The 1983 Battle for the Axe High school football game between the Sherman Bearcats and Denison Yellow Jackets was a Texas High School Football Classic.
The Rivalry dates back to 1901. The game in 1983 was perhaps the most exciting win in Bearcats history.
Sherman was playing Denison in the final regular season game of the year for both teams at Sherman Bearcat Stadium. The Game was tied at 14-14 with 38 seconds left on the clock.
The Bearcats quarterback was Dean Gilbert Jr. Gilbert dropped back and hit Alvin Jones with a 47-yard dart for the touchdown and the Bearcats beat the Yellow Jackets 21-14.
It is worth noting that Bearcat running back Curtis Luper had a big gain on a draw play that got the Bearcats in striking distance for the final score.
“We had a great team and a great coach (John Pearce) who knew how to throw the ball and we were very determined,” Dean Gilbert, the Sherman quarterback in the game told Texas News Sports this week. “We found ourselves in a 4th and ten at mid field with 38 seconds on the clock. The play came in.”
Gilbert said the play was Pro B drop back 8-1-8
“Alvin ran a down out and go,” Gilbert said.”As it turned out, he turned up and got a couple steps on the defender and we scored as time ran out.”
Epic!
The Sherman Bearcats fans stormed the field. It was a story book ending to a game that the players and fans that were in attendance will remember for life.
Sherman and Dension will play for the 127 time this year in the Battle for the Axe. The game is scheduled for Friday August 29th in Sherman. It will be the opening game of the regular season for both teams.
You can listen to Sherman Bearcats games live on Mad Rock 102.5 FM. The Denison Yellow Jackets games are carried live on Katy Country 93.1 FM. Both radio stations also stream the high school games on the radio stations websites.