Local college marks perfect football season
Gridiron squad ends 1967 season ranked third nationally

By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Saturday, August 9, 2008 10:49 PM PDT

SCOTT FORD | ARGUS OBSERVER The 1967 Treasure Valley Community College football team achieved a measure of glory by posting an undefeated season in junior college play.

Ontario—No team could stop the Treasure Valley Community College football squad during the junior college regular season in 1967 as the Chukars completed a perfect 9-0 record and finished the fall campaign ranked third in the nation.

The 1967 junior college gridiron crusade also marked an interesting fact: The Chukar football squad posted wins over the freshman teams from the University of Oregon, 21-0, and Oregon State, 30-26. TVCC also defeated  Boise State 26-23 that year.

The Chukars averaged 354.8 yards per game, while its defense gave up a stingy 202.2 per game.

Several athletes from the 1967 team also gained national accolades, former head coach Gary Farnworth said.

TVCC players Carter Campbell and Bryce Huddleston were both named All-Americans and Campbell was also named the junior college defensive lineman of the year.

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Gary Kamo at fullback, Randy Nelson at wide receiver and Bryce Huddleston also pitched in to make the Chukars’ potent offense go.

“Campbell was the best defensive lineman I saw play at the junior college level in my years of coaching,” Farnworth said.

Campbell went on to play football for Weber State where he earned All-American honors again. Then following his college career, Campbell played in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants.

Local talent Joe Yraguen anchored one end of the D-line, and that defense was led by the defensive coordinator Dick DeBisschop.

On defense, the Chukars were a tough team to run against as they only allowed 96 yards per game. The defensive secondary also put in a good performance throughout the year, giving up 106 yards per game.

The season was punctuated by key games, Farnworth said.

“The game against Oregon State was a great game. They were tough,” Farnworth said. “The stadium was packed and they got to see us improve to 8-0 on that day with a 30-26 win.”

Another big game for the 1967 Chukar football team was the contest against Boise State. During the 1966 season, the Broncos defeated TVCC  56-7. The next year, thought tables were turned.

The Chukars defeated Boise State — then known as Boise Junior College — 26-23 during week four of the season.

“We pretty much outplayed them the entire game,” Farnworth said. “Huddleston ran back a kick-off that solidified the game.”

TVCC finished the year as the only undefeated Junior College in the country but was snubbed regarding a bowl game.

“The school lobbied for us to go to a bowl game as much as they could, but there was only one bowl game that year, the national championship,” Farnworth said.

Following the 1967 season, the TVCC football team had put its name on the football world map.

“That season was one of the top stories in the state,” Farnworth said.

When Farnworth took the field in the summer of 1967 for the team’s first practice, he said he did believe he had a team that could go a long way.

“I was a young man back then, and yes, I did believe we could win it all,” Farnworth said. “When our quarterback showed up, I knew it was going to be a great year.”

He added that year really surprised the community, and, the community supported the Chukars well.