Mike Doyle enters 4th season as HHS coach
By
Bob Patton-
Bratton is WC Achievement Award Recipient
WILMINGTON, OH – Erin M. Bratton of Cameron Drive, Greenfield, is the
recipient of a $12,500 Wilmington College Academic Achievement Award. The
award distribution amount, which ranges from $10,000-$14,000, is based on
the cumulative high school grade point average and ACT/SAT composite score.
It is awarded upon acceptance to Wilmington College, regardless of need.
Bratton, the daughter of Bill and Kim Bratton of Greenfield, is a 2010
graduate of McClain High School. She plans to major in art/studio art.
Her main school activities/honors include: National Honor Society, Spanish
club and art national honor society.
Wilmington College, a career-oriented liberal arts institution affiliated
with the Society of Friends (Quakers), is located in southwestern Ohio,
approximately one hour from Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, and has an
enrollment of nearly 2,000 traditional and non-traditional students. The
Blue Ash branch serves a large number of non-traditional students.
Clouser is WC Achievement Award Recipient
WILMINGTON, OH – Kassandra P. Clouser of Deer Park Road, Greenfield, is the
recipient of a $10,000 Wilmington College Academic Achievement Award. The
award distribution amount, which ranges from $10,000-$14,000, is based on
the cumulative high school grade point average and ACT/SAT composite score.
It is awarded upon acceptance to Wilmington College, regardless of need.
Clouser, the daughter of Jeff and Katrina Clouser of Greenfield, is a 2010
graduate of Edward Lee McClain High School, where she earned a FFA state
degree.
Wilmington College, a career-oriented liberal arts institution affiliated
with the Society of Friends (Quakers), is located in southwestern Ohio,
approximately one hour from Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, and has an
enrollment of nearly 2,000 traditional and non-traditional students. The
Blue Ash branch serves a large number of non-traditional students.
The Archbishop of Cincinnati is shown presiding over a June 12 farm Mass at
the Richard Blankenship farm east of Hillsboro. The Most Rev. Dennis M.
Schnurr is one of three American archbishops who will receive a special
honor from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29.
Mike Doyle enters 4th
season as HHS coach
By BOB PATTON
For The Highland County Press
Mike Doyle was beginning his fourth year as head football coach at Hillsboro High School as the 1976 season began Sept. 10. In his previous three years at the helm, Doyle had recorded eight wins and 22 losses, overall. His SCOL record was 4-15.
At McClain, Fred Brisker was back for his fourth year as head coach. He was trying to renew the winning spirit that had been a characteristic of the
outstanding McClain teams of the 1950s and early ’60s. Brisker was stressing defense, and the Tigers had shown some promise in scrimmage games.
Unioto, after a disastrous football season and an even more disastrous basketball season, had left the SCOL, looking for a less demanding league.
The SCOL was back to seven member schools, which meant that someone would have a non-league game every Friday night. The Shermans had switched back to the Scioto Valley Conference, where they had been successful in the past. But the district had rejected two consecutive tax levies and was considering
dropping football and possibly even basketball.
Junior Larry Armstrong would be the center, for the Indians. The guards would be Don Barrera and Jerry Bach. Tom Addington would be the punter.
Senior Tyler Woods would be the quarterback. Cheerleaders (and mascot) were Sherrie Young, Karen Runyan, Poochie Johnson, Andrea Zink, Wynette Potts, Kim Pitzer and Angie Taylor.
The Indians opened at home against tough New Richmond. In a rugged, hard-fought battle, the Indians edged the Lions 13 – 12 to open their season
on a positive note. Senior Keith Ford had a sparkling 65-yard punt return for one touchdown and Tyler Woods had a 37-yard touchdown run. On defense,
co-captain Tom Addington led the team with 13 tackles and Larry Armstrong, playing defensive end, totally shut off the option on his side. It was very
early in the season, but it was a good beginning.
Elsewhere in the SCOL, Miami Trace, who appeared to have an awesome team, plastered Springfield Northeastern, 46-8, Washington downed Wellston,
23-15, Xenia took Wilmington, 19-14, Westerville North beat McClain, 10-0, Madison Plains edged Westfall, 13-12, and Circleville lost to Chillicothe,
16-14. Local sportswriters had almost unanimously picked Miami Trace as the “team to beat” in the SCOL and expected Wilmington and Circleville to push
the Panthers in the league race. Not much was said about either Hillsboro or McClain.
Circleville coach Larry Cook had to learn how to live without Biff Bumgarner, the All-Ohio running back who had graduated and would be carrying
the ball for Bowling Green State University this fall. Tailback Bill Morgan, who had blocked for Bumgarner, would now be carrying the ball. But how do
you replace an All-Ohio running back? The Tigers did have guard Brian Price, a 6’, 200 lb. An all-SCOL performer to anchor the line along with Art Davis,
a 5’10” 190 lb. tackle, who was equally tough. But there were some question marks with this team.
On the second Friday night of the season, Hillsboro traveled to McDermott to meet the Mohawks of Northwest High School. The Indians played
well. They held a 14-6 lead with less than 10 minutes to go in the game. A few bad breaks late in the game enabled the Mohawks to mount a comeback and
eventually win, 20-14.
