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Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/21/2007 00:16:27 By jack lamb
This holiday is upon us and I would like for all for you guys with these picture perfect memories to add to this thread regarding the Gables-SW rivalry that happened every Thanksgiving morning at the old Central Stadium for many years. I know that many old stories must be out there and I hope that you all will share the good and the bad. I will start with a little known tale back in I think it must have been 1961 and we were sophomores at Gables and had spent the football season on the JV team and then called up to the varsity at the end of the season. France, DeVane, Smock, Snow, Harris, myself plus others from the various clubs should remember. Our Jv was pretty good and went undefeated so lucky us got called each week to scrimmage the Varsity. Jack Card and others had a field beating the holy living shit out of us on a regular basis. I still have memories of lining up againt Stags brother John Douglas who was a Defensive tackle that looked the size of a mobile trailer back then to my very green 10th grade eyes. Trying to double team him when Nick had called a Power 83 was not exactly fun. Less fun probably for Mike Ajhar who was carrying the ball and probable still has the word Ridell inscribed on his chest where Douglas pasted his Grey Gables helmet after Whitney Ball and I had missed our block but we did remember to yell "Lookout", little good that it did.

Not to digress, but the SW game that year, we had been called up against MHS but we were not that good so most of us just rode the pine that night. SW was another day and at the end of the game quite a few of up got into the game for a play or two. Problem was that the night before we had partied pretty good at the France household since Mama Tuna was away and the boys did PLAY!! Maybe a Cerveza or two were consumed and the next day, most of the JV who were put into the game were less than ready or at least not exactly giving the Gables 110%. We never imagined that we would play and boy did a few of us suffer. Charles France still reminds me to this day of the Boloney mess left in his bathroom. I hope this will jog a few minds to start thinking about all of the wonderful experiences that the SW-CGHS game brought.

It continued for many years, and the Thanksgiving date continued until the state playoffs made it unplayable. Gables continued to beat SW without any losses well into the 1980s. I remember SW almost had them in the middle 70s only to lose again at the very end. I know Eddie Floyd still contends he was in the end zone and the streak should have ended around 1966. SW finally did beat Gables in the 1990s I believe which was the only loss as far as I know.SW refused to play for a number of years and this year finally the rivalry resumed, with the same results, a Gables victory.

So now is the time for all of you guys both younger and older to add to this tale of how Gables never lost to SW during your days at CGHS.




Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/21/2007 08:07:07 By Tim Yero
Jack: HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS AND ALL STAGS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS...

Those are great memories (of each of the Cables VS Southwest battles at Tropical Park)... The Screamin Eagles were left screamin each year. You were indeed a great (fast as hell) player and still a great Brother...

There was a lot of Crimson and Gray marks on all the purple and white players (You forgot to mention there was little 'blood red' on both teams at the end too!)...

For some reason I best remember the game where Neal Tannen? from Southwest was playing and played really well with an interception or two - but not enough to win... He played pretty well with the Jets after as well for a long time. (and I think he was a rookie safety on the 69 miracle Jets team?)...

Gables had such a great team then, the only loss (and last loss we suffered throughout 63-64-65 and beyond) was to stinkin Key West and George Mira's brother 'Joe' ? Mira - he was their whole team and pretty spectacular. Neither team scored much for some reason and we came up short... never again did we come up short.

I did not play on the football team but did participate in Spring Training sessions to get in shape for baseball. I stupidly enjoyed that for some reason ... live and learn!

Have a great Holiday
Tim TDT65



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/21/2007 09:39:40 By sylvia atwood
Blessings to each and every one of you this Thanksgiving season. May God keep you safe and supply all your needs. Please remember those that are less fortunate and invite them to share your blessings. You will receive a greater joy than you can imagine. There are a lot of lonely people out there, especially during the holidays. Those that are hungry and lonely. They are everywhere. Reach out and touch someone. Happy Thanksgiving to all my Stage friends and family and to those who correspond to this site. I send you my love. sylvia



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/21/2007 03:21:24 By Gaston Ruiz ( 1968)
Tim, its Steve Tanner.....cornerback NYJets ...went to So.Miami Jr High and later Southwest High and a Florida Gator ....Later to the Jets a real rebel of guy....challenged the system always ,but was able to back thing up with his sports talent....Played with Namath and Dressed like him....



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/21/2007 05:03:39 By Gaston Ruiz ( 1968)
Sorry,Steve Tannen



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/21/2007 10:17:25 By Bob Injay
Jack,
Thanks for the memories of riding to the old garbage bowl on T day. I can remember back in the early 60's that SW tied Gables. Dad was quite upset and cut the hedges at the house extra close!!
Our senior year we were undefeated after beating MHS 16-0 in front of 40,000 at the now Old Orange Bowl. Nick had everyone ready but we had the last week off as usual before the SW game. We were expected to win but at the half the score was 0-0. Having had poor field position for the first half and a great defense keeping SW from scoring, we put up 58 points in the second half!! I remember it being hot and all the wind sprints we did didn't seem to help!!
It was always a good day at the house because as you said Jack, we never lost to SW!! Quite a record and always made for a good Thanksgiving.
Hope everyone has a great T day and enjoy the memories!!

