Merrillville High School - Merrillvue Yearbook (Merrillville, IN)

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Nothing Lasts Forever The highly ranked and favored Pi- rates were upset by the number ten Portage Indians 3 to 0 in the sectional football playoff game. In front of 7,000 fans, the Pirates played an all defen- sive game only to be scoreless until less than a minute left in the fourth quarter. The Indians recovered a fumbled punt by the Pirates leaving the game open for the Indians. The Pirates were soon to see their first defeat of the season in eleven games. Three plays later with only fifteen seconds remaining, the Portage kicker hit a completed twenty- five yard field goal. Even though the Pirates lost, they totally dominated the game on offense and defense as they outnumbered Portage on offense 235 yards to Portages 88 with a respectful secondary allowing a total of eight yards on the passes. Top right: After taking the kick off at 15 yard line, Tom Szmagaj gets some blocking from; Bob Soohey (14), Kirk Vickroy (81), Mark Meechia (23), and Brian Woodward (33). Above left: Se- nior quarterback Mark Dakich attempts to get off a pass as senior Tim Lynch wards off a Portage lineman. Top right: Tim Seneff skirts a blocker to get at the Portage ball carrier. 16 Varsity Football

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They haven ' t done it since ’49 In 1977, the football Pirates finished with a perfect 10-0 season, the first time since 1949, and won their first Duneland Conference Championship since joining it three years ago. Led by All-Staters Mike Chelovich and Tim Seneff, the Pirates defense allowed only 33 points, shutting out opponents five times while giving up only one touchdown the other five outings. Se- nior Mark Meechia also received All- Conference honors along with Seneff and Chelovich. The offense, led by Tom Szmagaj piled up a total of 243 points on their way to their perfect sea- son. Among Szmagaj’s accomplish- ments was making the All-State Team, the All-Conference scoring title (66 points), and being voted Duneland Conference most valuable player. Co- captain Larry Tharp also made the All- State and All-Conference Teams for his offense accomplishments. The Pi- rates finished the regular season ranked first in the coaches poll and second in the writers Poll. Varsity Scoreboard MHS 17 Hobart OPP 0 7 Wallace 6 21 Wirt 0 34 Chesterton 6 34 Portage 7 20 Andrean 0 28 M.C. Rogers 0 20 Valparaiso 7 28 Munster 7 34 La Porte 0 0 SECTIONAL Portage 3 Top Left: Senior punter Dave Evorik gets off a 42 yarder against M.C. Rogers. Top Right: Senior tailback Tom Szmagaj eludes a Wallace de- fender. Above: Senior Jeff Absher and Mike Che- lovich pull down a Chesterton ball carrier. Varsity Football 15

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J.V.ers Improve , Finish .500 Under coaches Greg Pierson and Dennis Conley, the 1977 Junior Varsity football team finished with a 2-4 Dune- land Conference record and a 4-4 record over all. Three of the four wins coming in the last three games of the season. Their biggest win was over cross town rival Andrean, 21-7. The J-V offense racked up a total of 91 points while the defense held opponents to 89; a big improvement over last year. Left: Sophomore halfback. Kerry Gaboyan breaks through the Andrean line. Lower left: The Merrillville defensive line prepares to take on the Andrean attack. Lower right: Merrillville soph- omore Chris Roark chases after the Portage ball carrier. Bottom left: Scott Richter (15) runs into interference while trying to get to the Andrean quarterback. Bottom Right: The Pirates in forma- tion against Portage. Junior Varsity Scoreboard MHS OPP. 8 LaPorte 12 12 Hobart 14 14 Lake Central 7 7 Chesterton 21 7 Portage 14 21 Andrean 7 8 Rogers 7 14 Valparaiso 7 Junior Varsity Football 17