In other games, Trace crushed Greenon, 58-0, Circleville snaked out a 7-0 win over Teays Valley and Wilmington smacked Clinton Massie, 47-0.
Zane Trace visited Hillsboro on Sept. 24 in the annual HHS Homecoming game. The Pioneers came into the game 0-2, having been walloped in both of
their two previous outings. Prior to the start of the game, Hillsboro High School senior Faith Holmes was crowned Queen of the event. She was
accompanied by senior attendant Laura Bourne, junior attendant Mary “Poochie” Johnson, sophomore attendant Michele Barreras and freshman
attendant Debbie Tosto.
To make the evening a success, the Indians pushed the ball across the goal line with 51 seconds to go to win the game by a score of 7-0. Four
other SCOL teams won their games the same night. McClain, playing a league game, drubbed Madison Plains, 41-8, amassing 352 total yards of offense.
Miami Trace scored four touchdowns the first quarter, and went on to rip Jackson, 41-6. Wilmington hammered Dayton Carroll, 35-14. Westerville North
whipped Washington, 34-0 and Circleville took Athens, 20-12. Oct. 1 saw the official beginning of league competition, as Hillsboro hosted Washington, Miami Trace entertained Cincinnati Hughes, Circleville traveled to Madison Plains and McClain played at Wilmington.
Moe Pfeifer “had hung it up” as head football coach at Washington C.H. and turned the reins over to Paul Ondrus. This was Ondrus’ first head coaching
job, and he had a big pair of shoes to fill. Junior running back Jeff Elliott of Washington, scored three touchdowns as the Blue Lions ripped
Hillsboro, 34-0. Miami Trace drubbed Cincinnati Hughes, 62-14. Wilmington blitzed McClain, 22-12, and Circleville cleaned up on Madison Plains, 42-8.
On Oct. 8, Hillsboro took on Wilmington at John Wayne Richards Memorial Field, Madison Plains played at Miami Trace, Circleville met the McClain
Tigers at Greenfield and Washington hosted Sylvania Northview from the Toledo area.
Ron Wilt was back as head coach of the Hurricane. He had 14 starters back from last season’s 6-3-1 season, including junior Gary Williams, who was
probably the all-around most talented football player in southwest Ohio. The question was where to play him. He was a great broken field runner, a
terrific receiver, an outstanding safety on defense, an excellent passer – and he kicked four out of five field goals the previous season.
The Hillsboro team was decimated by injuries. Center Larry Armstrong had a bone chip in his ankle, and would be out at least until after the Miami
Trace game. Sophomore David Courson, Armstrong’s replacement, suffered a compound fracture of the right leg early in the Wilmington game. Rick Kelch
suffered a deep thigh bruise and there were numerous other injuries. Injuries are a part of the game of football, and teams have to deal with
them. But playing a good team with 3 or 4 of your key players out is quite a challenge. On this night, Wilmington simply ran over the Indians, 47-12.
Junior linebacker Rocky Ferrell had nine tackles and assists to lead the Indians’ crippled defense. Junior Don Webster filled in at defensive tackle
and “did a superb job,” according to Coach Doyle.
Elsewhere in the SCOL, the McClain Tigers scored a touchdown in the fourth period, to best Circleville, 6-0. The McClain defense held
Circleville to 77 total yards. Miami Trace pulverized Madison Plains, 66-0, racking up 534 yards of offense. Sylvania Northview won the battle of
statistics, but Washington won the football game, as five Sylvania turnovers spelled doom, and WCH won, 22-15.
(To be continued next week.)
Bob Patton is a Highland County sports historian and a contributing writer to The Highland County Press.
Mike Doyle was beginning his fourth year as head football coach at Hillsboro High School as the 1976 season began Sept. 10. In his previous three years at the helm, Doyle had recorded eight wins and 22 losses, overall. His SCOL record was 4 15.
At McClain, Fred Brisker was back for his fourth year as head coach. He was trying to renew the winning spirit that had been a characteristic of the outstanding McClain teams of the 1950s and early ’60s. Brisker was stressing defense, and the Tigers had shown some promise in scrimmage games.
Unioto, after a disastrous football season and an even more disastrous basketball season, had left the SCOL, looking for a less demanding league.
The SCOL was back to seven member schools, which meant that someone would have a non-league game every Friday night. The Shermans had switched back to the Scioto Valley Conference, where they had been successful in the past. But the district had rejected two consecutive tax levies and was considering dropping football and possibly even basketball.
Junior Larry Armstrong would be the center, for the Indians. The guards would be Don Barrera and Jerry Bach. Tom Addington would be the punter.
Senior Tyler Woods would be the quarterback. Cheerleaders (and mascot) were Sherrie Young, Karen Runyan, Poochie Johnson, Andrea Zink, Wynette Potts, Kim Pitzer and Angie Taylor.
