1965 Lions Football Team Celebration


Bobby Ragsdale, Camden QB Club President, is shown here presenting a certificate and Lions souvenirs to Steve Reed of Antioch, TN. David Dulin (background) and all of the other 1965 teammates attending were honored at Wright Field before the Bruceton game Friday night This event was held to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of the 1965 Camden Lions football team. You may already know that the team was lead by Head Coach Tommy Richardson to a perfect 9-0 regular season, but you may not know that the season had to be jump started after a slow start on the very first game, against Lexington. The Lions went in the half time lockers down 14-0. A fired up Lion team produced a 34 point second half - - while the defense held Lexington scoreless to record the 34-14 win...and the victories just kept on coming!

Their third game was a 27-7 win over Huntingdon...the FIRST in 10 years. The 7-0 win over North Side in the 4th game actually decided the Volunteer Conference - - if the Lions could win out. In the 8th regular season game, Camden beat Henderson big (31 - 19), and then they had to beat them a SECOND time in the All Conference Playoff, which they won 41-12!

The undefeated Lions then traveled to Brownsville, TN to play the Haywood High School Tom Cats in the Little Cotton Bowl, which they won 13-6. The bowl win was a fine cap to a perfect 11-0 season. The Camden Lions outscored their opponents by putting 242 points on the board while only giving up 87.

Now as we look back 35 years later, it is safe to say that the impact of this group on Lions football, the City of Camden, and Benton County is still felt today. The Camden Quarterback Club was organized in December of that year as a non-profit corporation. It has been stated, that the newly remodeled stadium we enjoy today was first built because of the community support & interest that this team generated.

This Lions team was recognized in 1965 as the team with the best record in the history of Camden football. Now in the year 2000, that honor STILL stands. It is the hope of the Camden Quarterback Club, as we recognize each member of the team that was able to make the trip out onto Wright Field tonight, that you would enjoy the opportunity to see old teammates, share old stories, reminisce about the days of old, and help us to root for todays young Lions. Again, to the 1965 Lions Football Team, THANKS for the fond memories...and GO LIONS!

Special thanks to Assistant Coach Shawn McDowell for his contribution to this article.

Photos by Tony Dillon



From L to R: 62 - David Dulin - Guard - Nashville; 52 - David Hubbs - Center - Camden; 10 - Cliff Sturdivant - QB - Bruceton; 41 - Billy Robins - Back - Camden; 85 - Earl Hudson - End - Camden; 11 - Mike Hall - Back - McEwen, TN; 60 - Kenny Weatherly - Guard - Camden; 21 - Duane Rushing - Back - Louden, TN; 81 - Steve Reed - End - Antioch, TN; 73 - Kenneth Reed - Tackle - Wildersville, TN; 71 - Ted Lynch - Tackle - Camden,