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The Corpus Christi Caller Newspaper and the Community kept "The Wes Watch", as he came close to breaking the rushing record in 1995. Wes and the 1995 Football players were an Awesome Football Team, and possibly Coach Danaher and Coaching Staff best ever. |
In 1995, the one game to see was the Calallen versus Gregory-Portland. Wes Danaher was now a senior, and needed a total of 321 yards to break the rushing-record of 6, 219 yards set by Bubba Greely, Tomball High School in the 1982-1985. And Wes Danaher, ten years later 1992-1995 had the opportunity to break the record, and move into First Place in the Texas 4A Rushing Rankings.
Call it intuition, or a feeling, but I knew something big was about to happen. In my many years of football watching, this was the first time I had ever brought my own clipboard with blank paper. I was going to keep a running tally on each run by Wes Danaher.
On Calallen first drive, Wes on a perfect handoff from quarterback Travis Fallon, and outstanding blocking by tackle Gabe Garza, guard Craig Corkill, center Jason Norris and Robert Monroe, the right guard, and tackle Michael Thieme, opened a hole, and Wes Danaher was off and running for daylight, the 30, the 40, midfield, the 40, 30, 20, 10, 5 –TOUCHDOWN! An 80 yard run.
I wrote on the clipboard – 80 yards. The Calallen Fans were staring at me as I scribbled and I quickly announced to Janet, my wife -- 80 down and 241 to go. Some fans shrugged, they didn’t think it would be a record-breaking day.
In the first quarter, Wes sprint, found the holes, broke tackles, and scored two more touchdowns. The young man came to play. He was piling up the yards faster than I could write them down. I was now an important fan in the stands. “How’s Wes doing?” With 5 minutes to go in the first quarter, I answered. "He has 126 yards, and three scores. – Cool!"
These same Gregory-Portland Wildcats had embarrassed Coach Danaher in 1984 by giving him a good old country football bashing 69-0. And I supposed little Wes had never forgotten. It was eerie and it appeared Wes was born to avenge his father loss. Not only did he score a total of six touchdowns, he was unstoppable. The Calallen Wildcats were all for Wes to break the record, The Cal-Cats were putting a football clinic in football fundamentals.
Wes ran like a wild Mustang, the Gregory Players had lassoed him, but that was a big, big mistake; they were dragged, stomped and were helpless against this young man, who by half-time had accumulated an astounding 206 yards. I advised the circle of fans around me that he only needs 115 yards to break the Class 4A rushing record. The Calallen fans were shifting in their seats and knew that perhaps Wes was within reach of that Class IV rushing goal.
Dickie Gonzales intercepted a pass before halftime, making the score Calallen 49, Gregory-Portland 14.
After a fine halftime musical entertainment by both school bands, the Wildcat teams returned onto the football field. I could see that Calallen was ready to play, and Coach Bob Loomis was doing everything in his coaching arsenal to motivate his players. (After the game, Coach Loomis was a good sport, congratulated Wes, his Dad and the Wildcats. Later coach Loomis told his team, "What Calallen does, is their business, what we do is our business.")
And in the third quarter, the Calallen Wildcats came to play; Wes appeared to have been motivated to avenge his Dad’s 1984 GP loss. However, the truth was coaches, fans, and the football team themselves wanted Wes to have the Class IV Rushing Record -- 6000 Fans were present. Instead of cheering “Go Cats Go”, the fan improvised the chant to “Go Wes Go.” The Calallen Wildcats completely dominated the game.
The Visiting fans knew when their team was licked, and some headed for the exits, and went home early.
With the game clock winding down to one minute and 11 seconds, Wes had a total of 270 yards.
The Calallen Wildcats took the ball over on their own 34 yard line.
Wes took a lateral and ran to the right for seven yards; the next carry he ran left, breaking tackles and gaining 20 yards.
"He needs 31 yards," I advised the fans.
Wes took the belly play right up the middle for 13 yards.
“Eighteen, more for the record!" Now all the fans were pumped up, they could smell the record.
Next Wes ran up the middle with 3 or 4 GP Wildcats trying to bring him down, 11 more yards.
The GP Wildcats, the great rival, were telling Wes, "not on our watch and against our team, will you set the new record."
Next, the greatest runner to come out of Calallen, broke tackles, carried tacklers, and drag tacklers for 13 yards.
Wes had a new record. Calallen fans waited in silence.
I had already told my circle of fans. It’s official.
About 20 seconds later, the stadium announcer roared through the stadium speakers – Wes Danaher has just set a New All Time Class 4A rushing record. The Calallen loyal fans gave Wes a standing ovation.
For Wes, it had been a fight. Like a young colt, he staggered to the sideline, where his Mom hugged him, and his Dad gave him a forehead to forehead hug, and Coach Danaher had the "record-setting" football and would not let anyone handle it.
