Schlichter-led Panthers go undefeated in 1976
By
Bob Patton-
(Continued from last week.)
In mid-October 1976, Miami Trace was dominating the SCOL statistics, having rung up a total of 2,653 yards of total offense. The Panthers also led in defensive stats, allowing the opposition only 489 total yards. Wilmington was second in total offense and Circleville was third – but, both trailed the Panthers by 1,000 yards or more. In team defense, Circleville was second while McClain was third. Circleville had only given up 44 more yards than MT and McClain had given up 192 more total yards than the Panthers. Hillsboro ranked sixth in both categories.
The McClain Tigers would make the short trip to Washington C.H. Oct. 15, to do battle with the Blue Lions. Hillsboro visited Fayette County, too. They would face the undefeated and untied Miami Trace Panthers, now ranked ninth in the state among AAA powers.
The 4-1 Wilmington Hurricane would travel to Circleville, while Madison Plains had a non-league encounter with South Charleston Southeastern, currently ranked ninth in Ohio in class A. After opening their season with a win over Westfall, the Golden Eagles had lost the road map. McClain rallied from a 6-0 deficit after the first quarter, and defeated the Blue Lions 13- 6. But Miami Trace clobbered the Hillsboro Indians, 60-0. Circleville pulled off a 21-14 upset of Wilmington, and Madison Plains lost to Southeastern 36-14.
At the halfway point in the SCOL season, the league standings were:
Miami Trace – 2-0, 6-0
McClain – 3-1, 4-2
Circleville – 2-1, 4-2
Wilmington – 2-1, 4-2
Washington – 1-1, 3-3
M. Plains – 0-2, 1-5
Hillsboro – 0-3, 2-4
October 22 saw the Hillsboro Indians taking on the Golden Eagles at Madison Plains. The Blue Lions of WCH made the trip down Route 22 to Wilmington, while Miami Trace traveled up 22 to visit Circleville. McClain hosted tough Chaminade Julienne from Dayton.
The Indians rallied from 6-0 and 12-8 deficits and overcame four turnovers to edge Madison Plains, 14-12. Sophomore Bruce Ford led the Hillsboro offense with 103 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. Wilmington pulled out a 7-6 win over Washington, while Miami Trace, now ranked eighth in Ohio among AAA schools, walloped Circleville 46- 8. Chaminade Julienne edged McClain, 28-20, in a bruising battle.
The next Friday night was the date of the big Hillsboro vs. McClain face-off, this time on McClain Field. Probably the best two teams in the SCOL, Miami Trace and Wilmington, would tangle on the Wilmington field. Madison Plains would visit Gardner Park to meet the Blue Lions and Circleville would go to Akron to meet one of the toughest teams in Ohio, Akron St. Vincent St. Mary.
McClain’s overpowering defense proved to be too much for the visiting Indians, and the purple and gold cruised to a 57-0 win. In Wilmington, Miami Trace took a giant step toward the SCOL crown by crushing Wilmington surprisingly easy, 42-0. Meanwhile, Washington throttled Madison Plains, 41-6, and Circleville fell to Akron St. Vincent St. Mary, 41-0.
The Hillsboro Indians took a week off from the hectic SCOL competition on Friday, Nov. 5, as they hosted Class A Zanesville Rosecrans in the final home game of the 1976 season.
McClain, in the search for their first SCOL championship in more than 10 years, would travel to Miami Trace, but the chances of beating Miami Trace, now ranked fourth in the state in AAA, were not good. Trace had outscored its opponents so far, this season, 421 to 36. Most people predicted a rather easy MT win.
In other SCOL games, Circleville and Washington, both 4-4 in the SCOL, would tangle at Gardner Park. Wilmington would meet the Golden Eagles at Madison Plains. MP, after winning their opening game, had dropped seven in a row, and none were close.
Injuries were once again a factor in the Hillsboro-Zanesville Rosecrans game. Both Tyler Woods and Tom Addington sustained leg injuries and had to be transported to the hospital, as Rosecrans downed the Indians, 27 -0. Coach Doyle pointed out that regulars on this year’s team, which was admittedly not very deep, had missed a total of 25 games. Neither Woods nor Addington would be able to play at Circleville, the last night of the season.
Miami Trace crushed McClain, 42-3, to clinch the 1976 SCOL championship, when Art Schlichter hit 14 of 29 passes for 281 yards. Circleville outgained Washington 203 yards to 158, but it was the Blue Lions who took advantage of four costly Tiger turnovers to hand Circleville a third consecutive loss, 26-11.
At Madison Plains, Wilmington scored three touchdowns in each of the first two quarters taking a 42-0 lead at halftime, and coasting to a 56-6 win against the Golden Eagles, who suffered their eighth straight loss.
