Kirkland had transitioned to the college ranks in 1934 after a strong run at Salisbury’s Boyden High School. Catawba was ranked in the top 25 by the Associated Press before and after the Tangerine Bowl. Not just a small-college power, but a program capable of competing with almost anyone. Spears was 20 when he soared to fame in the Tangerine Bowl.Ĭatawba was regarded as a national power in the late 1940s under head coach Gordon Kirkland. Other Catawba Indians, such as 5-foot-8 back Marion Lee “Leapin’ Lee” Spears, who had played for Duke against North Carolina as a 17-year-old in 1944 before transferring to Catawba, were much younger than Barnes and Bowen. Bowen was the team’s elder statesman at 26. Barnes was 25 and newly married when the 1948 Tangerine Bowl was played. Marines in the Pacific Theatre and had returned to college after the war. Barnes and punter/back Harold Bowen had been U.S. Several of the Catawba Indians had seen heated action in the global conflict. Many of the players, at least on the Catawba side of things, were older than traditional college students, not because they struggled academically, but because World War II had affected every life and disrupted normal educational and career paths. Rams in the 19 seasons and was good enough to start some games in the NFL. Yagiello, who came to Catawba from New Jersey, was a three-time All-America selection. and Ray Yagiello, both listed in the program at 6 feet, 220 pounds, were considered huge, powerful men. Catawba tackles Martin Luther (M.L.) Barnes Jr. The players had different dimensions than today’s giants.
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