Griffith High School - Reflector Yearbook (Griffith, IN)

Page 30 text:

Tom Zalac-End Larry Mills-Halfback Brad DcReamer-Quarterback John Aldrin-Guard Doug Edvvards-Guard

Page 29 text:

BOTTOM ROW: Chuck DeNeal, Doug Edwards, Dennis Lager, Bill Wilier, Bill Dewell, Brad DeReamer, Bill Fritz, Paul Stupeck, Terry Joyce, Carl Siurek, Larry Mills, Bob Ogle. SECOND ROW: Coach Tom Kurth, Rich Beach, Jan Fane, Jack Reyome, John Aldrin, Dan Gerrity, Tom Zalac, Chuck Olson, Lee Grogg, Carl Sanchez, Ron Bell Coach Felix Zabroski. TOP ROW: Mike Nelson, Jerry Shultz, Dan Stachura, Don Hoffman, Harry Rector, Joe Lohse, Jim James, Dick Ogle, Paul Gatlin, Terry Franz. Manuel Yocum, Bobby Siurek, Bill Minninger, Rich Arney. UNDEFEATED PANTHERS’ CONQUER CONFERENCE When August 15 rolled around, Coach Tom Kurth, beginning his sixth year as head football coach at Griffith, looked toward the 1963 Football campaign with optimism and enthusiasm. With the return of twelve lettermen, Kurth was hoping for his greatest season ever, and on the morning of Novem- ber 10 he woke up to find a dream that had actually come true. Griffith, who was blessed with a stout line and running backs who knew what to do once the line did their job, found themselves at the top of the heap after they downed a strong Bishop Noll team 19-6 in what was called the first mild upset of the year. But as the season progressed, people soon began wonder- ing if it was an upset after all. The Panthers slipped past a strong underrated Merrillville team the follow- ing week 14-12 and then went on to crush Gary Wirt 33-0. The following weeks saw the pressure building on the Panthers as they beat a solid Gavit squad 14-7 and strong contender Crown Point 46-7. But the next week saw the Panthers slip as they were tied by a fired up Lowell team 20-20. This gave the team the incen- tive they needed as they ended their season schedule by defeating Dyer 28-0, East Gary 41-13, and High- land 41-7. This season enabled them to play Calumet in the Calumet Conference playoff game, the first of its kind in history. The game ended in a 7-7 dead- lock, but Griffith thought they won, because they were cheated out of valuable playing time due to a malfunctioning of the clock. With an 8-0-2 record, the Panthers finished as the first undefeated football team in Griffith’s 35 year history. They were also the first team ever to be rank- ed in the state polls with a ranking of 19. The Griffith squad enjoyed further elation as they placed five members on the coveted All-Conference list. Those making the first team were Bill Fritz, Brad DeReamer, and Dennis Lager, while Doug Edwards and Carl Siurek made the second team. Terry Joyce and Jan Fane received honorable mention ratings. Fritz was further honored by making the All-State team with Siurek, DeReamer and Edwards receiving honorable mention. Fritz was the first player in G.H. S. history ever to make an All-State squad. 25

Page 31 text:

J Bill Dewell-Halfback Dennis Lager-Halfback «• % Bill Willer-Halfback Paul Stupeck-Tackle Chuck Olson-End Jack Reyome-Guard