FRONT ROW:  Motie Wiggins, Cleve Clark, Tommy Mansfield, Don Shephard, Leslie "Bubba" Whitaker, Robert "Goo Goo" Heidt, and Harry Tallman

 

BACK ROW:  Coach Pat Field, Jimmy Starr, Price Lee Westbrook, Jerry Clark, Johnny Paulk, Billy Whittle, Howard Law, Harold Dean Cook, Jimmy Houston, Lee Payton, Jimmy Peak, Mgr. and Jack Olds

The photo was taken in 1952 after Albany had defeated Richmond Academy of Augusta for the South Georgia AA Championship. You can recognize quarterback Mack Garrett to the rear of Coach Reid. To the right is center Harold Dean Cook. Peeking over Coach Reid`s shoulder is Billy Baumgartel. You can see just parts of his number (2) . The final score was 15 to 14. The game ended in a tie and Albany won on the Penetration System used to resolve ties. Albany gained 5 yards or so more than Richmond Academy  Richmond Academy tied the game in the final minute or so. When Albany got the ensuing kickoff everyone expected them to throw the ball. They didn`t. Billy Baumgartel ran the ball and gained 10 yards or so. This was the difference in the game.

 

What is remarkable is that Albany did this without Goo Goo Heidt. He had injured his knee a couple of games before and did not play. I remember he dressed but remained on the sidelines. It would have been a much diferent game had he played. Albany lost the State Championship the next week to Murphy of Atlanta. Had Goo Goo been able to play......there would have been another trophy in the well-stocked trophy case in the gym.

 

Bobby Mallard ('55)