Largo Breaks 30-Year Drought, Beats Clearwater Clearwater High School Tornadoes 50th Anniversary Game #9 November 27, 1963 Clearwater 7-0-1 at Largo 6-2-1 On the night before Thanksgiving, a raucous, capacity crowd of 6,000 fans filed into the Largo Packers home field to watch them confront their arch-enemy, the Clearwater Tornadoes. The two teams were evenly matched, but at games end, only one would have anything for which to be thankful. While Clearwater had been in a bit of a slump since their big win over Dixie Hollins in the fifth game of the season, Largo had improved week-to-week. That progress boosted the Packers’ confidence that this was the year that they would finally put an end to the Tornadoes’ domination in their football rivalry. Hugh Kriever, Largo’s rookie head coach, had decided to make beating Clearwater a priority, so he had one of Largo’s junior varsity coaches scout every Clearwater game during the 1963 season. The effects of that intense, season-long preparation were apparent on the field as Largo was able to anticipate many of the moves the Tornadoes made on offense and defense. Spoiler alert: This eventually proved to be the edge Largo needed in the final minutes of the game. The Packers got on the scoreboard first on a 1-yard sneak by junior quarterback Randy McKean in the first quarter [note: the attached write-up from the St. Pete Independent attributes the TD to Julius Dean]. Mike Miksa added the extra point to give Largo an early 7-0 lead. The Tornadoes tied it up later in the quarter on a 3-yard TD scamper by halfback Bill Elwood (normally a defensive back) and Rick Loeser’s perfect kick for the extra point. In the second period, Largo regained the lead on a 10-yard TD pass from McKean to end Spud Koon (yes, that was his name, and he was one of Largo’s best players). A bad center’s snap on the try for the extra point caused Miksa’s kick to fall short of the mark, but the Packers were back in the lead, 13-7. Shortly before halftime, Clearwater tied it up again on halfback Dale Schrepple’s 3-yard burst up the middle. Loeser’s kick was perfect, giving the Tornadoes the slim 14-13 lead at the half. That’s how the scoreboard read through the entire third quarter and in the beginning of the final stanza. During that time, Largo twice stopped Clearwater just short of the end zone. First, Tornadoes’ quarterback Berry Lyons was stopped on a fourth down play at Largo’s one-yard line. Later, Largo’s Koon intercepted a Clearwater pass just five yards away from the Packers’ goal line. Finally, the Packers got the break they needed - and what a break it was! With about 7 minutes left in the game, Clearwater fumbled the ball and Largo recovered on their own 32- yard line. The Packers then ran 6 minutes off the clock in their determined march downfield. The drive started with a couple of pass completions by McKean, mixed in with some hard running by Dean and halfback Fred Wigley. Then McKean scrambled for 14-yards on a busted play, followed by a pass to Koon that gave Largo its final first down, putting the ball just three yards away from paydirt. The Tornadoes defense held their ground on Largo’s next two plays, but on third down Dean hurtled into the end zone from one yard out, putting his team back in the lead. The scoreboard showed 1 minute, 14 seconds remaining in the game with Largo in front 19-14. Clearwater still had a glimmer of hope as Miksa again missed the extra point kick. With a touchdown, the Tornadoes could pull out a miraculous victory. But it was not to be. Largo’s “Do-Everything” Mr. Dean intercepted a Lyons pass with 31 seconds left in the game to seal the hard fought win for the Packers. Clearwater now needed to win their final game against Northeast High School in order to tie Dixie Hollins High School for the Pinellas County Conference title. [Note: You are encouraged to read each of the attached newspaper articles to get the full account, including more detail on Largo’s all-out preparation for this rivalry game. It hurt to be on the losing side, but you have to give credit to Coach Kriever and his team for a well-deserved win] _____________________________________________ The seniors in the spotlight this weeek are Raymond Poole and Dale Schrepple. Ray played football all three years at CHS, earning varsity letters as an offensive lineman in his junior and senior years. He was not that big, but he was fearless. Dale played football and ran track during his three years at CHS. He lettered in both sports his final two years. Dale was also a member of Key Club and was elected Senior Class treasurer. He was selected as Best Looking boy in the senior class.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 00:45:30 +0000
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