1990…EXORCISING DEMONS: ST. MARYS SPRINGS

It’s hard to believe but even good or great coaches and their teams have demons. For Fond di Lac St. Mary’s Springs it was the failure to win a WISAA football title in the years 1974-78. During that time, they posted a 40-6 record but in all four seasons they lost in the finals. The feeling was that Springs, most notably their coach, couldn’t win the “big one”.

Bob Hyland and his Ledgers put that assertion to rest in 1983 when they marched through an13-0 season and finally won the title. The next season, 1984, they went 12-1 and again rose to the top, winning their second consecutive title. Five years of frustration for the school was about to appear.

Following a Tuesday night 12-7 win on November 6, 1990, Fond du Lac St. Maty’s Springs coach, Bob Hyland was smiling. He had exorcised the first of several demons that had prevented his teams from becoming WISAA state champions in recent seasons, that making it out of the playoff quarterfinals. But demons were still out there for some fans and reporters to dredge up. Could they win another title and obliterate the other demons?

In 1985 the team went 10-2, failed to win outright (They tied for first) the Fox Valley Christian Conference title and didn’t make it to the state finals as they lost 7-0 in the semi-finals to Milwaukee Marquette who tossed a 61-yard touchdown bomb with just under 10 minutes to go in the game. Springs ended the season with a 10-2 record with a bitter taste in their mouth for several reasons but that is for another blog.

1986 brought mor misery. Entering the semifinal game against Waukesha Catholic Memorial, Springs was ranked #1 in the final WISAA poll. They faced Memorial in the semifinals and were upset 21-7. Memorial would end the year at 9-3, losing to Stevens Point Pacelli the next week in the finals13-3 and St. Mary’s would end 11-1. Grumbling in the community of Fond du Lac was beginning to rise again.

Then, in 1987 Hyland’s team had a nightmare of a game, again against Memorial and after two key first half fumbles that led the Crusaders to two touchdowns, Springs ended up falling 14-13 and finished with a 7-4 record.

In 1988 it was much of the same as Memorial overcame an early Ledger lead and pulled out a 17-14 victory. Springs ended with a 10-1 record. 1989 also had a sad end for the Fond du lac team as they went down 29-6, finishing the season with another loss to Memorial, this time in the finals and ending the year 9-4.

But let’s go back a bit to mention a few more things about Springs vs. Memorial. The rivalry between the two schools started in 1983 when Springs upended the #1 Memorial team 9-2 on their way to the title. The next season, 1984, the Ledgers beat the Crusaders soundly in a 19-7 win. BUT, as I’ve written, the following meetings between the two schools didn’t go well for Springs.

A side note: Springs and Memorial would have met in 1985 if Milwaukee Marquette hadn’t beaten the Waukesha squad the week before the Ledgers. The loss to Marquette prevented Springs from getting revenge for this only other loss that season. Marquette beat Green Bay Premontre the next week in the finals 21-7

The grumblings over the years continued until Bob Hyland seemed to listen to what others were saying. The FVCC was an overall weak conference, and the Ledgers played a soft non-conference schedule. He began to beef up the non-conference schedule and he searched for the best teams available. Take a look at the 1990 schedule:

1990 FOND DU LAC ST. MARY'S SPRINGS 13-0

WISAA STATE CHAMPIONS

COACHED BY BOB HYLAND

26 Wausau East (nc) 6

24 Madison West (nc) 8

34 La Crosse Aquinas (nc) 7

14 Menominee (MI) (nc) 13

44 Kingsford (MI) (no) 22

32 Two Rivers 13

31 Appleton Xavier 3

42 Manitowoc Roncalli 20

34 Fox Valley Lutheran 13

14 Green Bay Notre Dame 3

24 Fox valley Lutheran 10

12 Green Bay Notre Dame 7

27 Waukesha Catholic Memorial 7

354 119

It’s true that Wausau East hasn’t been a strong team for many years and 1990’s squad only went 1-8 but they lost to conference champion Stevens Point in a close game and generally played tough with the other conference teams. Madison West was only a 5-5 team that made the first round of the WIAA playoffs but lost in the first game. Aquinas made the WISAA playoffs and lost in the opening round to finish 6-4. Menominee was a good team that finished 5-4 and just missed the Michigan playoffs. Kingsford made it to the state finals in Michigan and ended with an 11-2 record. Finally, Two Rivers was a tough team going 8-2 in 1989 and 7-3 in 1990.

