Joe and Marilyn Ellis

Joe & Marilyn Ellis

Joe and Marilyn Ellis moved to Purcell in the winter of 1961 and that was the year that began the streak of the Ellis’ attending 319 straight Purcell High School Football games as a couple.

Joe remembers many times with his job at the Santa Fe Railroad, that if he needed to lay off to see the Dragons play, he would come down with “Dragon Fever.”

When asked what stood out the most, they both replied, “They all do.”

They remember each season to be completely different than the one before.

They vividly remember watching Hubba Green in the mid-1960’s and Joe McReynolds in the early 1970’s Joe and Marilyn remember watching Cliff Thrift play every game in high school and from their recliner in 1985 when his Chicago Bears team captured a Super Bowl World Title.

Their memories are such as going to the 1972 Class A State Finals Football Game at Stillwater’s Hamilton Field and seeing the Dragons bring home a State Championship.

They also remembered going back to Stillwater’s Hamilton Field two years later in 1974 when the Dragons lost to Skiatook in the Class 2A State Finals.

But their memories are mostly watching their son Ronnie playing for the Dragons in the mid 1980’s. They watched him helping the 1985 PHS Track Team win another State Title for Coach Bob Haley.

“To All of the PHS players, the PHS Coaches, the PHS parents, and the Purcell Businesses, you are all of what made High School Sports in Purcell an unbelievable experience. We are so proud to be Dragons!”

Go Dragons!!