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      Dr. Bill Wright wrote the following 34 page phamplet (Novel?) on Wilson Tigers and gave out about 100 copies last year when Wilson Matthews was honored for his Class 51 team. You can see the pictures Bill sent on the occasion, and Wilson's cake presented to him for his 80th birthday!

      To every story there is a beginning and an end. Within these writings, you will learn about THE COACH. You will also learn about the founder of the WILSON’S TIGERS GROUP. Central to both are the LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL TIGER football team---its players, coaches, trainers, student managers and other parties. Herein will be facts, fables, a bit of nostalgia and a hint of fantasy! If things are not presented exactly as you remember them, do not be too harsh a critic. Contributors, for the most part, are persons now in their 60s and 70s. Thus, accounts may vary according to their viewpoints, perspectives and memories. A list of credits are given to the contributors on a separate page at the end of this booklet. The purposes of this writing are two-fold: to be informative and to be entertaining. It is hoped that each reader can take some of both with them. ENJOY!

      The correct sequence of happenings would be Wilson Matthews, first---followed by the beginning of the Matthews-coached football TIGERS and their records, second---then ending, third, with the origin and current status of the group called WILSON’S TIGERS. This writing will attempt to follow that general outline---with perhaps a few side trips. As an introduction---and means to start us out with focus on the main subject at hand, let me offer you the following “DITTY”.

      This game is not GOLF. For in golf, the spectators dare not scream or yell. A mere cough or loud whisper can bring a disdainful stare from the gallery---or even the player, as he is preparing his “address” of the ball.

      This game is not BASKETBALL. For in basketball, a subtle push---or hack---or grab can be judged a foul.

      This game is not BASEBALL. Coach surely would not like baseball. Baseball develops much too slowly for one whose passion is for quick and continuous action. Who would enjoy coaching a RIGHTFIELDER? Ninety-nine % of the time, anyone’s three-year-old sister could sit out on that grass---without a glove---and cause no deleterious outcome on the game! In baseball there is a lot of “idle-time”. A lot of yawning---a lot of spitting---a lot of scratching one’s self in unmentionable anatomic places. This should not take place in public. If you stood around doing those things in “THE GAME”, someone, very quickly, would politely knock you on your DERRIERE ( for you “ANDY’S CAFE BOYS”, that is French for “KEESTER”).

      In “THE GAME”, at least two players go-to-the-ground at the end of every play. Some plays more. On some plays, 5 may go down---10---or 22! Occasionally, even a referee ends up in the pile.

      Practices for, and playing “THE GAME” can be rough. They can take their toll--- sprains, contusions, fractures, knocked-out-teeth and stitches-in-your-lip to prove it. And don’t forget those special names--- “charley horses”, “pulled hamstrings”, “torn ACLs”, “hip pointers” and “popped Achilles’ tendons”. What manner of “BEAST” enjoys and cannot wait to return to this sort of mayhem each week?

      They can tell you that “CHARACTER” is built when you suffer a loss or two! BALONEY! Thirty-five to seven---when you are on the “seven end”---what kind of “character-building” is that? It made me sad---felt really bad---made me “blue”---bet it did you too! THANK GOODNESS, TIGER TEAMS did not have to build much character in that manner!

      “THE GAME” and THE COACH teach you to be mentally and physically tough---to play as a team---to support each other---to “shake-it-off” to “gut-it-out”. That when you get knocked down---you get back up and go again. Within each game are a hundred personal “wins” and “losses”: a missed tackle---then a good solid block---a 12 yard gain ---followed by a costly fumble---a pass just off your fingertips---then one safely in your arms. DISAPPOINTMENTS, THRILLS, DEFEATS, RECOVERIES, WINS!

      WHY, “THIS GAME” is much more than just “a game”. As the years go by, you realize that “THE GAME” is just like LIFE! YEAH!, “THIS GAME” is LIFE---and you learned how to “play-it-better” with COACH and the TIGERS!

      If you have an old Atlas like mine, you can “turn-up” the State of Arkansas. Find Little Rock---and look for a road that heads northwest, up toward Fort Smith. Highway 64 West seems a good way to go---because I-40 is only “penciled-in” as “proposed” in this book. Your eyes pass Morrilton, and if you don’t get lost wandering around in Gala Rock or Gumoig (no population listed for these two metropolitan areas), you can fixate on a small town in the southeast corner of POPE COUNTY: ATKINS, population, 1,391.