Despite having only six teams in the Fox Valley Christian Conference three of them made it to the playoffs. In game #9 Springs blew out Fox Valley Lutheran 34-7. The next week Green Bay Notre Dame went down 14-3. Good solid wins but once the playoffs began things got tighter. In the opening round Fox valley Lutheran tied Springs 10-10 after two quarters before they scored 14-points in the third period to pull out a 24-10 win. After that, Hyland was leery about the quarter finals matchup with Notre Dame, hoping that his team would overcome mistakes and knowing that the Tritons would be gunning for them. He also knew that his team might be getting overconfident and for a while his team played very lackluster. Notre Dame scored first and led 7-0 after the first quarter and the Ledgers had to work hard to score once in the second and the third periods to pull out a 12-7 win. The Ledgers had finally made it to the finals, and it was time to exorcise the big demon…Catholic Memorial.

The finals were again a matchup against Catholic Memorial, and there would be a few Ledger turnovers but junior quarterback Rob Hyland, the coach’s son, played a great game. He was 6-13-2-91-1 passing and 24-155-2 leading his team to a 27-7 victory. Rob passed for a touchdown in the first quarter and then added a score on the ground. Kicker Joel Berens kicked two field goals in the second quarter and St. Mary’s led 20-0 at the half. Memorial scored once in the third, but Hyland came back with a rushing touchdown in the fourth to solidify the win. The Ledger defense put pressure on the Crusader passing attack and holding Waukesha to 144 total yards as they gained 319.

The demons were now exercised.

Standing 6’1, 185-pound Rob Hyland was the offensive catalyst to the team. He was 63-134-8-816-5 passing and ran 168-1353-28 + one two-point conversion. A 2nd team All-State player in 1990, Hyland was named the state Player-of the Year and first team All-State as a senior in 1991. Senior running back Dan Koenig played hard, was a key blocker for Hyland and he picked up over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns on his own. His rushing in the early part of the season was important to the team’s success before Hyland got his game going. The two were part of nine Ledger players to make all-conference. Kicker, senior Joel Berens was another key component kicking 8 of13 field goals and 37 of 39 extra points and earned first team All-FVCC and All-State.

Other stars were center Isaac Mueller, guard Joe Steffen, defensive end Brad Anderson, defensive lineman Kevin O’Leary, linebacker Mike Kelm, defensive back Bob Bennot, all on the first team all-conference squad. Making the second team were offensive tackle Luke Martin, defensive lineman Eric Rebek and linebacker Tony Strobel. Defensive end Jeff Baker was named honorable mention. Hyland was a junior as well as Mueller and Steffen while the rest were seniors. Not blessed with overall big size but with speed and determination as well as good coaching the Ledgers were able to exorcise their demons.

They would be back again to the finals in 1991 erasing any doubts in the fan’s minds and that of the players. The coaches always believed that they, the Ledgers, could overcome obstacles. It was just a matter of execution.

EARLY ALL-AMERICANS FROM THE BADGER STATE…PART 2

Continuing on from the previous blog, here are my thoughts on who should have been named to an All-American team from 1930-1947. And again, the list is based on what they did as a high schooler. but I included info on their later career.

1930…Bill Trost…Milwaukee Washington…Tackle…Played on two City Conference championship teams as he earned All-Conference honors. Bill was also a star on the track field throwing the shot. If there had been an All-State team, he would have been the top lineman on the squad. He went on to play at Marquette and spent six seasons in the NFL.

1930…Francis “Pug” Lund…Rice Lake…Running back… One of the all-time backs from the northwest part of the state who made the honorable mention list of the 1993 Milwaukee Journal All-Century team. Played for The University of Minnesota on their 1934 national championship team earning All-American honors.

