Notable People, Lost Tales, and Forgotten Facts of Oil City, Louisiana: Oil City High Football

The 1926 Oil City football had a successful season, winning (at least) five games; and even briefly laid claim for the right to play for the Louisiana state championship. A season recap follows:

Oil City over Vivian

The score is not known, but was a victory by a large margin for Oil City as well as a shutout per later articles (noted below).

Oil City 13, Shreveport High JV 0

At the time, it was common for Oil City and other small schools to play the junior varsity of much larger Shreveport High, later renamed C. E. Byrd High after the long-time Caddo Parish school superintendent.

Shreveport Times 10-Oct-1926, Page 1

Oil City over Ringgold

As with Vivian, the score of this scheduled OC home game is not known, save that it was a shutout win for Oil City.

Oil City 40, Hosston 0

The lineup was identified in the article that follows. First names where listed were found in articles of the day about other school and/or scouting activities.

L E - Olin Byrd

L T - Huckabay

LG - Willard Skinner

C - Loyce or Lindell Collins (brothers)

RG - Dimple Ard

RT - Charlie Jacobs

RE - Womack

LH - Lloyd McKenzie

FB - Joe Almokary

RH - Billy Mayfield

QB - Duncan Charles Gunn

Substitute: T - J. C. Peddy

The coach was W. T. Bennett. Little could be found about him other than his being at Oil City for the 1926-1927 school year where he also taught "laboratory" (presumably science - biology, chemistry, etc.).

Times 24-Oct-1926, Page 16

Oil City 27, Mansfield 0

Star fullback and team captain Joe Almokary scored four touchdowns in yet another shutout victory, this time against Mansfield.

Times 07-Nov-1926, Page 8

Citing the team's impressive victories to that point, Principal Lafe W. Ferguson staked claim to play in the state title game. At the time there were no playoffs or classifications. Much like the college Bowl Championship Series (BCS), at season's end two teams were selected to compete with the winner crowned state champs.

Times 17-Nov-1926, Page 17

Principal Lafe W. Ferguson

1968 OCJH Bengal (yearbook)

Among the players mentioned by Principal Ferguson was Harold Dimple Ard, shown below as a member of the 1929 Stephen F Austin State football team.

1930 SFA Stone Fort (yearbook), Page 104

St. John's 20, Oil City 6

Unfortunately, just two days after Mr. Ferguson's claim was published, the Oilers went down to defeat, and gave up their first points of the year, falling to the "Saints" of St. John of Shreveport. Conspicuously absent from the lineup was Joe Almokary. Two new players were mentioned - left tackle Clare Fowler and fullback Murray, the latter playing where Joe should have been.

Times 20-Nov-1926, Page 14

Where Was Joe?

Why Almokary did not participate in the St. John's game was not disclosed. That certainly was a major factor in the outcome though, and abruptly ended hopes of the team receiving a championship bid. He was never mentioned in connection with Oil City football again, though he did later participate in basketball; and was the school's one-man track team the following spring. Was he injured? Was there outside tampering to "encourage" him not to play? There is not information to answer these questions, but the following is known.

A source whose uncle was a team mate of Joe's in 1926, and played against him the following year, stated Almokary was recruited by Shreveport High, where he transferred for 1927-1928. Shreveport was also under consideration for the 1926 title game and OC's bid, combined with Principal Ferguson's challenge for a game with the varsity (having beaten the JV already), would certainly have been at least a nuisance to the Yellow Jackets and their own ambitions. The St. John's loss made that moot. Also, continued playing for OC would risk potential injury. Joe was just blooming into a very special athlete worthy of a bigger stage, and looking forward from that time would certainly help Shreveport/Byrd efforts toward future championship runs.

His family remained in Oil City and articles even mentioned his being from there while on the Shreveport/Byrd team. Apparently attendance boundaries and transfer rules were rather loose. Or perhaps he was placed with a family in the city during the school term.

Below Joe is shown as a member of the 1927 Byrd High team. Playing for the "Junior Jackets" that year he scored seven touchdowns and kicked seven extra points in a lopsided 86-0 route of his former team mates. He went on to become one of the top high school players in the south and a three year letterman at LSU.

1928 Shreveport High Gusher (yearbook), Page 89

Oil City vs. Mooringsport

The outcome of this game, scheduled for Thanksgiving Day at Oil City, is not known. Interestingly, Mooringsport at that time was known as the "Wildcats."

Post-Season Honors

Joe Almokary received honorable mention for All-State, as did the OC team as a state title contender.

Times 28-Nov-1926, Page 15

Banquet

At season's end, the home economics class and teacher June Courtney held a banquet to honor the team as well as the North Caddo League champion girls basketball team.