Big Sam and Big Brown

Poor offensive and defensive lineman (and linebackers), the guys in the trenches seldom get the recognization that they deserve.

Such is the case with Sammy Lankford (alias Big Sam at 225#) and Walter Brown (alias Big Brown at 245#). These two guys as juniors were stalwarts on the 1957 team with the likes of seniors: Warren Blankenship, Ronnie Rice, Lance Kee, Freddie Holliday, William Marrison, Billy Yeager, Bobby McDonald, and Bendell Wilkes-Bobby Montgomery and Jerry Parrish were offensive and defensive backs.

To me this was one of the best defensive teams that Huntingdon ever fielded. This team was very fast defensively and with Blankenship as the anchor allowed only 55 points in 10 games, and many of the 55 were on the second team as Coach Ward got them into games early for much needed experience for the next years team.

The 1958 team was, of course, devastated by the loss of the many seniors. Big Sam and Big Brown were the saving grace for the 1958 team on the offensive and defensive lines. These two along with Moose Smith our fullback, turned defensive lineman (going both ways) and several eager juniors and sophomores filled out the line. Without Sam and Walter we would not have gone undefeated in 1958 (we would come back to the huddle and Big Brown would pound my helmet and say "did you see the block I laid down for you on that play"). I didn't see the block that often, all I remember is that there was no longer an opponent in front of me. So thanks to Big Sam and Big Brown, two Paul Ward well coached tackles, for paving the way for the many running and passing plays that made our machine run well. Boys, those were great times.

Scott Portis (Mustang Quarterback 1955-58)