The 1950s helped establish Seagoville as one of the area’s most dangerous high school football programs.
The decade opened with a regional championship in 1950, but the Dragons did not stop there. Players such as Toady Bearden, Jake Landess, Raymond Gregg, Jackie Jett, Leon Tharp and Cleveland Nichols became central figures in an era filled with scoring explosions, winning streaks and postseason appearances.
In 1953, Landess emerged as one of the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s leading scorers with 14 touchdowns. A year later, Coach Boyd “Chesty” Payne directed the Dragons to a school-record nine-game winning streak. Seagoville defeated Masonic Home 33-26 behind four Raymond Gregg touchdown passes, while Jackie Jett rushed for 180 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-13 victory over the Woodrow Wilson “B” team.
The Dragons remained unbeaten through seven games in 1955, outscoring Lancaster 27-0 and Mesquite 33-6. Then came the dramatic 1956 District 11-AA championship season. Although three victories were later forfeited because of over-age players, Seagoville defeated Mesquite, Richardson and Lancaster to earn the district title and a postseason berth.
The title-clinching victory was overwhelming. The Dragons defeated Lancaster 53-14 as Leon Tharp rushed for 173 yards and Cleveland Nichols added 109.
The 1950s produced some of the most important teams and running backs in school history. Today’s quiz tests how well you remember that golden decade.
The Championship-Packed 1950s
11.
How many points did Seagoville score against the North Dallas “B” team in 1951?
A. 27
B. 33
C. 41
D. 47
12.
Which team battled Seagoville to a scoreless tie in 1952?
A. Rockwall
B. Plano
C. Richardson
D. Kaufman
13.
Toady Bearden earned first-team all-district recognition while playing which two offensive positions?
A. Fullback and end
B. Tailback and quarterback
C. Center and guard
D. Halfback and receiver
14.
How many touchdowns did Jake Landess score during his standout 1953 season?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16
15.
Jackie Jett rushed for 180 yards and four touchdowns against which opponent in 1954?
A. Mesquite
B. Lancaster
C. Woodrow Wilson “B”
D. Grand Saline
16.
How long was the school-record winning streak produced by the 1954 Dragons?
A. Seven games
B. Eight games
C. Nine games
D. Ten games
17.
What was Seagoville’s record after defeating Mesquite 33-6 during the 1955 season?
A. 5-0
B. 6-0
C. 7-0
D. 8-0
18.
What was the score when Seagoville defeated Lancaster to capture the 1956 District 11-AA championship?
A. 33-14
B. 41-7
C. 47-13
D. 53-14
19.
Which two running backs rushed for 173 and 109 yards, respectively, in the 1956 championship-clinching win over Lancaster?
A. Raymond Gregg and Jackie Jett
B. Leon Tharp and Cleveland Nichols
C. Toady Bearden and Jake Landess
D. David Travis and Dick McGaughy
20.
In a 57-6 victory over the Samuell “B” team in 1958, Dick McGaughy accounted for how many total touchdowns?
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five
D. Six
Answer key: 11-D, 12-A, 13-B, 14-C, 15-C, 16-C, 17-C, 18-D, 19-B, 20-C
Tomorrow: A New Generation Takes Over in the 1960s
