Billy Ray Smith Jr. DL from Plano dies at 64

It didn’t help that the Indians were not in top physical or mental form for that game, for whatever reason. Or that Eicher was injured. Plano’s defense, led by Billy Ray, was just dominant.
 
I would like to find two games on film. (1) 1977 state finals, PN-G v. Plano, and (2) 1977 state semifinals, Plano v. Highland Park. In the Plano v. Highland Park game, Highland Park led 28-0 in the 3rd quarter before Plano roared back to win the game 29-28. The last Plano TD was a backwards/sideways pass from the QB to the WR, the WR dropped back and threw a bomb across the field to the QB who streaked down the other sidelines uncovered. TD! Then, Plano went for two points and converted with only seconds left in the game. Plano was on a high going into the PN-G game. That, and PN-G could not block Billy Ray Smith, who blew up the PN-G run game. Sometimes, it's just not your day and you tip your cap to the other team. GO INDIANS!
 
I don’t remember that being the case

He did have an unusual number (I believe I’m totally going by memory here 50 years ago) seems like it was 87
I totally could be wrong

But several opponent crowd signs said things like “Big Bad Billy Ray” which i had never seen a single player singled out like that by crowd posters/signs
So I pretty much watched him every offensive snap and it also seemed to me that he lined up on our side of the stadium (more often than not) (I also remember that we were in the direct sun for the first part of the game. (A 7 year old’s brain lol.)
We came from Texarkana and brought several of our church members who were getting their first ever PNG experience.
 
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Honestly now I remember his number at Arkansas was 87 and it was another unusual number before that (13-5)? Not remembering
Living so close to Arkansas we had a ton of Razorback fanatics (when I say fanatics it’s borderline psychotic) and they televised UA games a lot so I watched him a lot there too
 
1989NDN said:
I would like to find two games on film. (1) 1977 state finals, PN-G v. Plano, and (2) 1977 state semifinals, Plano v. Highland Park. In the Plano v. Highland Park game, Highland Park led 28-0 in the 3rd quarter before Plano roared back to win the game 29-28. The last Plano TD was a backwards/sideways pass from the QB to the WR, the WR dropped back and threw a bomb across the field to the QB who streaked down the other sidelines uncovered. TD! Then, Plano went for two points and converted with only seconds left in the game. Plano was on a high going into the PN-G game. That, and PN-G could not block Billy Ray Smith, who blew up the PN-G run game. Sometimes, it's just not your day and you tip your cap to the other team. GO INDIANS!
Click to expand...

The WR pass you mentioned is at 3:55
 
Usedtocould said:
I don’t remember that being the case

He did have an unusual number (I believe I’m totally going by memory here 50 years ago) seems like it was 87
I totally could be wrong

But several opponent crowd signs said things like “Big Bad Billy Ray” which i had never seen a single player singled out like that by crowd posters/signs
So I pretty much watched him every offensive snap and it also seemed to me that he lined up on our side of the stadium (more often than not) (I also remember that we were in the direct sun for the first part of the game. (A 7 year old’s brain lol.)
We came from Texarkana and brought several of our church members who were getting their first ever PNG experience.
Click to expand...
I looked at some old Plano newspaper clippings - his number was 67.
 
NHSBulldogFan...thanks for finding and sharing the Plano comeback over Highland Park. Your good deeds make you an honorary Indian. Seriously, good stuff and thanks for visiting the message board, participating, and sharing the video. GO INDIANS!
 
Usedtocould, thanks for sharing the Plano video. Good find! What a throw by that Plano WR. He launched that pass from one sideline all they down and ACROSS the field to the WR. That was a bomb for a high school kid and he hit the WR in stride. Great find! Thanks for posting.
 
1989NDN said:
NHSBulldogFan...thanks for finding and sharing the Plano comeback over Highland Park. Your good deeds make you an honorary Indian. Seriously, good stuff and thanks for visiting the message board, participating, and sharing the video. GO INDIANS!
Click to expand...
I tell folks I have no problem supporting my brethren across the tracks except for one week out of 52...its a fine compliment to be considered an honorary Indian i appreciate it
 
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