The Indians opened at home against tough New Richmond. In a rugged, hard-fought battle, the Indians edged the Lions 13 – 12 to open their season on a positive note. Senior Keith Ford had a sparkling 65-yard punt return for one touchdown and Tyler Woods had a 37-yard touchdown run. On defense, co-captain Tom Addington led the team with 13 tackles and Larry Armstrong, playing defensive end, totally shut off the option on his side. It was very early in the season, but it was a good beginning.
Elsewhere in the SCOL, Miami Trace, who appeared to have an awesome team, plastered Springfield Northeastern, 46-8, Washington downed Wellston,
23-15, Xenia took Wilmington, 19-14, Westerville North beat McClain, 10-0, Madison Plains edged Westfall, 13-12, and Circleville lost to Chillicothe, 16-14. Local sportswriters had almost unanimously picked Miami Trace as the “team to beat” in the SCOL and expected Wilmington and Circleville to push the Panthers in the league race. Not much was said about either Hillsboro or McClain.
Circleville coach Larry Cook had to learn how to live without Biff Bumgarner, the All-Ohio running back who had graduated and would be carrying the ball for Bowling Green State University this fall. Tailback Bill Morgan, who had blocked for Bumgarner, would now be carrying the ball. But how do you replace an All-Ohio running back? The Tigers did have guard Brian Price, a 6’, 200 lb. An all-SCOL performer to anchor the line along with Art Davis, a 5’10” 190 lb. tackle, who was equally tough. But there were some question marks with this team.
On the second Friday night of the season, Hillsboro traveled to McDermott to meet the Mohawks of Northwest High School. The Indians played well. They held a 14-6 lead with less than 10 minutes to go in the game. A few bad breaks late in the game enabled the Mohawks to mount a comeback and eventually win, 20-14.
In other games, Trace crushed Greenon, 58-0, Circleville snaked out a 7-0 win over Teays Valley and Wilmington smacked Clinton Massie, 47-0.
Zane Trace visited Hillsboro on Sept. 24 in the annual HHS Homecoming game. The Pioneers came into the game 0-2, having been walloped in both of their two previous outings. Prior to the start of the game, Hillsboro High School senior Faith Holmes was crowned Queen of the event. She was accompanied by senior attendant Laura Bourne, junior attendant Mary “Poochie” Johnson, sophomore attendant Michele Barreras and freshman attendant Debbie Tosto.
To make the evening a success, the Indians pushed the ball across the goal line with 51 seconds to go to win the game by a score of 7-0. Four other SCOL teams won their games the same night. McClain, playing a league game, drubbed Madison Plains, 41-8, amassing 352 total yards of offense.
Miami Trace scored four touchdowns the first quarter, and went on to rip Jackson, 41-6. Wilmington hammered Dayton Carroll, 35-14. Westerville North whipped Washington, 34-0 and Circleville took Athens, 20-12. Oct. 1 saw the official beginning of league competition, as Hillsboro hosted Washington, Miami Trace entertained Cincinnati Hughes, Circleville traveled to Madison Plains and McClain played at Wilmington.
Moe Pfeifer “had hung it up” as head football coach at Washington C.H. and turned the reins over to Paul Ondrus. This was Ondrus’ first head coaching job, and he had a big pair of shoes to fill. Junior running back Jeff Elliott of Washington, scored three touchdowns as the Blue Lions ripped Hillsboro, 34-0. Miami Trace drubbed Cincinnati Hughes, 62-14. Wilmington blitzed McClain, 22-12, and Circleville cleaned up on Madison Plains, 42-8.
On Oct. 8, Hillsboro took on Wilmington at John Wayne Richards Memorial Field, Madison Plains played at Miami Trace, Circleville met the McClain Tigers at Greenfield and Washington hosted Sylvania Northview from the Toledo area.
Ron Wilt was back as head coach of the Hurricane. He had 14 starters back from last season’s 6-3-1 season, including junior Gary Williams, who was probably the all-around most talented football player in southwest Ohio. The question was where to play him. He was a great broken field runner, a terrific receiver, an outstanding safety on defense, an excellent passer – and he kicked four out of five field goals the previous season.
The Hillsboro team was decimated by injuries. Center Larry Armstrong had a bone chip in his ankle, and would be out at least until after the Miami Trace game. Sophomore David Courson, Armstrong’s replacement, suffered a compound fracture of the right leg early in the Wilmington game. Rick Kelch suffered a deep thigh bruise and there were numerous other injuries. Injuries are a part of the game of football, and teams have to deal with them. But playing a good team with 3 or 4 of your key players out is quite a challenge. On this night, Wilmington simply ran over the Indians, 47-12.
Junior linebacker Rocky Ferrell had nine tackles and assists to lead the Indians’ crippled defense. Junior Don Webster filled in at defensive tackle and “did a superb job,” according to Coach Doyle.
Elsewhere in the SCOL, the McClain Tigers scored a touchdown in the fourth period, to best Circleville, 6-0. The McClain defense held Circleville to 77 total yards. Miami Trace pulverized Madison Plains, 66-0, racking up 534 yards of offense. Sylvania Northview won the battle of statistics, but Washington won the football game, as five Sylvania turnovers spelled doom, and WCH won, 22-15.
(To be continued next week.)
Bob Patton is a Highland County sports historian and a contributing writer to The Highland County Press.
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