1932…George Wilson…Delafield St. John’s Military Academy…End…A standout on both sides of the line. The team didn’t pass often so it was his brilliant blocking that drew the attention of the opponents on offense. St. Johns was the 1932 state champions playing against five college freshman teams and beating Culver (IN) Military Academy before 40,000 fans at Chicago’s Soldiers Field Stadium to earn the National Prep Championship trophy. He blocked two punts in the game. Wilson went on to play for Northwester, play in the NFL for the Chicago Bears for 10-seasons and then coached the Detroit Lions before becoming the first coach of the Miami Dolphins.

1932…Ray Buvid…Quarterback…Port Washington… Directed the team to three unbeaten seasons as well as the state Class-B track title. Played at Marquette, earning all-American honors in 1936, placing third in the Heisman vote. He then played for two seasons in the NFL after being drafted 3rd overall by the Chicago Cardinals. He retired at the age of 23 to serve as a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II.

1932…Eddie Jankowski…Milwaukee Riverside…Halfback… All-City Conference in 1930, 1931 and 1932. Scored 97 points his senior season. Attended the University of Wisconsin where he played all four backfield positions while at Madison. Standing 5’9, 201 he backed up the line in the era of one-platoon football and was a standout there as a linebacker. Played five seasons with the Packers as a fullback. After playing for the Packers and World War II Eddie became a very successful high school coach at Whitefish Bay

1934…Howie Weiss…Fort Atkinson…Fullback… In 1934, halfback Howie Weiss, a four-year starter, led Fort Atkinson to the Southern Six-League championship by scoring a team leading 14 touchdowns. Weiss is often considered, alongside “Whitey” Woodin to be the best athlete to come from Fort Atkinson. A brilliant broken-field runner, Weiss often left his opponents in the dust with his long runs. In 1935, Howie moved on to Madison, playing for the Badgers. In 1937, he earned the team’s Most Valuable Player award and then again in 1938 he also won the Big Ten Conference’s Most Valuable Player award. He placed sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

1937…Dave Schrreiner…Lancaster…Linebacker… An outstanding tackler who was feared for his hard play. A three-time All-Conference player who was 6’2, 198. Went to UW-Madison where he was an all-American in 1940 and 1941 as a defensive end. Named Big Ten Player of the Year in 1942. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions but never played pro ball as he was killed in combat during World War II.

1939…Pat Harder…Milwaukee Washington…Ever hear the fans chant “Hit ‘em again, harder, harder’? That was a chant that University of Wisconsin fans used to cheer to motivate Pat Harder as he led the Badgers to the Big Ten in 1941 conference title. It may have really started in high school as Harder was by far the best player not only in Milwaukee but in the state. As a senior he rushed for 17 touchdowns, kicked 23 extra points and six field goals, leading the. Milwaukee Washington Purgolders to the mythical state title Harder is often considered the best high school player of the 1930’s. He played eight seasons in the NFL after World War II.

1640…Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch…Wausau…Halfback…If harder is considered the best in Wisconsin for the 1930’s, Hirsch is considered the best of the 1940’s and there are nine more years to the decade. Yes, his feats as a college and pro player may come to mind, his senior season was brilliant. The first of coach Win Brockmeyer’s super stars, Hirsch rushed for over 1,000 yards (Exact totals aren’t confirmed) and scored 102 points in leading Wausau to their first of six champions of the 40’s.

1941…John Strzykaski…Milwaukee South Division…Running Back/Linebacker…. John was a devastating tackler who used brute force to bring down opponents. Known as the most complete player for 1941. His nick name was “Johnny Strike” for his fierce play. On offense he was a power runner. Played at Marquette for one season, joined the Army for military service during World War II and played service ball where he was spotted by the Green Bay Packers. John was their first-round pick in the 1946 draft but played for seven years with the San Francisco 49’ers as a halfback and then lead blocker for future HOF player Joe Perry. A reporter for the 49’ers said the only thing tougher than Strzykaski was pronouncing his name. He earned honorable mention on the 1993 Milwaukee Journal All-Century Team.

