Elkhart High School - Pennant Yearbook (Elkhart, IN)

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Stopping the opposition for short yardage are Mark Fioritto, Kevin Bowlby and Wayne Danner. 1977 Varsity Football FW Snider ECHS 7 OPP. 14 SB Adams 27 7 MC Elston 26 16 SB Riley 21 27 Penn 13 17 SB LaSalle 41 12 SB St. Joe 7 12 Mishawaka 1 41 SB Washington 0 9 Memorial 17 20 Season record: 3-7. ■■■■■■■■■I Football: by Steve Ball Season losses reminiscent of tv re-runs, New Year's hangover w ust like summer reruns and New Year’s day hangovers, losing football seasons are things that nobody likes but almost everybody has to put up with once in a while. Central had to endure a losing season, its second in the last three years, as the Big Blue wound up at 3-7. Going into the season the Blazers were considered inexperienced, which is a common shortcoming for many teams who have seasons comparable to reruns and hangovers. The problem was intensified by injuries to Corey Sutton and Greg Parish. Runningback Sutton was averaging over 95 yards a game when he was hurt early in the year and top defensive prospect Parish missed the entire season. However, injuries and inexperience could not keep the Blazers from being competitive. Five Central losses were by seven points or less, despite one of the toughest schedules in the state. Defensively, the Blazers were led by linebacker Tony Moore, who was selected the MVP. Right behind Moore in defensive points was 6-7, 240 pound lineman Scott Homan. Five times the Blazer defense held the opposition to two touchdowns or less. Quarterback Chris Pittman spearheaded the offense, as he was total offense leader, and teamed with Frank Kurth to help Kurth set a Central single season record with 33 receptions. Two individual records were set by the special teams this year. Dave Thomas booted a 74 yard punt, plus Jim Harness and Kelly Custer each broke the old kickoff return record as Harness set the new mark with 264 yards in 12 returns for a - 22 yard average. In the season-ending rivalry against Memorial, the 20-17 overtime loss typified the Blazer’s year of frustration and disappointment. Moore, Kurth and safety Les Bias received some consolation as they were named to the first team all-conference squad. Football 11

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In the heartbreaking Memorial loss. Blazer fans rejoice as Central takes the lead with 30 seconds left. Pat Buddrus, Joe Paterka. Scott Homan and Mike Fioritto all have their eyes on a Memorial fumble which Central recovered. Following Bob LeDonne and Chris Pittman, Kelly Custer cuts upf leld for a big gam. 1977 Varsity Football Team—Front Row: Coach Tom Kurth, Wayne Danner, Mike Yeakey, Steve Spano, Doug Andreson, Scott Homan, Les Bias, Chris Pittman, Kelby Love. Row 2: Coach Dave Peterson, Frank Kurth, Jeff Lyon. Dave Schlundt, Pete Hruby, Mike Fioritto, Dave Brown, Kevin Bowlby, Brad Holcomb, Bob LeDonne. Row 3: Jim Harness, Pat Buddrus, Mike Ihnken, Scott Rodgers. Dan Glanders, Marty Donnell, Tim Fara, John Varnelli, Joe Peterka. Bob Clark, Bill Choler. Row 4: Shawn Edgerton, Dave Thomas, Mark Sharp, Dave Pairitz, Dale Swinehart. Vito Palumbo, John Singleton. Curtis Hill, Kelly Custer, Jim Williams, Mark Fioritto, Larry Nellist. Row 5: Clyde Donnelson, Mike Kirby. Mark Yeakey, Mike Wayne, Ted McAleer, Jim Kelly, George Berkshire, Andy Dibley, Ken Neal. Brook Nordstrom, Marc Morgan. Tracy Ellison, Trent Bias. Row 6: Scott Goode, Dave Johnson, Joe Thomas. Todd Dygert. TimCalvart, Troy Hardin, Jim Calvart. Rusty Moore, Paul Brown, Joe Garbrick. Brad Springer, Ted Galoozis, Mark Romantez, Bruce Davis, Chris Coley, Rick Gordy. Back Row: Frank Woodly, Coach Lynn Garrard. Coach Ron Mathias, Coach Tim Osborne. Coach Pat McCollough, Manager Brian Sinon, Manager Randy Volkert, Asst. Trainer Bruce Atkinson, Carey Lehman. Tony Young, Tony Steckly. 10 Football

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by Brenda Nellist Spirit Week Spirited Blazers stunned by loss (Days and weeks usually go by unnoticed. The homework and other student activities don’t leave time for much else. So when the teachers started reading in the announcements that ‘Spirit Week’ was closing in on us, many began to wonder about participation in this traditional event. On the Monday before the game with Memorial, students donned large hats and multi-patched, brightly colored overalls. Then it was Lick-em Day and Little Kids Day. This day was especially fun, though you might have ended up with a tummy ache at the end of the day from all the suckers consumed. Ending the last day of school before the game was Blue and White Button Day. The spirit really showed! People wore buttons in every imaginable place. Then, suddenly, it was Friday morning and you realized that tonight was the night. The game with Memorial. All week you saw and felt the spirit in the participation. Now came the test. All thought and attention was focused on the game. No one scored, but the spirit was still there. The cheerleaders were great, leading the crowd through a lot of cheers. During half-time the band proudly performed our fight song which sounded loud and strong in the cold night air. Then it was over. With the second half begun, the Chargers scored. In the fourth quarter we came back and scored two touchdowns, feeling we deserved the win. There were 30 seconds left when Memorial scored and the game went into overtime. The Blazers kicked and scored 3 points. With one yard to go on the fourth down the Chargers scored. Hearts stopped beating. There was a rush of people from the Charger stands going down onto the field to congratulate their team. The Blazer stands were basically silent. The shock had not yet passed. Soon the field was empty and the air held quiet sadness. As you gazed up into the sky you saw it was blue with white stars—‘‘This is Blazer Country. Dreaming of Disneyland and sugar plums. Lisa Hanover is properly donned for Little Kid's Day Reverting back to her childhood, Tammy Caskey really rolled through school on her fuzz-balled roller skates. 12 Spirit Week