The 1963 Mule football season as reported in the Eagle

Fifty years ago, the 1963 Wahkiakum Mule football team earned a record of 8-0 and were voted second in the state in the football writers’ poll.

The team edged the Knappa Loggers 12-7 in their first game and held opponents scoreless in their next seven games. They were Pacific League champions. There were no statewide football playoffs, so they didn’t have an opportunity to claim a legitimate state title. They were good athletes: There was (and is) a state basketball tournament, and the Mules, with that group of athletes, won the state championship in 1964.

The Eagle has gone back through its archives to retrieve reports of the season, and writers contacted players and the head coach to ask why the team was so good and what the season meant for them.

Reported August 22, 1963

On Tuesday August 27: Physical examinations and fitting of tooth guards. (The guard was a plastic form filled with a rubbery plaster; it was pushed up on the upper teeth and held until the liquid solidified.)

Reported August 29th

September 2, First practice. Meeting at 10 a.m. followed by practice plus afternoon practice at 1 p.m. Backs work out at 3:30 p.m.

Returning lettermen and seniors are Wayne Cochran, Pat Madden, Butch Free, Terry Gorley, Jack Burdick, George Quigley, Terry Everman, Mike Parker, Tom Svenson and Tom Bond. Juniors are Bob Burdick, Wally Wright, Russ Durrah, Howard Hosley and Steve Doumit.

Sophomore Gary Bergseng.

Games start at 8 p.m. WHS wears white with red numbers for all games.

Cheerleaders are Kay Hollar (queen), Sylvia Blix, Chris Martin and Barbara Holland.

Admission $1 for adults, 50c for JH students and 25c for elementary students.

Reported August 29th

Linda Ward (Wa-Ki-Hi News) reported that during the 1961-1962 year WHS won the sportsmanship trophy for football. “However, since then it seems that our sportsmanship has greatly declined. Not only is it the students, but our townspeople have also added to its downfall.”

Reported Sept 12

In pre-game reports, writers described both Mules and Loggers as “big, experienced teams” and said,“on paper, Knappa seems to have the edge.”

Knappa had a 175 lb, three-year letterman by the name of Dan Hunt and five linemen over 200 lbs.

Bob Burdick was reported to be ill and out for the rest of the season.

The Mules had an “experienced line and backfield.” Led by backs Terry Everman (quarterback), Steve Doumit and Russ Durrah. Sophomore Mark Lindquist was likely to join them, according to paper.

Offensive line was made up of Wayne Cochran and Pat Madden as ends, Terry Gorley and Butch Free as tackles and Jack Burdick and Mike Parker as guards and George Quigley as center.

On defense, “very possible” to be Cochran, Free, Linquist, Durrah, Burdick, Quigley, Everman, Doumit and sophomore at 200 lbs, Gary Bergseng. Howard Hosley at safety.

Wa-ki-Hi News by Linda Ward

Majorettes will perform at halftime. Pep Club is selling season tickets. Kay Hollar suggested sweaters for Pep Club Outfits and the motion passed. Carol Turner was put in charge of making signs for pep assemblies and in halls before games. “The pep club hopes to have the cooperation of the public at games in helping boost our spirit and improve sportsmanship.”

Football captains were elected—Terry Everman and Pat Madden.

“We have a good sized line that is able to move, a lot of depth in the backfield, and the best part of the games will be the defense,” said Paul Spears, according to Linda Ward.

Al Bussone had people predict game scores. He said, “should have a real good club but time will tell. I’ve seen some supposed-to-be-good clubs before, only to have a poor season.”

Reported Sept 19

Headline: Mules defeat Knappa 12 to 7.

1st quarter--Durrah scored a TD from 2 yds out. Mules controlled ball. 6-0. 2nd Scoreless, No one “threatening”. 3rd--Free intercepted pass. 2 plays later, Everman threw an interception. Knappa tied game 6-6, then kicked extra point 6-7. 4th midway thru quarter, Mules were “grinding out yardage.” Linquist scored from 2-yd line with 4 minutes left. 12-7. Extra point failed.

