Atlanta ISD

Finally a Sports Prophecy Came True

By Gordon Pynes

We will never know the prophets name but it was a sports fan from Daingerfield who proclaimed that if the Atlanta’s Rabbits ever won a State Team Sports Championship “All Hell Would Break Loose”. The Rabbits had been competing in a number of Girls and Boys team sports since the mid 1920’s. Two boys basketball teams had made the State Tourney in the 1950’s and 70’s but did not gain that State trophy. In the 1960’s the Football team lost in the playoffs to eventual Champ Marlin. Now in the Spring of 1989 some 65 years had elapsed toward the goal of that State trophy. A dark cloud began to loom near Austin’s Memorial Stadium. It was mid May and a warm day as teams battled in track and field at the State Championships. The final event of the day for 3A Boys teams was set.

The Atlanta Rabbits were in a good position to win the Meet if their foursome could capture the 1600 meter relay. With the sound of the gun the quartermilers were off and senior Carlos Simmons quickly established a lead for the Rabbs as he had at every meet that season. Junior Vincent Lawson got the baton from Simmons and gave ground to Newton in pursuit but held a slim lead. Senior Keino Willis ran third and well but a furious effort by Newton’s third leg swept past and suddenly the Rabbs faced a wide deficit. Senior Rod Rowe set out on the anchor leg at least 20 meters behind Newton. Rowe had already won the 400 meter event in a strong 47.2 seconds and was then only the second Rabb in school history to claim individual event gold. Martin Miller was the first in 1970 and 71 mile run wins.

I sat high above in the Stadium stands and beside me was longtime Texarkana Gazette Sports Editor Johnny Green. He asked “can your runner overcome that big lead”. I answered that Rod was among the best 400 meter runners in the State but that lead was huge. Rowe seemed to bide his time and smartly began to gradually close the gap down the back stretch. He moved closer on the last curve and suddenly roared past Newton down the stretch to win. What a comeback and the Rabbs 1600 meter relay team had set a State 3A record in the event at 3:15.3 (minutes, seconds, tenths). The State championship was Atlanta’s. Rabbits scored 52 points to runnerup Marlins’ 28. That 1600 meter relay record has since been broken but by only tenths of a second. Now 37 years later it still stands as the school record.

Those four Rabb runners would mount the victory stand at mid-field and have the gold medals hung around their necks. Next the entire Atlanta team and coaches Roy Hernandez, Gordon Pynes and Athletic Director Ben Scharnberg swarmed the stand to accept the first State team trophy in Rabbit history. Then it happened as a violent spring storm in Central Texas broke from that afore mentioned black cloud. Rain poured, thunder and lightning arrived. That Daingerfield fan was finally right on. All Hell was breaking loose after a wait of 65 years. Team and coaches scurried for cover under Memorial Stadium. Though each Rabb was soaking wet it would be a memory none would ever forget. A spell had been broken, the door torn down and new opportunity for more was available. Rabbit team State Championships were now possible and more were sure to come.

Since that day in May of 1989 the Rabbs have won nine Team crowns. A total of six in Track, one in Football, Baseball and Girls track. Many more are certainly possible come rain or shine.

Probably few Rabbit fans know that this win in 1989 led to the construction of Rabbit Stadium and the all weather track.

In the next several issues of local publications I’ll write about the two guys who led the Rabbits to that first State Trophy. Rod Rowe and Carlos Simmons went on to further their talented track careers in college. Both will be honored on the night of Thursday October 22nd at the Atlanta-Liberty Eylau football game. They will take their much deserved places in the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame. Remember, they led the way and yes All Hell Broke loose.