Here is a special treasure to those who identify with the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas: the actual Sunday morning report of the 1939 game as published by the Charlotte Observer, word for word.

This story bring back out of the past the facts and excitement of  each contest.  As Richard Oppel, Editor of the Observer suggests, they also reflect the changing nature of sports journalism over the past 50 years.

The articles are Copyright. The Charlotte Observer, and are reprinted with permission, also with the permission of Mr. Walter J. Klein who authored our Book “A Bowl Full Of Miracles.”

We thank them for their generosity so that we might share with you.  

 



1939

BRIDWELL LEADS S.C. TO 12 – 0 VICTORY

Parker High Flash Gets Both Tallies

Runs 77 Yards for First Touchdown and Bucks Over Second – Eight Thousand See Palmetto Team Outplay Tar Hells  -- Smith and Hussey Shine For Losers

By Sam Miller

Tiny Ansel Bridwell, a mercury – heeled 140 pounder from Parker High School, Greenville, snatched a towering punt in the early moments of the game here yesterday and stole out down the sidelines 77 yards to start his South Carolina teammates on a victorious 12 to 0 march over North Carolina.

The third annual Shrine benefit game for the Crippled Children’s Hospital in Greenville was unraveled before a fine turnout of 8,000 in the American Legion Memorial stadium, which pits yearly the best high school seniors in the Carolinas.

Hardly had the audience become accustomed to their seats and before latecomers had arrived, the young speedster from the outskirts of Greenville, his knees pumping like pistons, scampered beautifully to touchdown glory behind devastating blocking.  The Tar Heels never fully recovered from the sudden burst although they managed to hold their own in the final half.

The Sandlappers exploded for another tally in the second quarter and the same Bridwell was given the touchdown honors.  This however was much harder than the first, the South Carolinas jogging along the ground after recovering a loose ball on the opponents 42-ribbon.  Bridwell finally bucked it over.

Great Blocking

Credit most of the Palmetto success to a superb brand of blocking North Carolina’s inability to clear the way for the ball carrier cost them many scoring chances.  Throwing the ball with abandon, the Tar Hells did make the contest thrilling and threatened on several occasions to cross the double stripe.

North Carolina attempted 20 passes, connecting on mine for 135 yards.  Their opposition did not try a single overhead.  The total yardage here helped offset the 127 to 50 yards the South Carolinas gained from scrimmage.  The Heels led in the first downs 9-4.

Hugh Cox of Camden ably assisted the swift, Bridwell in the diversified South Carolina attack.  Jack Schuyler of Florence called a smart game from his wingback spot and Big Jim Elvington, Lakeview’s contribution, conformed considerably when Big Glenn Painter of Asheville was injured early in the first period

Conspicuous in the valiant line play was bruising Jack Hussey of High Point and Jake Poole of Charlotte.  The former used repeatedly his height and reach on rival runners when invading his territory.  He was a continual target for the passers and pulled in seven of the nine completions.  Poole broke through time and again to slow up or nail the fast Palmettoes

Early Start

Two plays after Elvington had kicked off to Brewer, whatever small favorites the North State Lads had been made in pregame dope, such judgment was soon scuttled.  Smith, standing on his 29 lofted a high kick to Bridwell on his 23. North Carolina’s slow forwards lumbered down the left side of the field with Bridwell reversing to the opposite side.  In the meantime a wave of blockers had assembled and escorted their hero into the Promised Land.  Brewer as the last man tried desperately to outmaneuver the interferers but all in vein.  Cox’ placement boot for the conversion was wide of its mark.

A few moments later Bridwell could easily have become the goat when he fumbled a Smith 55 – yard kick on his own 25 where Hussey recovered.  Brewer fired over the line to Hussey for a first on the 15. The Winston-Salem flash cracked off tackle three times to plant the pigskin on the eight.  A fourth down pass into the end zone was broken up and South Carolina had repulsed the most serious threat of the afternoon.

 Cox pulled his team out of a bad hole by sending a bounding kick to the N.C. 45.  A bad pass from center on the first play escaped Brewer and Bud Abel of Columbia recovered on the 42.  This break led directly to another score in the opening minutes of the second session.

 Cox pulled his team out of a bad hole by sending a bounding kick to the N.C. 45.  A bad pass from center on the first play escaped Brewer and Bud Abel of Columbia recovered on the 42.  This break led directly to another score in the opening minutes of the second session.

Coach Tom Young’s cohorts opened up a bewildering passing attack near the half gun that threatened to break the ice.  Jordan passes 20 yards to Hussey before Smith nestled the ball in the same flanker’s arms for a 35-yard gain.   Brewer took over and barely missed L. M. Dodd with an overhead as the half ended.

The last half was comparatively even as far as rival scoring threats were concerned.  Once South Carolina penetrated to the 14 before the ball was relinquished and on another occasion North Carolina surged to the 19.  The lineups were cluttered with reserves as the game drew to a close.

Lee Rhame, Bill Dillard and Sam Levine coached the winning eleven while Tom Young, Tom Burnette and Teeny Lafferty guided the Tar Heels.