovered a Bulldog fumble. Jackson’s PAT was good and the score at the end of the 1st quarter was 20 - 0.
Waller’s only score came when they blocked a Reese Burger punt and it rolled out of the end zone for a safety. With a few seconds on the clock before halftime, Ward scored again on a fake punt. The PAT was no good and Bellville lead at the half 26 - 2.
The second half started the same for Waller as Lucky Wagner intercepted a pass and returned it to the Bulldog 26. On the next play, Parker found Randall Barton in the end zone for a touchdown. The PAT was no good and the score was 32 - 2.
Midway through the 3rd quarter, Jackson recovered a fumble, but no points were scored. On the next possession, Joe Pettiette intercepted a pass and returned it to the Waller 20. On the next play, Parker ran it in for the touchdown, but the extra point failed, leaving the score at 38-2.
Edgar Leaks was next to score as he recovered a block punt in the end zone, and Jackson’s extra point try was good to make it 45-2.
Frankie Krumrey recovered the next fumble, and Robert Warmke threw a 27 yard touchdown toss to Virgil Anderson (Balke) and Jackson’s PAT was good. Randall Barton intercepted a pass and returned it to the 8 yard line, where Eric Hamaker ran it in for the final score. Jackson’s extra point was good and the final score was 59 - 2.
Coaches Don Krumrey and Archie Seals noted strong defensive performances by Jerry Reese, Ike King, Joe Pettiette, Reese Burger and Steven Jackson. Paul Albert injured his ankle in the first half and did not return in the second half.