Richfield High School - Aurean Yearbook (Richfield, MN)

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16 Division Pa «

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FOOTBALL The early season work paid off in truly rewarding ways for the 1977 gridders, most notably in a state play-off berth. The team achieved a 9-2 record, in which five of these victories were shut-outs. One of the losses came at season’s end to eventual State Champion Washburn. After suffering an early defeat to Park Center, it was to the team's credit that it came bouncing back with eight straight victories. The club seemed to improve every week, nearing perfection in its encounter with Edina West for the Lake Conference Championship. The offensive line simply “blew-away” the strong Cougar defensive unit, enroute to a 21-6 victory which sent the Spartans into the State Play-Offs. This would never have occured, however, without a strong effort from the defense, under excellent preparation from Coaches Plinski and Thielman which stopped a highly regarded Cooper offense. Only this hard-earned 14-6 triumph allowed Richfield into the Edina-West game. The 13-10 defeat to Washburn was difficult to endure at first, but the team soon realized that nothing could take away their successful season. They outscored their opponents 208-52. They were a close-knit team which battled back from an early season defeat to a State play-off berth. They were a squad characterized by a strong defense, a consistent offense and a consuming desire to win. Memories of the 1977 Spartan football season will never be forgotten. Many members received post-season recognition for their efforts, including: Roger Schultz, and Paul Habegger, All Lake Conference, Sun All-State, Scott Androff, Tom Baurle, and Jerry Ninteman, All Lake Conference Honorable Mention, Paul Franzmeier, All Lake Conference, and Tribune All-State, Todd Peterson, All Lake Conference, All Metro, Pioneer Press All-State. I8 Football