This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is NOT the opinion of the Taylor Press.
On Friday night, during Taylor’s homecoming, the school district recognized the 1962 O.L. Price state championship football team.
This was a long overdue recognition.
One reason is because this is the only team to win state in football in Taylor’s history. There have been many great football teams in Taylor, going back to the 1940s, but none ever brought home the biggest prize. Oh, and it was won in Taylor at Memorial Field. That was hardly mentioned in the top games at Memorial Field in 2017.
Another reason this is special is because O.L. Price was the African American school in Taylor, and sometimes, people forget how significant that is. While it was a part of Taylor ISD, O.L. Price did not get the best equipment or facilities. They still managed to go undefeated, and even played against NFL legends like Mean Joe Green.
Here is the proclamation was read at Thursday’s Taylor City Council meeting.
“The Prairie View Interscholastic League, or PVIL, was established as the governing body for athletic and academic competitions for the state’s Black high schools in 2020 and served as the governing body for interscholastic competition between Black high schools in Texas from 1920 to 1970; and WHEREAS, Blackshear O.L. Price, or “Taylor Price” High School was a Division 1-A Member of PVIL until the football program merged with the University Interscholastic League, or UIL in 1966; and WHEREAS, the O.L. Price Panthers played competitively throughout its membership in PVIL; and WHEREAS, in 1962 O.L. Price, under the direction of Coach Edward Elder, made it to the PVIL championship finals and defeated Dayton Colbert 42-6, winning the PVIL Class A State Championship and finishing the season 14-0. O.L. Price High School was accredited by the Texas Department of Education in 1923 and served Taylor’s Black high school students until Taylor High School was integrated in 1969 and continued to serve Taylor’s Black high school students until it was fully integrated with Taylor High School in 1969; O.L. Price was an important part of Taylor’s history, and it is important to remember the accomplishments of its students and faculty; now, therefore, be it resolved that the city of Taylor joins the Welfare Workers in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the 1962 PVIL Class A State Champions, the O.L. Price Panthers, also celebrates the school’s many contributions to Taylor’s history and community.”
This was a historic team at a historic school, and I’m glad they are being recognized.
This week was one of the only times, at least that I can remember, that Ducks and Panthers are celebrating together.
I’m going to get off my soapbox now and go watch the Washington and Dallas game.
Although the name has changed, I’ll see it as Cowboys and Indians.
“Recognition is a reward in itself. Any form of appreciation, even a small word, is important.”
—Vikrant Massey
