Quote of the Day
TBuck (Pascagoula cornerback 1987-88)–“Hey, what do y’all think about this? Next year I’m gonna catch a punt and just stand there like it was a fair catch. Everybody will stop, then I’ll take off and score.”
TB (expat Goula blogger 2008)–“Nah, it’ll never work. You’ll get killed.”
Larry–“You better watch that hot doggin.”
–approximation of conversation between Terrell Buckley, TB, and Larry while shagging flies at batting practice in 1988, a couple of years before Buckley pulled off the stunt on national TV against Syracuse for 6 points
I posted about legendary Pascagoula tailback Rooster Jones, this past summer. Rooster has proved to be one of the most searched terms that lead people to this blog, and it’s lately been an active source for some great stories and comments. Those stories, Zeek’s enjoyment of the topic, and Quail’s stories inspired me to attempt to name an all-time team from ‘Goula. So far as I know, this has never been done. At least not in writing. I’ll need some help filling it out, and there’s bound to be some debate, but here’s the Official Travellinbaen All-Time Pascagoula Football Team, so far:
QB–It’s gotta be Shane Matthews, class of 1988. A great career at Florida where he led the Gators to their first SEC title and started their dynasty with a little help from Emmitt Smith and Steve Spurrier. He then had a long pro career, mainly with the Chicago Bears.
TB–Rooster of course. If you’re from Pascagoula you refer to him with only one name; in the same category as “Prince” or “Reggie” or “the Babe.”
TB–He was before my time, playing in the 1970’s but considering the career Ben Garry had at USM and in the pros, I figure he should be back there with Rooster. He passed away prematurely a couple of years ago. He’s the all-time rusher at USM, at least he was at the time his obituary was written.
Third down back–Treg Thomas–A Conerly Trophy winner at Delta State, he was considered too small for the Big Three in the late 1990’s. I still think they were wrong.
C–Frankie (Moose) Godfrey–1988; multiyear starter at LSU
OL–Chuck Commiskey–class of 1976; made sure Rooster had some daylight to run to his JUNIOR year, stood out at Ole Miss, in the USFL and the NFL for a lot of years. Seems like I recall the helmet had rubbed off a lot of hair by the time he made it to the Saints. Or maybe I’m thinking of Fourcade.
OL–I can think of a few guys that played in the SEC, but I need some help here. OL is always overlooked by the casual fan. Thunder Thornton probably belongs on the list for his overall contributions to Pascagoula’s cultural scene in addition to his storied Ole Miss career. And of course, his phone book assault of MD at 6 am one fine morning back in the 90’s has to be mentioned.
OL–Ben Crimm, mid-80’s; played at USM and one of Zeek’s selections.
OL–Allen Bush, an old school pick from Zeek.
TE–Big John Grant, 1988. He would step across the line and take a dump off from Shane and lumber downfield for twenty with three or four guys hanging on his back. Signed with Mississippi State and had his career cut short by injuries. There’s no doubt in my mind he’d have gone pro if he stayed healthy.
WR–Kez McCorvey, 1990. He had a good career with Florida State, then played for the Detroit Lions for a few years.
WR–Larry Taylor, another of Zeek’s picks.
DE–Fred Cook, early 1970’s. Kids in 1970’s Pascagoula were extremely proud to hear our town’s name when the Baltimore Colts played on TV. He recovered 14 fumbles during his 6 year career and was named to All-Pro teams in 1976 and 1977.
DL–Eddie Flora 1988-89. I don’t think things went too well for him after his high school career, but he was the most dominant force I ever saw on the gridiron.
DL–
DE–Keith Joseph, 1988-89. Keith played defensive end opposite Flora in high school and was the second most dominant high school defender I ever saw. He had a good career at linebacker at Mississippi State.
LB–Richard Harvey–early 1980’s. Had a good career at Tulane, then played ten years in the NFL.
LB–Dewayne Curry–played in the 1990’s then went on to an All SEC career at Mississippi State.
CB–Terrell Buckley–He won the Thorpe award at Florida State and had a much better pro career than he’s typically given credit for. Playing mainly for Green Bay, Miami, and New England in a 13 year career. He had 50 interceptions and scored 6 touchdowns, and is credited by Jim Rome for inventing the Lambeau Leap. His 50 picks rank him just outside the all-time NFL top twenty.
CB–Jim Marsalis–He went to Tennessee State and played for the Kansas City Chiefs for 7 years, winning a ring in Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings. He was All-Pro in 1970 and 1971. That awesome ring was on display in the late 70’s and early 80’s in Pascagoula for all us kids because Jim came home to coach pee wee football and Dixie Youth Baseball when he was finished in the pros.
DB–Lynn Thomas–Played at Pitt and won a Super Bowl ring with the San Francisco 49ers against the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI.
DB–Norris Thomas–Played with the Dolphins in the 1970’s and was TB’s first favorite football card.
I’m counting on Goula fans to help me with the pre 1980’s era and to fill in the blanks. If anyone knows anything about this dominant 1947 Panther team (click), let us know so I can get at least one of their ranks on this prestigious list. Worth noting, according to the video, the 1947 starting Pascagoula QB played quarterback at Ole Miss (JLM–you related to Rocky Byrd?) and in 1950’s Battle for the Golden Egg faced off against his former high school backup Twig Branch.
Travellinbaen 