The Port Arthur Package

Introduction • Chapter 1 • Chapter 1-Page 2 • Chapter 1-Page 3 • Chapter 2 • Chapter 2-Page 2 • Chapter 2- Page 3 • Junior Year • Junior Year-Page 2 • Junior Year-Page 3 • Junior Year-Page 4 • Head Hunters • Black Friday • We Beat Beaumont • Sweethearts • Wrapper Page 1 • Wrapper Page 2

Chapter 1 - Page 3

The 7th grade and the football season flew by. Soon after we joined the "B" squad, Randy France, Bobby Kirchmer, and Freddy Schneider (now Fred) were first string in our positions and played every game. We got plenty of experience, and just knew that our 8th grade year would be very successful on the "B" squad. The coaches had a surprise in mind for us, however. During practice, early in the 8th grade, head coach Bert Butaud, a former member of the Yellow Jackets '44 state Championship team, tried an experiment one day, and moved us all around in different spots, and we competed with players on the "A" squad, the Golden Bears. It was very hard, and they gave us no mercy. We were sure we would be kicked off the team. To our dismay Fred, Randy & Bobby were moved up to the "A" squad, as 8th graders. In a couple of weeks, Randy was first string guard, Fred was first string center and Bobby was first string end. We lettered and proudly wore it on our black and gold Letter Jackets, at the start of our 9th grade season.

The start of our 9th grade year was greatly anticipated. HI-9 at last. Everything was very positive, as I reported to home room that first day and got my class assignments. As I looked down the schedule, I made a revolting discovery. SHE was going to be my math teacher again, for algebra this time, and there was no way out of it. When calling roll later that day, she referred to us Mr. or Miss, rather than calling us by our first names. After class I waited till we were alone. I told her I wanted to do well in her class, but I didn't intend to be singled out or made an example all year. She thanked me with a weird smile, and we had a very productive year. I made "B".

We were undefeated our 9th grade year. There was talk about what future Yellow Jackets we would make, especially after we melded with the Edison team players. They were undefeated too, and they were our last game for the district championship. Wilson had never beaten Edison before, and there was blood in our hearts. Coach Butaud's speech before the game really fired us up, and Wilson defeated a very strong Edison team 22-7. The school song played after the game, and for the first time of many, I let tears flood over me. I was not alone. There we were, Bobby –Randy- and Fred, all two-year lettermen from Woodrow Wilson, about to become what we had dreamed of all those years.

PORT ARTHUR YELLOW JACKETS