But Calallen was not done yet. I believe Coach Danaher wanted to pull his starters out, and he was a good 15 yards from me. I screamed “Remember the 69 shellacking you took in 1984,” I don’t know if he heard me, but he left the starters in. And to this day, GP has not been able to avenge this loss to their satisfaction. In the waning seconds, QB Travis Fallon scored the last touchdown of the game. This last score was paramount to kicking a dying dog to the side of the road. Or like the Caller time wrote: "It was like kicking a mugging victim as he lies bleeding on the sidewalk." The final score was 69-21, Calallen's favor.
The Calallen fans were in a festive mood. On the sideline, Coach Danaher, giving the interview, stated “I’m so proud of my team and of him [Wes].” One could see Coach Danaher had heart; his eyes were filled with joyful tears.
And Wes was beaming with a New Class 4A Running Record, #1 in the great State of Texas. 6232 yards total, and Wes still had a few games left, district and playoffs. But for tonight 6 touchdowns, and 330 yards on 30 carries was enough. Wes Danaher had made his mark in the history of Calallen High School Football, and the great state of Texas.
| Anita Danaher had given Wes Danaher a "motherly hug" after the GP Game. Anita loved her three children -- Cody, Brittney and Wes; and her two football-playing sons had made her proud. However, for the moment it was Wes Danaher turn "to shine" on his record-breaking performance. |
Senior Wes Danaher sets 4A Single Season Leading Rusher Record with 3569 Yards. His final Accomplishment.
Year: 1995 Coach: Phil A Danaher Season Record: 14-1 District: 31-4A
DATE TD YDT Carries PssRx PssTd
CALALLEN 28 CC KING 7 9/9/95 3 220 28 0 0
CALALLEN 62 SINTON 0 9/16/95 3 233 15 0 0
CALALLEN 28 ALICE 7 9/23/95 0 2 2 0 0
CALALLEN 40 BEEVILLE 0 9/30/95 3 189 17 0 0
CALALLEN 69 GREGORY-PORT. 21 10/7/95 6 333 30 17 1
CALALLEN 59 KINGSVILLE 6 10/14/95 2 189 13 0 0
CALALLEN 67 ROCKPORT-FUL 0 10/21/95 2 289 20 0 0
CALALLEN 61 FLOUR BLUFF 19 10/28/95 3 283 25 0 0
CALALLEN 56 TULOSO-MIDWAY 7 11/04/95 6 286 23 0 0
CALALLEN 73 ROBSTOWN 0 DISTRICT 11/11/95 5 341 27 0 0
CALALLEN 40 PLEASANTON 14 BI-DI 11/18/95 2 335 24 0 0
CALALLEN 62 LOSFRESNOS 20 AREA 11/25/95 3 302 27 0 0
CALALLEN 55 N.B.CAN 30 REGIONAL 12/02/95 3 196 28 9 1
CALALLEN 49 BASTROP 0 QTRFINAL 12/08/95 3 257 31 0 0
CALALLEN 21 LA MARQUE 32 SEMIF 12/15/95 1 117 30 0 0
1995 45 3572 340
WES DANAHER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SUMMARY:
YEAR YDS CARRIES TDS
1992 458 72
1993 2024 279 24
1994 2429 332 22
1995 3572 340 34
TOTALS 8483** 1023 87
**This was my unofficial count that I had, but Calallen Football Coaches had the correct yards -- 8855 total.
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 Calallen's Football Jersey worn by Wes Danaher, Calallen best rusher ever, #31 is retired. The Jersey is displayed at Calallen High School, Entrance Hall, Main Trophy Case. |
Wes Danaher acomplishments listed on a Golden Plaque in the CHS Trophy Case.
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 In 2003, Dave Campbell was in Calallen, and he autographed Janet's Magazine. |
Wes Records listed in the 2003 Categories DCTF Magazine: |
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CURRENT WILDCATS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
16 consecutive Seasons of 10 games won, or better.(NEW 2002 State Record) |
| Coach Phil C. and Anita Danaher Family. The very young Danaher is looking at his Grandpa. (L-R) Wes, Anita, Claudia, Mr. & Mrs. Cody Danaher and their son, Coach Danaher and Brittney. Wes has the distinction of being 1st Class IV all-time football rusher with 8855 yards, and 2nd all-classifications in Texas. Coach Phil C. Danaher is the Most Winningest Football Active Coach in Texas with 298 wins.(through 2004 season). |
The Best of the 1995 Football Team.
| 1995 -- Most Outstanding Lineman Gabe Garza. |
1995 -- Offense Captains Wes Danaher, Travis Fallon, Gabe Garza. |
| 1995 -- Most Outstanding Defense Back Travis Fallon, Dickie Gonzales. |
1995 -- Most Valuable Player Wes Danaher |
| 1995 -- Most Outstanding Defense Lineman Jarrett Erwin. |
1995 -- Tiger Teague Award Robert Monroe |
| 1995 -- Fighting Heart Award Craig Coskill. |
1995 -- Defense Captains Jarrett Erwin, Robert Monroe, C.J. Carwell |
| 1995 -- Wildcat Award Jimmy Favor. |
1995 -- Best Outstanding Offense Back Wes Danaher. |
Background Music: The Angelo State University Fight Song.