Thoughts from alumni and past and present coaches......                                                                    September, 2004

Memories of the Iron Bowl vs. Mountain Iron in 1975 from a '76 graduate of THHS:

                                          
Mountain Iron had just scored with less than two minutes left in the game.  Mountain Iron was full of momentum, taking the lead, 16 – 14.   We take the field to return the kick.  They send the kick deep into our side of the field.  I don't remember who bobbled the kick but he was sent back deep into our end.  The ball carrier was tackled at the 8-yard line.  We were flagged with a clipping call.  Then we were marched towards our goal line for the penalty (half the distance).  Starting our drive in the shadows of our own goal post and 96 yards to go. (Looking real good now!)

As I ran towards our end zone for the huddle I was thinking to myself about all those nights of practice that Coach Halsted made us practice the two-minute drill.  Many of us thought that practicing the 2-minute drill was stupid.  The starting offense would run a play and sprint 10 yards and make a new huddle. We would start at the bus garage end of the field and run ten plays towards the other end.  Halsted calling the plays and expecting perfection.  If we made mistakes we would be marched back to the 20 and start all over again.  Every week during the season our team would run this drill.  I now realize practicing the 2-minute drill was important.  Damn important.

1:43 left in the game, first and ten on our own 4 yard line.   Sophomore Ron Barthell at Quarterback.  I am sure the Mountain Iron team and fans figured the game was over.  A first down would be needed.  This was the biggest priority.  No room for errors deep in our territory.  We manage the first down and had some room to pass.  We slowly moved the ball.  A huge challenge in a four down predicament, we need to convert this play.  Scott Gulan makes a huge catch from a Barthell pass.  The drive continues and we have a little momentum.  I don't remember any panic in the huddle. When the touchdown pass was thrown to Gulan, I ran to the end zone.  Cardinal, Marple and I grabbed Gulan to congratulate him on the catch.  Next thing we know that now under a huge pile.  Al we could see were ankles, shoes and legs.  The band and fans piled on to the field smothering us players.  Underneath pile with all that weight, we yelled for everyone to get off,  (we did use some cussing language).  Once the refs cleared the field, we made the extra point. Then we had to kick off with a delay of game penalty (the fans).  We left a fair amount of time on the clock but the defense held Mountain Iron and we won the bowl game.

Gulan came up clutch.  Barthell having to make big throws.  Some big runs.  Us from the offensive line having to block.

From the trenches of the fall of 1975

If you played or coached football at THHS, we would love to hear from you.  Pass along your thoughts, memories, old stories, etc and we can post them here for others to enjoy.  Please e-mail us at:  thhsagates@yahoo.com.  Thanks!

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