Lexington School District 2 Release: 

It was 1966. That was an amazing football season for the Brookland-Cayce High School Bearcats.   The season opened with three wins, then one loss.  The season concluded with seven straight wins.

To the astonishment of the players, coaches, and fans, BC’s defense only gave up 34 points to opposing teams that season.  The Bearcats had eight shutout wins for the year.

After the second game, Columbia Record sports writer, Bill Simpson, nick-named Brookland-Cayce the “Amaza-Cats. The name fit perfectly  since the team consisted of only 19 players.

Later in the season, Bill Mitchell, another sports writer, called BC a “Rags to Riches” team.   Due to the fact the Bearcats’ 1965 record was 1 win, 9 losses and a tie. Because of the 1965 record, no one expected much from the 1966 team.   However, the 1966 Bearcats ended the season with 10 wins, and only 1 loss. And Brookland-Cayce was voted the South Carolina AAA State Champions that year.

The main reasons for the 1966 team’s success were hard work, grit, and determination.  The entire year was spent fighting the opponents, and a hard-nosed coach.  Coach Bettis Herlong was from the “Old School” of hard work and hard knocks.  Coach Herlong, who passed away in 2003, can never be replaced in the hearts of his players.

We honor the players of the 1966 Football Team, and the Cheerleaders who kept the fans going during each game.

 Players:

David Bickley

Donny Burgess

Keith Chapman

Phil Curtis

Dean Feaster

Jim Harper

Ed Huskey

Phil Hoffman

George Kennedy

Wade Kleckley

Henry (Dickie) Lawhorne

Richie Moye

Barry Oswald

Ralph Phillips

Byron Sistare

Jake Stone

Randy Tate

Jack Taylor

Sammy Temples

Steve Tuten

Bobby Wilson

Coaches:  

Woody Collins and Barry Turpin

Varsity Cheerleaders:

Judy Nell Branham

Dunneah Gordon

Vicky Shealy

Kay Smith

Susan Wingate

Bib Branson

Arilla Proveaux

Barbara Kyzer

Tammy Hall

Becky Reynolds

Paulette Chapman

Remember fondly are Coach Bettis Herlong and the players from the 1966 team who have passed away as well:   Don Bailey, Jim Cleckler, Stan Corley, Jerry Richardson, and Van Smith.