Me and Uncle Bill

My uncle Bill passed away about a year ago; he was only about 68 but had been in failing health for a couple of years. At his funeral I couldn’t help but think back about all the time we had spent together. I was pretty close to all my uncles but probably closer to my uncle Bill than any of the others. He was a good guy, very patient, kind and generous. I used to go squirrel hunting with my Dad and uncles and sometimes I’d tag along and hunt with Dad and sometimes I’d tag along with Uncle Bill. He was always willing to take me along. But our favorite activity to do together was to go to a high school football game every weekend. Starting when I was about 11 or 12 we would pick out the local game that we thought would be the best and then we’d go. We saw some great games over the years but the one that stands out the most took place on Friday night November 5, 1965 at Peoria Public Schools Stadium in Peoria, IL.

Spalding, the city of Peoria’s catholic high school of about 900 students and tough every year, came into the game at 7-0 and was coached by feisty, little Merv Haycock. Pekin, a nearby community of about 30,000, coached by veteran Joe Venturi, also came in at 7-0. Pekin had roughly 3,000 students. They were tied for the conference lead and this game figured to determine the champ. There were no playoffs in those days so winning the conference championship was the ultimate goal of every team. Pekin was a big strong team with talented skill players. Probably their best team ever. Spalding was smaller, quicker, and although undefeated also, the underdog. This game had been anticipated for the past month by the entire Peoria area. Uncle Bill and I knew which game we were going to that weekend.

The game started at 8 p.m. and we knew we had to get there early. Peoria Stadium held about 7,000 people and we figured it would be a full house. By 5 p.m. about 200 persons were waiting outside the ticket windows, which opened at 6:30. That’s when we got there. The stadium was already half full but we got a decent seat. By 7 p.m. it was full, but the crowd kept pouring in. It was a calm, cool night, perfect for football. By 7:30 there was a thick haze that hung over the field like a heavy fog. It was cigarette smoke! Heck, everybody back in those days smoked and there were no restrictions as to where smoking was allowed. I had never witnessed such a site in my life nor have I since. Finally, in front of an overflow crowd of 10,100 the game started at 8. I was pumped.

Spalding struck for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage, an electrifying 62 yard pass play from QB Dick McQuellon to halfback Bob Beckman. As the clock showed 10:42 to play in the first period Beckman kicked the extra point through. Spalding had another first quarter assault underway after forcing a Pekin punt, moving from their own 32 to the Pekin 16. Pekin’s defense toughened up and stopped them cold. Pekin came back to tie the score in the second quarter, Steve Tumilty climaxing an 80 yard drive with a one yard plunge. Dennis Hurley kicked the extra point and with 4:16 to go in the second quarter it was tied 7-7. That’s how the half ended. The game was living up to its billing.

The second half was dominated by Pekin as Spalding rarely got the ball. Pekin played ball control and was able to move the ball well. Their best drive came at the end of the third quarter when they got the ball on their own 3 yard line after a 63 yard Spalding punt. As the quarter changed Pekin moved from their own 3 to the Spalding 8 before stalling at that point. Spalding was held to a three and out and punted out to the 40. There were 4 ½ minutes to play. After trading turnovers, a fumble and an interception, Pekin had one last chance. They reached midfield and ended with a swing pass to the flat. The headline the next morning of the Peoria Journal Star read:

Spalding 7, Pekin 7 in Thriller
Beckman, Tumilty Score
As 10,000 See Game

We couldn’t believe it. A tie. We drove home talking about the game. Uncle Bill figured Pekin outplayed them but Spalding held when they had to. Both teams went on to finish 9-0-1 and shared the conference title. There were no playoffs in those days so when the season was over that was it. By the way, could one of the teams gone for two after their touchdown? Nope. That was before high school had the two point conversion. You could run or pass it in but you still only got one point. We saw a lot of games, my uncle and me, but that one was the best. Thanks once again to www.chiefpigskin.com for providing a place for my stories and more football news. Happy Thanksgiving.