Greenville High School - Hi Life Yearbook (Greenville, MI)

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Senior Halfback Jeff Thorlund swerves upficld, avoiding a collision with Fremont's defense at the Homecoming Game. Varsity Football: Ball boys David Schnepp and Steve Engel. 1st row, Jim Disser. Steve Bernard. Jeff Thorlund, Mike Adams, Brian Stevens, Fred Roberts, Jeff Emmons, Jerry Remelts, Jeff Hopkins. Mario Alverez. 2nd row, Dave Lewis, Andy Petersen, William Nichols. Ken Wall, Tim Rydahl, John Vinton, Bill Corner. Dan Sandic, Rick Thomas. 3rd row, Randy Cairns, Chris Bell, Doug DeVries, Greg Shoenfelder. Don Wittkop, Walt Taylor, Tony Mach, Darren Ladderman, Steve Scott. 4th row. Rich Rasmussen. Bill Stein, Brett Guernsey, Eric Sorenson, Terry Hopkins, Mike Schncpp, Jerry Cook, Doug Zank. Coaches Tom Warrincr, Paul Engel. Bruce Schnepp and Joe Hattcnbach. 27

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Undefeated team takes first place Teams start superbly V Dignity ran rampant at GHS. We had many reasons to hold our heads high. One of them was sports. Making the grade seemed to be our battle cry. Through toil and persever-ence we worked at being unrivaled in athletics. Early in the year the Varsity football team finished with an undefeated record and took the Tri-River Conference championship. Fresh from a spectacular season, Jacket pride began to swell and other teams struggled to match. The Girls’ Basketball team gave the chool what it yearned for, another con- ference championship. The boys’ Varsity Basketball team followed suit with another Tri-River Conference victory to add to the growing number of athletic achievements under GHS’s belt. Greenville’s spirit grew as hundreds crowded the bleachers to cheer the Jacket teams to victory. From the unmistakable strains of the GFIS fight song to Coach Hattenbach’s Area Coach of the Year award, we all participated and shared in the thrill of making the grade in sports. J The 1983 football season was an exceptional one which never fell short of making the grade. As the undefeated Tri-River champs, GHS ranked 9th in the state class B ratings and Coach Hat-tenbach was elected as Region III Coach of the Year. When Tri-River coaches figured the ratings during pre-season practices they left Greenville near the bottom of their list of championship contenders. “The had written us off. It was an insult, a cold slap in the face,” said head Coach Joe Hattenbach. Determined to prove themselves, the GHS squad and coaches vowed that they would never fall to that rating. Instead, they would fight. With each practice the team grew stronger. They came together as a family and encouraged each other. Confidence began to swell within the team, and as the first game approached, the squad had become motivated, determined and ready to roll over any opposition that stood in their way. 1983 Varsity Football Greenville Opponem 27 Lakeview 6 22 Ionia 6 27 Coopersville 0 26 Lakewood 6 40 Fremont 0 6 Sparta 0 16 Lowell 8 25 Cedar Springs 6 35 Belding 22 26

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Rivalry climaxes year At mid season Greenville began proving their worth to the conference, community and their school. They had rid themselves of Lakeview and the powerful Ionia Bulldogs. Friday nights came and the Greenville team showed that they had come to play. It was showtime. Playing against Coopersville, Senior Greg Schoenfelder spoke of the victory as a “long awaited payback.” Greenville moved up in conference ratings and broke into the state class B ratings at honorable mention. But “The opera isn’t over until the fat lady sings,” Hattenbach reminded his players. The season was not over and the roughest games were still to come. Suddenly, the whole area began talking about the GHS Jackets. They had definitely made a name for themselves and the pressure to win was on. Lakewood battled but fell to Greenville and the Jackets ravaged Fremont as well as Sparta. Then came Lowell, whose 6-0 record challenged Greenville’s own 6-0 record. Both teams were exerting themselves for the top; it was to be the game of the season and hundreds came in anticipation and curiosity of who would soon boast the Tri-River championship title. Both teams were poised and tense in concentration holding their formations awaiting the snap. Andy Petersen snapped the ball to Steve Bernard who sent the Jacket ball into play. But it was Above Right: Among ihe honors bestowed on the varsity team was for the leadership of Coach Joe Hattenbach. Here he proudly accepts the American Legion award for Greenville’s 35-22 victory over Belding. Right: Senior Jeff Thorlund is lifted onto his teammates shoulders after rushing for 228 yards and scoring all five of Greenville's touchdowns against Belding. the incredible 27 'boot pass play to Doug Zank that sent the fans into a frenzy. The defense continued to hold back the powerful Lowell offenses, as the score climbed to a final 16-8 score. When the clock stopped ticking the championship crown belonged to the elated Greenville team. Cedar Springs was defeated the following Friday. “But the barbeque sauce on the hog,” said Senior Walt Taylor, “was the Belding game.” The traditional rivalry matchup proved to be as exciting as always. Belding and Greenville exchanged touchdowns, but Senior running back Jeff Thorlund came through as the key player scoring 33 of Greenville's 35 points to defeat the Redskins. Thorlund was named AP player of the week and at the seasons end he was honored as Most Valuable Player. 28