Season Three--Episode Links
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S3 E7--1979 Stephen f Austin Football Regional finalists
On the Wings of Eagles....
1979 was a Cinderella football season for the Stephen F Austin Eagles of Port Acres, Texas. Projected to finish 7th in tough District 18-2A, the Eagles overcame an 0-3 pre-district record to capture SFA's first District title since 1965.
Chuck Anderson, Ty Coburn, David Lutcher, Richard Smith, and Ricky Sonnier were senior players on that historic campaign--a campaign that influenced the future of SFA football for years to come.
Hear these seniors of that 1979 team talk with Buck about:
- Overcoming pre-season projections of a 7th place finish in District 18-2A;
- SFA's disappointing 0-3 pre-district record;
- The incredible events leading up to their district opener vs undefeated Orangefield;
- SFA's weekly march through District 18-2A;
- The Eagle's dramatic 9-7 win over Hardin-Jefferson in a winner-take-all battle for the District crown;
- SFA's 1979 Regional Finals playoff run;
- Remembrances of coaches, players, opponents, games, rivalries, and more!
"1979 was a big year in the annals of SFA football," said podcast host and SFA defensive line coach Buck Ford. "If the players on that team hadn't stepped up and accomplished what they did, I'm not sure what the future of SFA athletics would have looked like--including my own future!"
Hear about that colorful and historic season from the players themselves...
Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
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S3 E6--Ronnie thompson and todd dodge
"Ooh...let's go...
boom...boom...boom...
Another one bites the dust!"--by Queen bassist John Deacon
Coach Ronnie Thompson and quarterback Todd Dodge were football legends at Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson High School. Under Thompson's coaching genius, and Dodge's quarterbacking excellence, the #1-ranked Yellow Jackets rode the "Another One Bites the Dust" steamroller to a showdown with Odessa Permian in the 1980 State Finals.
Thompson, known for his innovative offensive philosophy, is a 1962 graduate of Thomas Jefferson, and played on their 1960 district championship team along with college and NFL coaching great Jimmy Johnson. In addition to coaching at Thomas Jefferson, he had Southeast Texas coaching stints at Vidor, Lamar University, and Port Arthur Memorial. He also coached at the University of Texas and Texas A&M as offensive coordinator, as well as many years coaching high school in the Garland area.
Dodge, along with receiver Brent Duhon, went on the secure All American honors for the Yellow Jackets, while setting numerous state and national records. In 1980, he was named The Most Outstanding Football Player in Texas. He went on to quarterback the Texas Longhorns. Afterwards, Dodge became one of Texas' most decorated high school head football coaches, winning seven state titles--all in Texas' highest classification. He won four titles at Southlake Carroll, where the Dragons went 79-1 over a five-year span. He subsequently won three state titles at Austin Westlake, before retiring at the close of 2021.
Hear these respected football greats talk with Buck and Brad about:
- Coach Thompson's years as a student athlete at Port Arthur Jefferson;
- Coach Thompson's return to Southeast Texas in 1975 to lead Vidor out of its 43-game losing streak, and turn the Pirates into winners;
- Coach Thompson's return to TJ in 1978, and his relationship with then-sophomore quarterback phenom Todd Dodge;
- The Yellow Jackets' evolution from their 1-9 team of 1978, to the "Another One Bites the Dust" State Finalist powerhouse of 1980;
- Todd Dodge's consulting work with Port Neches-Groves ISD's head coaching search, that culminated in the hiring of Jeff Joseph;
- Todd Dodge's induction into the Museum of the Gulf Coast Hall of Honor;
- Remembrances of players, opponents, games, rivalries, and more!
Are you ready? Hey are your ready for this?
Are you standing on the edge of your seat?
Out on the gridiron, the Jackets fly,
Swarmin' to the sound of the beat, yeah!
boom...boom...boom...
Another one bites the dust!
Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
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S3 E5--allen wrinkle
"Runnin' down a dream...that never would come to me...
Workin' on a mystery...goin' where ever it leads...
Runnin' down a dream..."--Tom Petty
Allen Wrinkle, one of Texas' premiere ultra trail runners, is here to talk with us about a few of his many experiences seeking out challenges that push the envelope of human endeavor. Hear Allen talk with Buck and Wanda Carole about:
- his running inspirations;
- his early years marathon experiences, including Houston, Austin, and Beaumont's Gusher;
- his Ironman finishes;
- running iconic ultra 100-milers, including Western States, Leadville, and Bear;
- his groundbreaking solo run at the 2009 Texas Independence Relay, a 200-plus mile course that starts at Gonzales, Texas, and finishes at the San Jacinto monument;
- his adventures running exotic ultras, including La Ultra the High in the Himalayas of India, and running across Tennessee in the Volunteer State Run;
- and other topics!
Do you have a dream? Do you wonder if dreams can come true? Wonder no more!!...
Listen to this inspiring podcast about the pursuit of dreams, and yes, they can come true!
Check it out!
Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
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S3 E4--Coach butch troy
"Always be Faithful...
To Purple and White..."
No one exemplified these words more than Beaumont High graduate and longtime PN-G educator Butch Troy.
Hear Coach Troy, in his last public communication, talk with Buck and Brad about:
- pitching the Beaumont High Royal Purples to the 1959 state baseball championship;
- pursuing his dreams of playing professional baseball;
- hiring on at Port Neches Junior High in 1965;
- his years as head baseball coach at PN-G;
- his years as an assistant football coach under Coaches Ken Watson and Doug Ethridge at PN-G;
- his years as head coach at PN-G;
- his love for his family; the players, students, and colleagues worked with; and Port Neches-Groves ISD;
- and other topics!
