GO OWLS: Oh, those glory days … It was 46 years
ago today that Bradford High’s football team finished its season
undefeated.
[neWLine]
The year was 1959 and the Owls, under the direction of Rock
Denning in his final season of coaching, put together an 8-0-1
record.[neWLine]
The coup de grace on the winning season was the finale with
long-time cross-state rival Olean, N.Y., Huskies who, according to
reports of the day, were lucky to get out of Bradner Stadium with
their lives![neWLine]
Here’s how Era sports writer Bill Evans put it in the
Monday, Nov. 8, 1959, edition under the headline, “”Bradford High
Owls Complete First Undefeated Season Under Coach Denning, Blast
out 40-6 Win Over Olean in 66th Game””:
[neWLine]
“”Crushing the Olean Huskies under a 40-6 score in Bradner
Stadium here Saturday night, a magnificent Bradford High School
football team closed its season with an undefeated, once-tied mark.
The Owls won eight games. Only a 12-12 tie with Hornell marred an
otherwise flawless record.[neWLine]
“”Coach Rock Denning’s team handed Olean one of its most
humiliating defeats in the 66-year history of this tradition-rich
series, in which Bradford leads with 35 victories, 26 losses, and
five ties.[neWLine]
“”The Huskies, whose only score came from a recovered fumble
midway in the first quarter, were impotent in the face of the Owl’s
smoothly coordinated, seemingly effortless attack combined with a
most rugged defense. Olean’s lone first down came only in the dying
minutes of the game.””[neWLine]
“”The big crowd, estimated in excess of 4,000, barely had
settled in its seats on this clear, cold night before the Owls
struck for their first touchdown.[neWLine]
“” … The Bradford attack rolled almost unchecked … The
Owls second touchdown of the quarter gave them a 20-6 half-time
lead … the Owls fifth touchdown was negotiated with seven plays
covering 45 yards in the closing minutes of the third and opening
seconds of the fourth quarter …””
[neWLine]
The Owls also had victories over Corry, Jamestown, N.Y.,
Johnsonburg, Erie East, Warren, Erie McDowell, Erie
Tech.[neWLine]
There’s more to the story of this undefeated team, and we’ll
have another report tomorrow.[neWLine]
[neWLine]
TODAY’S QUOTE: “”Truth is a far better weapon
than censorship to maintain absolute secrecy,”” said Dwight D.
Eisenhower, 34th president, in 1964.