November 12 marked the final playing date of the 1976 regular season. It saw Circleville outgain Hillsboro 417 to 160 total yards, most of them on the ground, and defeat the Indians, 42-0. This was the third straight shutout loss for the Indians. In the annual Fayette County Grudge Match, Miami Trace ended a perfect season by shelling arch-rival Washington C.H., 60-13. McClain romped over Adena, 54-7. Wilmington outgunned Teays Valley, 42-21, and Springboro handed Madison Plains their ninth consecutive loss by a score of 20-6.
The final won-and-lost records for the SCOL teams in 1976 were:
Miami Trace – 6-0, 10-0
Wilmington – 4-2, 7-3
McClain – 4-2, 6-4
Circleville – 3-3, 5-5
Washington – 3-3, 5-5
Hillsboro – 1-5, 3-7
M. Plains – 0-6, 1-9
In the final state AP poll, Miami Trace was ranked fourth in the state in AAA.
Fred Zechman was named the Southeast District Coach of the Year, and Art Schlichter was named Southeast District Back of the Year.
Miami Trace players dominated the All-SCOL football team, as might be expected. Named to the first team (Offense) were Center Sam Grooms, Guard Brad Smith, Tackle Glen Cobb, Tight End Joe Black, Wide Receiver Bill Hanners, Quarterback Art Schlichter, and Running Backs Dan Gifford and Rex Coe, all of MT. They were joined by Guards Kent Green of Wilmington, Tom Dean of WCH and Earl Stevenson of Circleville, and Tackle Brian Price of Circleville, Wide Receiver Terry Wilson of WCH, and Running Back Bruce McKee of Wilmington. Named to the first team (Defense) were Down Lineman Neal Spears, Linebacker Dennis Combs, Defensive End Bill Warnock, Cornerback Rex Coe, and Deep Back David Creamer, all of M – T, along with Down Linemen Karl Stevenson of Circleville and Steve Walker of Wilmington, Linebackers Brian Price of Circleville and Gary Losey of Wilmington, Defensive End Brett Robinson of McClain, Cornerback Bret Shaw of WCH, and Deep Backs Gary Williams of Wilmington, Tyler Woods of Hillsboro, Tony Anderson of McClain, and Roger Mason of Madison Plains.
When All-State selections were announced, six members of the Miami Trace Panthers were honored. Quarterback Art Schlichter and end Bill Hanners were both named to the second team offense, while end Bill Warnock made the second team defense. Offensive center Sam Grooms made the third team offense and Rex Coe and Dennis Combs both received honorable mention in the state, as did Wilmington’s Gary Williams.
Bob Patton is a Highland County sports historian and a contributing writer to The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]
In mid-October 1976, Miami Trace was dominating the SCOL statistics, having rung up a total of 2,653 yards of total offense. The Panthers also led in defensive stats, allowing the opposition only 489 total yards. Wilmington was second in total offense and Circleville was third – but, both trailed the Panthers by 1,000 yards or more. In team defense, Circleville was second while McClain was third. Circleville had only given up 44 more yards than MT and McClain had given up 192 more total yards than the Panthers. Hillsboro ranked sixth in both categories.
The McClain Tigers would make the short trip to Washington C.H. Oct. 15, to do battle with the Blue Lions. Hillsboro visited Fayette County, too. They would face the undefeated and untied Miami Trace Panthers, now ranked ninth in the state among AAA powers.
The 4-1 Wilmington Hurricane would travel to Circleville, while Madison Plains had a non-league encounter with South Charleston Southeastern, currently ranked ninth in Ohio in class A. After opening their season with a win over Westfall, the Golden Eagles had lost the road map. McClain rallied from a 6-0 deficit after the first quarter, and defeated the Blue Lions 13- 6. But Miami Trace clobbered the Hillsboro Indians, 60-0. Circleville pulled off a 21-14 upset of Wilmington, and Madison Plains lost to Southeastern 36-14.
At the halfway point in the SCOL season, the league standings were:
Miami Trace – 2-0, 6-0
McClain – 3-1, 4-2
Circleville – 2-1, 4-2
Wilmington – 2-1, 4-2
Washington – 1-1, 3-3
M. Plains – 0-2, 1-5
Hillsboro – 0-3, 2-4
October 22 saw the Hillsboro Indians taking on the Golden Eagles at Madison Plains. The Blue Lions of WCH made the trip down Route 22 to Wilmington, while Miami Trace traveled up 22 to visit Circleville. McClain hosted tough Chaminade Julienne from Dayton.
The Indians rallied from 6-0 and 12-8 deficits and overcame four turnovers to edge Madison Plains, 14-12. Sophomore Bruce Ford led the Hillsboro offense with 103 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. Wilmington pulled out a 7-6 win over Washington, while Miami Trace, now ranked eighth in Ohio among AAA schools, walloped Circleville 46- 8. Chaminade Julienne edged McClain, 28-20, in a bruising battle.
