This is being reposted because some info was somehow left off. It is the years for several of the teams that were missing.
For 85-years, starting in 1885, running the ball was the way to win games. Sometimes a team, after 1906, would throw the ball. When you look at the state record book you notice a few things about the 1970’s. First, it would not be until 1980 before the emergence of the modern passing game with Chippewa Falls McDonell leading the way. In 1965 and 1967 there would be the state’s first two 2,000-yard season passers but then a drought for hitting that mark until 1980. There would be the first 2,000-yard rusher carried by Hillsboro’s Dick Barbour in 1970, 2,238 yards. No one else exceeded the high mark, 2,000-yards in that decade. Port Washington’s Jack Wallisch would come the closest during the 70’s in 1971 with 1,901 yards. Receivers would have to wait until 1982 to pass the 1,000-yard reception mark but Ken Schmidt from Evansville in 1979 would hall in a then, single season reception record, 69 passes. All so close to statistical greatness to modern standards.
In talking about career records, as the decade closed, the leader was Greg Cavanagh of Manitowoc Roncalli with 3,762 yards. Randy Krumrie of Mondovi led the way with 4,357 yards rushing. Receiver Mike Krepfle of Potosi hauled in over his four-year career 133 passes gaining 1,802 yards but Greg Rabas of Kewaunee gained 1,942 yards on his 125 catches.
1969 was the beginning of football playoffs as the WISAA had only one division with four teams playing for the title. In 1976 the WIAA followed suit with 16 teams competing in four divisions. Schools went from playing 7-8, sometimes 9-games in a season. Now the top teams could expect a 10-12 game extended season. The run was solidified in 1968 when Head Coach Darrell Royal at the University of Texas and his assistant, Offensive Coordinator Emory Bellard, introduced to the world the Wish-bone Offense. The running game was bolstered when other coaches, high school and college adapted the “Bone”. There had been variations starting in the 1950’s but the Longhorns introduced a “new” way to run. From there the Veer Offense, created by Bill Yeoman at the University of Houston. The Wishbone was all-most all-run but with the Veer the ball could be thrown as well and effectively. Running would remain King for a while but eventually, the Spread Offense and all of its variations would be the new rage but that’s in the future.
The Top Teams
Honorable Mention
1975-77 DeSoto…8-1 in 1975, undefeated and Class C champion with a 11-0 record in 1976 and left out of the ability to defend their title in 1977 despite going 9-0 that year. This was a mistake by the WIAA playoff decision. 1975 Spring Valley…9-0 and #1 in the Little School press poll and had a 34-game win streak which DeSoto would end at 43-games in the first round of the initial 1976 playoffs. 1977 Madison West…Ranked #1 in the polls and the Regents won the 1977 Division 1 title over Stevens Point, 19-14. 1975-78 Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs…Undefeated in three of the four seasons leading into the WISAA state title game, the Ledgers fell shy of winning the title each year, but they were highly ranked by the press polls. 1973 and 1975 La Crosse Logan…Powerful undefeated (9-0) squads in the western part of the state and ranked each season as the #2 team in the polls, just behind Antigo. 1978 Clintonville… Won the D-2 title with a crushing 21-6 victory over Oregon and went 11-0.
The Top 10
#10 1979 Edgar (12-0)
The first of eight titles won under the direction of Jerry Sinz, the team had a great defense and a good offense. Holding eight opponents scoreless and allowing only 32 points. Dan Seiness led the team in rushing with 761-yards yet he wasn’t named to the All-Marawood Conference. Of the 22 spots on the All-Conference team, Edgar claimed nine positions with Kent Weber (OT/DL) and Duane Borchardt (OG/DE) earning recognition on both side of the line. Dave Thurs, a defensive back who hauled in 7 interceptions was named to the first team AP and UPI All-State teams as was defensive lineman Dennis Scharna. QB Steve Willchowski, LB Gary Urmanski and DB Jim Heidmann were other all-conference stars. The team defeated Iowa-Grant in a fierce battle for the title, 11-6.
#9 1977 Milwaukee Thomas More 10-1
Coached by HOF ‘er Jim Haluska, the Cavaliers won the WISAA title defeating Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs, 23-7. They lost their season opener to Racine St. Catherines, 13-6 and then won out, defeating Milwaukee Marquette twice, once in the regular season 41-10 and then in the playoffs 10-7. Led by junior running back Joe Arata, an All-Conference and All-Area player in 1977 and 1978 as well as an All-Stater in 1978, the team scored 303 points and allowed 87 that season. Coach Haluska’s 1976 team won their first WISAA title, also going 10-1 and defeating Springs for the title, 15-14.
#8 1975 11-1 Milwaukee Marquette University H.S.
In his fourth season at the school, HOF Coach Dick Basham directed his Fighting Hilltoppers to the school's first WISAA title. Only a had fought loss to Milwaukee Pius 8-7 in the sixth game of the year marred the season’s record. The loss was a typical Metro Conference affair and sort of a grudge match between the two rivals. Led by running back Steve Guhl, tackle Brian Carroll, defensive back Greg Graff and guard Pat Feely, all seniors who were named to the All-State teams. Senior center D.J. Gral and junior defensive end John Tomasovic were key players as well. Not a high scoring team, only 269 points, the squad posted four shutouts and gave up only one touchdown in four other games while allowing 78 total points. The team defeated St. Matry’s Springs for the title 28-6. If not for the loss to Pius, a good team, had Marquette gone undefeated the school might have moved up a spot.