      If one has any further interest, they can “ring-up” Gail Murdoch, Managing Editor, Atkins Chronicle and have a friendly conversation about the surrounding community. First, I inquire about the damage from the ice storms of December 2000 and January 2001. Gail answers, “Not so much damage here---but really bad to the south and southwest.” I learn that the population of Atkins is now 3,002---at least that is what the sign at the edge of town reads. Gail offers additional information: the old highschool that was there back in the 40s is long gone. A new one was built just last year. There is no longer a cotton gin in town---because not much cotton is grown in the area any longer. Soybean fields and cattle farms dot the landscape now. I ask about the old pickle plant that used to be in Atkins---and tell her that we used to purchase “RAZORBACK”-brand pickles when we lived in Iowa. She informs me that the pickle plant is thriving---having been bought-out by Dean Foods in 1983. Each May, Atkins holds a “PICKLE-FEST”, which is well-attended. I ask about the highways and any changes in ATKINS over the past few years. Gail informs me that both 64 and I-40 will bring you right to town. Some of the biggest changes are the number of new fast-food places out on the interstate access roads. I thank Gail for our nice chat!

      What in God’s name does any of this offer to interest a WILSON’S TIGER? Well if you had been around ATKINS back on July 18th, 1921, you would have heard the exciting news about a baby boy, Wilson David, being born to Mr. and Mrs. Omar Matthews.Young Wilson came to be “quite-a-boy” in that little community---and still is remembered as such! Wilson grew up on a small farm north of town and used to help his father in the operation of a cotton gin---as well as clerking in a grocery store. The townsfolk considered Wilson as one of their most popular and well-liked youths.

      Wilson took an interest in all sports at an early age. In highschool, he received “letters” in football for four years, having played first in the 10th grade in 1936---and an “extra-year” in 1939. He also lettered three years each in basketball and track for the “RED DEVILS”. Wilson was graduated from Atkins Highschool in December of 1939. He then matriculated to Arkansas Polytechnic College, at that time, a two-year institution---for the mid-term semester.

      His athletic prowess continued to develop there as a Wonder Boy, under the legendary Coach, John E. Tucker. Matthews earned ALL-AIC honors at guard and linebacker positions as a Freshman. Sportswriters acclaimed him for his crisp blocking and vicious tackling. His stellar play and leadership ability led his teammates to elect him Co-captain of the 1941 Techmen. That year, he was switched to quarterback in the Notre Dame Box formation,where performing excellently, he was honored again as ALL-AIC.

      Matthews’ off-field accomplishments included, President of the Sophomore Class, Secretary-Treasurer of the Tech Letterman’s Club and membership in College “WHO’S WHO”. Wilson completed his requirements for an “Associate Degree-Arts and Sciences” at mid-term, after the 1941 football season. He then transferred to the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and played one year under Coach George Cole in the Fall of 1942. Arkansas’offensive formation that season was termed “The Short Punt”. Wilson played quarterback-blocking back in that offensive scheme---and on defense, was always a linebacker.

      An interesting, and little-known, period in Wilson Matthews’ life was in 1943. WORLD WAR II was in full-swing. The military draft age had been lowered to 18. “Everyone” was being called into the service. Hundreds of colleges feared economic collapse without adequate numbers of students to fill empty classrooms. VIOLA! THE SAVIOR! A new military program was initiated in 1943 to assist the services in meeting their needs for commissioned officers---and to help the colleges remain open. The “V-12 NAVY COLLEGE TRAINING PROGRAM” was initiated in131 academic institutions ---one being at ARKANSAS A&M-MONTICELLO.

      Young Matthews was attending the University of Arkansas and was enrolled in the Marine Corps College Reserve Program. He was promptly assigned to the Monticello A&M V-12 Program along with many other area college students. Included in that group, were football players from Arkansas Tech, Southern Methodist University and other colleges. One among them, from Paris, Arkansas, was a young man who had played highschool football against Matthews.Charles Gray was just completing two years of varsity experience at Arkansas Tech---in one of which, he teamed with Matthews.

      During this period, Monticello had no athletic department monies, no regular football coach and no uniforms! BINGO! The University of Arkansas was looking for an opponent to play a football game---exactly 11days hence! They offered to outfit the Monticello team with uniforms---WHEN THEY ARRIVED IN FAYETTEVILLE! The A&M BOLL WEEVILS scrambled to organize a team---practiced in tennis shoes and sweats---but not in football gear---traveled to Fayetteville the following Saturday---and surprisingly, defeated the Razorbacks 20-12, in their first game of the season! WOW!

