Sparta High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Sparta, IL)

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Football Field Named in Memory A of C. B. Pierce Wc now dedicate this field to his memory.’ A quiet enveloped the crowd as the loud speaker interrupted the enthusias- tic pre-game chants of the Pinckneyville- Sparta game. Saturday, September 23, 1978. Before the opening kickoff, the Marching Bulldogs paraded onto the field, keeping in step with a single drum as the flag was raised. Principal Jim Romano began the dedication ceremonies by describing the man who, before his death on March 29, 1978, had served as superin- tendent of the Unit District 140 from 1966-1974 Mr. Clarence B Pierce spent 41 years as an educator, administrator, coach, and sports official. Next, Mr. Loren Eddleman, present superintendent, made the dedication to Mrs. G B Pierce, who graciously accepted this tribute to her late husband. After many nameless years, the SHS football field became a fitting testi- monial to one of the district’s most out- standing educators. Top: MRS C B PIERCE was the guest of honor at the Pierce Field dedication night Left: THF. NEW PIERCE Field was dedicated on September 23 Right: SUPERINTENDENT LOREN EDDLE MAN made the dedication before the Sparta-Pinck nevville game Football l7-

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Put Bite on Rangers The potentially explosive Bulldogs put the bite on the South Seven powerhouse Benton Rangers at Benton in the season opener for both teams. The 22-21 victory signaled to Southwest Egyptian Confer- ence foes that Sparta would be a con- tender The fourth quarter proved to be Benton’s hope and downfall. The Rangers trailed 14-7 after three quarters but two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter put them in a 21-14 lead. But the Bulldogs brought fans to their feet when senior quarterback Paul Peck completed 39 and 21-yard passes to senior split end Jeff Amos, putting Sparta within one point. Again Paul Peck completed a pass to Jeff Amos for a two point conversion, the lead, and the victory as the frustrated Benton team failed to complete any of their four straight passes in the final two minutes. Top: FRUSTRATION WAS LOSING to Anna by the identical score of the Pinckneyvillc loss. 14-15 Mike Henry and Jerry McNulty watched helplessly as the Bulldogs lose Bot- tom: THE STRATEGY OF Coach Bruce Ator worked Junior tackle Bill Hawley and senior tackle Jerry Maurer led the Bulldogs to a 22-21 win over the Benton Rangers 6 Football

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count down Won 4, Lose 5 . 0 THE PROMISE. After defeating the ig j Benton Ringers, powerhouse of the B0| South c en. 22-21. the Bulldogs showed m they had potential THE BEGINNING OF THE END The Bulldogs were the only team to come within 12 points of the conference champs, the Mur- phy sboro Red Devils. 5 15 THE DEDICATION At the first home football game, the field was dedicated to the late C B Pierce The Bulldogs suffered a 1514 loss to the P’ville Panthers 4 THE YARDAGE Cunis Dona by rushed for 220 yards against the Nashville Hornets, contributing to a 28-6 victory. THE TWIN The Bulldogs again suffered a one point loss as they fell 15-14 to the Anna Jonesboro Wild- cats. HOMECOMING a 7-0 victory over Carlyle spotlighted a night of stars. THE INJURIES The Bulldogs suf fered the loss of two key players. Craig Valleroy and Jerry Maurer, after a 6-12 loss at DuQuoin THE RIVALS After a hard hitting and tiring game, the Bulldogs lost 6- 12 to county rivals, the Chester Yel- low Jackets THE REWARD Mans underclass- men who had never seen game action experienced their first varsity game with a 52-0 shutout againts the Freeburg Midgets Top: EXHAUSTED BUT HAPPY. Craig Val leroy and Calvin Copple watch the Bulldogs win their first Homecoming in three years They defeated Carlyle 7-0. Middle: LOOKING OVER THE set-up. Paul Peck drives the Bulldogs down to the rwenty-yard line where a fumble on a pitch back to Mike Peck resulted in a AJ touchdown Bottom: ALL SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN quar terback Paul Peck and Most Valuable Ianeman Jerry Maucrer calmly discuss the 15-0 lead over Pinckneyville before it dwindled to a one point defeat 18 Football