The game with Wheatley was the first one in which you could definitely see that things would probably not be the same as they had been. It was also Judson’s homecoming, and this combined to bring a very healthy overflow turnout. This was a dress rehearsal for the next week when Judson would get its first really stiff test, in this case with Sam Houston. Although Sam Houston had not necessarily inflicted the worst scores on Judson in the three previous meetings, it would always be a very tough, hard-hitting game and, consequently, Sam Houston would beat you only 7-0, for example, and still cause you to feel like you never really had any kind of a chance to win. Sure enough, Judson won "only" 14-0, and this was no small feat in Judson’s brief winning streak. Actually, Judson got nearly 400 yards of offense, had some touchdowns called back, and numerous penalties. But, Judson still won. This win allowed us to equal, with still one more week to go in September, the total number of wins that Judson had had in the three previous seasons at the 4A level prior to September. It was this game in which the crowds became so large that people were left lining the fences and the track, some of them bringing their own lawn chairs or folding chairs to our 5000-seat "School Stadium."

The next week against South San, we had a chance for the first time in 4A to assure ourselves of at least a non-losing season record. Even more notable, perhaps, was the first pep rally held in our new $1-million Gymnasium and above all, teacher William Paschall’s introduction, to the Student Body, of the HEY!! HEY!! Cheer. Needless to say, it caught on immediately, and the Rocket Band’s Percussion Unit helped to reinforce its effectiveness by providing an effective, non-intrusive back-up beat for it. Judson won the game later that evening, went to 5-0, and closed out an unprecedented five-game homestand. Next, Judson took its show on the road to Laredo and a meeting with the Martin Tigers. The game developed slowly through the first half, but just as suddenly a cascade of turnovers right before halftime turned a 7-0 Judson lead into a 27-0 lead. This assured Judson of a winning season, and it also prepared Judson for a showdown, in Converse, with Harlandale, likewise at 6-0 and likewise coming off an identical 2-7-1 record the previous season. Approximately 9000 people showed up, the stadium already at capacity an hour and a half before game time. Judson built a 20-0 first half lead, and won 27-7. Another crucial test passed.

In somewhat wet conditions at Judson the next week, Nixon was Judson’s next victim---at 53-6. Now, that was the kind of score that Judson used to be on the other side of. Ironically, in spite of the blowout score, and also in spite of the fact that Nixon was the only team that the Rockets beat in all of their four (4) years in 29-4A as it was constituted during that time, Nixon was the one team that came closest to beating Judson on three different occasions, and this was the only "easy" game that Judson had with them.

Judson then went to Harlandale Stadium to play the McCollum Cowboys for a Thursday night game. McCollum was the defending District champ and, with an outside chance to capture another crown, was more than willing to try to spoil Judson’s party, who would otherwise clinch the District instead. McCollum held Judson to a 2-0 Halftime lead, and it was still only 9-7 going into the 4^th Quarter. It was perhaps this game in which we could find just how effective a little "Rocky" from the Rocket Band, and "HEY!! HEY!!" from Paschall could be when things get critical. Suddenly, it was 30-7, and Judson had its District title. With nine games under its belt, an open date the next week and also having played on a Thursday, Judson reportedly became the first 4A team to clinch a playoff spot that season. This perhaps pre-figured other "firsts" that Judson would be a part of in the seasons to come.

East Central, another long-time nemesis, had never lost to Judson. The game was played at East Central and their smaller stadium was packed to the gills. East Central---with future Smithson Valley Coach Larry Hill at QB----tried as it could to deny Judson a perfect 10-0 record but, in doing so, the Hornets simply "chased" the Rockets to the final 39-26 score. By this time, Junior running back Anthony Hutchison had come to be synonymous with the "new" Judson football, as he had long since gone over the 1000-yard mark for the season and, in doing so, became Boysville’s most famous resident. And, Senior Tackle Pat Frost got to put the finishing, 10-0 touch to his VW.

