Imperial Valley Press

History repeated itself in 1939 and named Coach Robert Armstrong red faced mentor of El Centro junior college 'as the county's coach of the year this week (Calexico dissenting.)

The wily junior college coach, a mentor who still believes that blocking and tackling are better weapons than all of the tricks in the books, and proved it conclusively with his 1939 grid machine, turned out the first undefeated junior college football team in history of the school.

That feat alone gave Armstrong undisputed claim to the honor.

Starting with 30 candidates from all sections of the Imperial Valley Armstrong whipped a winning ball club into shape. There were stars from Calexico high, Ted Sanchez and Frank Raab; from Holtville came Marvin Walker, Earl Walker Jack Gray Stacey Morgan, Bill Knight; from El Centro Bob Ballou, Leon Whitlow, Joe Avendano Woodrow Ingles. Each played an important part in the junior college triumphs.

Phoenix and Gila junior colleges each bowed twice to the Arab gridders and Yuma high found it didn't belong on the same field with the junior collegians. Compton jaycees, Arizona State Frosh and Citrus junior college held the El Centrans to deadlocks. Jack Gray and Ted Sanchez were missing from the lineup in the Citrus game, however, and Marvin Walker was absent during the Compton and Tempe games.

The victories over Phoenix were the first ever recorded for El Centro and Coach Robert Armstrong was the happiest man in the southwest when the Arabs smashed their way

Armstrong developed a hard running attack with good blocking and straight off tackle power plays. He worked out a fundamental passing offense to vary the attack and he stressed tackling until the Arab defense was almost impenetrable.

Only four touchdowns were made against El Centro during the entire season.

It was Armstrong's second season as head of the junior college football team and he lived up to the reputation he built as head coach at El Centro high school a few years back. Last season his team scored three victories, was defeated twice and held to a deadlock once.

Before Armstrong took the helm the junior college annual record looked like that of Knox college during its football famine.

So pay a tribute to Coach Robert Armstrong, a hard working, sharp-tongued football mentor, who has what it takes when it comes to turning out a football team which can score victories. He's the coach of the year and he has a bright record to prove his claim to that honor.