Be ready to laugh--and cry--and feel all the emotions in-between as Coach Troy tells his story with humor, integrity, and love.
Rest in Peace Coach Troy. Thank you for the enduring legacy you left behind.
Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
Click "Link to Page" to go to Podcast and Picture Pages
S3 E3--Stephen f austin hs--1986 state football semifinalists
"I want to fly like an Eagle, let my spirit carry me..."
The Stephen F. Austin High School Eagles of Port Acres, Texas, did just that in 1986, as they soared through a season of triumph, culminating in a historic State Semifinal matchup with Cuero and its sophomore phenom Robert Strait.
Hear SFA seniors Kenny Ford, Allen Griggie, Kevin Henry, Damon Martin, and Derek Moore talk with Buck (who was an assistant coach for the Eagles) about that 1986 season, including remembrances about:
- attending Stephen F Austin High School in the mid-1980s;
- the 1985 Regional Finalist team, and its impact on the 1986 team;
- pre-district and district games;
- the 1986 playoff run;
- thoughts on SFA educators, coaches, players, and opponents;
- and other topics!
Be ready to laugh--and cry--and feel all the emotions in-between as Coach Troy tells his story with humor, integrity, and love.
Rest in Peace Coach Troy. Thank you for the enduring legacy you left behind.
Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
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S3 E2--Greg davis
Championship Fridays and Championship Saturdays...
Greg Davis, legendary Port Neches-Groves High School graduate, talks about his storied football career, including:
- his years as a student at Woodlawn Junior High and PN-G;
- quarterbacking the Indians on their 1968 District Championship run;
- his return to PN-G as offensive coordinator, where the Indians won a State title in 1975, made a Semifinal appearance in 1976, and another Final appearance in 1977;
- his career in collegiate coaching;
- his seven years at Texas A&M as an assistant working under Emory Bellard, Tom Wilson, Jackie Sherrill, and alongside R C Slocum;
- his thirteen years as offensive coordinator at the University of Texas under Mack Brown;
- his insights into Texas legends Darrell Royal, Ricky Williams, Vince Young, and Colt McCoy, among others;
- his recollections of the Longhorns' National Championship win vs #1 USC in 2005;
- his thoughts on other memorable Texas matchups, including their win vs Michigan in the 2004 Rose Bowl, and their loss to Alabama in the 2008 National Championship game;
- his family, and other topics!
So, sit back and bask...
Always be Faithful, to Purple and White;
The Spirit of Aggieland;
The Eyes of Texas are Upon You...and more...
Right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
Click "Link to Page" to go to Podcast and Picture Pages
S3 E1--memorial day 2023
Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is set aside for honoring and mourning the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
We at Down Trails of Victory podcast are privileged to present our tribute to the heroes of Memorial Day by telling the story of one of Southeast Texas’ heroes, Army First Lieutenant Bruce Churan. Bruce, a 1966 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School, is one of the 58,318 names inscribed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Joining Buck and Brad in this special Memorial Day podcast is Bruce’s brother Charles Churan, and Ohio native Jeffrey Coburn, who served with Bruce in the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division light observation helicopter unit in Vietnam.
Bruce’s story is not only a commemoration of his sacrifice, it is also a tribute to the 1.3 million American men and women who have died in service to our country, and the hundreds of millions of lives that they touched.
In a special tribute, the podcast salutes each Southeast Texas city and Vietnam hero by calling their names on a roll of honor. These names are posted following the picture gallery on this website.
May God bless the families and comrades of our deceased heroes;
May God bless Southeast Texas; and
May God bless America.
The Podcast Team
Dr. Jon Buck Ford--Host
Buck is a 1973 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School. He has written two books pertaining to SE Texas history: On the Wings of Eagles: The Story of Stephen F. Austin Football 1979 - 1988, and Down Trails of Victory: The Story of Port Neches-Groves High School Football. Buck retired after 40 years in Texas Public Schools, as an English teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent. He enjoys spending time with his wife Wanda Carole (Wrinkle), playing the piano, traveling, and researching genealogy.
Judge Brad Burnett--Podcast Partner
Judge Brad Burnett is a 1973 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School, His career includes previous positions as a real estate broker, and as a plant manager at US Intec. Judge Burnett has devoted his life to serving Southeast Texas. He served three terms on the PN-G ISD school board, before his election as Justice of the Peace of Jefferson County Pct. 7, a position he has held since 2002. Judge Burnett is active in many community organizations, and is in constant demand as a speaker for civic, school, and church groups. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Teresa (Lee), and has three "awesome" grandkids. From the book Down Trails of Victory, "(Brad) was a constant encourager throughout the years as I worked on the book. He believed in me and my dream, and his support gave me confidence in myself. He attended many of the panel interviews with former players, and we had a continual dialogue over the years about the status of the book. ...Thank you, Brad," page ix. --Dr. Jon Buck Ford
Wanda Carole Wrinkle Ford Producer
Wanda Carole Wrinkle Ford was born in Mamou, Louisiana, and lived in Southeast Texas for 40 years. She graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont as a Registered Nurse in 1990. She is multi-talented with a diverse background and range of experiences. In addition to being a song writer and award-winning photographer, she also served as publisher and editor of the best selling book Down Trails of Victory, without whose help the book never would have been written. Wanda Carole specializes in wildlife photography, enjoys traveling, gardening, helping her friends and family, genealogy, playing the piano, and undertaking new challenges.