Judson 12, Clemens 9: September 2, 1977 

Many different reactions were seen throughout the game but most were seen during the last crucial 8 seconds of the game. Here are some of the comments:

JoAnn Aguilera---"Surprised, very surprised; that’s all; just surprised." Renee Ohama—"I was shocked." Janice Booker---"It was a great 8 seconds." Ray Camp—"Good, they should do it again." Charmaine Frankie—"I knew we were going to win." Chuck Walker---"Very exciting." Dot Mattingly---"I was amazed." Vicki Weber---"I couldn’t believe it." De De Ritchey---"My mom was beating on me because of her excitement and I almost knocked her off the bleachers." Teresa Ross---"Suspensful, I knew it was going to happen for some dumb reason." Erica Shulte---"Fantastic." Cindy Shattell---"I was going to leave because I thought they were going to loose." Janice Friesenhahn---"It was a miracle." Michelle Miller---"Had me on the edge of my seat burning with sweat." Karen Wagner---"Jumped up, grabbed some people beside me and fell backwards. (I am going to collect my 75cents from Mary N.)" Tami Siniff---" I grabbed everybody behind me and fell over." Ruby Tello---"Unusual."

Earlier that summer, the Texas Legislature, before wrapping up its session, voted to require that all public schools begin classes no earlier than Labor Day, and finish no later than Memorial day, ostensibly as an energy conservation measure. Judson was originally slated to start classes on August 15. Instead, the first game that year would take place the Friday before classes began. With fewer students on campus (an understatement), the Pep Rally for the first game with the new Coach was located to the original Gym built in 1962 (the "new" one was running a few weeks late because wet weather the previous Fall and Winter delayed the start-up). Only the die-hard fans were on hand and, because of a premium on floor space, only the Stage Band was asked to attend.

As the team continues their warm-up, the Rocket Band prepares for their march-in, to the tune of "Apollo Fanfare and March," a short-lived tradition begun the previous season and used through the end of the 1979 season. Back toward the Field House, you can see a VW Bug, porbably the one belonging to Pat Frost, which was about to be undergo its season-long re-painting project

The AFJROTC was just beginning its third year at Judson.

NOTE: Click HERE to view the season record

Although Judson had created quite a stir as a result of its rise from "worst to first" in 29-4A, the next question was whether Judson could surpass itself the next season. Obviously, there would be no surprising anyone this time, and there would always be the question over how lasting the change that had come to Judson football would be. Judson started the season against Clemens in a somewhat lackluster fashion, 14-0. How quickly our perception of things could change. We would have killed to have gotten a similar result against Clemens (or anyone else, for that matter) previously; however, by then everyone had much higher expectations. There were some bright spots, namely, the defense. The offense got somewhat untracked the next week against Sam Houston, and this was a good thing, since the Rockets’ next opponent would be Roosevelt, a team that had beaten Judson soundly in the last meeting three years earlier. Approximately 8000 people showed up for the game, and it was definitely the top match-up in the San Antonio area that evening, since Roosevelt was expected to challenge Churchill for the district championship. Judson had taken a 6-0 lead by Halftime, Roosevelt took the lead midway through the 3^rd Quarter, and Judson re-gained the lead midway through the 4^th. Judson appeared to be in good shape by recovering an on-side kick following the score, and managed to hold onto the ball until about three minutes to go in the game. Roosevelt, aided by a 48-yard run down to the 1-yard line, had 1^st and goal that quickly went to 4^th and goal, at which point Roosevelt cracked the goal line, went for two and got it. Someone told me, several weeks later, that a video replay of the two-point play showed that the Roosevelt receiver may have trapped the ball on the ground as opposed to "cradling" it for the score. Then again, I never actually saw it, so, who knows?? Either way, I’ve always tended to trust the calls that the "zebras" make, so, I’ll just have to say it was probably one of those close calls either way. At least, it was only a non-District game. Nevertheless, the loss was a real heartbreaker, and there were indeed some real tears, given a desire to try to earn some respect from a neighbor that had treated us rather shabbily in their previous visit to our "School Stadium" (In the 42-6 debacle in 1975, a small fraction of TR fans saw fit to celebrate each First Down, Touchdown, and Big Play by throwing a roll of toilet paper out from the stands and onto the track and, occasionally, onto the field. By the time the game ended, there was enough such material that, several days later while the Rocket Band prepared for the Marching Contest, we could look over and see a pile of the stuff on the track about 5 feet high and about as wide and long. That "small fraction" saw fit to bring this same practice to the 1978 meeting as well). At least, in the face of an impending, heart-breaking loss, and just as in the loss to Holmes, the real Rocket Pride probably manifested itself by fighting to the very end. With only 45 seconds to try to come back, Judson managed to move down to the Roosevelt 30 yard line. Apparently still too far out to try a FG, the valiant Judson Back refused to go down or be forced out of bounds. It was only the "zebras’" blowing the play dead when, with time well past expired, it was obvious any forward progress, and hence the play, was for all intents and purposes stopped. Although Judson had lost, the Rockets definitely earned the respect of at least a few of the teams in the Northeast ISD, if not the Express-News, which posted an article a few days later titled "Judson Can Play With The Big Boys."

