Ken Watson
- Thread starter rush
- Start date
I was too young to know what was going on at the time. I was one of the young kids running around the playgrounds with a #24 purple and white jersey purchased from Estes Sporting Goods.
But looking back at history, I would guess either personal reasons, like an opportunity to go into admin, which he eventually did, or pressure to win more.
He has one of the best W-L percentages of PN-G coaches, including better than Ethridge. But Watson was coaching at a time when only the district champion made the playoffs. The Indians had state ranked teams in the Bergeron era, but Lincoln also had Joe Washington and some tough teams. The Indians came up short all but one year and only played 1 playoff game (1968) in the Watson years, and that would have been considered insufficient. And Ethridge was a big name coach who was hired to reach the next level.
I’m sure someone else knows more about the circumstances. Regardless, Coach Watson has etched his place in PNG history. Both as a player and coach. And he was a cool principal and assistant superintendent too.
www.pngindians.com
But looking back at history, I would guess either personal reasons, like an opportunity to go into admin, which he eventually did, or pressure to win more.
He has one of the best W-L percentages of PN-G coaches, including better than Ethridge. But Watson was coaching at a time when only the district champion made the playoffs. The Indians had state ranked teams in the Bergeron era, but Lincoln also had Joe Washington and some tough teams. The Indians came up short all but one year and only played 1 playoff game (1968) in the Watson years, and that would have been considered insufficient. And Ethridge was a big name coach who was hired to reach the next level.
I’m sure someone else knows more about the circumstances. Regardless, Coach Watson has etched his place in PNG history. Both as a player and coach. And he was a cool principal and assistant superintendent too.
All Time Head Coaches - PN-G Indians Football
Coaching Leaders Years Coached – Matt Burnett (15) Games Coached – Matt Burnett (161) Wins – Brandon Faircloth (102) Winning % – Jeff Joseph (87.5%), Lewis Ford (78.8%) District Championships – Brandon Faircloth, Matt Burnett, Gene McCollum (5 each) Playoff Games Won – Doug Ethridge (15)...
www.pngindians.com
Tacked up on the wall where you would see it when you entered the field house, during the '68 season, was an article from somewhere, maybe Port Arthur News back then, titled "Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride". That pretty much says it all I think. Or, at least that says pretty much all that I'll say about it. Coach Watson was a good man, though, well liked by the players, and by the community. I recall only seeing him lose his cool 1 time, on a Saturday morning after a JV game (a loss) at TJ, which came after a Friday night varsity loss, IIRC.
NHSBulldogFan
Active Member
He took the principal job at Ridgewood Elementary his goal was to get into administration and when the job came open he took it
Ridgewood was fortunate to have former head coaches Stone and Watson as principal at different times. Both were good men and pillars of their community who dedicated their lives to helping players and students.
Xcrystalbeachbum
100+ Posts
Wasn't PNG ranked #1 preseason in 72 and they ended up not even winning district? I believe that was the final nail in the coffin if truth be told.
Watson ran the Wishbone during the Bergeron years. And Bergeron was not the only good back. Those early 70’s teams were loaded. So not a stretch to think an SC was possible in ‘71 and ‘72. San Antonio Lee won it in ‘71 and Permian was sc in ‘72. ‘74 was Tyler John Tyler with Earl Campbell so that may have been a tough win if The Indians had gotten past Brazoswood. ‘76 was also close with cold, gusty, rainy conditions at Rice stadium helping eventual state champion SA Churchill slow down a potent PNG offense, and ‘77 ‘should have been’ a SC. (The rumors of key players partying before the game and playing with ‘hangovers’ will always be a curiosity.)
So the prospect of being state champions from 1971-1977 may always be a nice fantasy.
So the prospect of being state champions from 1971-1977 may always be a nice fantasy.
If Ethridge was there in '71 and '72, I think he would have dumped the Wishbone and installed the offense he later installed. Prior to him arriving at PNG, that offense had played in 2 State Championships and won 1.
BTW, I agree with you on the '77 team -- I personally think this team was better than the '75 team that won the Title. Should have won it!
‘77 was my all-time favorite team and what I considered the best offense until 1999. Not sure if either team would have beaten the 2022-23 Indians. ‘77 team was ranked #1 and undefeated. As good as Plano was, the Indians had the team to win it.
Ethridge, Shipley, Eicher, Delcambre, Cooley, Kern, etc on offense. Brack, Miller, Plaia, DeRutte, etc on defense. Legendary players.
Ethridge, Shipley, Eicher, Delcambre, Cooley, Kern, etc on offense. Brack, Miller, Plaia, DeRutte, etc on defense. Legendary players.
Xcrystalbeachbum
100+ Posts
One player....Billy Ray Smith was the difference in that game.
NHSBulldogFan
Active Member
Jerry is legendary now for other reasons
Xcrystalbeachbum
100+ Posts
Jerry?
NHSBulldogFan
Active Member
I was talking about Jerry on the 75 team and not Chris who was on the 77 team skipped around a bit didn't I my bad
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I see where you were going with that. That’s funny. And now we have ‘Helluva Boom’ beer.
NHSBulldogFan
Active Member
I worked with Jerry at Huntsman real funny dude Chris died in 1979 sadly
I see where you were going with that. That’s funny.
Who were they?
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