Blair High School - Tattler Yearbook (Blair, NE)

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16 Wild Card Deals Bears Playoff Spot Qualifying for the state tourna- ment highlighted the Blair football season. The Bears got there by be- ing one of two wild card teams selected. The road to state was a rocky one. Blair ended the season with a 6-2-2 record. Ironically, the Bears played their best games in the ones they lost. These were to powerful South Sioux City and Schuyler. Victories came in important situations. The win over Nebraska City was essential for Blair to stay in the playoff race. The Pioneer game was also homecoming, which added pressure. Beating Mo. Valley in the final regular season game insured Blair of-the playoffs. Although the tie to Syracuse dimmed the Bears’ record, it clinched the northern division title of the Twin Rivers Conference. Junior running back John Jarosz led all rushers on offense and senior Dave Clifford led the passing attack. Brian Shald and Russ Campbell, both juniors, ex- celled on the defensive charts. Shane Petersen (60) waits to spring a block for punt returner Steve Booton (45). Booton brought back one punt for a touchdown this year. Coach Mike Lehl, who was chosen for the position of head coach of the north team for the 197£ Shrine Bowl, discusses strategy with quarterback Dave Clifford.

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Paul Patterson tucks the ball under his arm and scurries around the left end for yardage in a home game. Reserves End Year at 5-2 Blair's junior varsity started out like wildfire by winning their first two games, a 50-6 routing of Mo. Valley in the opener and a 42-0 waxing of Ashland. Blair was hit hard in their next outing and lost a 12-26 decision to Elkhorn. The Bears went on to post a fine 5-2 season record. They out- scored their opponents by a whop- ping margin of 154-64. Leading the reserves in rushing was junior Clint Frahm. His play was complemented by defensive standouts Craig Warden and Phil Hamke, both juniors and sophomore Tony Dunning. Clint Frahm (44), Tony Dunning (62) and Paul Patterson (20) con- verge to stop the ball carrier. Quarterback Scott Simpson keeps the ball and gains some yardage by pulling his defender along for a possible first down. 15

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Wide receiver Rod McKee maneuvers past the Wayne defender and looks upfield after the reception. John Blobaum and Joe Warren struggle against the forces of Dave Clifford and Steve Robinson and the August sun during conditioning drills. Downfield blocking allows Mark Seefus to cut upfield and make adequate yardage on the kickoff return.