Coach Spears had “high praise of the defensive team.”

Al Bussone, in his Sport Scene column, said the Mules had “hands full” holding much heavier team to 7 points.

Wa-Ki-Hi news: It rained during game.

Reported September 26

Headline: Mules score easy win from Naselle Comets

Naselle fumbled a punt and Butch Free blocked a punt. These led to two quick touchdowns, with two more 6-pointers and a safety before half time.

Naselle’s quarterback was ill the day before game and had difficulty getting offense going.

Mule defensive line, Cochran, Madden, Free, Durrah, Quigley and Gorley—were effective. Doumit scored on a touchdown plus conversion. Durrah had two TD’s and Linquist had one. The Mules gained 261 yards for 12 first downs, and had 23 yards gained with two completed passes.

Reported October 3

Headline: Mules move into top spot in Pacific League, beat Ocosta 21-0

1st--Doumit scored a TD, extra point failed. 2nd dominated by Ocosta. 3rd Mules took control. A short pass from Everman to Cochran plus a 40-yd run equals a TD. Madden’s kick was good. 13-0. Mules recover a fumble. Durrah carried for another TD. 19-0. 4th-Mules drove to Ocosta one yard line and lost ball on downs. During next series of downs, an Ocosta back was trapped in end zone for a safety for the Mules.

Ocosta did not make a first down the whole second half.

There were dances held on the balcony of the new school.

Reported October 10th

Headline: Mules capture fourth win Friday at Menlo

“big step toward the Pacific league title”

Beat Willapa Valley Vikings 34-0 at Menlo.

The Mules had some difficulty getting underway. Valley took opening kickoff and drove to Mule 10 yard line before losing ball. Mules were unable to move ball and punted to Valley. Valley moved to Mules 25 yard line and lost the ball again.

First quarter 0-0. From this point on, “Mules in firm control.” Everman passed to Hosley to put the ball in scoring position; Everman ran left and for final eight yards. 7-0. Everman scored again in 2nd quarter. Halftime 14-0.

3rd--75 yd march down field for a 2-yd TD by Doumit. Then Hosley returned a punt 60 yards with excellent blocking for a touchdown. 27-0. 4th Mules reserves played. Gary Potter went over guard for an eight-yard touchdown, 33-0. Free scored extra point 34-0.

“Same formula for victory: teamwork, spirit, hard running, sharp blocking and tackling.”

Reported Oct 17th

Headline: Mules win 37-0, face Ilwaco here Friday

The Mules host the R. A. Long junior varsity, and the “Mules lost no time in showing their superiority.”

In the first quarter, Doumit scored from 4 yd line after 60 yd drive down field. Hosley ran 40 yards for the next score, and Doumit closed the first quarter for a 45-yard touchdown run and 19-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Everman threw a 55-yd pass to Hosley for TD; and later Hosley gained five yards for a TD and 31-0 halftime lead.

Mule reserves played most of the rest of the game though Everman passed to Durrah for another TD. 37-0.

The Eagle reported, “Friday is Homecoming, highlighted by the ‘big game’ with Ilwaco. As yet no Cathlamet citizen can be found who remembers when the Mules defeated Ilwaco in football. Is this the year? Friday night on the local field that question will be answered. Be there!”

Reported Oct 24

headline: Mules smash Ilwaco jinx

HOMECOMING

Clinched at least a tie for the Pacific League crown.

31-0

The first quarter ended in a 0-0 tie. In the second, the Mules drove down field. On Ilwaco 19 yd line, Everman went for seven yards on a quarterback sneak. He hit Cochran with a short pass over the middle. Cochran ran into the end zone for the first score. Durrah followed with a two-yard touchdown and 12-0 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Doumit ran for two TDs, both were 70 yd runs. Hosley kicked extra point after one of them for a 25-0 Mule lead.

