THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 6, 1994 TAG: 9411050107
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
David Ames is driving down from Richmond. Lynn Hopewell will motor in from Warrenton.
Pete Sachon is coming from Florida.
They'll be gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Wilson High School's 1954 state football championship.
Dozens of the 42 players and a couple of the coaches on that undefeated team still reside in the area.
They have planned a reunion at The Max Restaurant next Friday.
City treasurer Jimmy Williams, one of the running backs, said the get-together is open to cheerleaders and friends as well as players. ``If they will contact me at 484-1870, we'll find a place for them,'' Williams said.
A golf outing also is scheduled the following day for those interested.
Remember that '54 team?
Sachon was starting his second year as head coach, coming off a 6-4 campaign. He was assisted by Pete Mills, Steve Chipok and Walt Galliford.
The season was starting on a dismal note. Bobby Sher, a junior speedster among the state's top sprinters, suffered a fractured collarbone and then had to undergo an appendectomy. Senior back Ralph Antonucci, a three-year player, sustained an ankle injury in a scrimmage.
Wilson opened with a 20-0 victory over Oscar Smith with Ames racing 86 yards for one touchdown.
In game No. 2 the Presidents downed Hopewell, 12-6, with Ames scoring twice. He went 93 yards for one touchdown and pulled in a 29-yard pass from quarterback Billy Skeeter.
Wilson next thumped Norview, 21-0, with Ames, Skeeter and Antonucci scoring touchdowns and Bootsie Hartung breaking through to register a safety by stopping the Norview quarterback in the end zone.
Game No. 4 was another shutout - 14-0 over Washington & Lee of Arlington. Ames scored twice and the Wilson defense didn't allow the Generals past its 45-yard line.
The fifth victory was a 13-7 decision over Newport News. An 81-yard pass play from Skeeter to Joe Pond broke the tie in the final four minutes. It was the only pass the Presidents completed in 10 attempts.
An easy 38-2 triumph over Petersburg followed. This left Wilson among only three undefeated teams in the state.
A homecoming crowd of 10,000 turned out to see Wilson up its record to 7-0 with a 33-13 victory over Maury.
The eighth win was another shutout - 32-0 over Granby. Wilson's strong defense, led by Carl Opauski, Bob Stevens, Jug Browning, Joe White and Hopewell, held the Comets to a minus-35 yards rushing in the first half.
The ninth game against Jefferson Senior in Roanoke was played on Saturday night in a driving rain. Wilson and Jefferson battled to a 20-20 tie, which gave the Presidents the state crown.
The season finale was a 27-0 victory over Suffolk with Ames scoring all four touchdowns. He finished the season with 117 points, capturing the individual scoring title.
``Ames is without a doubt the best high school back I've ever seen,'' said Sachon.
On Friday the coach and his team will get together to remember those good ol' times. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The 1954 Wilson High School team won the state championship with a
27-0 victory over Suffolk.
by CNB