San Jose Apaches

History

The San Jose Apaches were a semi-pro and professional football team that operated from 1963 to 1967. In the 1965 season, they secured the Northern California League championship by defeating th 4-time champion Redwood City Ramblers. The following year, in 1966, they lost the Pacific Coast Championship to the Seattle Ramblers.

The final year for the San Jose Apaches was 1967, when they transitioned to the professional Continental Football League. This significant move coincided with the appointment of future Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh. Under Walsh’s guidance, the team ended the season with an 8-4 record, earning them second place in the Pacific Division.

The Apaches played at several fields during their time in both Santa Clara and San Jose. For the Santa Clara years Wilcox High School served as the home field, later playing games at San Jose City College Stadium, with their 1967 games played at Municipal Stadium (Excite Ballpark) and some games apparently played at Spartan Stadium.

The Apaches still have fans in and around San Jose and their memory still shines. The coaching legacy of Bill Walsh’s 1967 season adds a distinguished chapter to the Apaches’ history.

Apaches Year by Year

1967 San Jose Apaches Season

The 1967 Apaches were upgraded to the Continental Football League (ContFL) and took on a new head coach, Bill Walsh, NFL Hall of Fame coach. The Apaches played in the ContFL’s Pacific Division against teams from Seattle, Orange County, Long Beach and other places along the West Coast. Despite finishing second in their division the playoff format only allowed the top Pacific team to compete, which was the Orange County Ramblers. The Orlando Panthers beat them to win the 1967 ContFL championship. Ultimately, San Jose was not viable in the ConfFL and the Apaches ended operations altogether.

1967 All Stars

Several players were named ContFL All Stars, including Steve Smith (T), Dick Tatley (K), Jim Jackson (DB), Milt Jackson (DB).

1967 Roster
Head Coach Bill Walsh
NameNoPosHgtWgtExperience
Ron Aarts52C6’3230Riverside CC; Oregon State
Marty Baccaglio83RDE6’3245Marin JC; San Jose State
Chuck Billings46FB6’2251Florida A&M;
Jerry Bradley20RB5’10170California
Tom brown72LDE6’1230Pittsburgh
Bob Conrad15OE6’2195Santa Monica JC; Stanford
Steve Cox23SE-FL5’11185Los Angeles Harbor JC; San Jose State
Ollie Cromwell53C6’4260Central Oklahoma
Bob Daugherty11FB6’2205New Mexico Military Institute JC; Tulsa
Gary Filzetti21HB5’11205Santa Clara
Charley Fuller25HB5’11175Vallejo JC; San Francisco State
Chon Gallegos10QB5’9175San Jose CC; San Jose State
Tom Gates24QB6’1205San Diego; San Bernardino Valley JC; Oregon State
Dick Gibbs15DB6’1190Iowa
Charlie Green14QB6’0190Wittenberg
Larry Guilford45S6’1195Monterey Peninsula JC; Pacific
John Guillory21CB5’10190Oakland CC; Stanford
Willie Hector54OLB6’2220Pacific
Dave Hettema75OT6’4249Pasadena CC; New Mexico
James Jackson28CB-HB6’1190Oklahoma
Jim JacksonS5’11186Western Illinois
Leonard Jackson
Mike Jackson43S6’3200Bakersfield CC; Tulsa
Nate Johns26RB6’0205Monterey Peninsula JC; San Diego State
Walter Johnson85RDE6’5235Tuskegee
Henry Kalama22FB6’3230Hartnell JC
Greg Kent74ROT6’6275Wisconsin; Utah
Pat Lovell63OT6’0233Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo)
Chris Machado49S6’0200Hartnell JC; Pacific
Billy Mackey48S6’0203Michigan State; Bakersfield CC
Ron McBride58OLB5’11215San Jose State
Ed McCall20OE-P6’3205Miles
Sam Moore65ROT6’2247San Mateo JC; San Jose State
Tommy Myers69LB5’10215San Jose CC; San Jose State
Marty Nodila64RDT6’3245Grays Harbor JC; Utah State
Terry Oakes76DT6’3236Cabrillo JC; San Francisco State
Dave Olerich22LB6’1220San Francisco
Ernie Oliver70ROG6’2232San Francisco CC; San Francisco State
Jim Patterson66LOT-ROG6’4235San Francisco State
Bill Peterson86TE6’3228San Jose State
John Read30FB6’0225Stanford
Willie Redmond60LOG6’1227Monterey Peninsula JC; Utah State
Mike Roach14OE-P5’11190Contra Costa JC
Mike Ruiz55MLB6’2235Adams State
Jack Schraub83FL-P6’6210California
Len Sears72ROG-LOG6’5235South Carolina
C.B. Simons83LDT6’2230Stanford
Steve Smith77LOT6’5246Michigan
Dick Tatley36K5’7220Fullerton JC; San Jose State
Barry Thiesen75LDT6’2250Fresno State
Ed Titus20CB6’0195Merritt JC; San Jose State
John Travis32HB-FB6’1218Foothill JC; San Jose State
Gene Williams24FL6’4228New Mexico State
John Williams47S6’1202Reedley JC; San Diego State
1967 San Jose Apaches roster.
1967 Schedule
DateOpponentW/LScoreVenueAtt.
8/12/67Sacramento BuccaneersW31-16Hughes Stadium7000
8/18/67OC ramblersL7-44Municipal Stadium2300
9/3/67Eugene BombersW40-20Bethel park7896
9/9/67Victoria TyeesW29-2SJCC3107
9/17/67Long Beach Admirals
9/24/67Sacramento BuccaneersW41-0SJCC2612
10/1/67Seattle RangersW14-7SJCC2123
10/8/67OC RamblersL17-24Municipal Stadium
10/15/67Eugene BombersW23-21Santa Clara3117
10/22/67Eugene BombersL7-14Bethel Park2804
10/29/67 vs OC Ramblers at SJCCOC RamblersL3-14SJCC4391
11/4/67Victoria TyeesW33-9Royal Athletic Park5100
11/12/67Seattle RangersL7-17Memorial Stadium3982
11/19/67Seattle RangersW48-21SJCC3642
11/25/67Sacramento BuccaneersW45-10Hughes Stadium1500
1967 San Jose Apaches season schedule and outcomes.
1967 Uniform