In the fourth quarter, Durrah intercepted an Ilwaco pass, Everman passed to Cochran for a touchdown. Final score 31-0.

Fine defensive play by Free, Quigley, Bergseng, Madden, Linquist, Burdick and Cochran meant that Ilwaco didn’t threaten goal line.

Last time Mules reportedly beat Ilwaco? 1938.

Reported Oct 31st

Headline: Mules win Championship by downing South Bend

Undefeated. Won Pacific League Championship by defeating South Bend 27-0. “Started slowly, as usual,” playing on a very muddy field.

Mark Linquist capped a sustained drive down field with a two-yard TD, and the Mules led 7-0 at halftime with Durrah’s conversion. They scored twice in the third quarter and once in the fourth. They lost Pat Madden with broken hand; he will be unable to play final game. Steve Doumit left game with badly bruised shoulder.

Wa-Ki-Hi News by Linda Ward

FIRST Pacific League football championship. The Mules will play Naselle next for KM trophy. Naselle won it in ’61 and ’62. First KM clash, which the Mules won, was in ’60.

Co-donors of KM Trophy, hoping to promote better relations between the two schools, were Brusco Towboat Company and Merle and Jack’s Service Station in Naselle.

Mules beat Naselle earlier in the season but key players from Naselle were suffering from illness. Comets have been working hard to be ready and are reported to be out to avenge the earlier loss and keep trophy.

Mules in good shape but without Madden who has a broken hand. Madden is a senior, a starter who played offense and defense. Steve Doumit is a doubtful starter with severe shoulder bruise.

Mules want trophy after undefeated season. They are also protective of fifth place state ranking.

Reported November 7

Headline: Mules win trophy 27-0; remain unbeaten

KM trophy back to Cathlamet.

The Mules scored early in first quarter and dominated the game. Naselle received kickoff, but Gary Bergseng recovered a Comet fumble at the Comet 40 yard line. Two plays later, Doumit broke over tackle from 30-yd line and scored. Next, Durrah scored form three yards out and Hosley from seven yards out for a 20-0 at the half. In the third, co-captain Everman swept right end for 15 yds and a TD and 27-0 lead. Hosley ran two conversions, and Durrah scored one. During second half, reserves “saw considerable action.”

“So ended one of the finest football records in Wahkiakum history. Everything went well, good crowds, fine weather for the home games, few injuries and a winning squad,” said Principal James Spooner. “The crowds and the squad members will long be remembered by Cathlamet fans. The great line play, the terrific defense, the tricky offense, and most of all, the fine spirit of the team were a joy to watch. It was truly a team effort and team victory, every one did his part.”

Reported November 14th

Headline: Mules rate 2nd

The season was over but Cathlamet advanced to second position in Washington Class B ratings.Mules received five first place votes.

Reported November 21st

Headline: Mules will be honored Tuesday at banquet

Annual Cathlamet Commercial Club banquet at Elochoman Grange Hall at 7 p.m.

Three special awards: Mitchell Doumit will present Mitchell Doumit Inspirational Award. High school representatives will present Scrub award and Most Valuable Player.

Will include introduction of players and parents. Sylvia Blix and Kay Hollar will sing a novelty number. Award winners will be selected by team.

Scrub award goes to squad member who did not get a letter but contributed to team’s success.

Reported November 28

Headline: Football team honored at banquet

Robert Goodfellow was master of ceremonies. Awards were:

Inspirational Award –Terry Everman.

Most Valuable Player(s)—Wayne Cochran and Russ Durrah, presented by Paul Spears.

Scrub Award—Jim Carriker.

Pacific League trophy presented by Principal Jim Spooner. Terry Everman presented a gift to Spears from team.

Headline: Five Mules named to loop team

End Wayne Cochran; tackle Butch Free; guard Jack Burdick, center George Quigley, back Steve Doumit, and honorable mention Terry Everman.