Winfield Vikings, Football '57
Clippings, Winfield - Wellington Game '57,
The Wichita Beacon
Thursday, Oct. 3, 1957
Winfield's 1957 winning streak, now standing at two, faces its stiffest test in the Wellington clash. Joe Vann's now-vicious-Vikings have displayed a potent offense, scoring 59 points in two contests, but may find touchdowns a little harder to come by Friday.
The Crusaders have yet to taste victory, but should finally spring their experienced backfield loose.
Wellington 19, Winfield 13
Winfield Daily Courier
Thurs., October 3, 1957
Vikings Working Hard For Game with Crusaders
The Winfield Vikings, tied for first place with El Dorado in the young Ark Valley League race, risk their perfect standing here Friday night in a game with the Crusaders of Wellington.
Winfield climbed into a top spot tie by crushing Newton, 40-13, last Friday night at Newton. At the same time El Dorado surprised Hutchinson by beating the Hawks, 21-17. No other Valley teams have played league games.
However, Ark City makes a bid for Valley honors this week by taking on the Railers at Newton and is favored to win. The Bulldogs started off by losing to Wichita West, then turned back powerful Kapaun of Wichita last week, 7-0. The Bulldogs are rated the team to beat in the Valley this season.
Two Valley Games
Only two Valley games are on tap this week as Hutchinson entertains Wichita North and Wichita West journeys to El Dorado.
The Vikings are in pretty fair physical trim for their crucial game with Wellington. However, Jim Davis will be on the sidelines. In his absence Phil Hower, sophomore, will get the nod from Coach Joe Vann to take over fullback duties. Davis had an experience with traffic officers and under school rules must sit out this week's game.
Wellington started off its season against the No. 2 team in Kansas, Wichita East, and was defeated. Som Crusader key players were hurt in that game and were not available against Derby last week. Derby pulled a big surprise by downing the Crusaders, 20-13.
The Crusaders will come to Winfield starged for victory and if their injuries have healed will be formidable. Coach Vann is not underestimating the power of the Wellington team, always a threat in Ark Valley football.
Winfield Daily Courier,
Sat., October 5, 1957
Vikings Edged by
Wellington Crusaders, 12-13
Extra Point Decisive
Wellington's victory-starved Crusaders came from behind here last night and edged Winfield's Vikings, 13-12, in an Ark Valley battle
The Vikings started out as if they intended to make a runaway of it but lost their steam in the last half. Wellington, behind by two touchdowns at the half, stormed back in the final two periods to tie the score, then won on an extra point.
Winfield took the opening kickoff and David Norris, Viking quarterback, took the ball on his own 10-yard stripe, turned to his right, got some good blocking, broke through the Crusader defenders and outran two or three Wellington tacklers, completing a 90-yard touchdown run. Norris missed his kick for extra point and the Vikings led, 6-0.
Vikings Score Again
Wellington received the following kickoff and rolled to two first downs but lost the balll when Jack Meyers intercepted a Crusader lateral. The Vikings had to punt. Wellington ran two plays, then the west lights went out when a fuse was blown.The lights came on again in six minutes after repair
The Vikings took the ball on a Crusader punt and started a new drive, which bogged down on the Wellington 10.
In the second stanza Wellington was forced to punt and the Vikings put the ball in play on their own 30-yard line. Mel Brown, Buddy Akin and Phil Hower plunged for a first down. On a reverse play akin ran 35 yards and a first down. On a reverse play Akin ran 35 yards and a first down. Hower failed to gain but on the next play Melburn Brown broke through for 21 yards but fumbled almost on the goal, Hower recovering for Winfield on the 1-yard line. Norris plunged the yard for the second Viking score but his kick was blocked. Winfield thus led, 12-0.
Wellington started a drive from its own 37 and Michael Payne passed 43 yards to Bob Rucker. Jan Cobble intercepted a Crusader pass on his own 2 and ran it back to the 12. Norris and Mel Brown plunged to a first down as the period ended.
Stage Great Comeback
The first half belonged to Winfield but Wellington staged a great comeback in the last half. The Crusaders took the opening third period kickoff on theio own goal and ran it out to the 7. The Wellington started a drive that carried to a touchdown. The Crusaders gound out six consecutive first downs with John Serrioz and John Seay doing much of the heavy work. Payne tossed one pass, 1 12-yard effort to Bob Rucker, and then the ground march went on. It came to a climax when Serrioz wen tover the goal on a one-foot thrust. Payne missed the extra point and it was 12-6.
Winfield took the following kickoff but could not gain and punted. Wellington started a new drive as the third period ended. Just before the end of the period the officials assessed a 5-yard penalty against Wellington for offside, the first of the game. Later Wellington drew another for 5 yards, making only 10 yards of penalties during the game.
