Article 26, Volume 3
Copyright 2013. Grady E. Bryant
Orvel "Ollie Lee" Beamon decision to run rather than kick, with 12 seconds left in the game, lead East Suffolk High to an improbable, 6-0 victory
It was Friday, November 7, 1964. The East Suffolk High Wolverines football team was ranked Number One in Division One in the state. Their record was 7-1 (a non-conference loss to Hayden by the score of 9-7). They had allowed only 16 points, scored by two opponents, all season. Tonight, they are facing their cross-town arch-rival, the mighty Booker T. Washington Bears. A team they were highly favored to beat. The players, however, appeared to be on the edge all week. The coaches, Mack Benn, Jr., Charlie Jones, and the rest of the coaching staff spent the week trying to help keep the players from getting to hype.
Now, it was showtime at Peanut Park. Fred Ballard and Orvel Beamon, ESH's two all-state candidates, appeared upbeat and ready to go at game time.
East Suffolk received the opening kickoff. During their possession, the Wolverines didn't get past their 45-yard line. Subsequently, they kicked to BTW. They received the punt on their 25 and, after 5 plays, made it to their own 48-yard line before they punted the ball back to the Wolverines. That is the way it went most of the game, neither team made a serious threat to score.
The Wolverines received the punt on their 12-yard line with only 58 seconds left in the game. They ran the ball once for 3 yards. Then they had 2 unsuccessful passes. Now, it is 4th and 7 on their 15-yard line with only 12 seconds left in the game. Coach Benn called time out. He instructed the team to punt. Orvel received the snap on the four-yard line but two Bears were in his face hoping to get a safety. Orvel took two steps to the right and avoided two Bears, then he took off running, he shook off one bear on the 25-yard line and another one at the 50-yard line. But he still had two Bears to beat before he would reach the goal line. Eric Brinkley was in hot pursuit. He caught up with Beamon at the one-yard line but Ollie Lee's momentum carried them into the end zone. It was a 96-yard touchdown run. Perhaps the longest run in ESH history! The clock expired! The crowd dashed on the field, They were amazed and excited about what they had just seen. Yes, Ollie Lee's 96 yard TD run will be remembered as the "Glorious Dash".
East Suffolk won 6-0.
That was the final play in East Suffolk Wolverines football history because the school was closed the next school year.
What a way to end a journey. Declared State Champions for the first time in school's history. In 9 games allowed opponents a combined total of fewer than 22 points.
Copyright 2013. Grady E. Bryant
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