Black Knights of the Panhandle: Dumas Demons

Black Knights of the Panhandle is a memoir about life, seen through eyes of youngsters growing up in the panhandle town of Dumas, Texas during the 1950s and early 1960s. It captures lifestyles shortly after soldiers returned home at the end of World War II, as they wanted to forget about war and begin a new life.

The story provides an historic account of the times and how the entire town came together during the glory days when sports ruled. The powerhouse sports teams broke many schoolboy records as three state championships titles were garnered in two years. The Dumas high school mascot is a Demon, but during the 1961 football season, a sports writer coined the Demons as Black Knights of the Panhandle.

Excitement and feelings of teenagers and citizens are captured in this writing as the Demons succeeded in sports. Hopefully, you will gain an understanding of how the Christian culture provided positive guidance to the community. This era was during a time of simple lifestyles, the birth of rock n roll music, sock hops and innocent teenager romance.

Don Samuels is a former Dumas High School athlete! He played guard on offense and linebacker on defense for the 1961 and 1962 Class AAA State Championship football teams. Don is a member of the graduating Class of 1963