Remembre When?

The Leopards Maul Childress to Win Class AA

Dec. 16-23, 1975

The fantastic La Grange Leopards, who figured out just about every imaginable way to provide their superiority on the football field, took a new page from the playbook at Abilene’s P.E. Shotwell Stadium when they defeated the Childress Bobcats, 27 to 6, to win the 1975 Texas Class AA High School Football Championship. It was an all-out defensive effort with Garry Matocha, Mike Matocha, Tommy Matocha, Kenny Zimmerhanzel, Bert Vasut and the big middle men, Pat Smith and Curtis Ray, all involved in key steps. Johnnie Johnson had a great night against the Childress, rushing for 154 yards in 17 carries and scoring three touchdowns. The Lep fans, who filled eight 48-passenger buses for the trip to Abilene, cheered the team on.

The La Grange Leopards, who dominated District 25AA on their way to a state championship, also dominated the All-District selections, winning offensive and five defensive spots on the first team than any other team. Unanimous choices on the first team were: Kenny Hatfield, Billy Dunk, Garry Matocha, Bert Vasut and Johnnie Johnson. Named to both the offensive and defensive first teams were: Mike Matocha, Garry Matocha, Curtis Ray, Bert Vasut, Johnnie Johnson and Gene Urban. La Grange tight end Garry Dippel was among the players who received an honorable mention.

However, the Schulenburg Shorthorns reached the end of their dream at Temple’s Wildcat Stadium, losing 26-15, to a big, powerful DeLeon football team in the finals of the Texas Class high school playoffs. Lost was a second title for the Horns in four years and a double championship for Fayette County, and the final triumph for Tom Walker’s upstarts of contradicting the experts by knocking off virtually all the top-ranked teams. “They beat us, and we have no alibis,” said Shorthorn Coach Tom Walker. “They’re the champs, and no mistake. We tried hard to get it, but we couldn’t.”

Before the big game, Schulenburg Mayor H.N. Schwartz had proclaimed Friday as Schulenburg Shorthorn Day. Noting that the Shorthorn team, which went after the Class A state championship, as well as the band and pep squad, brought pride and honor to the City of Schulenburg, showing the true Shorthorn spirit of determination, team cooperation and fair sportsmanship. Mayor Schwartz said he was honored to officially recognize the Schulenburg Shorthorns for the second time in three years.

Burglars, who broke into Ruether’s Grocery at 539 E. Colorado St. sometime Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, made off with a variety of goods. La Grange Police Chief L.R. Ulrich and Deputy Sheriff C.A. Prilop said meat, cash and cigarettes were stolen. Entrance was made by breaking a rear door of the building.

The La Grange schools’ share of varsity football revenue for 1975 already stood at approximately $8,900, a figure well above 1974’s final number. With the proceeds from the state championship game still to go, the 1975 total was expected to surpass $10,000.

Funerals were held for: Erwin G. Fieig, 78, formerly of Rutersville; Sarah Adrienne, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand (Freddy) Kovar of La Grange; Theodore Zoch, 75, of Winchester; C.J. Fritsch, 51, of Ellinger; and Boyer Bohumil Janicek, 76, of Willow Springs.

Four FBI officers and two local law enforcement members quietly surrounded a Weimar farmhouse on Monday night and captured an escaped Florida convict. Afterward, the criminal stated that if he hadn’t been caught off guard, he would have shot it out with police.

Texas Comptroller Bob Bulloch’s office sent La Grange a sales tax rebate check for $15,285 for the month of September.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Treybig celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 7, at Roitsch’s Camp in La Grange. Their children hosted the gathering. Mr. Treybig and Miss Effie Meinen were married on Dec. 8, 1925, at Willow Springs. They had five daughters and three sons.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Koopmann of Austin observed their 25th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Dec. 6, with a reception at the Sons of Hermann Hall at Prairie Valley. Charleen Wessels and Ray Koopmann were married in La Grange on Dec. 10, 1950, by the Rev. R. Heise. Their attendants were Mr. and Mrs. Vastine Koopmann and Mrs. Ike Petras and the late Ike Petras. The Vastine Koopmanns and Mrs. Petras were in attendance at the party.

Mr. and Mrs. Hugo P. Schmidt of Willow Springs celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 7. The Rev. Don Vlasek gave a brief overview of the courtship of Mundina Rinn and Hugo Schmidt. The only attendants at the marriage 50 years earlier had been the bride’s brother, Arthur C. Rinn, and Miss Dessie Glaeser, who later became the bride of Mr. Rinn.

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