Remembering the Undefeated 1967 Fulton Falcons

By: Russell Mayes  

KNOXVILLE, (8/21) Fulton High School is honoring the 40^th anniversary of one of its greatest teams, the undefeated 1967 Falcons. In addition to being the only undefeated team in school history (10-0-1), the ’67 team earned the KFL “AA” championship, defeated Morristown High in the Optimist Bowl, and concluded the season ranked as the number 6 team overall in the state. 1967 was the high point of Coach Lon Herzbrun’s rebuilding effort at Fulton. Herzbrun had revitalized the Fulton program from the time of his hiring in 1963. Prior to the ’67 season, his teams earned three consecutive bowl bids, a KFL championship in 1965, a Jaycee Bowl victory over Loudon in 1966, and the grand opening of Fulton Stadium/Falcon Field. Herzbrun’s teams at Fulton were known as the “Mighty Mites”; undersized teams that relied on speed and toughness. The ’67 version of the Mighty Mites was not expected to challenge for a KFL championship. The coaching staff had to find a way to replace 19 seniors from the ’66 squad, and develop an offensive backfield led by mostly juniors. Captains Skipper Bean and Steve Sparks, along with linebacker Jackie Walker provided senior leadership and playmaking ability. Despite the uncertain outlook for the 1967 season, the Falcons bonded together to overcome the odds, and complete one of the most memorable teams in school history.

The 1967 opener was a huge success, as the Falcons put up 25 fourth quarter points in a 45-7 victory over Rule. Seven Falcons scored touchdowns for Fulton, and the defense held the Bears to only 67 yards of offense. Fourth quarters belonged to the Mighty Mites in 1967. A touchdown run by Bean with two minutes left in the game gave the Falcons an important 6-0 victory at Sevier Co. in week two. The defense continued its strong play in the third game. The Falcons shut out Powell 19-0, as Bean added two more TD runs. It was the first time the Panthers had been shutout in 15 games. The Battle of North Knoxville was next, as Fulton faced undefeated and third-ranked Central High at Pruden Field.  The Bobcats were fresh off a victory over second-ranked Johnson City. An overflow crowd witnessed another defensive struggle at Central. Jackie Walker turned in one of the finest defensive efforts in Fulton history, recording 33 tackles. The outcome was again decided in the fourth quarter. After stopping Central inside the 10-yard line, Fulton put together a game winning 83-yard drive led by shifty 133-pound QB Larry Brock. Brock used both his scrambling and passing ability to keep the drive alive. Facing a third and six situation at the Central ten-yard line, Brock rolled out to pass. No one was open, and Brock scampered into the end zone to give the Falcons the winning 7-0 margin. Fulton staged a remarkable 12-point comeback the next week to salvage a 12-12 tie vs. Holston on homecoming. After a win over Clinton and a hard-fought 19-13 victory over Young at Duff Field, the Falcons were 6-0-1, and ready for their toughest test.

Oak Ridge had long been a thorn in the side of the Fulton program. The Wildcats were a perfect 9-0 against Fulton prior to the 1967 match-up, only allowing the Falcons a total of 19 points. The Mighty Mites were crushed by a 30-7 decision in Oak Ridge the previous year. Many people believed that Oak Ridge would be the team to end the Falcons’ undefeated season. Once again, the game would be decided in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons recorded the initial blow of the game, as Fulton running back Ed Taylor dashed 82-yards through the Wildcat secondary to give Fulton a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Maroon and White were efficient on the ground in the game, rushing for 244 yards. Oak Ridge closed the score to 7-6 in the second quarter, but Fulton was able to block the extra-point attempt after an offsides penalty negated a missed extra-point on the previous conversion try.  Fulton’s only completed pass of the night was a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Brock to Vince Ingle. Walker’s extra-point kick was good and Fulton led 14-6. On the next Oak Ridge drive, Walker cemented his legacy in Fulton football lore. Most die-hard Fulton fans can tell you all about the night that a vicious Walker hit put an Oak Ridge player in St. Mary’s Hospital. Wildcat running back Danny Sutton rolled out with the football around mid-field. Deciding to pass or throw, Sutton paused for a split second, allowing Walker size up the Wildcat. Walker had almost ten yards of open field between him and Sutton. Walker closed quickly, and met Sutton who had just turned up the field. Walker’s body blow knocked both players out of the game, and Sutton spent the night at St. Mary’s. The Wildcats answered with a 46-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-13. Fulton recovered the bloop onside kick and ran out the clock on one of the biggest victories in school history.

Much work was still to be done for the ’67 Falcons following the Oak Ridge triumph. The Falcons clinched the KFL championship the next week with a 23-19 victory over Bearden. Linebacker Butch Sprain was the hero of the Bearden win. Sprain blocked four Bearden punts in the game and forced a safety. Following the Bearden win, the team accepted a berth in the Thanksgiving-day Optimist Bowl against Morristown. Fulton wiped out Oliver Springs 28-0 in the regular season finale to finish the regular season 9-0-1. Fulton again was a major underdog against the Morristown Hurricanes. Morristown was undefeated in the Optimist Bowl, but Fulton dominated from start to finish in the 27-6 victory. QB Larry Brock shredded the Hurricanes through the air, completing 12 of 19 passes for 174 yards. Fulton scored on its first drive of the game as Brock hit end David Holt on his first of two touchdown catches. Ed Taylor and Tommy Cook added touchdown runs for Fulton. The defense shined again, as Fulton held Morristown to zero rushing yards. Walker earned defensive MVP honors, leading the Falcons in tackles, and adding two interceptions. Walker would go on to earn all-state honors in 1967.

The 1967 Fulton Falcons overcame injuries, inexperience, and lack of size to become the only team in Fulton history to complete an undefeated season. Coach Lon Herzbrun’s Mighty Mites truly represent one of the greatest chapters in Fulton football history.