The Apaches wore the white 49ers road jerseys during the 1967 season, Raiders silver pants and new white helmets with the feather stripe down the center, according to Mike Roach.

The 1967 Apaches wore Raiders and 49ers white jerseys, Raiders silver pants with a new white helmet and a distinct feather stripe down the center.

1966 San Jose Apaches Season

The ’66 San Jose Apaches won their first 12 games, only losing the Pacific Coast championship to the Seattle Ramblers.

Semi-Professional Records

During the 1966 season several Apaches players set National Semi-Pro records. Apaches receiver Mike Roach racked up 24 receiving touchdowns (tied for 4th all-time), 1,371 yards on 85 catches, earning him a tryout with the 49ers. Kicker Dick Tatley kicked 14 extra points in a single game (tied for 3rd all-time). Additionally, the Apaches scored 100 points on November 27, 1966 against the Pasadena Raiders, (tied for 6th most points ever scored in a semi-pro game).

Mike Roach at San Jose's Municipal Stadium in 1966. Photo courtesy Mike Roach.
Mike Roach wearing the old Oakland Raiders uniforms with the silver inner number removed, leaving only the black “outline.” Photo at San Jose’s Municipal Stadium in 1966, courtesy Mike Roach.
1966 Roster
NamePosNumberHgtWgtExperience
Mike NicholsLE836’1190Foothill JC
Dick DeLaRosaLT746’4280West Valley JC
Pat LovellLG616’1230Cal Poly
Dave PaulC546’1240Apaches
Al ShewRG606’1230San Jose State
Bill HarrisonRT726’3265San Jose State
Larue GambleRE826’1220SJCC
Chon GallegosQB105’10180San Jose State
Joe KrausHB406’1225Kansas State
Henry KalamaFB366’4235Hartnell JC
Mike RoachWB196’0180Contra Costa JC
Bill/Dick ReynoldsRT756’0235
Dave OlerichLE486’1220SJCC
Lloyd KernsLT876’2230SJCC
Ben EneaRE866’1220SFSU
Ed WeisacoskyLLB556’1225Miami U, ’65 AllAmerican
Ron McBrideMLB526’0215SJCC
Tom MeyersRLB575’10210San Jose State
Lonnie GarlowLHB496’1190Apaches
Chris MachadoRHB346’0210U o P
Wayne HogueLS255’8160Apaches
Mel MeffordDT536’3235San Jose State
Dick TatleyK11San Jose State
Dave BeneXXXesQB155’11180San Jose State
Dennis MateoB206’0180Foothill JC
Jerry CalXXXXo22San Jose State
Alvin Gatewood23College of Sequoias
Hal McCoolWB246’0190Apaches
Fred Santos29
Fred SosaHB325’9210US Army
Ben GuzmanHB336’0200San Jose State
Roland FranssenLB386’1230Apaches
R. Roland Franssen43
Larry GuilfordS456’3210MN Vikings
Don DetataLB585’11215San Jose State
Dave ChaidDEL646’2225San Jose State
Fred FaulkLB655’11220West Valley JC
Phil PerryOT666’1220Apaches
Don MahoeDT676’0230Apaches
Chuck EldersDE696’0220San Jose State
Mickey OrdingDT706’1230Oregon
Elden LiuDEX6’4255
Carl KahnX
1966 San Jose Apaches roster.
1966 Schedule

