Want to write more on good defensive coaches in Yoe History, but first I came across a loose sheet in one of Max’s yearly books. Apparently he had got two seasons records from somewhere. They were on the 1934 and 35 seasons scores and really low. Don’t have any other info of who the head coach was back then, but I’m sure he was the only coach. Anyway in 1934 with a nine game schedule, they stood 6-0 in the season before finishing with three straight ties to end the season 6-0-3 district champions. They had beaten Marlin (7-6), West (20-0), Thrall (6-0), Georgetown (6-0), Taylor (13-0), and Granger (6-0), before tying Rosebud (12-12), Rockdale (6-6), and Belton (6-6). They lost bidistrict to Smithville (14-6). They scored 88 points, giving up only 44. The next season 1935, they started with six straight victories over Marlin (19-0), Franklin (13-0), Thrall (47-0), Georgetown (32-0), Taylor (12-0) and Granger (35-6). They lost two of the last three to Rosebud (15-6), and Belton (7-0) while shutting out Rockdale (7-0). That’s only 28 points given up in nine games, for a three-point average. Maybe someone can look in an old annual and find out who the coach was and let me know. Back to modern times and remembering when Toby York left to return to his alma mater, Conroe. Who would the school board find to take over after seven straight great seasons. They decided on two young men form Arkansas, Tom Ed Gooden took over the Yoemen for the next six years. He brought his defensive coordinator John Wilson with him. He was a great one, who would tutor some Yoe players to become future great coaches for the Yoemen and other high schools, such as Tommy Brashear, Eric Balch, and Kenneth Gilchrest. Their first two years were their best defensively going (5-5) in 1988 with only 122 points given up. The following year 1989 was an unbeaten 10-0 year with only 60 points given up. They did lose bi-district to a very strong Navasota team (18-12). They would continue to have playoff teams three of the next four years. They played only nine game schedules. Those four years for some reason. They went 7-3 in 1990, losing in bidistrict to a strong Crockett team (14-6). Then the UIL loaded our district with eight teams, including La Vega, Lorena, Robinson, Gatesville, Marlin and Connally, now all of them are in Class 4A. Only Troy and us remain 3A. Still we held our own going (8-3-1) in both 1992 and 1993. In 1992 we won bi-district over Palestine Westwood 28-27 over at A&M Consolidated. We returned to that same field the next week, but were knocked out of the playoffs again by Crockett, in a 14-14 tie, losing on penetrations. The following year 1993 saw us defeat Mexia on penetrations in a (12-12) tie at Gatesville, before losing to Coldspring at Bryan 30-16. Both coaches went to Greenville for a couple years. Wilson returned to Yoe High for a couple years and now is retired, while Coach Gooden took over the head job at Class 6A Port Arthur Memorial, before having health problems. I miss them both very much. They made their mark at Yoe High School. Go Yoe!
