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A Little Houston Football History
(not sure how factual some of it is - corrections welcome - contact)
from former graduate Elwood Lee to Brett Benson:
Brett, I've never had the pleasure of meeting you but I revered your
grandfather and my first cousin, Virgil, as a '50's-era athletic star at
HHS.
I followed him as a Houston Hurricane (60 - '64). I have to tell you,
as a member of a few fair-to-middlin' Hurricane teams in the early
'60's, it is beyond my imagination what it must feel like to be on the
journey to a MN state championship. You are now carrying the dreams of
legions of former Hurricanes who never had the chance to dream of such a
quest.
I noticed in the news that you are one of the team's leading receivers.
I hope you hear the ghosts of all the great Viking receivers in the
past. I'll mention a couple of great Hurricane receivers in the past
(Class of 1963) -- All-Conference performers: Ron Anwash and J.O.
Benson. They were a year ahead of me. They could both fly like deer
and could catch balls in a crowd. They would be proud to know you.
At a time when it is too easy to find something dark to dwell on, you
have shined a light into the life of a former Hurricane
center/linebacker who will vicariously feel the thrill and joy of
playing on the Metrodome field.
from former graduate Jody Thronson:
Weepy at this. (referring to above) Makes me think of DT - he was a captain of the '51 team (I think that's the year anyway) that had one of the best seasons in school history (until the 82 team, of course). He played with a Jim Abraham , who was the star player and a Dave Coulson who was the big lineman (he was in DT/Flo's wedding). Most of them were so poor (at least DT was for sure) that they had to use all school equipment - even socks and kleats (Dad didn't have running water at home even in high school, so I wonder who washed uniform?). I think Virgil Benson was a bit younger, as was Carlton. Those guys would have loved that game yesterday!
Note: (#26 is Jody's dad)
(click to enlarge)
Taken from 1950 Yearbook - click to enlarge
Next Season - 1951 District Co-Champions:
from 1976 Yearbook:
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6 Houston |
0 Preston |
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20 Houston |
0 Caledonia |
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45 Houston |
0 Rushford |
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19 Houston |
0 Harmony |
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13 Houston |
6 Spring Valley |
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32 Houston |
0 Canton |
from former graduate Judy (Vathing) Williams:
My dad (Sig Vathing) said that football in Houston started in the 1920's. They had jerseys and helmets but no pads. They played on the north side of Hwy. 16. Carl Iverson broke his shoulder and Mrs. I.G. said that was the end of football. Jack Kerrigan told me that football (6-man) existed in the 1930's and they played where the Lutheran Church is. They also had minimal protection and Supt. Eliason didn't like the game so he discontinued it. It started up in probably 1948 or 49 when Charles Houge and Erling Hvambsal broke their legs. Then came the big 1951 season with Fred Hauer. See pics and record above
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