1943…Earl “Jug” Girard…Marinette…Running Back/Kicker…Named to the second team of the 1993 Milwaukee Journal All-Century Team as a punter. Only 5’9”, 145 pounds, Girard passed for 6 td’s as well as scoring 13 td’s and 13 extra points as a tailback on offense. He played at Wisconsin and for ten seasons with the Packers, Detroit Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers. College was interrupted for several years due to World War II and he starred in the 1947 game vs Iowa when he returned two punts, 63 and 85 yards for touchdowns. In the NFL he played quarterback, halfback and punted.

Kevin Askeland already has printed his 1944 and Shorewood’s quarterback Stan Heath was named to the third team. The 1945 All-American Teams on his web site was also posted… Archive - High School Sports History (substack.com). One great player from Wisconsin was left off of the 1945 squad and that was:

1945…Robert “Red” Wilson…Milwaukee Washington…Center… Robert “Red” Wilson would also earn First Team AP All-State. He went on to play at Wisconsin and was a two-time All-Big Ten player and later played major league baseball. Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Coach Lisle Blackbourn called Wilson the best lineman he had as a high school coach. Blackbourn would later become the Green Bay Packers third head coach. Wilson was named to the second team of the 1993 Milwaukee Journal All-Century Team.

1946…Ken Huxhold…Kenosha…Tackle…Huxhold was 6’1. 225 and played tackle for Kenosha. He was named to the All-State team and like others, was a standout on both sides of the ball. Ken moved on to Madison. where he was moved to guard, a position he played in the NFL.

1946…Bob Petruska…Lake Mills…Quarterback/Punter…Played tailback and earned All-State honors in 1945 and 1946. As a senior, 194, he rushed for more than 1,400 yards at a 14.2 average and completed 75% of his passes. Reportedly punted for a 54-yard average on 18 kicks in 1946. Played three seasons at Wisconsin and became a successful high school coach after college.

1947…Pat O’Donahue…Eau Claire St. Patrick’s…End… O’Donahue was a star football, basketball, and baseball player at St. Patrick’s. He was a fine receiver and an outstanding defensive end. In 1947 he earned AP All-State honors and would be named to the 1993 Milwaukee Journal All-Century First Team. When I did my 1940’s all-decade team I placed Pat as a lineman because of his great blocking and defensive line play. I found it hard to leave one of the other ends off the first team (1949’s Don Penza and 1946’s Albert Treichel).

1947…Bob Kennedy…Rhinelander…Guard/Tackle…All-state guard and all-state tackle. Only player in Wisconsin Valley Conference history to be named All-Conference four straight years. The first two-time AP All-State member when teams were 11-man squads. Bob was named 1993 Milwaukee Journal All-Century second Team.

1948…Harland Carl…Greenwood…Running Back… First team All-state despite playing for a small school. Had breakaway speed that he displayed in one game when he scored on a 90-yard kickoff return, a 66-yard touchdown run from scrimmage and returned an interception 95 yards for a score. In 1993, Carl was named to the Milwaukee Journal All-Century Wisconsin High School Second Team. Started for three years at Wisconsin.

As I mentioned earlier, while I mention some post-high school efforts by some of the players on the lists, it is their high school performance’s that I think should be the focus. Lots of guy’s had greater college or NFL careers but, in the end, it is high school here.

These are the best. Your thoughts?

EARLY ALL-AMERICANS FROM THE BADGER STATE…PART 1

(Yes, I know I promised some other blogs, but I decided to do the next two first. Sorry for the delay in those stories).

An email from historian and writer for MaxPreps, Kevin Askeland, mentioned that he was putting together his own All-American teams starting from 1910-1946. Starting in 1947 the Wigwan Wiseman Organization first chose a team and in 1951 Scholastic Coach magazine printed their first squad. There have been many others…Coach and Athlete Magazine, Kickoff Magazine, USA TODAY, and Parade Magazine to name a few. I have profiled a number of players from the 1910-1946 era and so, I decided to push for Wisconsin players on Kevin’s lists. It may take a while for Kevin’s lists to be compiled and posted but here’s a start. What follows are my choices for All-American status taken from my All-Decades profiles. Yes, I know I’m leaving off some greats who could potentially be on the teams but remember, there are 47 other states with players to consider. Yes, 47. Remember that Alaska and Hawaii were not part of the union until 1959 and 1960.

