Compiled by Tom Dameron

Alderson, W Va. , May 29, - September 4, 1936

 
A. A. McLaughlin Appointed High School Football Coach

May 29, 1936 - The appointment of A. A. McLaughlin or better known as "Abe" at Alderson High School next year as football coach, has met with the approval of every citizen and football fan, who are interested in seeing Alderson again have a team that ranks with the best in the Valley. McLaughlin was at Hillsboro the past three years and will come here this fall with one of the best records of any high school coach in the state over a period of three years. Statistics show that McLaughlin's 1934 eleven was the best the Greenbrier Valley has seen since Alderson's Indians of 1929 they scored over 200 points against 6. With an actual squad of only 18 men some who had never seen a football before, he molded a team together that swept the valley with ease to win the conference championship. His coming to Alderson next year will be the signal for more interest on the part of the people and players alike despite the fact he will be greatly handicapped from the lack of seasoned material in his first year.

Indians Show Promise of Developing Into a Formidable Team
(By Jr. R. "Dodie" Vaught)

August 19, 1936 - The 1936 Alderson High football combine has been working hard under their new coach, Abe McLaughlin, for the past week, and the popular Greenbrier Valley mentor is satisfied with the results of the first week's preliminary practice. Several new men reported on Wednesday and two full teams scrimmaged that day, with the regulars showing more real football than has been seen at Alderson High school for a number of years.
The backfield quartet of Honaker, Simmons, Copeland and Hedrick are really looking good, with the first named showing promise of developing into a real ball carrier. The linemen are also showing lots of fight, for their regular places are constantly threatened by a trio or more of men working on the second squad. The new Alderson mentor is up against a tough proposition as he only has another week to whip his squad into condition to meet the strong Rainelle Rangers on their home field Saturday, September 19.
Pre-season dope has it this year that the big three in the valley will be Ronceverte, Rainelle, and Marlinton. The Rangers have eight men who were ineligible last year and are planning on the best season since Jerry Blake and Carl Weber left the lumber city in 1933.
However, over at Rainelle they have lots of respect for a McLaughlin coached eleven, as he tripped them twice when they had almost a sure shot at the Conference title. A large number of Alderson fans are expected to be at the local field today when a picked Alumni eleven by "Dot" Meredith will give the "36" combine some real opposition. It is hoped that a large crowd of Alderson people will follow the Indians to Rainelle on the 19th as moral support goes a long way toward starting and giving a grid team lots of courage against a stronger opponent.

Links to 1936 team:

Bill Simmons interview.

Great Things Expected of Indians
Alderson High School Slated to have Best Grid Team Since "32"

September 4, 1936 - The best team since 'thirty-two' is the cry of the football fans around Alderson when twenty-two candidates report to Coach Abe McGlaughlin for the initial practice session on Monday of this week.  Ten more likely prospects are expected to report at the start of school next Tuesday.  Assisting McGlaughlin for the first week are Simmons, Patton and Bartholomew, the famous Greenbrier trio, and Hull, the all-Valley center for the past two seasons, will be added to the staff tomorrow for preliminary workouts.
Of the twenty-two men only nine have had experience under fire, but have had practically no coaching at all.  "It is a green squad, but with lots of possibilities," says Coach Abe. "And we expect to be ready in less than three weeks to make a creditable showing in our opener over at Rainelle on September 18." 
The new mentor is especially pleased with the looks of Pugh, Honaker, and Hedrick, backs, the later is destined to make Alderson fans forget the punting of McClung and Simmons, former stars.  Raymond McClung, a tackle, one of the best in the valley last year is in fine shape and will be a tower of strength in the line.  Copeland, Fawcett and  the Jones brothers are also expected to give a good account of themselves this year.
A tough eight-game schedule is arranged mostly with conference elevens.  Hinton and Anstead, two other rivals will also be played.
Boys reporting for the opening practice sessions include: Robert McClung, Copeland, B. Jones, A. Jones, Fawcett, Reed, Crawford, Hedrick, Honaker, Hampton, Warren, Hill, Boyd, Steele, Feamster, Bondurant, Carter, Ayers, Evans, Pugh, Simmons, Stover, Allred, Robert  McClung.

(Note:  Look at the spelling of McLaughlin…Talk about new.....he was so new that the newspaper could not spell his name correctly.)  This intrepid reporter hopes to be on the sideline for the opener in Rainelle on the 18th.  As a special feature while reporting on this 1936 team this reporter will review the 1932 team and provide highlights of that season.   Are there any readers out there who can name the coach of the 1932 Alderson Indians?    Stay tuned for the answer.)