DateOpponentOutcomeVenue
8/27/1966Sacramento LancersW (1-0), 13(18?)-(6?)Sacramento Junior College
9/17, Sat “Home opener”OrovilleW (2-0)Municipal Stadium
Hayward Hawks? “Gladiators”W (3-0)
W (4-0)
“Sunday”Sacramento LancersW (5-0) 44-8Municipal Stadium
“Next game Saturday with visiting Hawks” “second straight win over Hawks”Hayward HawksW (6-0), 21-(8 or 3)
Sacramento LancersW (7-0), 28-6Sacramento
10/1/1966, Sat. 8pmHayward HawksW (8-0), 21-8Municipal Stadium
“Saturday”Oroville BeaversW (9-0), 21-9Oroville, CA
“Next Sunday”Sacramento LancersW (10-0), 54-5Municipal Stadium
Oroville BeaversW (11-0),Municipal Stadium
11/12/1966Hayward HawksW (12-0), 18-12Castro Valley High School
11/23/1966 – Pacific Coast ChampionshipSeattle RamblersL (12-1), 48-13Seattle, WA (6,000 att)
11/27/66Pasadena RaidersW (13-1), 100-7*Paso Robles, CA
1966 Uniform

In 1966 the Apaches wore the old Raiders road white jersey and silver pants with white helmets. Mike Roach said he rapinted his 1964 helmet for the ’65 season. For the last two games of the season (Seattle and title game in Paso Robles vs Pasadena) they wore the 49ers road white jerseys.

1965 San Jose Apaches Season

In 1965 the Apaches finished 13-1 and won the Northern California League championship, beating the reigning Redwood City team. The team also renamed itself to the San Jose Apaches, and moved its training operations to San Jose’s Municipal Stadium (Excite Ballpark).

“The ’65 team had a lot of carryover from the ’64 team. A very good defense with a lot of new offensive weapons, especially quarterback Chon Gallegos. Chon was Player of the Year at San Jose State in 1961 and had a good run with the ’62 Raiders. Chon quickly became the heart and soul of the team and carried us to many victories during the ’65 and ’66 seasons.” Mike Roach, former Apaches player.

All League Players

Chon Gallegos, QB; Wayne Hogue, S; Henry Kalama, FB; Chuck Elders, DE

1965 Roster

Partial reconstruction of the 1965 roster from news articles and box scores.

NamePositionNumberHtWtExperience
Benny EneaRWSan Francisco State
Bill HarrisonLT
Bill MinorLG Def
Bill O’HaraRT
Bob BondsRHB
Carl KahnRE Off
Charley DavisRT Def
Chon GallegosQBSan Jose State
Chris MachadoLW
Chuck ElderLE
Dave ChaidRE
Don McBrideMG
Frank RagoneK
Fred SosaLHB
Henry KalamaFBHartnell College
Jerry LudyRGSan Jose State
John HenryLT Def
Ken BerryQBSan Jose State
Larry GuilfordRH Def
Lonnie GarlowLH Def
Mike NicholsLE Off
Mike RoachFlanker
Mike RuizRG DefSan Jose State
Paul LatzkeC
Steve ArnoldLG
Wayne HogueS
1965 Schedule

Still piecing together the 1965 schedule from news clippings provided by Mike Roach.

DateOpponentOutcomeVenue
OC Rhinos*W, 31-0Bakersfield, CA
9/19/1965Sacramento LancersW, 21-0Municipal Stadium
9/25/1965Oakland GladiatorsW , 34-6Hayward, CA
10/3/1965Humboldt ForestersW, 40-0Municipal Stadium
10/9/1965Oroville BeaversW, 13-0Bechtel Field, Oroville, CA
10/17/1965Redwood City RamblersW, 12-6Municipal Stadium
Charity “All Star Game” vs SFV Eagles
10/24/196Sacramento LancersW, 31-6Hughes Stadium, Sacramento, CA
11/6/1965Humboldt ForestersW, 50-13Eureka, CA
11/20/1965Redwood City RamblersL, 24-7Redwood City, CA
11/27/1965Oakland GladiatorsW, 35-6Municipal Stadium
12/4/1965Oroville BeaversW, 34-8Municipal Stadium
12/12/1965 – Pacific Semi-Pro Football League Championship GameRedwood City RamblersW, 7-6
Municipal Stadium
9-1
*10-1 with exhibition
1965 Uniform

The Apaches adopted the Raiders’ white road uniforms with the outlined silver numbers and black trim, according to Roach.

