Joe Don Hopkins: Confessions From the Locker Room ....

I remember growing up and wanting to be a Bobcat from the time I knew what one was. I also knew that as part of that tradition, I would drink beer and raise as much hell as posible, when the time was right. I did learn a valuable lesson my Junior year, which was the only time I remember breaking training and drinking the night before the game. As I recall, I could not find my you know what with both hands. We were playing Vernon and every time they lined up with the wingback on my side, I was getting knocked down at least two times each play (rather than the one time I was usually knocked down while playing defense). It got so bad that when they lined up in that formation, Coach Warren would yell for me and Michie King to switch sides. Fortunately we won the game and I vowed never again!

We had many heroes that we admired ahead of us, including Hugh Gayle Frith, Jimmy Holeman, Moose Meek, John Danner, Jerry Norman and my brother Teddy (Roy), to name only a very few. Teammates we admired were Michie King, Norman Naron, Keith Fanning, Jimmy Joe Clifton and John Bragg, all one year ahead of us, and again only to name a few. Classmates that played from Junior High through High School were Wayne Havens, Doug Greer, Charles Mitchell, Bob Huff, Harold Simmons, Ron Kindle, Barry Wakefield, Jack Petty and John Wilson. I am doing this sans 1963 year book so if I overlooked someone, blame it on my crs syndrome!

We went through several coaches, changing head coaches after our freshman year in football and basketball. We endured one year of being locked up in Wilson school for two-a-days as freshmen. I think I have that right. It was like being in jail as I recall and made you question just how badly you wanted to be a football player.

We did not live up to our potential as seniors and our best year was our Junior year when we went 8-1-1. Most of the credit for that record goes to Charles Mitchell, Norman Naron, John Bragg, Michie King, Glen Beal, Ray Hamilton,Wayne Havens, John Wilson, Jack Petty, Jimmy Hamm and Bob Huff, in my opinion. Don't mean to slight anyone but please remember I am playing with half a deck at best!

Our Senior year we were rated 2nd in the state, based on our previous record and number of returning starters. We sucked like a giant ant eater, went 6-4, losing to 3 teams we should have beaten. We weren't in very good shape and I remember the second game was at home against Hamlin. Each time we had a time out and the team managers brought out water, we kept moving closer to the sideline in order to make sure we got water. The regular procedure was to wait on one knee and the manager would bring the water to you. This night they were being met shortly after they cleared the sideline. Normally when you are in shape, you take a swig, swallow, take another swig and spit it out and your are good to go. This night players were chug-a-lugging entire bottles of water and I think a few fights may have broken out. Not a good example or role model for the Bobcats to be.

Charles Mitchell sweeps end against Quanah


We did have some great players younger than us who did a great job, including Bobby Meason, Mike Reeves, Phil Self, Ricky Hamm, Johnny Hall, Ted Poling and Jimmy Don Wilson to name a few. A disappointing season for sure, because we did not play to our potential. I used to wish we had made the playoffs until I realized that it would have delayed the start of basketball season, which is another story. Some of us celebrated the end of football by partying at one of the old motels on 287 after the final game of the season. The only problem was that basketball started at 9:00 am on Saturday. Not a fun time!