1939-1940 Buccaneer Letter Sweater
“Guess we just gotta go score again.”
-- Jack Bullock and Lawrence Clinton ‘Larry’ Labarthe
This now-shrunken letter sweater belonged to Lawrence Clinton “Larry” Labarthe. Born in Humble, Texas February 25, 1922, at 4 Larry moved with his family to Tonkawa, where he spent his childhood and Depression-era teen years, graduating in 1940. Larry was a good athlete and a bit of a mischief-maker -- mainly harmless pranks like putting friend’s Model T Ford atop the library steps or releasing a goat inside the school. Larry’s best friend in junior high and high school was Jack Bullock, who along with Gilbert Humphries, Cy Ewell and a few others were the THS sports buddies at the heart of the ‘39 football team. Bullock had a real aptitude as a quarterback and leader and Larry, though not a “skill position” player, nevertheless worked with Jack off-seasons and summers helping Bullock refine his throwing technique and accuracy.
Under legendary coach Harold Piper, THS had strong teams in 37 and 38, its lone blemish being a tie with Ponca City and a pair of losses to Medford, the Bucs’ nemesis and arch-rival. But for Medford, the ‘37 and ‘38 Bucs would not only have enjoyed undefeated seasons but would have also won the Cherokee Strip Conference both years. Through the summer of ‘39, before their senior years, Larry and Jack vowed to complete their high school football careers with an undefeated season and avenge their only career losses by finally defeating Medford. Like something from the movies, the Fall ‘39 Bucs turned in another stellar season, going undefeated until the final game--another showdown with Med-ford. The game went back-and-forth with Medford taking the lead with 3 minutes left. Larry later recalled that after the kickoff and taking possession inside the 20, Bullock surveyed the huddle and deadpanned: “Well boys, I guess we just gotta go score again.” As the Bucs drove inexorably down the field, the entire town of Medford vacated the bleachers to line the back of their end zone, collectively trying to add their will to their team’s efforts to make a goal-line stand. It didn’t work. THS scored the winning TD in the final minute and the Bucs had their undefeated season and CSC title.
Upon graduating, and being named to the Oklahoma’s All-State Team, Larry turned down an offer to play at OU, instead enlisting in the Navy. Showing aptitude for ...