The next Friday night was the date of the big Hillsboro vs. McClain face-off, this time on McClain Field. Probably the best two teams in the SCOL, Miami Trace and Wilmington, would tangle on the Wilmington field. Madison Plains would visit Gardner Park to meet the Blue Lions and Circleville would go to Akron to meet one of the toughest teams in Ohio, Akron St. Vincent St. Mary.
McClain’s overpowering defense proved to be too much for the visiting Indians, and the purple and gold cruised to a 57-0 win. In Wilmington, Miami Trace took a giant step toward the SCOL crown by crushing Wilmington surprisingly easy, 42-0. Meanwhile, Washington throttled Madison Plains, 41-6, and Circleville fell to Akron St. Vincent St. Mary, 41-0.
The Hillsboro Indians took a week off from the hectic SCOL competition on Friday, Nov. 5, as they hosted Class A Zanesville Rosecrans in the final home game of the 1976 season.
McClain, in the search for their first SCOL championship in more than 10 years, would travel to Miami Trace, but the chances of beating Miami Trace, now ranked fourth in the state in AAA, were not good. Trace had outscored its opponents so far, this season, 421 to 36. Most people predicted a rather easy MT win.
In other SCOL games, Circleville and Washington, both 4-4 in the SCOL, would tangle at Gardner Park. Wilmington would meet the Golden Eagles at Madison Plains. MP, after winning their opening game, had dropped seven in a row, and none were close.
Injuries were once again a factor in the Hillsboro-Zanesville Rosecrans game. Both Tyler Woods and Tom Addington sustained leg injuries and had to be transported to the hospital, as Rosecrans downed the Indians, 27 -0. Coach Doyle pointed out that regulars on this year’s team, which was admittedly not very deep, had missed a total of 25 games. Neither Woods nor Addington would be able to play at Circleville, the last night of the season.
Miami Trace crushed McClain, 42-3, to clinch the 1976 SCOL championship, when Art Schlichter hit 14 of 29 passes for 281 yards. Circleville outgained Washington 203 yards to 158, but it was the Blue Lions who took advantage of four costly Tiger turnovers to hand Circleville a third consecutive loss, 26-11.
At Madison Plains, Wilmington scored three touchdowns in each of the first two quarters taking a 42-0 lead at halftime, and coasting to a 56-6 win against the Golden Eagles, who suffered their eighth straight loss.
November 12 marked the final playing date of the 1976 regular season. It saw Circleville outgain Hillsboro 417 to 160 total yards, most of them on the ground, and defeat the Indians, 42-0. This was the third straight shutout loss for the Indians. In the annual Fayette County Grudge Match, Miami Trace ended a perfect season by shelling arch-rival Washington C.H., 60-13. McClain romped over Adena, 54-7. Wilmington outgunned Teays Valley, 42-21, and Springboro handed Madison Plains their ninth consecutive loss by a score of 20-6.
The final won-and-lost records for the SCOL teams in 1976 were:
Miami Trace – 6-0, 10-0
Wilmington – 4-2, 7-3
McClain – 4-2, 6-4
Circleville – 3-3, 5-5
Washington – 3-3, 5-5
Hillsboro – 1-5, 3-7
M. Plains – 0-6, 1-9
In the final state AP poll, Miami Trace was ranked fourth in the state in AAA.
Fred Zechman was named the Southeast District Coach of the Year, and Art Schlichter was named Southeast District Back of the Year.
Miami Trace players dominated the All-SCOL football team, as might be expected. Named to the first team (Offense) were Center Sam Grooms, Guard Brad Smith, Tackle Glen Cobb, Tight End Joe Black, Wide Receiver Bill Hanners, Quarterback Art Schlichter, and Running Backs Dan Gifford and Rex Coe, all of MT. They were joined by Guards Kent Green of Wilmington, Tom Dean of WCH and Earl Stevenson of Circleville, and Tackle Brian Price of Circleville, Wide Receiver Terry Wilson of WCH, and Running Back Bruce McKee of Wilmington. Named to the first team (Defense) were Down Lineman Neal Spears, Linebacker Dennis Combs, Defensive End Bill Warnock, Cornerback Rex Coe, and Deep Back David Creamer, all of M – T, along with Down Linemen Karl Stevenson of Circleville and Steve Walker of Wilmington, Linebackers Brian Price of Circleville and Gary Losey of Wilmington, Defensive End Brett Robinson of McClain, Cornerback Bret Shaw of WCH, and Deep Backs Gary Williams of Wilmington, Tyler Woods of Hillsboro, Tony Anderson of McClain, and Roger Mason of Madison Plains.
When All-State selections were announced, six members of the Miami Trace Panthers were honored. Quarterback Art Schlichter and end Bill Hanners were both named to the second team offense, while end Bill Warnock made the second team defense. Offensive center Sam Grooms made the third team offense and Rex Coe and Dennis Combs both received honorable mention in the state, as did Wilmington’s Gary Williams.
Bob Patton is a Highland County sports historian and a contributing writer to The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]