Six Man Allen Eagle Football 1945-1956, a legend in Texas Football History
(Fifirst in a three- part series on the legendary Allen Eagles 1945-1950)
by Tom Keener
Under the astute leadership of Coach W.H. “Pete’ Moseley, the Allen Eagles six man football team soared to legendary status beginning with the 1945 season, winning six consecutive district championships. They remained undefeated at the district level from 1945-48, and after an exciting victory over the predicted winners, Oklaunion Cardinals, the Eagles won the coveted bi-district championship title in Dec. 1948, at Vernon, Texas. The Eagles electrified Allen!
Coach Moseley exclaimed, “Six man football, under proper direction, can mean more to the very high school than any other sport. No other sport, even basketball or baseball, can add the school spirit that six man football does in small schools.” Dallas Cowboy hero Troy Aikmen states, “Six man football players are just as tough and just as dedicated. And nothing can match six-man’s speed and excitement.”
The Allen Eagles became known as the habitual winner of the championship. Surviving team members universally credit Coach W.H. “Pete” Moseley with this magnificent chain of victories. Former full back Frank Dugger states, “Mr. Moseley taught me to never to give up. We were outweighed by about 15 pounds per man.” Former Quarterback Doyle Morrow statesadds, “Mr. Moseley challenged us to be our greatest and created new plays for every game. He was a master strategist, helping us outwit opponents every play.”
James Brazeal concurs, “Coach Moseley was an exceptional coach, talented athlete and brought those talents to the team. He had an impeccable personal life. No one could hit a Frank Dugger pitch, but Coach Moseley hit Frank’s pitch to the left field line.” Brazeal addscontinues, “Frank Dugger was another asset; he excelled in all sports, possessed arm strength and was a very spirited player.. ” Brazeal continued, “Eearlier Allen Eagle football teams established a winning tradition and served as an inspiration for all of us. We were one family and we wanted to win for Allen.”
Former end Perry Orld recalls, “Coach Moseley declaring, “win or lose boys, football is a great game. The knocks and challenges you face in football are going to prepare you for the knocks of life.” Orld addsed, “Doyle was a great quarterback, Mr. Moseley was a great coach, and we pulled together, we knew we had to win, and we got after it.” Orld then sharesfurther added, “When the Eagles were behind at half, we proceeded to the dugout for our halftime talk with Mr. Moseley. Coach did not say much at all. When half was over, Coach Moseley said, “OK girls, let’s go.”
Team members recall Coach Mosley’s winning strategies. Doyle’s talents were noted throughout the district and opponents were absolutely determined to tackle him. Doyle states that “Mr. Moseley had me switch my jersey #24 with Floyd Davidson’s #26 to confuse our opponents and it worked.” In six man football, a clear pass was required to run with the ball. Quarterback Doyle would lateral the ball to full back Frank Dugger who knocked the end and handed the ball back to Doyle who went around end. Another strategy involved utilizing James Doyle Marion, Frank Dugger or Doyle Morrow as passers. Since they were all excellent passers, it kept the opposing team off balance. Robert Harris, cCenter, snapped the ball through the quarterback’s legs but delivered it to the half back. The Eagles and the opponents would go to the right but Doyle remained left and Frank would pass it back to Doyle who ran with it. “Options were the key”, said states Brazeal. ‘Mr. Moseley taught us to look strait ahead, neither left or right.’
Kenneth Bolin saidcomments, “Coach Moseley told us not to hold the ball like a watermelon.” Bolin also recalls recounts a member who received a traumatic hit in front of the bench. Bolin He recalls Coach Moseley exclaiming, “Wwhen you hold your mouth better, you can play, but you won’t play any more this game.”
Memories of the sensational 1948 season still resonate with the Eagle’s’ fans. Lighted ball fields became a reality that year. Before 1948, football games had to be played on Thursday afternoons so there would be enough light to seebecause there were no lighted ball fields. Home games were played on Thursdays, giving football fans an opportunity to travel to McKinney to watch their Friday games. The late Perry Bolin approached Dallas Power and Light about donating used power poles. Mrs. Edna Bolin states “Perry said the power company would donate the used poles if our boys would set them. Perry purchased the light fixtures. During the first game with lighted fields, fans passed a donation hat to help reimburse Perry.” Edna added, “Perry loved sports.” Doyle Morrow states, that “Tteam members were so good at setting poles, the power company did not have to do much else.”
In 1948, the Allen Eagles easily won preseason victories at Rice 55-0 and Cedar Hill, 55 to 13, and Emory, 33-13. The Eagles continued lopsided victories in the conference season, Westminster 49-7, Bland Rural High School , 52-12, Mount Calm 32-12, Emory 32 to 13. In the opening play of the second game with Emory, referee Pat Stimpson suffered a broken ankle. Coach Moseley walked over to Alton Taylor’s house, knocked on the door urging him to substitute for the injured referee. Alton dressed in his uniform and the game continued. The final season game concluded with a colossal victory over Westminster, 59-6, where James Brazeal suffered a broken collar bone, which kept him from the Bi-District game at Vernon. The football team “sponsored a pounding” for Mr. Moseley. A pounding is a celebration to present {WHAT IN HEAVENS NAME DO YOU MEAN BY “SPONSORED A POUNDING?”} Many food items, household articles and gifts, which were given to the Moseleys to show gratitude.
This team’s dedication is evident by the fact that when the practices were over, team members walked home, which was often three or four miles. Perry Orld who lived near Custer and McDermott added, “Dad saved us the chores. After a tiring practice, Dad would have me milk the cow and gather the eggs.” This dedication determination afforded the Eagles a chance for victory. Joyce Moseley Angle said, “Dad was proud of his boys because they gave their very best.”
In the next issue, the sensational Bi-District game at Vernon, TX where the Eagles squared off with the Oklaunion Cardinals.
A documentary of this incredible team will be broadcast on Channel 15 in the winter.
Many thanks to Edna Bolin, Doyle Morrow, Iva Morrow, Perry Orlds, Frank Dugger, Kenneth Bolin, James Brazeal, George and Joyce Angle, Football Historian Joe Wooten, and Carlton Stowers, author of Where Dreams Die Hard: A Small American Town And Its Six-Man Football Team and to all members of this legendary team for valuable input!
Tom Keener is the Cultural Arts Coordinator with the Allen Public Library.