I’ve looked at several lists online that purport to highlight great high school football players, but I find some of their lists wanting. As an example, one list had Johnny “Blood” McNally from New Richmond, WI. The problem is that he never played high school football as he graduated from high school at age 14. He went to college for one year at St. John’s (MN) and played football, basketball, baseball, and track. He then transferred to Notre Dame in 1926 but dropped out to continue to play semi-pro football which he started to do in 1922. He eventually played in the NFL for 16 years, making the Packers and the NFL HOF’s.

Next is Leo Nomellini who was named to an Illinois list of great high school players. It’s true that he was an outstanding NFL player and a very good professional wrestler but according to Wikipedia he didn’t start playing football until after he was in the Marine Corps during WWII. In a search of the Chicago Tribune for his high school years I found no mention of him playing football. A native of Italy who moved with his family to Chicago as an infant, he attended Chicago Crane High School but didn’t play football until 1942 in the Marines. It’s interesting that the Illinois list had him playing for Crane in 1941. After the war he attended the University of Minnesota and then played 14 years in the NFL earning NFL HOF, College Football HOF, and the San Francisco 49’ers HOF but he NEVER played high school football.

Another list has great Ohio high school football players and at the top of the list is Roger Staubach. Now, don’t get mad at me but here is his senior year, 1959, stats: Rushing for 432 yards (Third best on the team) and four scores while passing for 522 yards and four touchdowns. Yes, he was the team's captain, he made the Cincinnati All-Area first team and earned some all-state mention, but he was by no means a super star. He went to New Mexico Military Institute (A junior college) to prepare for entrance into the Naval Academy. It was at NMMI where he perfected his passing, passing that led to the 1962 Heisman Trophy and the NFL.

Now, Kevin Askeland says he’s starting with 1910 but I’m going back one more year to 1909 for a good reason. It would be a shame not to have an All-American team from that year as by not doing one would leave out Chippewa Falls great quarterback Gus Dorais, so I’ve start there.

PROFILES:

1909…Gus Dorais…Chippewa Falls…Quarterback…Charles Emile Dorais transferred from Chippewa Falls Notre Dame H.S. to the local public school and he directed the Cardinals to the mythical state title. He used the forward pass and his running ability to guide the team to a 6-0-1 record. Dorais went to The University of Notre Dame where he, along with his roommate, Knute Rockne, began the revolution in the college passing game. The forward pass became legal in 1906 but it took until the Notre Dame vs. Army game in 1913. He went on to become a successful college coach as well spending a short time as a pro coach. It is his performance as a high schooler that puts him on the list. AND, for all others profiled here.

1910…Richard “Jab” Murray…Marinette…Offensive tackle/Defensive line…First team all-state, a four-year starter and considered one of the best linemen not only in 1910 but maybe since the state began high school football. He was fierce as a blocker and as a standout defender. He was also a standout as a basketball player. He attended Marquette and later served as mayor of Marinette nine times.

1910…Howard “Cub” Buck…Eau Claire…Line…A line smashing defender who played all over the field. At 6 ft., 250 pounds he dominated opponents on both sides of the line. A member of the Milwaukee Journal 1993 All-Century Team who was so well thought of 83-years later that he was a near unanimous pick. He was named to the college All-America team in 1915.

1911…Arlie Mucks…Oshkosh…Offensive tackle/ defensive end…Three-time All-State. A four-year starter. One of the state's best early 20th century athletes. Involved in one of the games of the decade between Oshkosh vs. Marinette in 1610 when Arlie Mucks battled “Jab” Murray. Oshkosh won 13-0 but it was even closer than the score indicated, and most fans concentrated on watching the two play against each. In 1911 Mucks was the only player to make the four known unofficial All-State teams. Like other athletes, he stared in basketball, baseball, but really excelled in track. He set not only set the state but the international scholastic records for the discus and the shot put as a junior. That led to him being eventually named to the 1912 U.S. Olympic team where he became the first high schooler to compete. He placed sixth in the discus. Standing 6,4 ½ and 250 pounds he also did the football teams kicking and even scored several touchdowns on reverse pitches to the big tackle. He went on to star at the University of Wisconsin.

