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In the above article John Griffin of the Charlotte Observer wrote: "It was late in the afternoon of Sept. 17, 1949, and a big Clemson Tiger team had just demolished the Blue Hose of Presbyterian College. At his press conference afterward, coach Frank Howard commended the Blue Hose, especially the great full back, Blake Watts.
"That Watts boy is some ... ballplayer," Howard growled. "He gained 210 yards against us and scored a touchdown today. They oughtta call that boy Kilo - Kilo Watts -- 'cause he's about a live wire if I ever saw one."
Ever since that day Blake Watts is known as 'Kilo Watts' to everybody. My wife and I can certainly attest to the fact that Kilo Watts is a 'live wire' to this day! We witnessed him on the dance floor during the Gathering of the Classes Reunion at Bishopville's Opera House Saturday night, February 13, 2010 and we have the pictures to prove it!!!!
While in high school Blake Watts was known as the 'Bishopville Breeze' according to Nancy Griffith, Archives & Special Collections, James H. Thomason Library, Presbyterian College, Newberry, SC.
"In 1949 at PC, running as a split-T fullback, Blake averaged 7.4 yards per carry (which is still a single season record at PC) and amassed 856 total yards on 116 attempts from scrimmage. There were nine games that year, including games against Clemson, the Citadel, Furman and Davidson. Blake was named second team All-South Carolina, honorable mention for Little All-American, and was on the All-America Pi Kappa Alpha team. He ran track his first three years, and was the state champion in the 440-yard dash. He was also a wrestler during his sophomore year. On campus he was a member of the Blue Key Honor Society, president of his sophomore and junior classes, vice-president of his senior class, chairman of the Honor System during his junior year and a representative on the student council. He was a member of the International Relations Club his last years in school. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity. He graduated in 1951."
"In the 1948 season", records show that he was "referred to as Blake Watts, 'Scooter' Watts and 'Wildman Watts'." The 'Wildman Watts' moniker apparently began while Blake was running track in 1949. According to Griffith, PC records show that Blake ran 66 yards in the last seven minutes of the game against Clemson in 1949, scoring the PC's first points against the Tigers for the past six years.
Also, according to Ms Griffith, Blake was also known as "Scooter" during both the 1948 football and 1949 track seasons, but it was the game against the Tigers that Blake gained the admiration of Clemson's legendary coach Frank Howard. "This is from the student newspaper (PC's), The Blue Stocking, Sept. 24, 1949: 'The Blue Stocking attack revolves around a lightning backfield, headed by Blake 'Kilo'Watts of Bishopville. Watts turned into a wisp of wind to burn up the Clemson turf last Saturday night - to the count of 133 flying yards racked up personally by his fleet toes." "Howard (Clemson coach Frank Howard) probably shallowed his chew when Blake Watts swept past his notorious line and outran his big Orange secondary. It was the first time the Hose had scored on the farmers since 1943 and it brought a great ovation from the 16,000 spectators."
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