The 1967 Football Team at GHS had a stellar year with yet another of many winning seasons. The team, coached by Buck "Pop" Collins, Bill Cockcroft and Athletic Trainer Soup Rowe, consisted of only 28 players. Most of the players played both offense and defense, rarely getting a break to rest. There were 14 returning lettermen, 12 of which were seniors.
Clyde Gano, Chuck Mathis, Walter Brown, Gary Jones, and Jack Speer were selected as All-Conference and Gary Jones was also selected as All-State. Charlie Rowe, Tim McRae, Bobby Brown, Wally Lono, John Edmundson and Tommy Leathers received Honorable Mention. That was a total of 12 players, nearly half the team, receiving post-season honors.
In December of 1967, GHS received a post-season bowl selection. The Greenbacks were invited to play Crescent City in the Azalea Bowl in Palatka. It was one of those 3 downs and punt type games for both teams. The score was 6-3 at the half. I remember that it was a very exciting and physical game coming right down to the wire. Even though GHS lost, we all walked off the field as winners.
It was truly a great year for GHS, one that I certainly will never forget. Most of the team members had been classmates and friends since first grade and played football together since 7th Grade on the Rinky Dink Team. That was what was so great about GHS. We all achieved a friendship and a bond that will last a lifetime. Being able to go all the way through school, on the same campus, with the same classmates, and having some of the same teachers that taught our parents was truly unique.
Being a Greenback was an honor. The entire town would turn out for the games, no matter where we played, the stands were full. Everywhere you went, it was all about football. I will never forget those days; they were the best days of my life. Many of us who played in the Azalea Bowl, and a few of those beautiful cheerleaders who cheered us on are still around. I consider them family, as if we are brothers and sisters.
Three of those on the field that night in Palatka are no longer with us. Coach Collins, Clyde Gano and Chuck Mathis have passed away. They will, forever, be remembered in our hearts and minds.
This piece of history, the 1967 Azalea Bowl, has been reproduced and made into a DVD. I want to thank Doris Bloodsworth, Marie Padgett and Kemp Smith of the Groveland Historical Society for their dedication and effort in this task. It wasn’t easy. They continue to work very hard to preserve the memories and traditions of GHS.
Can you remember those cool fall evenings, the fragrant smell of citrus in the air, and Friday night football in Groveland? How can you forget? We are truly blessed for the opportunity we had to grow up in Groveland during those years.
Please join me in showing your support for the Groveland Museum and the Historical Society. You can purchase your Azalea Bowl DVD for $12.00. May God bless each of you and I look forward to seeing you at the GHS Reunion in March.
