Hoover principal Floyd Johnson was going to hold the line.
His school was the technical host for the annual game with San Diego High in Balboa Stadium and after the throngs of recent years Johnson vowed to close sales “when the 27,000th ticket is sold.”
Johnson said that he did not want to revisit the “turmoil” attendant to the September city schools’ carnival that drew an overflow turnout estimated at 30,000.
Johnson also cited the “din and confusion” in the over-crowded facility when the San Diego Naval Air and Camp Pendleton battled in a military game that drew service personnel in droves.
Balboa Stadium had a listed capacity variously reported as from 23,500 to 25,000.
Since there were few if any reserved seats, more than one rump often occupied those spaces, not to mention aisles, concourses, and sidelines at a carnival or San Diego-Hoover game.
HILLTOPPERS FANS’ FAVORITES
An item in the Evening Tribune reported that six San Diego High home games drew 103,964 fans, including a paid total of 94,937.
That meant that the Hillers averaged more than 17,000 for games against Phoenix Union, Los Angeles Loyola, Pasadena Muir, Compton, Hoover, and Los Angeles Cathedral.
A game against Pasadena in the Rose Bowl represented the other end of the spectrum. Only 200 persons showed on a rainy, windy, muddy afternoon as San Diego won its Coast League opener, 26-6.
ANOTHER HUGE TURNOUT
There were approximately 27,000 on hand for the most competitive San Diego-Hoover game in several years.
The Cardinals, led by the triumvirate of halfback Bob Miller, quarterback Jack Anders, and future college all-America end Bill McColl, manfully struggled to keep pace with the fast, attacking Hilltoppers.
Hoover trailed only 12-0 at the end of three quarters.
But that 12-minute period ended with the Cardinals stalling at San Diego’s five-yard line and the Hillers quickly responded.
Ted Ritchey ran 31 yards for a touchdown as San Diego whipped through 95 yards in 3 plays for an 18-0 lead that became 25-0.
A last-gasp attempt for a Hoover touchdown resulted in a pass in the end zone just beyond the outstretched arms of McColl, who sank to his hands and knees in exhaustion as the game ended.
San Diego’s Ernie (Spider) Smith, who defended against McColl from his defensive back position throughout, hurried over, reaching out to McColl.
HILLERS USE CARDINALS’ PLOY
It was suggested that San Diego should give a bow to Hoover coach Lee Bogle, whose end-around play with McColl passing gave San Diego some trouble.
Bill Bailey installed the maneuver and end Ernie Smith passed three times, twice resulting in touchdowns of 35 and 47 yards to Ted Ritchey in the Hilltoppers’ 14-6, semifinals playoff victory over Pomona.
TRUE GRID
Hoover had 12 first downs to six and attempted an unusual total of 35 passes, completing 12 for 158 yards, while San Diego outrushed the Cardinals, 204-65…Pomona, noting its inadequate stadium capacity, actually suggested the second-round playoff be played at San Diego…wiser heads prevailed and the Red Devils erected temporary bleachers…a crowd of 6,500 showed for the Hillers’ victory, which was not satisfying to outgoing coach Bill Bailey…”Our tackling (on a field soft from recent rain) was terrible,” said Bailey…”This week we’re going back to the beginning and learn to play football all over again, from the fundamentals right on up.”…rain forced Santa Monica and South Pasadena to move to Alhambra in an attempt to save the Rose Bowl turf from additional damage…Santa Monica advanced with a 26-13 victory…Grossmont also had a lack of seating but 6,000 jammed the Foothillers’ park on Homecoming Day as Art Preston ran for four touchdowns in a 39-0 rout of Coronado….