#7 1976 11-0 Antigo
Yes, I know I featured the team in a two-part blog a few years ago and it truly was a fine team otherwise I wouldn’t have them ranked in the top 10. The team won the first WIAA Class A (Now D-1) title, beating Racine Horlick, 6-0. To Coach Gordon “Gordy” Schofield, it wasn’t about the numbers…lots of points or offensive yardage, it was about the wins. The team went undefeated allowing only 51 total points with six shutouts. They only scored 189 points all year. QB/DB Dan Thorpe earned All-State honors and there were other stars as well. Check out the two blogs from April 2022 for more details.
#6 1979 11-0 Kenosha Tremper
Some may balk at where this team is listed as #6 but the squad would again win the D-1 title in 1980 and in my eyes that was the better of the two. Led by junior quarterback Marc Hujik who was a second team All-State selection in 10979 and first team in 1980. He didn’t throw much and he did gain some ground running but it was his all-around play that made him a star. End Jeff Rusk and defensive lineman Russ Roberts also earned All-State honors for HOF Coach Ron Davies. The team scored 331 points and allowed 90 points.
#5 1970 11-0 Green Bay Premontre
The WISAA playoff state champion and the first private school to be ranked in both the AP and UPI press polls. Quarterback Greg Lemond led the conference in passing, gaining 1,302 yards and tossing 13 touchdowns as he was protected by an offensive line that was nearly as large as that of the Green Bay Packers, averaging 6’3 and 230 pounds. Lemond was accidentally left off the All-Conference nomination ballot but eight of his teammates made the first team squad. Lineman Greg LoCascio earned All-State honors as did LB/OG Jerry Wied. Winning the Fox Valley Catholic Conference title in 1969 and 1970, Coach Ron Miller built a powerful ball club that had only two close games, 14-13 vs. De Pere Abbot Pennings and a 25-20 win against Madison Edgewood, before bad weather held the title game score to a 6-0 championship game played at Camp Randall against La Crosse Aquinas.
#3 TIE 1972 9-0 Antigo and 1973 9-0 Antigo
In both seasons the Red Robins were ranked in both the season final polls by the AP and UPI as the top Large School rankings. The 1973 team scored 305 points and allowed 58 while the 1972 team put up 335 points vs. 44. Similar stats. It was impossible to pick between the two teams as to which was better. They were as always, a run dominated team. All-Stater Kevin Boodry led the 1973 squad with 1,115 yards on the ground as he scored 16 touchdowns and kicked 22 extra points. In 1974 he was again All-State gaining 1,431 yards and scored 24 touchdowns and 14 extra point for a state leading 158 points as Antigo went 8-1. While reviewing Antigo records, I discovered that the 158 points Boodry scored was a new high for the 1974 season.
#2 1974 8-0 Fond du Lac
The Johnson’s were just part of the great late 1960’s and early 1970’s Fond du Lac Goodrich football program. First, after four seasons as an assistant Jim Johnson before assuming the head coaching position in 1964. He took a middle of the road program and turned them into a winner. His sons, Pete and Phil were All-State players. Pete was a three-time first team All-Stater as a linebacker. Phil was a second team All-Stater as a junior in 1973 and first team in 1974 when he picked up 1,251 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. Offensive tackle Jim McCullough and defensive end Mike Mellenthin (Who also played tight end) had 81 tackles were also first team All-Staters. Linebacker Jim Pierce was ion the second team and led the team with 116 tackles. Interesting to me, halfback Jerry Lennop was named to the honorable mention list after gaining only 402 yards on the ground and yet he scored 68 points as he scored 11 touchdowns and a two-point conversion. As a team the Cardinals picked off 16 passes and allowed only 389 yards through the air on opponents 38-119 passing.
#1 1978 12-0 Antigo
Gordy Schofield began building a powerhouse program when he took over at Antigo in 1962, winning the 1969, 1972, 1973 and 1975 press championships and the 1976, 1978 and 1982 WIAA playoff titles. The Red Robins were just dominate and the 1978 team was their best of the 1970’s. Led by All-American running back Jerry Schedlbauer who piled up 1,842 yards on 271 carries and 34 touchdowns along with four two-point conversions for 212 points. The rushing yards, touchdowns and total points led the state that year. Tackle Dave Brandt and Schedlbauer were first team All-State and defensive back Mike March was on the second team. Six other players earned first team All-Conference and six others earned honorable mention. Schofield would win 15 Wisconsin Valley Conference titles in his 25-years as head coach posting a 199-41-2 record. The red Robins were only challenged twice during the season. In the season opener against Stevens Point, 14-13 and in the championship against Madison Memorial, 21-14. Otherwise, they scored a school record 412 points and allowed 130.
Next time the Top Game, Top Coach, and Top Players.
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