In the final heat the Crusaders continued their drive, Payne tossing a 12-yard pass to Seay and another for 29 yards to the same player. The Crusaders made a first down on the 6. Payne ripped for 4 yards, Dwyer hit to within a foot of the goal and on fourth down Payne went over on a sneak for the second Wellington score. Payne's extra point was good and Wellington took the lead, 13-12.
Last Drive Stalls
Only about two minutes remained but the Vikes made a desperate effort to score. They took the kickoff and Akin and M. Brown plunged to a first down. Mel Brown rushed 11 yards to another first down. Brown then drove for 12 yards for a third first down.
At that point the drive stalled and Wellington took over on downs on the 41-yard line. Payne was thrown for two losses near the end.
The Viking defense cracked badly in the second half. The offense also lacked the flash shown in the first half. It was Winfield's game in the first half but the Crusaders dominated the scene in the last half.
Wellington's passing was big factor for the Crusaders in the game. Payne passed for 97 yards while Winfield was able to gain a net yardage of only 5 yards.
THE VIKINGS MADE TREMENDOUS DRIVES AGAINST THE CRUSADERS In the first half of a close 31-12 grid tussle at Sonner stadium last night. In acton on an 11-yard jaunt late in the first period is Viking offensive punch (Vikings in white jerseys) with Melburn Brown, Winfield's fanciest runner, carrying. The Vikes bogged down on the Wellington 10 yard line then lost on downs to neutralize a third TD threat during the game. Vikings identified are David Norris, (73) behind Brown, who carries the ball, Jack Myers, (20), and Joe Wells, (11), running in rear center. Note Viking coaches Joe Vann and Kenny Everhart, front center at left. (Leonard Hart photo)
OFFENSIVE STRIKING POWER OF THE WINFIELD VIKINGS agains the Wellingotn Crusaders is indicated above showing David Norris, Viking quarterback (75), carring in the Vikings' final rally in the fourth quarter in an effor to overcome the Crusader 1-point lead last night. Vikings identified in the play are Halfback Melburn Brown, (71) background, and Fullback Phil Hower, (73) right. (McCuistion photo)
The lineups:
Wellington (13)
LE -- Cole.
LT -- Nelson, Ellis.
LG -- Brugada, M. More
C --- Soria.
RG -- R. Moore.
RT -- Goodrum, Simpson.
RE -- Rucker, Simpson.
QB -- Payne.
LH -- Seay, Mallory.
RH -- Serrios, Hess.
FB -- Dwyer.
Winfield (12)
LE -- Wells, Watson.
LT -- Myers, Barron.
LG -- B. Bottorff.
C --- Jenkins.
RG -- McGee.
RT -- Crumpton, Wallace.
RE -- Ahlerich, J. Bottorff.
QB -- Norris, Cobble.
LH -- M. Brown, Price.
RH -- Akin, L. Brown.
FB -- Hower.
Score by periods:
Wellington ------- 0 0 6 7--13
Winfield --------- 6 6 0 0--12
Scoring touchdowns,
Wellington:
Serrioz,
Payne.
Winfield:
Norris 2.
Extra Point,
Wellington:
Payne.
Officials:
Referee, Ellis;
Umpire, Cluff;
Head Linesman, Jones.
SUMMARY
Wel. Win.
Net yards rushing -------- 168 162
First downs -------------- 15 9
Rushing ---------------- 11 9
Passing ---------------- 4 0
Penalty ---------------- 0 0
Passing yardage ---------- 97 5
Passes attempted ------- 8 3
Passes completed ------- 4 2
Intercepted by --------- 0 1
Yards returned --------- 0 12
Punt average ------------- 33 36
Ball lost on downs ------- 0 1
Penalties yards ---------- 10 0
Fumbles, ball lost ------- 1 0
email the Bill Bottorff
bbott@ausbcomp.com
THE VIKINGS MADE TREMENDOUS DRIVES AGAINST THE CRUSADERS In the first half of a close 31-12 grid tussle at Sonner stadium last night. In acton on an 11-yard jaunt late in the first period is Viking offensive punch (Vikings in white jerseys) with Melburn Brown, Winfield's fanciest runner, carrying. The Vikes bogged down on the Wellington 10 yard line then lost on downs to neutralize a third TD threat during the game. Vikings identified are David Norris, (73) behind Brown, who carries the ball, Jack Myers, (20), and Joe Wells, (11), running in rear center. Note Viking coaches Joe Vann and Kenny Everhart, front center at left. (Leonard Hart photo)