Editor’s note: This is another column in Bill Boyd’s new series, “The Way It Was,” about growing up in Marysville. Bill continues to work with the Union County Historical Society to obtain information for his stories.
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As the 1948 MHS football season approached, Coach Paul Wenzel said he wanted me to be the team’s quarterback. I had never taken a single snap as quarterback. The previous year, I played end. But when your coach wants you to do something, you don’t ask questions. You just do it.
As the first game approached, I think Coach Wenzel thought that, because of my inexperience, we might be too conservative in our play calling. So during our last week of practice, he constantly stressed that we must “start fast.” He wanted us to score early in the game, and then keep the pressure on the opponent. He must have told us that a hundred times during our last week of practice.
Our first game was with Mechanicsburg, on the MHS field at the corner of Collins and Grove Street. We won the coin toss, and we chose to receive the opening kickoff. I think that kickoff was the most memorable play of the entire season. “Curly” Hill, who played halfback, received the kickoff on our five or ten yard line. He was one of fastest players on the team, and he ran it back to somewhere around the 25 yard line, at which time a strange thing happened.
Just as he was about to be tackled, he ran into one of our own players, John Schwartzkopf, who was trying to block for him. He bounced off John, thus avoiding the tackler. Then he took off like a rocket. Thanks to his speed and agility, he ran the ball all the way back for a touchdown. Then “Shine” Grimes added the extra point.
So there we were, only 20 seconds or so into the 1948 season, and we had a seven point lead. Before kicking the ball to our opponents, we quickly huddled along the sideline to get instructions from our coach. As we broke that huddle, I looked Coach Wenzel in the eye and asked, “Was that a fast enough start, Coach?” Several of my teammates laughed, but I don’t think Coach Wenzel thought it was funny.
Marysville won the game 42-7.
Those wishing to contact Bill Boyd can e-mail him at williamboyd514@gmail.com