Johnny Blecher and Bill Johansson
The University of North Texas (UNT) football team came to Robson’s Field of Dreams on May 7 looking to avenge a 13-8 loss to the Robson Ranchers back in 2014. It soon became obvious that this year’s Mean Green team had superior athletic skills in addition to a winning spirit. After a beautiful rendition of the national anthem sung by a UNT music student and a tandem fly-over by a bi-plane and fixed-wing aircraft, the game got underway with UNT color commentator Hank Dickenson lending a touch of professionalism with his descriptions of the action on the field.
The Mean Green tested RR Men from the beginning scoring one run in the first inning, three in the second and five runs in the third, highlighted by back-to-back homeruns by QB Alex Morris and DE Andy Flusche. All together the young men from UNT hit four homeruns on the day, including a grand slam by Quinn Shanbour.
There were some bright moments for the Ranchers as well. In the third inning our boys scored five runs of their own, led by hits by Dale Hill, Bob Hoffenberg and Phil Wismer. After walks to David McKie and Carl Caruso, Paul Dorwaldt swept the bases with a grand slam of his own. So at the end of three innings the score was a respectable 9-7 in favor of UNT.
After a scoreless fourth inning, the Mean Green came back in the fifth and sixth innings to score another five runs in each, putting the game almost out of reach. However, behind timely hitting by Gary King, Terry Scholze and Mike Conley, the Robson team scratched back to score four runs in the sixth inning. However, it proved to be too little, too late as the Mean Green prevailed 19-12. Oh well, there’s always next year!
The Robson Kiwanis Club was able to raise money through the sale of food and raffling of other items, which allowed three charities to receive funds. All in all a great time was had by all.