Readers’ Driller stories
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From: George MacDonald
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Subject: Re: Leather Helmets
Rick,
The 1963 Roughnecks scrimmaged the
undefeated Driller Varsity, I believe on Wednesdays, at 2
ed & P St. We, the Roughnecks, were on defense againt the
undefeated Varsity offense and Briggs was perched on the top of
his 20 foot tower observing the scrimmage.
Wayne Verrell and Angelo Fanucchi beat
their blocks and one hit John Wyatt low and one hit him high.
Of course, Briggs took hum bridge with this fate of his star
quarter.
So, for the rest of the afternoon, Briggs
had the first string offense run at least two plays over each
the Roughnecks defensive positions.
I happened to be playing strong safety on
defense. I think the Varsity offense ran a 122 with Freddy
Parker carrying the ball. He hit the open field a full speed
coming in my direction. I am not sure what I was thinking at
the time, but physics was not on my mind. I was 6 feet tall and
weighed around 155 pounds and Freddy Park was the same height
and weighed 195-200 pounds. Anyway, he ran start towards me.
We lowered our heads like bull rams and collided at
full speed.
I came to lying on my back. I was
seeing stars, red and white dots.
After flattening me out, Freddy was hauled
down by three ofmy team mates.
So, this is my Freddy leather helmet
story or is it leather heads?
George MacDonald
64 & 64 Drillers
P.S. I apologize for the late reply. I had
prostate cancer surgerg March 07 & then hormone &
radiation treatments.
From: Mike Gunther
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Subject: Briggs and possible spellings
Rick,
I just got your book on Monday and have
been thinking of it constantly since then. After I graduated in
1962 I didn't keep up at all with Driller football (for which I
am a little embarrassed) and so I was fascinated by some of the
guys who came shortly after my group whom I knew at least
partially. I had met both Pat Skrable and John Wyatt when I
played JBA with Pat's older brother Rusty and he and
“Johnny” used to hang around practices. I remember
once playing basketball on a Saturday in 1965 at BHS on the
outdoor courts with some friends and Pat turned up and he was
an out and out specimen - he and John just seemed to be so much
bigger and stronger then the guys I was with just three and
four years earlier (well, certainly more then me anyway!).
The North bolt throwing incident brought
back some memories.I was mostly sidelined because of an injury
suffered two weeks before in the South game when Briggs went
down.There was a lot of confusion at first until it was
determined what had happened. I know the next week at school
there was a lot of rumbling that the team was looking for the
perpetrator. Nothing ever happened and to this day I don't know
who did it or even if they were caught but I'm sure someone was
very nervous thinking that Dan McGill and company were on the
prowl.
I was telling my wife about the Briggs
pre-game speeches. He would always start out with a basic
discussion about our game strategy calmly and going through
things carefully. Then as his attention begin to shift to the
upcoming kickoff an intensity started to transform him and the
speech. He would always end on a screaming emotional crescendo
that sent us out to the field in an unbelievable fighting state
of mind!
By the way, in the book you mentioned Ron
Gallington but I think he spelled his name Ron Gallitin.
He later played at San Francisco State or at least was there to
play as I ran into him on campus one day and he indicated he
was going to play.
Best regards,
Mike Gunther
BHS 1962