Having begun my Freshman year at TAMU, I, along with a few other Judson people that had graduated the year before, had come down to see the first three games, since the Aggies started its non-Conference play with an open date and two road games at Kansas and Boston College. That practice was just about to change, as the Aggies prepared to play its home opener with Memphis State. The first game I would not be on hand to see Judson play, since the next to last game prior to my Freshman year at Judson, would be at South San. Judson went on to win that game 48-0. It was nice to know that the Rockets could indeed carry on without some of us, for whatever that may have been worth to begin with. So, it looked like the Rockets were definitely continuing their ascent into a very high orbit. Everything continued in blow-out fashion until Judson’s trip to Laredo to play Nixon, the team they had beaten so soundly the season before. As it turned out Nixon decided that they were not about to be another designated "victim" for Judson, and instead carried a 17-0 lead into the 4^th Quarter. With the help of two sustained drives, a blocked punt, and a two-point conversion, Judson took a 20-17 lead with two minutes to go. Nixon regained its composure, however, and was on the Judson 10-yard line, firing passes into the end zone, when Judson intercepted as time was running out. Another valuable lesson for Judson, a scare, and confidence gained in remaining calm and waiting for, creating, and taking advantage of whatever breaks would come its way in responding to adversity. One more "Rocket Pride" effort, with the help of a little "Rocky," "HEY!! HEY!!" good tactical and attitudinal coaching, and a little talent and teamwork. In the next to last game, Judson hosted Strake Jesuit out of Houston, the TCIL defending 3A Champs, and made them look almost as bad as some of Judson’s other recent local victims. Judson finished with East Central, scoring 39 points as it did the previous season, but this time giving East Central a goose egg to use in the giblet gravy for the following Thursday.

The following Friday, Churchill and Burbank squared off at Blossom for a showdown of the only 10-0 teams in San Antonio that season. Churchill demonstrated just how much of a disparity had developed by this time between "north side" teams and "south side" teams. This game, more than any other, perhaps, indelibly underscored this somewhat disturbing, if not discouraging, trend, as Churchill won, 30-6, with Churchill scoring all its points by Halftime. The next evening, Judson squared off against Jay at the same location. It was billed as a showdown between the two top statistical defenses and offenses, as well as a duel between Judson’s Anthony Hutchison and Jay’s Kenneth Jenkins. Judson took the lead, broke a tie right before Halftime, and added to the lead with a field goal in the 3^rd Quarter. It was still anyone’s game, especially given the somewhat deadly nature of Jay’s offensive scheme and the backfield running it. Another "deadly" aspect of Jay’s offensive practices at this time, however, was also a tendency to fumble the ball at the most untimely of moments. Some of these moments came in the 4^th Quarter, as Judson quickly took advantage of them and finished the game with a 31-7 lead. This, in spite of Jay gaining nearly as much yardage as Judson. Nevertheless, no one by now was ready to say that the turnovers were the primary reason that Judson won this game. So, Judson got its first opportunity to play for the so-called "City Championship." Judson had by now developed somewhat of a following elsewhere in the San Antonio area so, the next week at the same location and at the same time, it was, essentially, most of the rest of the world versus Churchill.

