‘Beat Duke Parade’ is Franklin Galleries rendition of the classic 1949 photograph from the North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives. The photograph, taken on November 18, 1949 depicted the ceremonious parade on Franklin Street that preceded one of the greatest Duke-Carolina football games of all time (see history).

William Waters IV delivers a masterful rendition of the classic image most noted by his fervid attention to detail. His elegant composition draws your eyes to the canvas seeking to know more about the place, this scene, this day. Your eyes can’t help to follow the action down a 1940’s Franklin Street, absorbing every detail of the parade. It is not until every inch of canvas has been studied that you can pull away from this work – then you can’t help to look again.

	Take a look at the vintage photography that inspired this work.
	Notice the cars of the era and William Waters interpretative realistic style.
	The floats were out in force for this game that would decide the Southern Conference football championship.
	Although many new businesses occupy the storefronts, Franklin Street is largely unchaged. Can you see the entrance to the Rathskeller (The Rat) established just a year earlier in 1948?

A Fantastic Finale

The 1949 UNC-Duke football game was one of the most important and greatest games in Carolina history. The 36th meeting between the rivals saw the 5-3 Tar Heels in need of a win over 6-2 Duke to take the Southern Conference Championship. The Heels hopes were largely dependent on an ailing Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice who’s chipped ankle bone injury caused him to sit out Carolina’s loss to Notre Dame one week earlier.

The record crowd of 57,000 at Duke Stadium would see the game get off to a fast start. After a Duke punt return to the 25 yard line, the game’s first snap saw the speedy back, Billy Cox, explode off right tackle, cut out toward the west sideline then back to the middle of the field, bobbing and weaving the distance for a spectacular 75 yard touchdown.

UNC’s Kenny Powell blocked the extra point attempt. Duke 6, Carolina 0 and the game was less than a minute old. The Tar Heels scored in the second quarter on Art Weiner’s 40 yard run, with Abie Williams conversion, the Heels took a fortunate 7-6 lead into the locker room at the half.

After intermission, Carolina’s Dave Wiley blocked a Cox punt out of the endzone for a safety to take a 9-6 lead. Moments later, on 3rd and goal, Billy Hayes passed to Justice for a 4-yard touchdown (the conversion failed) for a 15-6 lead with 6:15 left in the 3rd quarter. The touchdown was Choo Choo’s 5th TD against Duke, a record that eclipsed the mark of Trinity’s Stonewall Durham that stood since 1889.

Minutes later after a Justice 68 yard quick-kick and defensive stand, it was the injured Justice passing to Weiner for six. After a failed conversion, it was UNC 21, Duke 6. The lead would not last long. On the ensuing kickoff, Duke’s Tommy Powers returned the kick 93 yards to paydirt. Another Duke TD narrowed the margin to one point at 21-20 with only 3:55 left to play. The stadium was frenzied.

After a Carolina punt, Duke took a shot at the end zone with a deep pass that was intercepted by Carolina’s Dick Bunting at the one yard line. During the play, Bunting was tackled in the end-zone for an apparant Duke safety and a 21-22 win. Duke celebrated and the crowd roared. The officials saw it otherwise.

After deliberation, the officials said that there was no safety which gave Carolina the ball at the one and a one point lead. The controversial call enraged the crowd resembling “a gigantic school of hungry sharks at supper time”. On fourth down from the six, Justice punted and Duke returned it to the 19.

There was 20 seconds on the clock. The first play was an incomplete pass. On second down, the swarming Heels forced another incomplete pass. Referee JD Rodgers signaled the game over!

The enraged Colonel Wallace Wade stormed the field to get Rodgers attention. The game was NOT over. Four seconds remained on the game clock. Rogers reinstated play after realizing his mistake. One final play would determine the outcome of the game as the Blue Devils lined up for the decisive field goal attempt.

The stadium was frenzied and the suspense was maddening. The teams were in position at the line of scrimmage. Duke’s center Carl Perkinson snapped the ball to back up holder Fred Shoonmaker for kicker Mike Souchak, who “WHUMP” slammed his foot into the football. There was another “WHUMP”… Tar Heel Art Weiner who blocked the kick as the clock expired. Carolina won the wild game 21-20.

The fans carried Weiner and Justice off the field and the Carolina victory celebration began in Durham and continued well into the wee hours in Chapel Hill. And it continues today, as we Carolina faithful never get tired of beating Dook.