© Jerry F. Couch
IN YEARS GONE BY, the sports rivalry between St. Paul High School and Castlewood High School was repeated each year. In most cases this rivalry was lighthearted. But there were times when it morphed into post-game confrontations, fights, and vandalism. When that happened, a stern reprimand would be issued by the schools’ principals the following Monday morning in addition to the regular weekly intercom announcements.
Today we’re sharing a transcription of an article written by Johnny Owens back in August of 1989 concerning that year’s Castlewood vs. St. Paul football game. Johnny acted as the CVT’s Castlewood sports columnist for several years, and his articles are preserved as part of our community’s history in the CVT’s archives.
BLUE DEVILS DROP DEACONS 32-16
by Johnny Owens
Castlewood has already equaled its win total of last season. They beat St. Paul 32-16. It was a Medusa game – Ugly and hard as rock. It took over three hours to play and suffered through 27 penalties; a coach was ejected; someone was taken away in an ambulance; and there was enough talk on the field to fill up a few episodes of the 700 Club with unsuitable subject matter. Despite all of that, it was a fun game – a throwback to the ol’ hard-hitting days of yore, and a throwup to field decorum.
The first quarter was scoreless. St. Paul opened the game with a 63 yard drive. the Purple puckered out on downs. Castlewood did little with their two possessions – just racked up a few penalties. Early in 2nd period, Mitch House rambled around right end from 10 years out for the Blue Devils first touchdown. It was set up on a personal foul penalty when Castlewood would have been facing a 4th and three.
On their next possession, Robbie Jessee sprinted right for 14 yards and pay dirt as the Blue Devils took a 12 to 0 lead. Both extra point attempts were no good. Castlewood added its third score of the quarter when the Deacons botched a punt attempt dep in their own territory with about two minutes left before intermission. Three plays later, House optioned his way into the end zone. This time the try for two was good and Castlewood went into the locker room with a commanding 20 to 0 lead.
After receiving the second half kickoff, Castlewood recorded its fourth touchdown in under 10 minutes. This time House passed 65 yards to Jamie Hughes to put the Blue Devils up 26 to 0. Then Medusa reared her ugly head. I hope everyone turned to stone. The period lasted longer than J. J. and J. L.’s 40-minute affair. We had more penalties, too. The fans lost interest. There was an ejection, and everyone was either turned to stone, or bored. St. Paul did score during this portion of the game as Coach Padgett’s Purple & Gold people pushed the ball across from 4 yards out with quarterback Eric Short doing the honors. Their conversion, second try, was good. Scott Chafin answered that score with a 12-yard run at period’s end, and it did, finally. The Deacons added a final score with Jerry McReynolds dashing in from 50 yards out. They made good on two more. It ended 32 to 16 sometime after 11. Castlewood: 1 to 0.
Castlewood’s three touchdown edge didn’t show up in the stats. The Deacons out first down the victorious Devils 11 to 10, and according to many observers, out-bit them as well. Castlewood picked up 168 yards on the ground to 104 for St. Paul. Total yards evened out a little as the Deacons collected 108 air yards to Castlewood’s 66. As for turnovers, St. Paul fumbled away the ball three times and Castlewood thew an interception.
Penalties: Castlewood 13 for 11 yards; St. Paul 14 for 96 yards. St. Paul’s 5 punts averaged 22 yards and the Blue Devils’ boots went for 33 per kick.
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CASTLEWOOD BLUE DEVILS FOOTBALL – 1989-90 SCHOOL YEAR
FRONT ROW, L TO R: Bradley Crabtree, Barry Johnson, Jason Alderson, Anthony Woods, Bob Jessee, Tim Long, Shawn Dean, David Tiller, T. J. Salyers, William Wright, and Shawn Kiser. SECOND ROW, L TO R: Brent Harmon, Jeff Street, Matt Sykes, Randy Silcox, Steve Caudill, Kenny Wampler, Scott Chafin, William Monk, Eric Thomas, Justin Phillips, And Steve Arney. THIRD ROW, L to R: Todd Ingle, Wade Dickenson, Steve Franklin, Tim Alderson, Jeff Hillman, Tony Bush, Tony Meade, Travis Maxfield, Scott Johnson, John Austin, and Chuck Shortridge. FOURTH ROW, L to R: Stacy Martin, Billy Joe Steffey, David Wells, Larry Woods, Bubba Bush, John Long, Billy Woods, Joe Ramsey, Jerry Hall, Mitch House, and Jamie Hughes. FIFTH ROW, L to R: Coach Shortt, Coach Glass, Coach Wells, Coach Bush, Coach Kiser, Coach Collins, Coach Allen, and Coach Owens.
ST. PAUL HIGH SCHOOL DEACONS FOOTBALL – 1989-90 SCHOOL YEAR
NOTE: Although several of the players pictured above are mentioned in the article below, a few were left out. Unfortunately, I had no other source from which to obtain the team’s roster when I wrote this article.
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