Knoxville Catholic High School - Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

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l26 0's football: A decade of excitement The decade began with the 69-70 Irish football team storming to a 10-1 record, the best in school history. The tea swamped the competition averaging over 30 points a game while holding the opponents to less than 10 points a contee All-Stars were lohn MacLellan, Paul Balitsaris, Mike Ledford and Steve Atkins. The season was highlighted by a 22-0 beatii of Rutledge in the Tomato Bowl at Carson-Newman College. The 70-71 team began the season with a roar but then tea members Mike McCabe, Mike Ledford, Mike Kerley and Kenny Hannafin sustained injuries. In spite of their bad luck tl team still posted an 8-3 record when underclassmen rose to the challenge late in the season. McCabe and Ledford we named to the All-KIL team, despite their injuries, and both players won major college scholarships. ln 71-72 the KCHS teal under the direction of new coach Courtney Oliver, would repeat as A-Division Champs with an excellent 9-2 record. Ste' Atkins rushed for 1,048 yards and scored 106 points on the season. In honor of his distinguished career Steve's jersey 013 was retired at the football banquet lan. 23rd, 1972. Other stars that season were Bill Mary, Stuart Schaad, Matt Balitsar lohn McLoughlin, and lohn Brink. The next year, 72-73, the footballers were in a rebuilding year and suffered through a loi season. Stars for the team were Beau Hannafin tMVPj, Tom Lorentz, tbest Linemanj, loe Kropff iMost Improvedl, Stue Schaad iBest Defensive Backj and Matt Balitsaris iBest Offensive Backj. Strong efforts were put forth by Tom Underwoo lohn and Bob Krusenklaus, Doug Baker and Charles Erickson. The 73-74 edition of Irish football, under the direction Coach Hugh Hyde, would sustain a 1-9 record. Led by seniors Mike Brink, Mike Ward, lohn Hayes, Kevin Callaghan ai lohn Krusenklaus, they displayed courage but the rigorous schedule took its toll. During the 74-75 season things began change and the team improved to 4-6. Stallwarts for the team were Steve Schoenwetter, Curt LeMay, Frank DeAngel Pete Powers, lim Shea, Willie Andrews and Doug Baker. The 75-76 team went 8-3 on the year including a bowl victory ov Gatlinburg-Pitman due to the strong defense which boasted seven senior starters. The offense led by Tom Underwot 11070 yards rushing and the KIL scoring champl, Steve Clancy, and loe Kendra would stun their opponents. Other co tributers to the team's success were Bill Seaton, Art Clancy, Mark Chait, Herb McMillan, Pat Hannafin, Pat Willard, Mike Cc um, Rick Sharpe, Mike Gerard and lim Brink. The 76-77 team experienced a disappointing 3-7 record due primarily to hea' graduation losses and also because of injuries to key players such as Captain Don Hayes, Chris Noel and Mark Bentley. spite of this misfortune leff Davenport, Pat Hannafin, Steve Clancy, loe Kendra, and Brad Parker played well on offense ai defense for the Irish under difficult conditions. The future for KCHS football appeared to be questionable in 77-78 when tl team went 1-7 on the year. With ony 24 players on the roster the team still presented a stout defense, holding opponer to 15 points a game. Offensively, the team only scored 61 points on the season. Players who deserve recognition for tht efforts included Brad Parker, Ray Tubel, leff Davenport, loe McGrath, Kelly Lewis, Chris Noel, Tom Werner, Rick Hubi Mark Bentley, Pat Hannafin and Pat Tompkins. Some improvement was seen in 78-79 when the Irish regrouped to a 3 season. Those players who provided a 1107, effort were freshman QB Duffy Madden, Capt. Pat Gerard, Greg Ericksc Barry Smith, loe McGrath, Eugene Anderson, Mark McMahan, Rick Connelly and David Brink. sr 35... , , l X 7 y j' Q 'hz 5 ,, QQ4 ight I.. :ru .,, nf I ,-- A ' 5 J ' N fs G5 6211 vfss '.-- 5, .. 4- l 1 iv X14 4. 1. fl I4 IJ-13,1 In J V 1 , 'L in F ' 4 I B ln 1976, the Seniors that led the Irish to a season of firsts: tin frontl lim Brinkg ' 6 - 1 , 2 I lfirst FOW, Bill Seaton, Art Clancy, Mike Corumg i2nd rowl Chris Ledford, -.... 9 H5 -4 i Y lohn Mudryg 13rd rowj Herb McMillan, Mike Gerard, Rick Sharpe, Pat 1 l I ,X . Willard, l4th rowl Coach lohn DeBakker, Captain Tom Underwood, Coach ' 1 N 1 9- Mike Ledford, D

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