Vulcans vs Memphis

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Birmingham Vulcans vs. Memphis Southmen

Sunday, October 19th, 1975

Attendance 35,000

Legion Field

Birmingham

 For the second time in its short WFL existence Birmingham played two games back to back against the same opponent. In 1974 Birmingham defeated the Detroit Wheels on successive weeks, and this marked another sweep, this time over the mighty Southmen of Memphis. While the week’s prior 18-14 squeaker was still fresh in everyone’s memory, the Vulcans assured there would be no such dramatics this time. In what ultimately would be the final WFL game ever in the Magic City, the Vulcans put together the ultimate “hammer job”. The Birmingham defense held a death grip on the Grizzlies offense and never relinquished its stranglehold. Larry Willingham, Warren Capone, Jimmy Teal, Jim McKinney, Larry Estes, and Bob Tatarek were the defensive leaders for the Home team, keeping the much-ballyhooed trio of Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick, and Paul Warfield from being major factors in the game. The Vulcans offense was efficient and crisp, led by Matthew Reed, Art Cantrelle and Johnny Musso, and Denny Duron scored his first professional touchdown. Cantrelle and Musso added scores and the defense pitched a shutout to deliver a 21-0 rout.

 

Vulcans battery of Matthew Reed & John Matlock had a great day,leading the offense for almost 400 yards of total offense 

On Memphis’ first drive, Vulcan DB Larry Willingham set the tone for the day. Memphis QB Danny White found TE Gary Shirk on a short crossing pattern. Willingham arrived an instant after the ball did with Willingham unloading on Shirk. The ball popped loose for an incompletion and Memphis had to punt.

Birmingham scored on its second possession, with Reed leading a 16-play 64-yard drive, culminating with Reed finding Duron, who not only was the reserve QB, but also saw spot duty at receiver, all alone on a 14-yard touchdown. The action point was no good, and the Vulcans led 7-0.

On the ensuing kickoff linebacker Pat Kelly delivered another vicious blow, hitting Memphis return man George Campbell jarring the ball loose. Willie Smith recovered and the Vulcans were in business at the Southmen 13. Cantrelle scored 4 plays later from the 2 yard line. The AP was no good and the Vulcans now led 14-0.

 

Art Cantrelle dives into the endzone for the Vulcans’ 2nd TD

 

 

TE Jim Bishop takes off with a pass from Matthew Reed

 

A 51-yard Reed to Jim Bishop aerial started a 77-yard 7-play drive in the 4th quarter, ending with Musso slashing in from 2 yards out. The AP was unsuccessful, but Birmingham’s 21-0 lead held to finish of the Southmen.

 

Johnny Musso scores Birmingham’s final TD

 

Birmingham hammered out 392 yards of total offense, with 238 coming via the ground. Memphis managed 232 yards, with 109 total rushing yards. Cantrelle, Musso, Reed, and Joe Profit were the leading Vulcan rushers, while Csonka, Kiick, and Willie Spencer paced the Southmen.

 

Vulcans defense stuffs the Memphis ground attack

 

Defensively Warren Capone lead with an incredible 10 tackles and 7 assists, including a drive killing 20-yards sack of Danny White when Memphis faced 3rd & goal at the Birmingham five. Teal, Estes, Taterek, Gerard Williams, and Willingham all had big games along with McKinney who delivered his 4th interception of the season.

Jim Kiick, Larry Csonka, and Danny White led the potent Southmen offense

 

The Birmingham Post-Herald closed out its story on the game by adding that the Vulcans would begin preparations for Southern California, “…and there is no reason to doubt there will be another week in the WFL”. Sadly, there would not be another, with the announcement 3 days later that the WFL was shutting down.

 

The scoreboard tells the story. Sadly, it would be the final time itwould light up for the WFL

  

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