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| LONGVIEW - Nick Wheeler personally led the Longivew Loboes to their third consecutive triumph here last night when he punted, ran and fought his way to an 8-to-6 victory over the highly touted Gilmer Buckeyes in one of the most sensational gridiron battles seen here in recent years.
This big rangy chap, Wheeler, was all they have said he was and then some. He brought his toe into play to kick the Gilmer Buckeyes into defeat. Once kicking out of bounds on the one foot line and later punting 60 yards. He played his trump card when he took the ball through right tackle for 30 yards and scored a touchdown without a Buckeye tackler laying a hand on him. Wheeler gave the home fans one of the most remarkable exhibitions of individual generalship and active offensive play they have been treated to in many gams. It was strictly another victory for Wheeler, who was accounted for all three of the Longview victories. But the score does not give the game full credit, for the Loboes and Buckeyes clashed in their traditional form, clawing and fighting until the final play which saw Shockey, ace of the Upshur county eleven, threatening to push over a touchdown after lugging the ball from his own 20-yard line to the Longview 18-yard stripe. Both lines played unusually good football, especially the local front wall which stopped the visitors on every hand and forced Shockey, reported to be a "Big Bertha" to resort to a passing attack with Bill Seago, a brilliant and experienced performer on the receiving end. From the first quarter, the fans expected to see a personal duel between Shcokey and Wheeler, rival quarterbacks, and that is what they got. After the opening kickoff Shockey ripped through and around the Longview line for two first downs before being forced to punt. Wheeler then pulled his first piece of strategy when he elected a quick kick that went 62 yards to the Gilmer 10-yard ribbon. Gilmer made a first down on a pass then Shockey punted to the Longivew 43-yard stripe. Again Wheeler swung his big right foot into the pigskin and booted it o the one-foot line. On an attempt to kick it back Shockey was forced behind the end zone line and Longview was awarded a safety. Taking the second kickoff the Buckeyes were unable to gain and punted to Longview in midfield. Lyons plough through for an eight yard gain and Wheeler made it to a first down. Then on the following play Wheeler stepped through right tackle, swung to the right, cut back into the open and raced across the goal line for a touchdown and a margin that stood up until the finish. A somewhat disputable decision in the second quarter presented the Buckeyes with their touchdown when Sam Davis, head linesman, ruled a pass complete on account of interference on the fourth down that gave the visitors new life and an opportunity to complete a pass. Shockey to Seago, for a touchdown. Both attempts at extra points failed. Besides playing a sensation offensive game, Wheeler also starred on the defense bucking up the line brilliantly and frequently slid through to catch an enemy ball-carrier for a substantial loss. Too much praise can not be heaped on this Wheeler lad, who stands heads and shoulders above any player developed in District 10 this year. The 185-pound Longview quarterback did not entirely resort to his superior strength to overwhelm the Longview opponents, but mixed his attack in such a manner to make himself a triple-threat player in the 'nth degree. Last night's victory was the first that Longivew has scored over Gilmer since 1927 when the local eleven won the class B championship for this district and then won the bi-district title. Coach Henry McClelland of Gilmer offered another well coached and smooth working combination last night, and save for Nick Wheeler no doubt would have won, but this same chap you have heard so much about is the difference between a mediocre and a winning football eleven in Longview this year. Shockey was never able to really get started against the Loboes, who had him marked and repulsed most of the his thrusts at the line. The big backfield ace, however, was plenty danger with his southpaw passes with such a capable receiver as Bill Seago in the open. The first three passes tried by Gilmer, all Shockey to Seago were completed. Once the Longivew backs started covering Seago the passing attack fizzled. Veteran followers of football in Longview agree that Wheeler's exhibition of punting was easily the best ever seen on a local football field. His long and well placed kicks literally took the heart out of the Buckeyes from the first. Although not up to its usual style of play, the local line performed excellently last night and especially did James King and Aden Carter made several and timely tackles. |