Team of the Century

Abilene High was named the Texas High School Football "Team of the Century" in 1999 by the Dallas Morning News.

A look at how and why that happened.

The Warbirds of Abilene High have won a Grand Total of 7 State Championships (1923-1928-1931-1954-1955-1956-2009) and 2 Runner-ups (1922-1927). This included 3 Straight Championships (1954-1955-1956) with 49 Straight Wins. In seven seasons under Head Coach Chuck Moser, Abilene's record was 78-7-2.

West Texas Storm - a well written newspaper article of how Abilene won those 49 consecutive games in the 1950s and why it was named the "Team of the Century" and a clue as to why it didn't win the 4th straight State Championship.

From the Texas Sports Hall of Fame a webpage dedicated to Coach Chuck Moser and his Teams - contains lots of info, videos and photos. In these pages is very special video, by our own Michael Grant, about the Team of the Century, describing his book, "Warbirds: How They Played the Game."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of the talent that AHS Eagles possessed during its 49-game winning streak between 1954 and 1957 are listed below. Despite some great individual talent, these wins were truly Team wins.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name, Position played

...................................................

Chuck Moser (1918 - 1995), Head Coach

Wally Bullington, Asst. Coach

Shorty Lawson (1922 - 2010), Asst. Coach

Bob Swafford, End (1957) Went to Texas tech on track a scholarship.

Jim Perry, Tight End/Defensive Back (1957) An all-state safety who went on to play at West Texas State and with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.

Jim Millerman, Running Back (1954-55) All-state running back, went on to play at Baylor.

Glynn Gregory (1939 - 2013), Running Back (1955-56) Two-time all state RB, went on to play with SMU and then 3 years with the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL before his career was cut short by an injury. Glynn played both ways at AHS as well as being the extra point kicker also was a 3 sport letterman.

Stuart Peake, Offensive Line (1954-56) A star lineman who went on to play at the University of Texas.

H. P. Hawkins, Quarter Back (1954) Threw 56 yard game-winning TD pass in 1954 title game to Twyman Ash, went on to play college ball and was coaching at Abilene High in 1998.

Twyman Ash, Wide Receiver (1954) Caught game-winning TD pass in 1954 title game, went on to play at Rice, then returned to AHS to coach and teach.

John Thomas, Nose Guard (1954) All-state as a Nose Guard, went on to play at Houston and later McMurry.

Jim Welch (video), FullBack/Defensive Back (1955) Went on to play as a DB at SMU and the Baltimore Colts, with nine seasons in the National Football League.

Rufus Paul King (1938 - 2005), Offensive Line (1956) Went on to play at Rice with his younger brother, Boyd. Rufus King (video)

Boyd King (1939 - 2000), Offensive Line (1956) Played with his older brother, Rufus on AHS '56 team, also played with him at Rice.

Harold "Hayseed" Stephens (1938 - 2003), Quarter Back (1956) Went on to play at Hardin-Simmons under Sammy Baugh. Was QB for the 1962 New York Titans of the American Football League.

Mike Bryant, Offensive Line (1956-57) All-state in '57; went on to play at SMU.

Jimmy Carpenter, Running Back (1955-56) A Texas High School Hall of Fame running back who went on to play at Oklahoma for Bud Wilkinson.

Sam Caudle, Offensive Line (1955) Went on to play at SMU.

Elmo Cure, Offensive Line (1954-55) Center played at SMU and McMurry. His twin siblings, Faye and Wray Cure graduated AHS in 1960.

Fred Green, Defensive End/Defensive End (1955) Went on to play at the University of Houston.

David Bourland, Defensive Back/Quarter Back (1954-55) Went to Texas Tech on football/baseball scholarship.

John Young, Offensive Line (1956-57) Went on to play at UTEP.

Jim Rose, Offensive Line (1955-56) All-state center, went on to play at UT.

Henry Colwell, Running Back (1955) Went on to play at ACU.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright & Disclaimer

Return to Home page

Abilene High was named the Texas High School Football "Team of the Century" in 1999 by the Dallas Morning News.

West Texas Storm - a well written newspaper article of how Abilene won those 49 consecutive games in the 1950s and why it was named the "Team of the Century" and a clue as to why it didn't win the 4th straight State Championship.

From the Texas Sports Hall of Fame a webpage dedicated to Coach Chuck Moser and his Teams - contains lots of info, videos and photos. In these pages is very special video, by our own Michael Grant, about the Team of the Century, describing his book, "Warbirds: How They Played the Game."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some of the talent that AHS Eagles possessed during its 49-game winning streak between 1954 and 1957 are listed below. Despite some great individual talent, these wins were truly Team wins.

Name, Position played

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of the talent that AHS Eagles possessed during its 49-game winning streak between 1954 and 1957 are listed below. Despite some great individual talent, these wins were truly Team wins.