6-4
In the fall of 1934, Howe announced that they would again step on the gridiron in 1935 for the first time under the University Interscholastic League and selected Barnes Milam, a former assistant coach at Austin College and a former member of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. Milam’s enormous stature was felt everywhere he went. Starting a brand-new program, the kids took to the former pro, and football became the talk of the town.
In 1935, Howe, now with the nickname, Bulldogs, stepped onto the field for the first time in 16 years. Many figured Howe would be inexperienced and likely not to win a game going into the season. But none knew of the explosive back that the Bulldogs had in a Junior named Billy Bryant Cloud. Cloud stunned the likes of Grayson County with his dashing speed and quick moves that weren’t often displayed at that level back in that time.
Howe joined the newly formed District 2C and the first official game was played in Tioga on Sept. 20, 1935. The team rode to and from Tioga on the back of a flat-bed truck. It must have been a longer ride home as the Bulldogs lost their first game 12-0.
The Bulldogs would mature quickly behind the strong and quick running of Cloud. He scored Howe’s first touchdown against the Sherman B team. He went on to score all 13 points in the loss. The Bulldogs didn’t get their first win until the fourth game of that 1935 season against the Denison B team. After racking up victories against Dorchester, Gunter and Pilot Point, the Bulldogs got revenge against Tioga, who spoiled their opener. Howe defeated Tioga 42-6 this time and earned respect around Grayson County as a legitimate team to win the district in 1936.
Howe finished 6-4 in ’35 and scored 205 points and gave up only 79 in the schools initial season. Cloud made headlines throughout the season and was noted as one of the best backs in the state. He scored 18 touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs.
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| The family of the late Glynn Hestand, former Howe Bulldog football player on the first ever team in 1935, allowed for Hestand’s and the Bulldogs’ original playbook to be borrowed and scanned a few years back. The original plays were developed by Howe’s very first head coach, Barnes Milam, who had played professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
