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November 11, 1965: A Miami Herald photo shows Miami High quarterback Richard Hormel throwing a game winning touchdown pass to Joe Fernandez to lead the Stingarees to a 14-7 victory over Coral Gables High School in front of 48,631 fans. It was the largest crowd to ever watch a high school football game in Florida. Both teams entered the game undefeated and ranked #1 and #2 in the state. The loss ended a 28 game win streak for Coral Gables–the two time defending state champs. Hormel threw 2 touchdown passes in the game. His performance earned him recognition in Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd section. In the state championship game against Melbourne, Hormel threw a then record 4 touchdown passes in a 44-12 blowout at the Orange Bowl. Miami High was crowned mythical national champions by the Minneapolis-based National Sports News Network.
Despite leading Miami High to a perfect season, Hormel was often overlooked. He was left off the Miami Herald’s All City first and second teams, despite beating and outplaying the quarterbacks chosen ahead of him. (Tommy Warren of Coral Gables and Jackie Holmes of Norland). At only 150 pounds, Hormel was considered too small by major college recruiters. But he was an excellent student and went on to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Hormel later served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. But on November 12, 1975, Hormel’s A-7E Corsair II crashed near Lone Pine, California. He was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) and is buried at Miami Memorial Park Cemetary. Richard Hormel was 27 years old.
