| 'The Streak' will be hot topic at planned reunion |
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Posted: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 4:50 pm
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Streaking — During a 1969 Martin High School game, (from left) the late head coach "Jimmy" Dunn, assistant coach David Byars and quarterback Danny Walker, discuss strategy. Alumni and fans involved in the 42-game winning streak are invited to a reunion.
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It's been 40 years, but the memories are still fresh in the minds of those who participated in what is fondly recalled around Martin as "The Streak."
The football teams from Martin High School and then newly-opened Westview High School combined to reel off 42 consecutive victories — then a state record — starting with the 1967 season and running through the 1970 season.
Players, cheerleaders, fellow MHS and WHS alumni from 1968-74 and Martin football fans from the era will have a chance to gather and recollect the exciting seasons when a reunion of those involved in "The Streak" will be held Sept. 11-12 in conjunction with the Westview football game and the annual Soybean Festival.
"It was something pretty exciting for all of us — the town, the school and everyone involved," said Danny Walker, one of eight Martin seniors who never lost a high school football game.
The reunion will begin at 6 on Friday night, Sept. 11 when attendees can participate in a tailgate party prior to and during the Westview vs. Camden football game at Graham Stadium.
Following that game, players, fans and friends can mingle at a tent downtown on the lawn next to the Weakley County Municipal Electric System near the festival's barbecue cookoff.
On Saturday at noon, a luncheon will be held at the UT Martin University Center Ballroom. Cost to attend the luncheon is $20 per person.Martin football historian Dr. Hobart Beale is scheduled to speak. For more info about the luncheon, call Susie Beeler Walker at 731-664-8881 or go online at http://thestreakreunion.myevent.com/.
"We just came up with the idea last year sitting around talking. It's not just for players; it's for anyone who was in school during that era and fans of the teams too," said Walker, now a veterinarian in Jackson. "There are lots who haven't seen each other in a long time. It's a chance to catch up after 40 years."
After playing smaller schools in the area the first three seasons, the schedule got tougher in 1970 with the likes of Milan and Humboldt as foes. "The Streak" culminated with a thrilling 23-20 victory over the also-undefeated Humboldt Rams to end the 1970 season in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Graham Stadium. Johnny Brundige's late field goal provided the deciding points in a game for the ages.
"Everyone wants to talk about the Humboldt game. Both of us were undefeated. Lots of schools around the area switched their games from Friday night so they could be there to watch," Walker recalled. "I have people come into my office now from Humboldt who still want to talk about that game."
"It was such a positive thing. They were great kids and great athletes, a very talented group," said David Byars, an assistant coach with the teams and the current principal at Westview.
"The main thing is we want to encourage everyone to come and visit and talk. It's not just about football," Walker noted. |
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