by Mary E. Mortimer
From 1914 to 1916 the Bellefontaine and Urbana high school football teams played each other on Thanksgiving Day. The games were played in some of the worst weather conditions. When the field was wet, mud packed in their cleats making it hard to run and they wore thermal underwear to ward off the cold.
The first year, Urbana defeated Bellefontaine 12 to 6. The second year, Bellefontaine lost to Urbana 10 to 7, however, Bellefontaine came back strong in 1916 beating Urbana 31 to 0. Earlier in the season they beat Urbana 53 to 0. The teams did not play each other from 1917 to 1921, possibly due to World War I and the flu epidemic between 1918 and 1920.
In 1922, Bellefontaine and Urbana renewed their football rivalry. That year, Bellefontaine beat Urbana 31 to 0 early in the season. Urbana was victorious on Thanksgiving Day with a 20 to 0 score.
The next year, Bellefontaine won 13 to 0 at home on a wet and slippery field in driving rain that completely soaked the players and fans. Bellefontaine scored their first touchdown early in the first quarter. On a blocked a punt, Bellefontaine’s Webster took it to the five-yard line. Urbana’s linesmen could not hold Bellefontaine back in the slippery mud and Richey scored. Richey, who was also the kicker, missed the extra point.
Bellefontaine scored another touchdown in the second quarter after Urbana fumbled the ball. Fitzpatrick ran it in for the score and Richey kicked the extra point. The field was so muddy they called time out about every few minutes so they could clean the football. Players on both teams were covered with mud.
The 1924 Thanksgiving Day game was played at 10:00 am so the players and fans could all be home with their families for Thanksgiving dinner. Urbana won the game 27 to 0.
Bellefontaine beat Urbana 18 to 0 on Thanksgiving Day in 1925 before a record 2,500 fans at Bellefontaine stadium. Bellefontaine scored early in the first quarter when Dowell rushed for a touchdown. The second quarter was scoreless, but Bellefontaine was able to score in the third and fourth quarters. The Urbana Daily Citizen reported after the game, “The sportsmanship displayed is deserving of comment, for the game was exceptionally clean and free from objectionable features, which usually mar games in which the rivalry is so keen. The joint band concert, between the halves, showed the true spirit of fellowship existing between the two schools.”
In 1926, Bellefontaine beat Urbana 14 to 0 in regular season and then 12 to 0 on Thanksgiving Day. This was the first time they won a game at Urbana’s stadium.
In 1927, the Tecumseh High School Athletic League was formed with Bellefontaine, Urbana, Marysville, and London. In the spring of 1928, London withdrew because they felt their school was not large enough to compete. Delaware joined the Tecumseh league in 1929.
Bellefontaine beat Urbana 7 to 0 on Thanksgiving Day game at their home stadium in 1927. The next year, after losing the annual Thanksgiving Day game four years in a row, Urbana beat Bellefontaine 14 to 0.
The 1929 Thanksgiving Day game ended in a scoreless tie. The game was played at Bellefontaine stadium before an estimated 3,000 fans. The playing field was covered with several inches of snow and driving winds. It was a hard-fought battle in terrible conditions.
The 1930 football game ended on a controversial play that ended their Thanksgiving Day tradition. The Bellefontaine Daily Examiner reported on November 28, 1930, “The below freezing game was played at Urbana before a weather braving crowd estimated at 1,500 persons on a field covered entirely with hard-packed snow. The melee supplied every type of football thrill. But throughout was the gradually convincing indication that the hosts had the better-performing team.
The fourth period was well underway when Humphrey got off a fine, long punt that rolled and rolled to Urbana’s 27-yard line where it stopped. Milliard Murphy, Bellefontaine left end, was among the Bellefontaine players down the field after the punt. It seemed several seconds elapsed, then Murphy dropped to one knee, put his hand on the ball and to all intents and purposes, legally and intentionally, grounded the ball. The officials did not blow the ball dead. As players from both teams gathered around, Urbana’s half-back, Scott, saw the ball unguarded, swept in and scooped it up and ran 73 yards for a touchdown.
Players scattered from one end of the field to another, and spectators began swarming on the gridiron. Bellefontaine’s Coach Harry A. Dodd questioned the official and when he received the answer told his team to leave the field and the game was forfeited.
Referee Yantis said he “was waiting on the umpire to signal the ball dead.” Yantis said he was too far from the ball to see what the situation was and had not blown the whistle awaiting the ruling of the umpire. The official score was then 1 to 0 in Urbana’s favor. The actual score was Urbana 18 and Bellefontaine 0.
There were no outstanding stars on the Bellefontaine team, but every player showed a quality of bravery against unusual odds that made many hearts glow with pride. Burry, who played harder than ever despite the loss of blood from a blow in the mouth that knocked three teeth out, and Wooley, whose torn right knee went completely “out” on him in the first few minutes of the game, and others suffering from injuries and hurts of long standing, were among those brave players.”
Because of the controversy, the Tecumseh league was dissolved in December 1930 and the Thanksgiving Day tradition between Bellefontaine and Urbana was cancelled.
Visit the Logan County History Center at 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History. The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
