’62 Bears take perfect season into the Hall

Gilbert Ramos was only a second-string, sophomore center on Pierce High’s 1962 championship football team, but along with other reserves and underclassmen still saw lots of playing time.

The Pierce juggernaut, which went undefeated, was inducted into the Colusa County Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday.

“The one game that stands out in my mind was against Durham,” said Ramos. “At halftime we led, 28-0, and coach (Gregg LeMaster) told the first string to hit the shower. We went out the second half with half a team.”

Ramos said Durham asked for a running clock in the second half and shorter quarters. Durham also kicked off the second half to Pierce, and Freddy Oliveras ran back the kick for a touchdown.

Then, on Durham’s first play from scrimmage in the second half, Oliveras intercepted a pass and ran it back for another touchdown, Ramos recalled.

“We were up 40-0, and they simply walked off the field,” Ramos said of Durham’s players. “I’ve never seen anything like it, a team just walking off the field.”

Pierce went through the season unbeaten and won the Sacramento Valley League title with an 8-0 record, including a forfeit. The Bears outscored their opponents 210-6.

Ramos noted Pierce ran out of the single-wing formation. The tailback, Denny Johnson, did most of the passing, and his favorite receiver was right end Don Buckingham. The fullback was Dick Brober and the wingback was Claude Noriega.

Very few players went on to play college ball, Ramos said. One player - guard Richard Carrion - played semi-pro ball.

“Most went to Vietnam,” Ramos said.