Football is a big part of most schools and Old Rochester Regional is no different. September 1961 marked the first interscholastic athletic competition for the new school. To mark the opener against Dighton-Rehoboth, more than 300 of ORR’s students were bussed to Dighton to watch the team makes its debut. After being outplayed in the first half, ORR rallied in the second half and won their first game with a score of 14-6, beginning their long history with football in the area. Leading the team to its’ first win were Seniors Charlie Jefferson (Captain), Mike Beauchmin (Center), Juniors Buckey Andrews (tackle), and Billy Jones (end). For this first game, they were not called the Bulldogs. Anyone remember what that name was?
The 4 busloads of students who made the trip to Dighton were waiting at the school when they returned – prompting a victory celebration.
In its first home game, Old Rochester went against Martha’s Vineyard and with a 18-0 victory over M.V. Old Rochester now stood at 2-0 for the season.
Even though Old Rochester did not become a full-fledged member of the Tri-County Conference until 1963, one of players in the 1961 team was selected to the All-conference team by the coaches. Any guesses?
Back in 1961, our school colors were red and white and we had a little bull dog for the team’s mascot. Somewhere in the past 50 years, the colors have changed to black, red and white and the mascot has gotten a whole new appearance.
(Answers: The first team name was the Redwings. The team member chosen to the All-conference team in 1961 was Charlie Jefferson).