      Success followed the new “MARINE-BOLL WEEVIL” team that year. They posted a 5-2-1 record---playing other service-college teams. The two losses were to Southwest Texas University---a team composed mostly of University of Texas “Marine-players”--- and Southwest Louisiana Institute at Lafayette. S.L.I. boasted backfield star, Alvin Dark, of L.S.U. and later, professional baseball fame---Weldon Humble, Rice Institute’s giant, All-American lineman and 18 other Rice teammates!

      Arkansas A&M had tied the Louisiana “Marine-team” BULLDOGS 20-20 in a “near- hurricane”condition contest, played at old Crump Stadium-Memphis, earlier in the season. That was the only mar on the “DAWGS” record---but the tie hurt the S.L.I. team’s national image, costing them a bid to the Sugar Bowl. However, wealthy Houston businessmen created the 1st Annual OIL BOWL GAME---and invited S.L.I.’s nemesis ---the BOLL WEEVILS as opponents. The rematch was played in Houston, January 1st, 1944. The S.L.I.-MARINES prevailed, 24-7!

      The V-12 Program was a “FOOTBALL BONANZA” for the colleges and they showcased scads of All-Americans. “Crazylegs” Hirsch at Michigan, “Barney” Poole at Ole Miss and Heisman Trophy winner, Notre Dame quarterback, Angelo Bertelli---were just a few of the big names. In 1943-’44, thirteen of 25 All-Americans were Marine- affiliated players. SPORTING NEWS’ TOP-10-TEAMS included six that were Marine. Coach George Allen, entertainer, Johnny Carson and Senator, Howard Baker of Tennessee were non-famous persons that served in the V-12 Program prior to reaching their fame.

      HEY! This is supposed to be a story about Wilson Matthews and Wilson’s Tigers. Where was I, anyway?

      After the war, Matthews returned to the University of Arkansas to complete his studies for graduation.Wilson David Matthews was graduated from the University of Arkansas in the Spring of 1944. Back in those days, one usually needed a job soon after graduation from college. Matthews did---and sought one.

      Matthews accepted his first coaching position---as Head Coach---at Rogers, Arkansas ---just a hop-skip-and-jump to the north, up Highway 71 into “chicken country”. The Rogers football team posted a 7-3 record that Fall of 1944 and COACH was off-and- running toward a very successful coaching career that would span a quarter century of active, on-the-field participation!

      The Rogers stint was short-lived---one season. Raymond Burnett, also a native of Atkins, and Matthews highschool coach, was now Head Coach at Little Rock High School. Burnett called on Matthews to join him as Assistant Coach for line play. Matthews eagerly responded and was on the staff for the 1945 Tiger football season.

      Coach Matthews served the Tigers well in that capacity during the 1945 and 1946 seasons. The 1946 Team was outstanding and his contribution to their success probably had a lot to do with positioning him ideally for what was about to develop the following year. Coach Burnett was offered the coaching position at Arkansas Tech, and accepted. THE TIGER HEAD COACHING JOB BECAME VACANT! A lot of controversy ensued as to a successor. It was “rumored” about the state, that young Wilson Matthews might not be experienced enough to handle such a challenging task. Time “frittered-by”!

      Then, FINALLY, came the announcement---COACH WAS TO BE OUR COACH! THE ERA OF WILSON MATTHEWS AS HEAD COACH at LRHS was about to begin. THE WINNING TRADITION OF TIGER FOOTBALL was once again put-on-the-block! THE YEAR IS NOW 1947---but let’s drop back and PUNT!

      YES VIRGINIA, Little Rock High School football has lots of TRADITION. The Tigers have had a WINNING TRADITION which started way back in the mid-1920s. They have been winners for a long time. In August 1991, “FOOTBALL”, a publication of the Valdosta, Georgia Daily Times, ranked the TIGERS the third winningest highschool football program in America. Valdosta led with 677 all-time wins. Massillon, Ohio followed with 643 and Little Rock with 629.

      Where does all that WINNING TRADITION start? At fairly young ages, local boys are exposed to “TIGER LORE”. Moms and dads take gradeschool kids to see the highschool teams play. Most of the boys stand in awe as they see “really big guys’ magically transformed into their “super heroes”. TIGER “immortals” of early years:Cliff Shaw-’25, Coy Adams-’31, Ken Kavanaugh-’34 and Howard Hughes-’37-’38 led the way. Even some “dreaded” North Little Rock Wildcats provided impressive feats. “Giants” like Leon Halstead-’43, Raymond Combee-’44 and later, the big, old Briley brothers. No TIGER footballer ever appeared more dominant than “Jarrin-John” Hoffman-’42-’44. Why, John could have “beaten-up” Paul Bunyon, with one hand tied behind his back! This writer had the privilege of witnessing many of the aforementioned great athletes in action---a confession which really dates his age.