The 1965 Apaches wore the Raiders white road uniforms with silver pants.

1964 Santa Clara Valley Apaches Season

The Santa Clara Valley Apaches played their home games and practiced at Wilcox High School in Santa Clara. Their head coach was Chuck Gunther. Despite having a good season the Redwood City Ramblers won the league championship again. The Apaches finished the season with a 8-5 record.

“The 1964 team was loaded with really good defensive players that carried the team through most games, along with the Special Teams groups. Even though we had a lot of good offensive talent and won most of our games, we were missing a good quarterback. Bobby Light was there in the beginning and started strong, but got hurt during the season and didn’t finish.” – Mike Roach, 1964 Apaches.

1964 Roster

NamePositionNumberAgeWtExperience
Ned MarandinoQB1025180Michigan State
Mike StarickaWB1223185Foothill
Mac CarmichaelHB1725180Oregon
Bobby LightQB2023210Saskatchewan
Fred SantosHB2121150Semi-pro
Hal McCoolWB2227175Semi-pro
Wayne HogueHB2325160Moffett Field
Mike RoachWB2622185Contra Costa Col.
Ernie StevensonWB2825180Foothill
H. HutchinsonFB3124210Kansas State
Ben GuzmanFB3327210NFL (Oak)
Dave OliverHB3527190Indianapolis Warriors
Lloyd GarnerLB3725200Semi-pro
Rich LemasFB3826245Porterville Col.
Jerry CollettoHB4122165SJSU
Lonnie GarlowWB4421180Foothill
Dave BottermillerHB4724190NFL (NYG)
Rich AmesLB5026210Humboldt St
Herb YamasakiLB5226220SJSU
Frank RagoneC5327230Idaho State
Hank ChamnesC552724XSJSU
Ron McBrideLB5728215SJSU
Jack BeaudinHB6126200Quantico Marines
John SutraT6325240NFL (SF)
Neal JosephG6527245US Army
Tom MeyersG6625215SJSU
Jerry LudyG6824210SJSU
Chevy OrozcoT6925245Stockton College
Charlie DavisT7026250Compton College
Ed HuseT7326255Wyoming University
Don AndersonT7524260SJSU
Bill O’HaraT7629240Calgary
Dick De La RosaT7826295San Jose City Col.
Dave ChaidT7924240SJSU
Mike NicholsE8025190Foothill
Ben EneaE8126205San Francisco State
Nick RomanoffE8229265Semi-pro
Chas. ElderE8625220SJSU
Carl KahnE8823200SJSU
Larry GuiffordE8927225NFL (Min)
1964 Schedule
1964Santa Clara ApachesOutcomeVenue
9/13/1964at Oakland Gladiatorsn/a
9/20/1964Orange County Rhinosn/aWilcox High School, Santa Clara, CA
10/3/1964at Humboldt Forestersn/a
10/11/1964S.F. Ramblersn/aWilcox High School, Santa Clara, CA
10/25/1964at Sacramento Lancersn/a
11/1/1964Humboldt ForestersW, 34-0Wilcox High School, Santa Clara, CA
11/8/1964at Orange County Rhinosn/a
11/22/1964Sacramento Lancersn/aWilcox High School, Santa Clara, CA
11/29/1964at Oakland GladiatorsW, 38-16
12/5/1964at S.F. Ramblersn/a
1964 Uniform

According to Roach, the team wore “early day Raiders black and gold.” A photo Roach from 1964 shows a white helmet with silver or gold stripe over black stripes.

Mike Roach in 1964 wearing the Raiders' original "Gold and black" jersey and white pants. Photo courtesy Mike Roach.
Mike Roach in 1964 wearing the Raiders’ original “Gold and black” jersey and white pants. Photo courtesy Mike Roach.

1964 Santa Clara Apaches uniforms were the old Raiders.

1963 Santa Clara Apaches Season

Still searching for info on the ’63 season, but here’s a start:

Semi-pro record: Fred Santos, 3rd longest punt return, 108 yards, 9/29/1963.

Other teams in the Northern California Semi-professional Football League were the Benicia Toppers, Portland T-Birds, S F Ramblers, Humboldt Foresters and the Santa Clara Apaches.

1963 Schedule

DateOpponentOutcomeVenue
9/29/1963
10/1963Humboldt Foresters??