Mendota High School - Atodnem Yearbook (Mendota, IL)

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Lewis emel Doen iezf l Tezlee tlae elm elf Lon Aweliteel Fall port! Begin b l-IEN THE first leaves began to fall, summer sports were forgotten and the football fever overtook everyone. Vi- sions of a fall evening spent cheering for the Trojans overshadowed everything else. Cares of the world were forgotten as you approached the football field of MHS. The smell of pop corn or of hot coffee, doughnuts, and hot dogs arising from the new stand at the north end of the field lent a tantilizing air to the excitement. The smartly uniformed band gave a stir- ring presentation as they played well-known marches and the school songs. As the strains of the Star Spangled Banner floated over the field, you arose and watched Old Glory slowly rising to preside over another evening of football. Two beaming couches, Lloyixd Do 1 th f h ph Lewis of the varsity, eye t e pro p I f th f h g all season.

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STANDING: P. Phalon. W. Messmore. C. Prescott. W. Buck. N. Hoover. D. Ionos, Mr. Doonier FIRST ROW: R. Roach. L. McCollum. H. Waller. W. Budcch Ten Boyr u heir Wa to Vzktmjf ROSS-COUNTRY, a new sport instituted last year, was part of the school's athletic program again this year. This sport received enthusiastic support last year and in response to Coach Doenier's call this fall these boys reported for practice: Robert Waller, Bill Buck, Robert Roach, Norman Hoover, Bill Budach, tthese boys comprised the varsityl Charles Prescott, Donald jones, Pat Phalen, and Lee McCollum. Bob Waller was the only returning major letterman and was also selected captain. Cross-country requires rigid conditioning. Daily conditioning is the keynote to success. The first meet was held at Genesee on Oct. 2. The team placed third in the class B schools. Speed Waller placed third among the con- testants. Bill Buck flashed in at ninth. On Oct. 5 the Earlville five defeated the Men- dota thinly clads by a score of 26-29. In cross- country the lowest score wins. Slash Buck placed third, Bob Waller fifth, and Bob Roach sixth. Ottawa was victorious over the Trojans 0 19-36. Bob Waller placed third to head the Trojan attack. During the half of the Sterling-Mendota game Stillman Valley, Earlville, and Mendota engaged in a triangular meet. On the 18th of October the Sterling Warriors and the Men- dota Trojans clashed. The conference cross-country meet was held at Princeton. The Trojans placed third in this meet. The district meet was held at La Salle-Peru on October 30. There the Mendota team placed sixth among the competing teams. 5 w LETTER WINNERS Major Minors Robert Waller Charles Prescott Bill Buck Lee McCollum Norman Hoover Pat Phalen Bob Roach Donald Iones Bill Budach

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l-lowever, the football boys began their activity long before fall descended on Mendota. Late in August thorough prepara- tions for another gridiron season began. The sun glared unmer- cifully on the backs of aspiring condidates as they spent hours tackling the dummies, doing calisthenics, learning their positions, and running through plays. Sweat dripped from helmets and jerseys as each player fought determinedly for a coveted place on the squad. As darkness descended on the practice field, a rush for the showers would culminate another day of football. The Mon ster and Pickled Fanny would protrude with arms and legs to the roof as everyone started for town. Evenings spent in the Kitch or Kanteen were usually highlighted by arguments on the relative merits of the single wing and the T. Football completely dominated sixty-five boys of MHS. After school began in September, all eyes turned toward the football teams. Spirited pep sessions before each game proved that the students were behind their teams. The annual Home- coming sponsored by the Student Council brought many old letter winners back to town to view the 1948 version of the Trojan squad.