1914…Howard Lee “Whitey” Woodin…Fort Atkinson…Lineman (Guard)…Started as a freshman on Fort’s 1911 undefeated, untied, unscored upon state champion team. As a guard, a position he played all his career, Woodin was named All-State and then moved on to play for Marquette and later for the Green Bay Packers.

1916…Rollie Williams…Edgerton…Halfback…Led Edgerton to the state title as they went undefeated, untied, and unscored upon, scoring 25 touchdowns and 14 extra points. He also stared on defense leading the team in tackles and interceptions. Fast, and powerful, Williams was courted by many colleges, including Iowa, Michigan, and Notre Dame before choosing to star in football and track at the University of Wisconsin.

1920…John “Bone”/ “Roc” Hancock…Superior…Fullback…named to both the 1910’s and 1920’s All-Decade Teams. Led Superior to undefeated 1918 (8-0-0) and 1920 (9-0-0) seasons while his junior year the team went 6-2-1 in 1919. The Vikings won the state title in 1920. Hancock scored 177 points in 1918, 153 points in 1919 and 155 points in 1920 for a career total of 485 points (73 touchdowns and 47 extra points), a record that stood as the state career record until 1980. He was a demon on defense as well and played hurt for much of his senior year. He also started on the basketball, baseball, track, and hockey teams. He had good speed but was converted to the tackle position as he started for three years at Iowa.

1920…Jim Crowley…Green Bay East…Left halfback…Coached by Curley Lambeau as a junior and a senior as Curley coached his Green Bay Packers. From his halfback position he ran, passed, and kicked East to an undefeated season as they rated #2 in the state to Superior. A match between them never materialized to officially determine the state mythical champion. (No official reason why East wouldn’t play Superior but maybe because of the Packers schedule Lambeau couldn’t find time to break away for one more high school game). The fleet footed back was heavily recruited but Lambeau helped steer him to Notre Dame where he became part of the legendary backfield known as “The Four Horsemen”. In 1925 Notre Dame beat Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Crowley led the Irish to victory as they beat a fine team led by fullback Ernie Nevers. Nevers was a former Superior star who played tackle and end in 1918 and 1919 before moving to California for his senior season.

1926…Clifford Goerke…Waukesha…Fullback/Kicker…Clifford helped the Blackshirts to an undefeated season (8-0-0) scoring 18 touchdowns and kicking 32 extra points for a total of 140 points. He also played a strong defense as a linebacker while handling all the kicking duties for the top-rated team in the Suburban Conference and one of the best in the state.

1927…Ernie Herber…Green Bay West…Quarterback…Voted in 1993 to the first team on the Milwaukee Journal Team of the Century (1893-1993). Considered the best quarterback with all the tools…a great passer, rusher, and kicker plus a fine defender. Herber played for the Green Bay Packers as a tailback, taking over from player-coach Curley Lambeau in the old Notre Dame Box offense and led the Packers to for 15 seasons and four NFL titles. It was his passing as a quarterback/tailback that influenced the modern passing attack.

1927…Jack Riley…Delafield St. John’s Military Academy…Tackle…A standout lineman who blew opponents away. Highly thought of by anyone who saw him play. Riley stood 6’2, 218 pounds who used his strength gained in early weight training to be a monster on the playing field and as a crew rower for the Lancers. He later become a two-time NCAA national champion wrestler as well as earning a silver medal in the 1932 Olympics. He was a three-year starter at Northwestern on the football team. He played two seasons in the NFL and became a professional wrestler as well.

1928…Art Kruger…Milwaukee Riverside…Center…For every game for three seasons as he earned first team all-City Conference each year. He was the most honored lineman in the early years of the conference. Art went on to play for Marquette and started all-three seasons of varsity play, earning All-American honors in 1932.

These players are the best of the early years: 1909-1929. More next time.

Thanks to Travis Wilson of WISSPORTS who also manages the WFCA web site for posting the updated version of the 11-player and 8-player records. Also, thanks to those who sent me additions. Keep them coming.

Also, Travis did a great job in tracking the additions to the records and you should check out his recap: Updated Football State Record Book following 2022 season (wissports.net)