1982: Montgomery Finally Takes Flight
John J. Montgomery High’s football history does not require an encyclopedic tome. A few pages would be more than enough. Most of those pages would be devoted to the 1982 season. Coach John DeVore’s Aztecs posted a 9-2 record, the best in their history and one of the few winning seasons since the Otay Mesa […]
Read More1932: “I Want to Play Football at San Diego High”
Coach Hobbs Adams was in his office a couple years before, finishing some paper work during the quiet of the Christmas vacation break. A strapping youngster walked into the school’s recently constructed gymnasium and found Adams at his desk. The visitor told Adams he was from Texas and wanted to play football at San Diego High. […]
Read More2015: Art Powell, Member of Legendary Family
Oakland Raiders managing general partner Al Davis spoke in 2006 about Art Powell, whom Davis signed out of the Canadian Football League years before. “I wish I could take you back to 1963,” said Davis, “because I had one of the greatest receivers who have ever played this game. His first year for me, he […]
Read More1931: Depression-Hit San Diego High Plays for Charity
The Star Spangled Banner became our national anthem, Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion, the Empire State Building rose in Manhattan, the small community of Las Vegas voted to legalize gambling. And 8 million Americans, at least 16 per cent of the work force, were on the street, out of work, and soon to […]
Read More1924: Hilltoppers’ Star Saved in Swimming Pool
San Diego High avoided a tragic event when star sophomore fullback Bert Ritchey almost drowned before the Hilltoppers’ “bowl game” at Phoenix Union. After a 12-hour ride on a special San Diego & Arizona railroad car and arriving Friday morning, the Cavemen worked out at Phoenix’s Riverside Park late Friday afternoon. That evening many in the […]
Read More1956: “Smiley” is San Diego High Legend
San Diego coach Duane Maley said it best: “He can run sideways faster than most backs can forward.” Maley spoke of a favored player, 5-foot, 4-inch, 145-pound halfback Cleveland (Smiley) Jones, who literally carried the 1956 Cavemen. Jones was the City Prep League player of the year despite missing almost all of two games and […]
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