The annual showdown between the Longhorns and Aggies was scheduled for a Friday evening so that ABC could provide national coverage from Austin. The TAMU president declared that Friday a school holiday in order to give everyone plenty of time to get to Austin safely. There were several other people likewise headed in that same basic direction, but who nevertheless continued on State Highway 21 toward San Marcos as opposed to leaving Bastrop on State Highway 71. Their destination: Northeast Bexar County to watch the game on ABC and to await another game, and some to attend the pep rally for that "other" game, which was scheduled for the following evening. I wasn’t able to make it to the pep rally, but I had been told that some of the Chargers’ backers had previously sent a funeral wreath to the Rockets with the message: "In sympathy for your ‘loss.’" Reportedly, the wreath was thrown onto the track at the stadium, so that the Rocket Band could then march over it as if it wasn’t there. Of course, it wasn’t "there" soon after being trampled on by a few hundred feet. Judson wasn’t about to be intimidated by a school named for even someone like Winston Churchill. After all, it was Churchill himself who said, "we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall NEVER surrender." Even the flesh and blood Winston, neither impressed nor depressed by the likes or tactics of "Lord Haw-Haw," apparently practiced "Rocket Pride" under a different name.

In the game the following evening, Churchill opened with a patented ball-control scoring drive. Judson, not to be demoralized by this, quickly answered with a 61-yard run by QB Kent Huntsman. On Judson’s next offensive series, Churchill blocked a punt, which set up a short Churchill scoring drive. In the 2^nd Quarter, Churchill extended its lead to 21-6, and was knocking on the door again as the 1^st Half clock wound down, until Chauncey Harris decided he’d seen enough and took the matter, also known as the ball, into his own hands, and intercepted the pass. Three plays later, Kent Huntsman connected on a screen pass for a 61-yard TD and, following the two-point conversion, Judson suddenly found itself trailing by only a TD once again. Things seemed to settle down somewhat as the 3^rd Quarter progressed and then, just as suddenly, another 61-yard run set up Judson at the Churchill 10. After a 15-yard Judson penalty, however, Churchill recovered a Judson fumble. Following two 15-yard Judson penalties, Churchill scored on a 30-yard play, although they missed the extra point. On Judson’s next series early in the 4^th Quarter, Churchill intercepted a Judson pass, and converted with a FG. Suddenly, any notions that Judson was actually going to beat Churchill in the first such meeting were just that---notions that, as it turned out, were not at all outlandish. Judson definitely had its moments in the game and, if Churchill had made many more mistakes, the result may very well have been different. But, I guess the Heavenly Offices decided it was best to conserve such lighting strikes for a later time, for a little additional dramatic effect and ultimately a more interesting story at least, if for any other reason.

Two weeks later, both Randolph and Churchill were Semi-final victims: Randolph to Sealy and a running back named Eric Dickerson, and Churchill to Houston Stratford and a running back named Craig James (in the process of setting a 4A single-season rushing record), both of whom would soon create a high degree of grief for TAMU fans and assorted SWC companions during their stay at SMU. Anthony Hutchison and the Texas Tech Red Raiders would also be one of those recipients.

Given the manner in which teams end up in the State wire-service rankings, it was no surprise that Judson made its first such appearance the following week. Suddenly, although I had been advising as many people as possible on the third floor east end of Moses Hall up at TAMU of what was developing down San Antonio way, not very many people had yet heard anything about Converse Judson. The beginning of the epiphany was quite amusing, to say the least. At least a few guys in Moses Hall had been duly warned in advance. Judson, left with no choice but to excel regardless of the caliber of competition, followed up the Roosevelt game with some very severe scores that continued to catapult Judson higher and higher in the Top 10. This was further "helped" that season by the large number of teams across the state that were moving in and then immediately dropping out each week. Meanwhile, Roosevelt finally returned to its expected form, and finally beat Churchill, but then lost to Seguin, which at one point was also state-ranked but probably over-rated from the start (not necessarily always the case---any other season prior to that, such a ranking for Seguin would have been relatively valid). Meanwhile, MacArthur was rolling along at 6-0, and they broke into the Top 10, only to immediately lose to Churchill. Churchill then moved into the Top 10, and looked as if it would remain there and thereafter perhaps enter the playoffs should Roosevelt falter again. Well, Roosevelt did falter, to Lee. Trailing 7-6, they fumbled at the goal-line late in the game. That eliminated Roosevelt, and set up a showdown between Lee and Churchill. But, Lee won 7-0, in a game not unlike the one two years before. This eliminated Churchill, and then Roosevelt, playing for pride, beat MacArthur, thus knocking Mac out and putting Lee into the playoffs in spite of Lee having lost to Mac earlier 3-0.

Meanwhile, Jay was ALSO waiting in the wings, and more than willing to play Judson again at this point, having survived a quality struggle between Holmes (coached by JISD resident Gary Malesky) and Clark (in its second year of play and already clinching its first winning season). It was definitely one of those "go ahead, make my day" kind of things, in view of the results of the previous meeting and especially in view of Judson’s most recent performances, its now questionable State ranking (now No. 4, because the one way to remain in the rankings and move up is to simply not lose, no matter how sorry the scores or the games are) and its No. 1 San Antonio area ranking. Oh, yes, Wheatley (previously known as Brackenridge, and soon to be once again in 1988) also entered the playoffs, at 7-2-1, after a similar bottleneck at the top of its district involving Sam Houston and Edison (who, as you may recall, beat Roosevelt earlier), with Lanier and Fox Tech also joining in the fun at one point, and with the pre-season favorite Jefferson actually failing to show up (seemingly).

Jay, at least, wasn’t alone that weekend in experiencing a major change in post-season plans, as TAMU, in similar turnover-aided fashion, beat the Longhorns 13-7 in College Station, ruining the ‘Horns’ plans for a trip to New Orleans. Having to settle for El Paso instead, the ‘Horns menu was changed by the Aggies "from gumbo to tacos," as the saying on several T-shirts and other paraphernalia said that December. Arkansas, instead, got the "gumbo" and a 24-7 loss to National Champion Alabama, while Texas exchanged a 14-7 early Christmas "gift," wrapped in numerous turnovers and other miscues, with the Washington Huskies.

Alice would beat Wheatley 29-20 in the Quarterfinals at Alamo Stadium, the Coyotes in turn lost to Spring Branch Memorial 22-0 [which started the season at 0-5, but then beat defending Champ Stratford (which went on to clinch a losing season)], and Memorial in turn failed its Final with Temple, who finally erased several years of Finals futility (its most recent failure a 10-0 loss to Churchill in 1976). This was no real surprise, since, as indicated, a few days before the Finals, by a sports analyst in one of the Houston papers, football in the southern part of the state that season was "virtually the pits." On behalf of everyone back in San Antonio, I really felt like a heel after reading that (as I continued with another version of "finals"), even if it were somewhat true, in view of how things transpired for so many teams, Judson included. Everyone, with the possible exception of Temple, "had a great fall" (or make that not such a great Fall) The good news for Judson, at least, was that, fresh from a two year stay at MacArthur following Coach Sanders’ return to Fort Worth in January, 1980, Frank Arnold and his coaches would soon thereafter put the Rockets together again.

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