Injay



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/22/2007 09:58:06 By Terrence W. Grant
Jack & Bob:

It's really good to see some new faces on the site especially you Jack...Bobby shows up every once in awhile.

When I went to school there wasn't even a Southwest...hell I lived on Galloway and Sunset and the closest school was Gables

Happy Thanksgiving to all



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/22/2007 10:04:15 By jack lamb
Terry, When did SW begin, since your two brothers went there according to an earlier note? I played baseball against them at the South Miami Junior High field. They were both a year or so ahead of me.

Jack



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/22/2007 10:19:37 By Chuck 63
Jack,

Thanks for bringing up some great memories about the CGHS/SW games. The one I remember most was either 61 or 62. SW had a running back, Pascarella (??) that was supposed to kill us. Of course with guys like Card, Douglas, Eddie Cameron and others, it was the same old story, we won. We also had another linebacker, Mike something, that looked like he should have been in the pros. Of course, we had a pretty good back in Jimmy Knight, wow, he was a fast guy. Always took heat after the game, my girlfriend went to SW,(Not the kind of heat I would have enjoyed more):))

Chuck



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/22/2007 10:21:27 By Chuck 63
I think SW opened about 59 or 60. I remember having a choice of going to Gables or SW.





Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/22/2007 12:52:50 By bob grant
I GRADUATED IN 61 AND WAS PART OF THE FIRST CLASS TO COMPLETE ALL 3 YEARS AT SOUTHWEST---SCHOOL BEGAN EARLIER IN THE 50S AS 7- 10 GRADES---THATS RON PASCARELLA BROTHER OF SHARLENE PASCARELLA--RON WAS A GOOD GUY HIS SISTER--HEAVENLY--THATS STEVE TANNEN WHO WAS GANGLY KID IN LITTLE LEAGUE --NICE GUY WHO TURNED INTO A HELLUVA FOOTBALL PLAYER--THANKS FOR RECALLING THE GOOD OLE DAYS JACK!! AND WHO CAN FORGET GEORGE "SWIVEL HIPS" MALVESTUTO RUNNING BACK KICKOFFS IN THE REVERED ORANGE BOWL



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/22/2007 01:04:03 By Terrence W. Grant
Glad to see my brother Bob on the site...in my days TDT was only at Gables (miami area). If he graduated later I'm sure he would have been a STAG...he is trivia nut so pound him with old Southwest questions...his twin brother (also my brother) Bruce played basketball for SW, grad of FSU and turned to bartending in DC...booze and other stuuf got the best of him and he died in the mid 80's while in his mid forty's

Terry 56



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/23/2007 09:20:57 By Chuck 63
Bob,

thanks for reminding me of Sharlene,you are right, she was something. When did you graduate from SW?

Chuck



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/23/2007 09:22:04 By Chuck 63
Bob, disregard my last message, I read yours again and see 61, guess it's early in the morning for me.



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/23/2007 11:04:27 By Terrence W. Grant
Chuck my brother posted incorrectly and started 2 new threads with more names...i told him how to post in the future

Terry 56



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/24/2007 11:26:07 By JOHN DOUGLAS
Jack,
I have no recollection of that play, but thanks for making me sound thougher than I was.
Happy Holidays To All
John Douglas



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/24/2007 12:30:01 By jack lamb
JOHN,

It was a long, long time ago, but in my mind it seemed like a regular occurance when our JV Green Knights got that daily call up to the Varsity field around 4:30 each afternoon. Nick was grinning from ear to ear and you guys were just standing around waiting for some fresh meat to take it out on. Maybe it wasn't Ajhar but possibly McKee or Romano or even some other lucky guy. You made all of us better in the long run and I am sure those daily lessons aided up two years later to win a state championship along with a large degree of lady luck. I do not think any of us ever questioned you toughness during those sessions.

JACK

PS Go Tech and beat the DAWGS today!



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/24/2007 07:10:24 By bob grant
don james who interned at southwest out of u of miami and was my 11th grade phys ed teacher went on to win a national championship at university of washington---hank stram as an assistant at the same time---name me another college who had a super bowl winner and national camhpionhip winner as assistants at the same time



Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/24/2007 07:28:02 By Chuck 63
John,

You were pretty tough! I played middle guard next to you.

Chuck





Re: Thanksgiving and SW vs CGHSPosted at 11/25/2007 09:56:42 By Terrence W. Grant
Jimmy Johnson??????






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