Paul Harvey - Most lopsided football game

Summary

Podcast Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode: Paul Harvey - Most Lopsided Football Game
Release Date: January 29, 2025

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Episode Summary

In this captivating episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with a riveting recount of one of the most lopsided football games in history. Titled "Paul Harvey - Most Lopsided Football Game," the episode delves into the gripping tale of the 1927 clash between the Sylvia High Mustangs and the Haven Wildcats, showcasing the sheer dominance of Haven in a game that would etch its name in sporting lore.

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Setting the Stage

The episode opens by setting the historical context of the year 1927, a time marked by significant events and personalities:

• "It was 1927. Our nation's amateur golfing champion was Bobby Jones. President Coolidge chose not to run. Al Jolson starred in the Jazz Singer. Lindbergh flew the ocean. BABE Ruth had 60 home runs." [01:00]

Amidst these notable events, the focus shifts to a seemingly ordinary high school football game in Hutchinson, Kansas, where Sylvia faces off against the formidable Haven Wildcats.

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The David vs. Goliath Matchup

Sylvia High, portrayed as the underdog, takes on Haven High, renowned for its powerful football team. The narrative builds anticipation by highlighting Haven's impressive track record:

• "Haven was one of the most powerful teams in Kansas prep school history. The Haven Wildcats had beaten several bigger schools. Newton and Bueller and Pretty Prairie and Burton." [01:00]

On Friday, November 16, 1927, expectations are set high for Haven to triumph effortlessly.

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A One-Sided Contest Unfolds

From the very first play, Haven asserts its dominance:

• "The Wildcat team on the first play handed off to halfback Elvin McCoy. He ran half the field for a touchdown. The point after was good." [01:00]

The game progresses with Haven's relentless offense:

• "Within four plays, the Wildcats had the ball again. First down, first down, first down. Touchdown conversion." [01:00]

By halftime, the score is a staggering 20 touchdowns to Sylvia's none, setting the stage for a record-breaking performance.

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Haven's Unstoppable Offense and Defense

As the game advances into the second half, Haven's strategy begins to wear down their own players due to the exhaustive nature of their offensive plays:

• "The Haven backfield is getting so tired running the ball the length of the field, that the quarterback began passing the ball to men in the line." [01:00]

Remarkably, Haven's versatility shines as every player, including tackles and guards, takes turns carrying the ball:

• "Everybody on the Wildcat team carried the ball. Tackles and guards, everybody lugged the leather." [01:00]

Defensively, Haven remains impenetrable:

• "Never was Haven stopped on downs. Not once in the game did it have to punt." [01:00]

Their flawless execution is further emphasized by their perfect record in conversion attempts:

• "Tries for conversion were good. 38 of 38." [01:00]

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The Historic Score

As the final whistle blows, the magnitude of Haven's achievement becomes clear:

• "When the final whistle blew in, the exhausted players headed for the shower. Sylvia had been shut out." [01:00]

While traditional athletic records might cite Georgia Tech's 220-0 victory over Cumberland College in 1905 as the most lopsided score, the episode reveals an even more astounding result:

• "Starting today, the record keepers will know to correct that, because Sylvia lost to Haven by the ignominious score of 256 to 0." [01:00]

This monumental victory not only sets a longstanding record for offense but also showcases a defensive prowess that remains unsurpassed.

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Legacy and Reflection

The episode concludes by reflecting on the lasting impact of this historic game:

• "Haven set a record for offense, which stands to this day, and a record for defense, which can never be improved." [01:00]

Listeners are left with a profound appreciation for the sheer dominance exhibited by the Haven Wildcats and the timeless nature of sports records that continue to inspire awe.

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Notable Quotes

• "It was David and Goliath when the Sylvia High Mustangs took on Haven's high Wildcats in 1927." [01:00]
• "Never was Haven stopped on downs. Not once in the game did it have to punt." [01:00]
• "Starting today, the record keepers will know to correct that, because Sylvia lost to Haven by the ignominious score of 256 to 0." [01:00]

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Conclusion

This episode masterfully narrates a legendary high school football game, blending historical context with an engaging storytelling approach reminiscent of Paul Harvey's iconic style. Through vivid descriptions and insightful reflections, Harold's Old Time Radio brings to life a moment when sports history was undeniably made, leaving listeners both entertained and enlightened.

Transcript

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[B]

Now the rest of the story. It was 1927. Our nation's amateur golfing champion was Bobby Jones. President Coolidge chose not to run. Al Jolson starred in the Jazz Singer. Lindbergh flew the ocean. BABE Ruth had 60 home runs. And in Hutchinson, Kansas, Sylvia played football against Haven and lost. But you must hear the rest of that story. It was David and Goliath when the Sylvia High Mustangs took on Haven's high Wildcats in 1927. Sylvia was the smaller school. Haven was one of the most powerful teams in Kansas prep school history. The Haven Wildcats had beaten several bigger schools. Newton and Bueller and Pretty Prairie and Burton. But now It's Friday. It's November 16, 1927 and the Wildcats are favored to trounce Sylvia High. And it did start out to be a one sided contest. The powerful Wildcats of haven on the first play handed off to halfback Elvin McCoy. He ran half the field for a touchdown. The point after was good. Within four plays, the Wildcats had the ball again. First down, first down, first down. Touchdown conversion. In those days, kick, run or pass was only one point. But the score is now 14 to nothing. It's beginning to appear that the Haven Wildcats are unstoppable. Once when a Sylvia player broke toward the goal line, he was intercepted by a wildcat who grabbed the ball from his hands and ran with it in the opposite direction. And he scored. The Wildcats 1927 team included names that later achieved athletic prominence Atkinson and Hirsch, Astel and Cook, Watson and Charlie Blackley. Coke and Cupy and McCoy starred later in college. But that November night in Hutchinson, Kansas, was the game they were destined ever, ever to remember. During the first half, they scored 20 touchdowns. Sylvia scored none. Now it's the second half. The Haven backfield is getting so tired running the ball the length of the field, that the quarterback began passing the ball to men in the line. Everybody on the Wildcat team carried the ball. Tackles and guards, everybody lugged the leather. Never was Haven stopped on downs. Not once in the game did it have to punt. Tries for conversion were good. 38 of 38. And when the final whistle blew in, the exhausted players headed for the shower. Sylvia had been shut out. They played 12 minute quarters in those days, but each of those was a long 12 minutes. Athletic record books are now computerized. In no sport more than in football, are the historians sticklers for preciseness. And if you punch the right button, seeking in the electronically cataloged archives for the most lopsided score in all football history, you will be advised that it was when Georgia Tech beat Cumberland College in 1905, 220 to nothing. The computer is incorrect. That is not so. Starting today, the record keepers will know to correct that, because Sylvia lost to Haven by the ignominious score of 256 to 0. And thus haven set a record for offense, which stands to this day, and a record for defense, which can never be improved. Now you know the rest of the story.