Okemos High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Okemos, MI)

Page 13 text:

Okemos Chiefs Conquer Haslett in Final Game Scoreboard Opponent Okemos St. John’s 37 13 Howell 18 6 Mason 27 7 O’Rafferty 7 6 Holt 34 13 Eaton Rapids 18 13 Gabriels 21 13 Haslett 20 25 The impact of junior Mike Guthrie's tackle forces Eaton Ilapids player to fumble the ball. First row: Assistant coach Ken May. Chuck Nothstine. Pat Daily. Mike Baker. Dave Premoe. Jay Gucrlin. Tom Keller. Russ Boykin. Mike Guthrie, coach David Jones. Second row: Doug Ilittenger. John Pearson. Lee Decker. Jim Westwood. Bob Graham. Stan Adams. Jim Oade. David Kitsmiller. Dick Vary. Third row: Sam Hughes. John Phillips. D. J. Drake. Kurt Hoysradt. Gary Russell. Bob Schirmer. Bob Olds. Tom Burke. Bill Breckenfeld. Jeff Caldewey. Fourth row: Doug DeLind. Chuck Gaa. Dave Hussel. Rick Noblet. Robin Linton. Larry Beebee. Butch Brown. Wayne Pearce. Steve Scnzig. 9

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 Through Perseverance, School Support, Zany Caricatures Symbolize Spirit Although the Chieftain football team was unable to meet the challenge rendered by its opponents, OHS spirit reached its peak this year. Pep signs dotted school walls urging the team to victory. Many of them, humorous Chieftain caricatures, became the school’s pictorial mascots during the football season. The unquenchable spirit culminated at the final game of the season, when the Chiefs were finally victorious, defeating archrival Haslett 25-20. Senior Tom Keller proved a powerful asset to the Chiefs, gaining over 100 yards rushing in each of the last three out of four games and completing 56 tackles. Junior Russ Boykin and senior Jay Guertin also proved valuable, each completing 39 tackles, while junior D.J. Drake executed 38 4. Other outstanding players were seniors Dave Premoe and Chuck Noth-stine and juniors Dick Vary, Rick Noblet and Kurt Hoysradt. American Government teacher David Jones, spending his first year at Okemos, coached the team, keeping spirit alive in spite of continuous losses. Coaching in collaboration with Mr. Jones was assistant coach Ken May, also teaching at OHS for the first time this year. The team elected Jay Guertin, Dave Premoe and Tom Keller tri-captains. Unusual perseverance of players in a losing season caused both players and coaches to be commended by the school board. Of 46 boys going out for the team, 40 remained playing despite the losses. Junior linebacker D.J. Drake prepares to tackle oncoming offender as Holt Hams defeat Okemos 13-34. Okemos and Mason line up for play, but the Chiefs effort proves fruitless, the Bulldogs winning 27-7. 8

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Entering the gym to dress for the Gabriels game are junior varsity players Brian ■Johnson. Tom Guthrie. Jay Breslin John Dale catches the ball before being tackled by teammate and Doug Diller. in freshman football practice. Reserve Gridders Complete Season With 3-3-1 Because its title denotes something less than superior quality or prime importance, a junior varsity or reserve team often receives less publicity before a game and fewer laurels afterwards. The significance of the reserve team should not be underrated, however. It serves as a training ground for prospective varsity players and provides also an opportunity for students to compete in athletic events who might not be considered competent to join a varsity team. Outstanding offensive players were sophomore Jay Breslin, high scorer; sophomore Larry Wheeler; and freshmen Tom Guthrie and Doug Diller. In the defensive unit, which was only scored on four times, Tom Guthrie was also the outstanding player, earning eleven stars. Stars were distributed to players on the defensive, or “killer” team, for such actions as recovering a fumble, intercepting a pass or for other outstanding plays. A new “merit” system was innovated by head coach Mr. David Schuele, in which players collected victory stripes, or “scalps,” in the color of the defeated school to wear on their helmets. Of the 38 boys composing the defensive and offensive teams, eight freshmen were starters. First row: John Patcnge. Dan Curtis, Jim Wiley. Mark Bremer. Bill McGlone. Don Ambrose. Bernie Chien. Alan Hobart. Tom Guthrie. Bob Scott. Hick Clifford. Pete Willingham. Bernie Kraai. Second row: Dennis Bilitzke. Dick Ahti. Bill Hagerman. Bob Miller, Doug Diller. Duane Dorn. Jeff Austin. Joel Ellinwood. Dave Peets. Bill Kennedy. Third row: Bob Horton. Dave Abbott. Byron Johnson. Jeff Grossman. Tim Sehirmer. Hob Hill. Tom Johnson. Jay Breslin. Dave Seott. Mark Stoll. Coach David Schuele. 10