Rosa A. Temple High School had one of the more storied athletic traditions in Mississippi during its era from 1959 to 1971.

It will be that legacy that will be celebrated with an athletic reunion June 29 at the old Vicksburg City Auditorium.

Former Buccaneer athletes Alonzo Stevens, Willie Moore and Bobby Huell went over plans for the reunion which they say is for all former athletes who participated in any sport while enrolled at Temple.

&#8220We’re trying to find all our lost Buccaneers,” said Stevens, now the head football coach at Vicksburg High.

&#8220The purpose is to bring together old friends and share memories in athletics while at Rosa Temple High School,” Moore said. &#8220This is a first of its kind event. We encourage any athlete who was a Temple Buccaneer to come to our reunion on June 29.”

Temple was a powerhouse in both football and basketball in the 1960s. During a seven-year stretch, from 1964 to 1971, the Bucs lost only five football games. In 1970, Temple beat Louisiana power St. Augustine in the Red Carpet Bowl.

&#8220We were undefeated in 1966, 68, 69 and 70,” Stevens said. &#8220The school won five divisional titles and three overall North Big Eight Championships.”

The Bucs also claimed back to back Magnolia State titles in boys basketball in 1967 and 1968, and played in several tournaments against national powers.

&#8220Back in the late 1960s, we were fortunate to be around a lot of great athletes who had a lot of pride about themselves and for the school,” Stevens said. &#8220We were also blessed to have great coaches during that time like W.C. Gordon and Cardell Jones.”

Gordon and Jones both went on to coach on the collegiate level.

For Moore, Huell and Stevens, it will be a time to remember the Bucs’ outstanding 1968 team. Temple was undefeated that year, and beat Lanier 14-12 for the Overall Big 8 title.

&#8220We were called the ‘Touchdown Twins,”’ Moore said. &#8220Me and Bobby combined for 44 touchdowns. We had more together than whole teams scored all year.”

Huell, a halfback who later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL, scored 27 touchdowns in 1968. Moore, a receiver, finished with 17 TDs. Stevens was a junior tackle on the club and later starred at Alcorn State.

&#8220Playing for Temple was part of a rich heritage that we had,” Moore said. &#8220But it was more than just football. We also had outstanding teams in track and we had some good baseball teams. This reunion is for all of them.”

For more information on the reunion, contact Moore at 601-638-9329 or 631-2888, Stevens at 601-636-5000, or Alvin Taylor at 601-638-4212.