      Another “inspirational route” for pre-tigers was an older-brother role model. Some who come to mind are the Sanders boys, Sammy (early 40s) and Preston (‘47-’49); Mike (‘43-’44) and Bill Kumpuris (‘49-’50) and the Moores, Henry (‘50-’51) and Billy (‘55-’57). Maybe there have been father-son combos. Does anyone know about that?

      Did COACH WILSON MATTHEWS have anything to do with “carrying-on” or “building-on” TIGER TRADITION? YOU CAN BET YOUR FANCY BOOTS HE DID! As an Assistant Coach for line play, he and Head Coach Raymond Burnett directed one of the TIGERS most powerful teams (1946) to an unprecedented 14-game, undefeated season. This included winning the 1st ever Class AA Arkansas State Championship playoffs and a victory at New Orleans in the prestigious TOY BOWL CHARITY CLASSIC against Warren-Easton High. And that was just the beginning of MATTHEWS’ WINNNG WAYS!

      That the WINNING TIGER TRADITION would be strongly enforced in 1947, by then NEW HEAD COACH MATTHEWS, became quickly impressed on that years’ “recruits”. A pre-season letter to potential football candidates started out “sweet” enough: “DEAR, so an so”! Some of the guys, at first glance, thought that the letter was from their girlfriend---or maybe even from their Grandma---since it sounded so nice! However, things got down to “brass tacks” very soon: (1) Report daily at 8:30 am sharp for conditioning program; (2) Those that do not report for this program will not be issued equipment on August 20th; (3) Quit your job a week in advance; (4) Daily attendance and absolute obedience is demanded---subject to dismissal from the squad---AND HERE COMES THE TRADITION WARNING!: (5) Report for practice with DESIRE and DETERMINATION TO WIN ANOTHER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!

WITH THAT, THE DIE HAD BEEN CAST---THE GAUNTLET THROWN DOWN !

      Assistant coaches needed to be identified. They were. On the first day of practice, the team was introduced to backfield coach, CHARLES GRAY, the former Arkansas Tech, “Boll Weevil” and Razorback player. Line coach, HOWARD “HIPPO” PEARCE brought credentials as a standout L.R.H.S. TIGER in 1937, then letterman at Arkansas Tech and the University of Arkansas. At least two of the coaches were former Marines---MAYBE ALL THREE! Now we know where that infamous “gut-wrenching” and “back-breaking” “MARINE’S DREAM” calisthenic came from!

      GRAY-handsome, quiet-in-nature, always with professional decorum. Gray was a very good coach that players could relate to! PEARCE-big, lumbering-gait, slow-talking---the scowl that he sometimes put on his face, usually did not last long. It really did not seem to fit his generally mild nature. THEN, THERE WAS COACH---WE ALL KNOW COACH---so why waste words trying to “characterize” him!

      ALL THIS ASIDE---REMEMBER THAT THE MARINES HAD LANDED! It was the first practice of a NEW SEASON! A completely NEW SCENARIO for ALL CONCERNED! You could feel the TENSION!---YOU---YOUR TEAMMATES ---and THOSE THREE knew that it was time for SERIOUS BUSINESS!

      Coach Matthews’ first group of “football candidates” reported on a “scorching hot” August 20th day! These players did have it somewhat better than the previously mentioned Monticello Boll Weevils---at least they had football shoes and not tennis shoes. Football shoes with “high-tops”---and LEATHER HELMETS! If you don’t believe that---then go back and look at some of the old photographs. One might liken this bit of ancient history to the old, old Navy slogan--- “WHEN MEN OF IRON--- SAILED WOODEN SHIPS!”

      COACH’S first team went undefeated in 13 games---through the regular season and three championship playoff encounters! The 11-year record of COACH MATTHEWS (1947 through 1957) is remarkable and stands out as a benchmark in TIGER FOOTBALL HISTORY!

      MOST IMPRESSIVE---AND DEAREST TO COACH MATTHEWS---ARE THE 10 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 11 YEARS---AND THE 33-GAME WIN STREAK WITHIN HIS LAST THREE SEASONS AT LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL!

