Aces Time Capsule November 8, 1963 MCHS 69 AT PRINCETON 0 PERFECTION!!!! That is what finally happened on that brisk November evening across the river in Indiana, as the Mt. Carmel Golden Aces finally achieved what every player, coach and fan strived for each year, a season without blemish and the Aces did that with a flurry. It was the final exclamation mark on a “Cinderella” season for the Men of the Wabash as they accomplished what only one of team in school history was to reach (1981 State Champs) and the 1963 squad was the first to do it. As the undefeated Aces traveled across the “pond” to take on arch-rival and winless, Princeton, it was to rid themselves of years of futility at the hands of the hated Tigers. This was to be one of the finest games in Coach Jim John’s illustrious career as his beloved Golden Aces totally humiliated the Crimson and Cream clad Cats from the get-go and kept up the attack throughout the game to wipe out any doubt that observers had that this was one of the greatest teams in Mt. Carmel history. It didn’t seem like it matter to where the Aces went or what they did, it worked, as the Aces scored on their first 7 times they had the ball and possessed a 35-0 lead at intermission. They then almost doubled that to win the game handily 69-0. It was the biggest win in the long series, and one of the rare moments that the Aces could really say they totally dominated the usually good ball club from Gibson County. Touchdowns in the first half came from Doyle Bradley on a 55 yard run, then Bill Moore scampered down 47 yards to set up a 8 yard scoring plunge by Bradley again. Bradley made his third touchdown on the next series with a 12 yard gallop across the goal line. Doyle was on fire as he took the ball around the left end and outran everyone for a 60 yard TD, but it was called back due to a penalty. Not to be outdone, the Aces on the next play saw Dick Miller run 65 yards for a score, only to have it nullified due to an off sides call. Displaying the teamwork that they had become so famous for, the Golden Machine just kept at it and they marched it down for a 1 yard plunge to make it 28-0. The second period opened as the Tigers moved the ball, but Mt. Carmel’s sustained drives took off many minutes and finally cumulated in a touchdown on a 55 yard dash by Bill Moore to make the halftime score 35 to zip for the good guys. The second half was one for the Aces as Doyle Bradley was to make his fifth touchdown of the evening on a 1 yard dive early in the third. Bradley ended the night on a razzle-dazzle play and another 30 yard run to pay dirt to push up the score to 49-0. Steve Wiggins, back from recent injuries, came in and got a TD as did Charley Hedges who ran in a 43 yard play to the end zone in the fourth period. Wiggins ended the game on a TD to bring the final score to 69-0 and a rousing victory back to Illinois. As the team came back into town it was pandemonium as they were meet off the bridge by a huge caravan of fans that paraded through the streets on fire trucks, with thousands of happy citizens lining the way. When the team bus reached the gym an impromptu pep rally was going on and it reached a fevered pitch as the Aces team arrived. The Mayor, and coaching staff spoke, as well as the captains and the fans went wild after each speech. It was to be the first of many great rallies at the Hilltop and one that honored one of the greatest teams that Wabash County was to ever have the privilege of seeing. The 1963 was the zenith of football at Mt. Carmel in the 1960’s and for Coach John. Once you have reached such a high pinnacle it is impossible to maintain. The Aces of 1963 went out like the winners they were, totally dominated the 9 teams that they played. Such greatest as Doyle Bradley, Dick Houston, Jim Warren and Terry Peach were hard to replace, but the future looked very bright for the 64 edition of the Maroon and Gold as they returned some real quality players. Back for John were A.G. Taylor, John Trover, Dick Miller, Steve Wiggins, Bill Moore and Tom Wirth and a host of others, who had gained valuable experience on the varsity level. The years of 1963 through 1966 were glory days for Aces Football as they turned in a 30-4-2 record and made the start of the dynasty that was to be hatched here on the Bluff.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:45:22 +0000
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