By Bill Hamner
Leesburg Commercial
Fall 1953
The Leesburg Trojans, of the Lake County Training school, will pry off the opening lid to their '53 Gridiron season when they meet the Fessenden Tigers, from Ocala, in Venetian Gardens Park at 8 p.m. Thursday night.
Coach H. O. Dabney, who is beginning his fifth season as head coach at L.C.T.S. said that the Trojans are in good shape and are ready for the visiting Tigers, from Marion County. The Tigers are reported to have a strong, fast team this season, and from all counts, this contest should be a thriller.
Coach Dabney and his assistant L.J. Berry, have a new bunch of Trojans playing this season. When they open up tomorrow night they will have only seven lettermen returning from last season and will start five new boys who have never played varsity ball. At Tuesday night's practice, Coach Dabney said, "This is a swell bunch of boys, and with 35 boys that I have had in my coaching career and with a couple of games under their belt, they will be hard to beat."
The following are out for the '53 Trojans squad: Clifford Smalley, Charles Sypies, C. Williams, Hugh Brown, Jerry Chatman, Edgar Bowens, Willie Poole, Al Fred Joyce, Joe Knight, Hamick Gillard, Alno Pinkey, Walter Wiggens, Steve Patterson, Andrew Knier, Gary Kent, Robert Kent, Willie Williams, Frank Brown, Don Henry Bisbee, Izaac Humpries, Ishis Tyndell, George Stephens, Shade Eashman, Titty Randolph, Lewis Moate, Bobbie Merritt, Robert Ward, Claude Brockington, Melvin Hawkins, Charles Brooks, Homer Ferguson, Claude Harge and James Connelly.
When the Trojans take the field they will carry one of the best winning records in Central Florida. In the past four seasons the Trojans have a record of 28 wins, five defeats, and two ties.
The '53 schedule calls for nine contests. Following Thursday's game, the card includes: Oct. 1, Alachua here; Oct. 9, DeLand, there; Oct. 16, Plant City, there; Oct. 22, Hungerford of Orlando, here; Oct. 29, Eustis, here; Nov. 5, Dade City, there; Nov. 13, Sanford, here (homecoming); Nov. 19, New Smyrna Beach, there.
The Trojans 35-member band will be on hand for the half-time show, and also on hand in the cheering section will be the Leesburg Trojans Quarterback Club.
Resources
Glorianne Fahs
Museum Manager
Leesburg Heritage Society and Historical Museum
111 South 6th Street
Leesburg, Florida 34748
(352) 315-1800
Glorianne Fahs
Museum Manager
Leesburg Heritage Society and Historical Museum
111 South 6th Street
Leesburg, Florida 34748
(352) 315-1800
Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.
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Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online
