The 74th Oil Bowl: A view from both sides

I grew up in Oklahoma and always wanted to play in the Oil Bowl but never got the opportunity. Then I moved to Texas and coached high school football and wanted to coach in the Oil Bowl but never did. My two oldest sons didn't get to play in the game either.

But this year my youngest son became the first in our family to play in the Oil Bowl. My parents and brother and sister all still live in Oklahoma, but my son played on the Texas side so it was a big deal for our family. We had general admission tickets to sit on the Oklahoma side and we would end up being the only Texas fans on that side.

The game was tremendous. It turned out to be a great defensive struggle with Texas winning 17-14 in overtime. This was the first time the Oil Bowl had ever been decided in overtime.

In front of nearly 5,000 fans, Texas scored first on a 69 yard interception return but had the PAT blocked. Oklahoma then scored in the second and third quarter to take a 14-6 lead. Texas forced a safety with just over six minutes left in the fourth to push the score to 14-8. The Texans then came back down the field and scored the game-tying touchdown with three minutes left. A botched snap on the PAT sent the game into overtime at 14-14.

Right at the beginning of overtime Oklahoma fumbled to give Texas a great opportunity to win the game and a few plays later Texas kicked a 39-yard field goal to close it out.

The entire weekend was a great experience. Former Southlake Carroll head coach Bob Ledbetter was inducted into the Oil Bowl Hall of Fame and Brad McCoy (father of former NFF National Scholar-Athlete Colt McCoy) was the guest speaker.

For the kids that get to play in the game, this is a unique opportunity to be a part of history. The Oil Bowl is one of the oldest high school all-star games in the United States. Several future college and pro football hall of famers have played in the game. Here’s a list of some College Football Hall of Famers who have participated in the Oil Bowl: Bobby Layne (Texas), Jerry Levias (SMU), Bud McFadin (Texas), Steve Owens (Oklahoma), Lee Roy Selmon (Oklahoma), Jerry Sisemore (Texas). Coaches: Matty Bell, Bobby Dodd, Jess Neely, Dutch Meyer, Gil Steinke, Grant Teaff.

The game features a blend of players going to big schools like Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Baylor as well as some smaller schools like Tarleton State, Central Oklahoma, Nicholls State, and Sam Houston State. It also gives the players an opportunity to play with and get to know guys they played against earlier in the year.

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About the Oil Bowl:
The Oil Bowl started as a simple summertime West Texas vs. East Texas high school all-star football game back in 1938. Today, the Oil Bowl is one of the most prestigious postseason all-star games in the United States. All except one year since 1945, Texas vs. Oklahoma has been the format of the Oil Bowl. The top high school players from the two states go head-to-head every June for football bragging rights. The primary purpose of the game is to raise money for charities  in Texas and Oklahoma.

About Gerald Brence:
Gerald Brence graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He has his Masters Degree in Education, as well as an Educational Administrative Certificate from Texas A&M Commerce. Brence served as Head Football Coach of the Wildcats at Plano Senior High School in Plano, Texas for 16 years and now functions as the Athletic Director in the Plano Independent School District in Plano, Texas. Coach Brence is also currently serving as President of the Gridiron Club of Dallas Chapter - National Football Foundation.