DEFINITION OF A “MATTHEWSISM”-COACH was known to use certain “pet sayings”, that he would “spew-out” during moments of excitement, disgust, frustration or “one-on-one-consultations” with a certain player that had captured his ire! These sayings are “ORIGINAL COACH” and were repeated, year-after-year, from team to team! They will be randomly scattered throughout these pages. Read them and then close your eyes---and let COACH speak them to you, again.

      From Bubba Dixon(‘49): “It is better that you died as a babe in arms, than to fumble the ball before crossing the goal!” With Coach, you did not fumble---OR BETTER NOT!

      Tie games generally cannot happen in these modern times. With “sudden-death”or other types of extended playing time---or even declaring a winner based on deepest penetrations or first downs, there is a defined WINNER and LOSER! A VICTOR and VANQUISHED! But, AU CONTRAIR, back in the “good-old-days”! NOW, LET’S TALK ABOUT “SCORELESS TIES”---A “0-0” game is quite a rarity! Most always, “inclement weather” is “THE-DEVIL-THAT-DANCES” at these games---and makes all the best laid plans turn upside down. Such was the case at the January 1st, 1947 COTTON BOWL in Dallas,Texas. Clyde Scott and “Muscles” Campbell led the Arkansas Razorbacks onto a field coated with sleet and freezing rain. Their opponent, a powerful, and heavily-favored band of L.S.U. Tigers! The day could not have been more miserably cold! The teams were outfitted with cotton gloves---old-style, one-size-fits-all. Gloves like farmers and other laborers wore in those days. Some were the familiar, stiff, white cotton “hands” with blue knit cuffs---the others were the chocolate- brown style, like most kids wore when they went sledding. It was freezing cold up in the stands. Fans could be seen going down under the stands to build fires from wooden Coca-Cola cases---in order to keep warm! That wintry afternoon, the VALIANT RAZORBACKS battled L.S.U. to a standstill ,“0-0” score!

      Why is this game of any interest toWILSON’S TIGERS? Because it is part of an intriguing story. A goodly number of LITTLE ROCK TIGERS attended that game as a “reward trip” for the, just-ended, very successful , 1946 season. In that group were COACH MATTHEWS and the player-nucleus of his first-team-to-be, the 1947 TIGERS. Little did they know at the time, that lightning-would-strike-twice---and another “0-0” game was to be on their horizon---THAT VERY YEAR!

      The other odd game unfolded ten months later, October 31st. Little Rock traveled to ElDorado for a contest in which the “double-aught-buckshot-score” would hit them, unexpectedly, square in the rear-end! As the bus pulled into ElDorado, you could almost sense that “THE-DEVIL-WOULD-DANCE” again, that night! Dark gray clouds---and a nasty, misty rain was already falling. By game time, the South Arkansas gumbo mud was clinging to extra-long cleats. Both field and football were as slick as oil in “THE OIL CITY”. The TIGERS multiple-threat passing attack proved inept. The quick, cut-back running of ElDorado’s All-State scatback, Billy Bob James, was negated. The final score was the same as the beginning score--- “0-0”!

      But this is not the end of the story. News articles the next day, highlighted a most unique and important single play! “FUQUA SAVES TOUCHDOWN”! The paraphrased sports report continued: Tiger defensive safety, Don Fuqua, prevented what seemed to be a sure touchdown. From the Wildcat 28, James passed to speedy halfback Charles Risinger, who took the ball in at the WILDCAT 40. A footrace ensued, stride-for-stride, down the far sideline. The Wildcats’ All-State end and 440 dash champion, Horace Windham, was “riding shotgun” and shielding Risinger from Fuqua. At the TIGER 10-yard-line, Windham committed a strategical error---by moving out to block Fuqua. Don pushed Windham down---and with a desperation dive, “nailed” Risinger at the Tiger 2-yard-line! The Tiger line held on two Wildcat plunges---and on the third-down attempt, fullback Ballard fumbled to end the scoring threat!

      What Drama!---A SINGLE PLAYER---ONE REMARKABLE PLAY--- A TOUCHDOWN PREVENTED---A NARROW ESCAPE FROM A LOSS. COACH’S 1ST UNDEFEATED SEASON PRESERVED!

PERHAPS, you can recall---ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL---ANOTHER PLAY---ANOTHER GAME---SOME OTHER SEASON---in which SO MUCH WAS ACCOMPLISHED! If so, tell us about it at a future gathering!