Los Banos Rotary Club History
Bronc and Tiger Coaches Talk Game

It was football day at the local Rotary Club luncheon Tuesday, as William Hume, coach, and several of the Dos Palos Bronc football players dined with Coach Gilbert Mendonsa and sever Tiger gridders and afterward talked of the game that is to be played on the local football field tonight, Friday.

Both coaches were accompanied to the luncheon by the captains and co-captains of their varsity squads, also line coaches Clinton Letlow, Sr., of Dos Palos and Sam Benidettino of Los Banos.

Coach Hume, who was captain of the Dos Palos Broncs in the last game played between his school and Los Banos, said it was especially gratifying to him that the game between the two neighboring cities is being revived this year, that the game is a natural between the two towns, and rather than possible engendering of animosity or ill feeling between the players of the two towns, inspires mutual respect and friendship between the participants.
Speaking of the team, Hume said they have changed to a T formation this year and are now coming along nicely, though still a little weak on defense. "Both schools have good teams," he said, "and the result will probably be decided by the breaks of the game. As far as Dos Palos is concerned it is the 'big game' of the year and we assure you our boys will be in there, playing good clean, hard-fought football to the very best of their ability."

Coach Mendonsa echoed much the same approval of the renewal of the traditional Dos Palos-Los Banos grid contests, and expressed confidence that renewal of the game this year will herald the beginning of many, many years of amiable relations between the two teams. "Dos Palos has shown themselves as a top team in their two games played this season, however, we think we have a good ball club too, and our boys will be playing their best when they go against Dos Palos Friday evening."

Mendonsa also stressed the importance of good sportsmanship by the adult supporters of both teams, and declared that in his opinion any possible future breakdown in relations between the two schools would be the responsibility of the adult fans rather than the players and student bodies of the two schools.
Lettlow and Benidettino also expressed pleasure in resumption of football relations between the two schools, and Benidettino took the occasion to point out the excellent later-community relations that have existed the past several years in the invitational track meet annually presented in Dos Palos. "The hospitality and spirit shown by Dos Palos at these meets," he said, "has been exceptionally fine, and I am certain the same spirit will permeate the gridiron games."

Dos Palos Bronc co-captains Clinton Letlow, Jr., and James Ceccerelli and Tiger co-captains Donald Hansen and Santiago Pedroza, also spoke briefly, each with assurance they were happy to participate in the game and expressing the hope there would be a good turnout of fans to watch the game."

The program was presented by Rotary program chairman Elge Mastrangelo.
Louie Castellucci, Rotary Club youth chairman, introduced Raymond Talbott, local high school senior and president of the student body, who will be a part of the Rotary Club organization during the school year. Talbott, who is varsity quarterback on the Tiger football team, was complimented highly by Dos Palos coach Hume, who described him as an excellent example of the old adage that "it isn't the size of the player that counts, but the size of the play in the player."

October 7, 1955

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