1955 Eagles District Championship Team Honored During Pre-Game Festivities

The 1955 Eagle Pass High School Eagles District 29-AA Championship Team players, coaches, and managers were fittingly honored 55 years later on Friday, October 15, 2010, during pre-game festivities of the Eagles versus Del Rio High School Rams football game at the Eagle Pass Independent School District (EPISD) Student Activity Center.

The head coach of the 1955 Eagles varsity football team was Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame Coach Cozel Foster, who attended the pre-game festivities together with his lovely wife, Martha Foster.  Also attending was Coach Robert “Toby” Booth, who coached the linebackers and resides in Eagle Pass.

Members of the 1955 Eagles District 29-AA Championship Team attending the ceremony were Perry Cox, who earned All-District honors as an end and linebacker and resides in Granbury, Texas; Jose “Bull” De La Fuente, who played guard and defensive line and resides in Houston, Texas; Bill Hester, who played running back and defensive back and resides in Houston, Texas; Enrique “Gorilla” Ibarra, who earned All-State honors as an offensive tackle and defensive tackle and resides in Eagle Pass; Jim Johnson, who played center and nose tackle and resides in Seguin, Texas; Curtis Kirchner, who played tackle and linebacker and resides in Bastrop, Texas; Ellis “Doc” Mason, who played end and resides in Gonzales, Texas; Jesus Mendoza, who played  running back and linebacker and resides in Castroville, Texas; Gilberto Meza, who played end and defensive back and resides in San Antonio, Texas; Eduardo “Chief” Rodriguez, who earned All-District honors as a running back and linebacker and resides in Uvalde, Texas; Carlos Roman, who played running back and defensive back and resides in Eagle Pass; and Antonio “Moose” Munoz, who was the team manager.

1955 Eagles team members unable to attend but also honored included Armando Cortez, who played running back; Joe Fuentes, who played running back; Donald McCutchen, who played guard; Willie Morin, who played tackle and defensive tackle; Mario Sanchez, who was a team manager; and Jimmy Turnbow, who earned All-District honors as quarterback and defensive back.

Other 1955 Eagles Team members and coaches honored but who have passed away included Marcy Barrow, who played fullback; Sergio “Satch” Cerna, who played end and defensive end; Frank Chisum, who played quarterback and defensive back; Allan DeWald, who played tackle and defensive tackle; Juan Flores, who played running back; Eddie Jones, who played end; Bobby Slaughter, who played quarterback and defensive back; Hoyt Ernest, who was an offensive line coach; John Green, who was an offensive line coach and trainer; and Malcolm Robbins, who was a defensive line coach.

The 1955 Eagles team members, coaches, and managers received a deservedly standing ovation from the over 4,000 fans in attendance.