  Van Alstyne Jackrabbits Van Alstyne's first football team, the Jackrabbits, was fielded in 1912. Team members were: Back row, from left: Pat Thompson, Hendrix Lewis, Clyde Massie, Coach Grady Greer, Ralph Ownby, Joe Smith and Edgar Keith Front row, from left: Shelton Burke, Douglas Cassady, Garland Lewis, Earnest Jones, Emmitt Cartwright and Herbert Burke Van Alstyne Leader
November 3, 1988 pg. 8 VAN ALSTYNE TAKES FIELD WITH JACKRABBITS IN 1912 This special report was prepared for the Leader by Michael R. Lewis, nephew of Lois Lewis of Van Alstyne The year was 1912 and football was a new sport for most Texas high schools. In previous years football had been the center of much controversy, especially among the college ranks. It was a tough and often violent sport which resulted in many injuries and several deaths. But 1912 was a pivotal year for football. Rule changes gave players 4 downs to make 10 yards, raised the value of a touchdown from 5 to 6 points and reduced the value of a field goal from 4 to 3 points. The forward pass, designed to make the game safer and more wide open, was only a year old. Van Alstyne fielded its first football team, the Jackrabbits, in 1912. The high-spirited group consisted of 3 Seniors, 2 Juniors, 4 Sophomores, a Freshman and 2 boys from the 7th and 8th grades. The first game was to be the only loss of the season, with the 'Rabbits falling to Whitewright, 19 to 6, the start of a long rivalry. But Van Alstyne blanked Whitewright on the return match later tyat year, 6 to 0. During this introductory season, Van Alstyne smashed Plano High School 19 to 0 and demolished Melissa 52 to 0. Van Alstyne's introduction of an autumn tradition was a successful one, with no injuries reported and enthusiasm high. The inaugural year underscored the team's motto: "In unity there is strength!"  Van Alstyne History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |