FOOTBALL!
football in table rock. since at least 1894.
October 12, 1894
1899
November 20, 1899 Nebraska State Journal
the pool of students for the 1899 football season (based on alumni association records)
The article mentions the players by last name. For Table Rock: Wright, Nichols, Mellick, Harrison, Wood, Pangburn, Cotton, & Billings. Where did those players come from? Was this a town team? Could just anyone join? Lawrence Griffing was a senior, and Ralph Cotton a Junior. However, few of the other fellows even graduated from Table Rock. Clyde Wright did, but he had graduated that Spring, in 1899. There have been no male graduates with the names of Nichols, Mellick, Harrison, Wood, or Pangburn -- ever! They may have attended but did not graduate (not uncommon) or just anyone could join.
Boys in the Class of 1900, who would have been seniors for the 1899 football season:
Edgar Gates
Lawrence Griffing
In the Class of 1901 - juniors for the 1899 football season
Ralph Cotton
Carl Kerns
Vernon Moe
Charles Phillips
Edwin Tilotson
In the Class of 1902 – sophomores
Jay Barnard
Ollie Patchin
Roy White
In the Class of 1903 – freshmen
Charles Glenn
Ross Phillips
Boys in the Class of 1900, who would have been seniors for the 1899 football season:
Edgar Gates
Lawrence Griffing
In the Class of 1901 - juniors for the 1899 football season
Ralph Cotton
Carl Kerns
Vernon Moe
Charles Phillips
Edwin Tilotson
In the Class of 1902 – sophomores
Jay Barnard
Ollie Patchin
Roy White
In the Class of 1903 – freshmen
Charles Glenn
Ross Phillips
1915
December 3, 1915
1917
We missed the date on this article, but Larry Layden researched it for us --the game was on November 17, 1917!
the fencl family -- husker fans!
Headed for a game? Frank L. "Rubber Neck" Fencl and family, and a Nebraska pennant ready to fly.
When was this picture taken? It isn't dated, but the oldest boy in back, on the right, is Lou Fencl and he was born in 1905. So maybe late teens, early 1920s. This was on the first page of Lou's photo album which was donated to the Historical Society.
When was this picture taken? It isn't dated, but the oldest boy in back, on the right, is Lou Fencl and he was born in 1905. So maybe late teens, early 1920s. This was on the first page of Lou's photo album which was donated to the Historical Society.
Photo 3335
1927
September 16, 1927 school newspaper
1930
December 7, 1930 Nebraska State Journal
First names? The alumni list shows that in the Fall of 1930, the boys in high school were:
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Class of 1931 (seniors in Fall 1930):
Alvah Aylor Kenneth Bain Charles Hanna Lorain Hunzeker Loyd Jasa David Johnson Kenneth Jones Earl McKnight Cyril Perdue Arnold Phillips John W. Tomek Arnold Zelenka |
Class of 1932 (Juniors)
Albert Allgeier Willard Craig JamesHinds Fred Jelinek Dixon Kenner Harold Kenner Kenneth Meyers Lawrence Sites Clarence Skillett Walter Smith Carrol Talbot Arthur Vrtiska |
Class of 1933 (sophomores)
Clifford Bindrum Elmer Carter Wayne Covault George Gilbert LaVon Heuke Arthur Irwin Floyd McKnight Leonard Mertes Williston Morse Arnold Morton Lawrence R. Alderman John Talbot |
Class of 1934 (freshmen)
Roy Bindrum Chester Bloom Ronald Boston Arley Goodenkauf Frank Goodenkauf Fay Harris Frank Hartman Marvin Horton Frank Hruska Raymond Kinney Arthur Mertes Charles Norris Edward Oellerich |
1934
football in the school yard, with overalls the uniform of the day
Courtesy of History Nebraska -- Photo 8056 taken in 1934 to show the new gymnasium, built 1933-4. School boys playing football.
From the editor:
Looks like football season in this 1934 picture, unless that's a good fight going on -- of course, one morning when I stopped in at the drugstore coffee shop I heard a couple of wild stories about football and fighting back in the day. One occurred when the field was out by the railroad track, before the one most of us know was built into the hill in around 1940.
It was a contentious game -- I suppose Elk Creek. Or Wymore..... Just as some railroad guys showed up on a hand car to watch the game, an all out fight broke out. One of the railroad guys cried out enthusiastically, "I don't know much about football, but I sure know how to fight!" and they all waded in.
A Table Rock player was named as a witness, smart and safe under a car as thing went on.
True story.
Supposedly.
I don't see why not.
There was a lot of chuckling going on.
1934 team
Two photos labeled as the 1935 team include members of the Class of 1935. Therefore, these must be photos from the Fall football season of 1934. Both photos were shared by Glenda Blecha.
Photo 10702, shared by Glenda Blecha
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“Squad of ’35” “Lined Up”
Far back, center: “Bullo” Phil [Rabstejnek]. Middle: “Slam” Junior, [Arnold] Skillet, and [Joe] Tomek. Front Row: ” [Lorraine] Burow, [Harolkd] Kubick; [Howard] Bedea; [Harold] Craig; [Kenneth] Gilbert; __________ Binder; and [Clifford] Carter.” The first names are from the alumni class list for the high schoolers graduating in 1935, 1936, 1937, & 1938 |
Back of photo 10702
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FROM THE TABLE ROCK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, THE GRADUATING BOYS
CLASS OF 1935 (Seniors in Fall of 1934) Howard Bedea Dwight Bonham Marion Bonham Harold Craig Edwin Fritch Charles Harlow Charles Hastings Russell Jones Harold Kubick Edward Miller Fred Muscheites Philip Rabstejnek Arnold Skillett Joseph Tomek Class of 1936 (Juniors in Fall 1934) Walter Alderman Charles Binder Howard Binder James Binder Clifford Carter Delmar Covault Cecil Davison Kenneth Gilbert Edward Lorraine Burow Class of 1937 (Sophomores Fall 1934) Glen Binder Dale Brock Elmer Hartman Howard Morrison Clarence Rottman Norman Spier George Talbot Lorraine Vondrasek Dale Woods Class of 1938 (Freshmen, Fall 1934) Donald Horton Arlan Kalina Orville McKnight Emil Michal Milford Spier Robert Tucker Raymond Wilcox |
Photo 10703, shared by Glenda Blecha
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The full squad. Using first names from the alumni list:
Back row: Supt. H. G. Pattison Charles Binder Junior Muscheites Loraine Burow Clifford Carter Howard Bedea Marion Bonham Coach Reynolds Middle: Kenneth Gilbert Walter Alderman Harold Kubick Phil Rabstejnek Arnold Skillet [Harold Craig Joe Tomek Howard Binder Front: Delmar Covault Donald Horton Dale Woods Milford Spier Dwight Bonham Student manager Lorraine Harlow |
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1935
Front row, L-R: Glenn Binder, Milford Spier, Roy Hruska, Robert Tucker, Leo Hastings, Edward Johnson, Lawrence Bloom, Harold Lang, Frank Mraz, Arvid Blecha;
Middle row, L-R: Charles Binder, Walter Alderman, Clifford Carter, George Spier, Lorraine Burow, Cecil Davison, Dale Thompson;
Back row, L-R: Lyle Herrick, Edgar Coon, Delmar Covault, Clarence Rottman, Howard Morrison, Kenneth Gilbert, Dale Woods, Howard Binder, George E. Cowell.
This is Photo 6477, shared by Fran Blecha; this photo had belonged to Arvid Blecha, who was on the team. A number of these football boys would go to war six years later. Leo Hastings was killed at Guadalcanal. Others served and returned, like Glenn Binder and Howard Morrison.
Middle row, L-R: Charles Binder, Walter Alderman, Clifford Carter, George Spier, Lorraine Burow, Cecil Davison, Dale Thompson;
Back row, L-R: Lyle Herrick, Edgar Coon, Delmar Covault, Clarence Rottman, Howard Morrison, Kenneth Gilbert, Dale Woods, Howard Binder, George E. Cowell.
This is Photo 6477, shared by Fran Blecha; this photo had belonged to Arvid Blecha, who was on the team. A number of these football boys would go to war six years later. Leo Hastings was killed at Guadalcanal. Others served and returned, like Glenn Binder and Howard Morrison.
1936
January 14, 1936. A bit of home town pride stretched too far -- Link Lyman is not known to have been "head" coach at UNL. He was an assistant coach.... But he went on to a great pro football career, and was one of the early inductees to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
When? circa 1938
This picture was shared by Richard Binder. His dad is in the front row, 2nd from the left.
He doesn't have names for the other players. Photo 2915.
1941
October 1941
November 1941
1943
The 1943 football team with coach Rudy Senft on the far right. World War II thinned out the teachers eligible to enlist so Rudy stepped in to coach the team. On the far left is Supt. Priestley.
The team:
Top row: Clarence Krofta, Edwin Hanna, Kenneth Gottula, Jerry Mullins, Willard Binder, Joe Sochor, and Bill Marfice.
Second row: Bill Snook, Emmit Morrison, Elmer Klapka, and Bob Wilcox.
Bottom row: Alvin Kent, Leland Binder, Donald Brown, Frank Petrasek, and Roger Sandusky,
This is Photo 10.
The team:
Top row: Clarence Krofta, Edwin Hanna, Kenneth Gottula, Jerry Mullins, Willard Binder, Joe Sochor, and Bill Marfice.
Second row: Bill Snook, Emmit Morrison, Elmer Klapka, and Bob Wilcox.
Bottom row: Alvin Kent, Leland Binder, Donald Brown, Frank Petrasek, and Roger Sandusky,
This is Photo 10.
A Story About This Photo by Sharla Sitzman
In 1940, Rudy Senft – a 26-year-old sports writer for the Hebron Register – came to Table Rock to run the Argus. He immediately stepped into the life of the town. He not only was reporter, writer, editor, print setter, press operator, and subscription getter.
Senft also jumped into the sports programs. In 1943, World War II being on, the football coach left mid-term for the Navy. Senft and the banker, Marion Bonham, stepped in as coaches.
Local residents Willard Binder, Joe Sochor, Bill Marfice, and Earl Cox were among those on that team. Willard Binder, then a junior, recalls that “Rudy would go home and dream up plays, we would practice them...and they would work!”
Senft and Bonham took the team to the Class D finals. They tied with Nemaha for first. Willard recalls, “We should have won. We played here on a muddy field. It came down to an extra point, and Alvin Kent said we could make it. We deviated from a pass play to a run play. We didn’t make it.”
In those days, Table Rock played a variety of other schools including Pawnee, Syracuse, and Tecumseh. Willard recalls that when they played Tecumseh, no other team had even scored against them. Even though they didn’t win, Table Rock scored.
Gas was rationed, due to the war. They got to a lot of the games in Harold Reed’s stock truck, with a tarp thrown over the back.
Sources: September 28, 2014 Interview of Willard Binder; 1940 letter from Lee Chatfield to Rudy Senft; various editions of the Argus; and the photograph itself.
In 1940, Rudy Senft – a 26-year-old sports writer for the Hebron Register – came to Table Rock to run the Argus. He immediately stepped into the life of the town. He not only was reporter, writer, editor, print setter, press operator, and subscription getter.
Senft also jumped into the sports programs. In 1943, World War II being on, the football coach left mid-term for the Navy. Senft and the banker, Marion Bonham, stepped in as coaches.
Local residents Willard Binder, Joe Sochor, Bill Marfice, and Earl Cox were among those on that team. Willard Binder, then a junior, recalls that “Rudy would go home and dream up plays, we would practice them...and they would work!”
Senft and Bonham took the team to the Class D finals. They tied with Nemaha for first. Willard recalls, “We should have won. We played here on a muddy field. It came down to an extra point, and Alvin Kent said we could make it. We deviated from a pass play to a run play. We didn’t make it.”
In those days, Table Rock played a variety of other schools including Pawnee, Syracuse, and Tecumseh. Willard recalls that when they played Tecumseh, no other team had even scored against them. Even though they didn’t win, Table Rock scored.
Gas was rationed, due to the war. They got to a lot of the games in Harold Reed’s stock truck, with a tarp thrown over the back.
Sources: September 28, 2014 Interview of Willard Binder; 1940 letter from Lee Chatfield to Rudy Senft; various editions of the Argus; and the photograph itself.
the team circa 1947-1948
This photo, numbered Photo 3916 for reference, was shared on our Facebook group page by Al Gold in February 2018. Al didn't give the names of the players, but group members stepped forward to identify themselves or their loved ones. Here are some of the comments:L
Edward Tomek: "I am Number 18." (To which Chelsea Lynn responded: "Looking good, Grandpa!")
Later in the FB conversation, Edward said, "Al's brother, Norris Gold graduated with us, number 55. Al is top row, far right. And that is Coach Stemper [far left]." |
Joyce Wopata Newton: "That's my brother Jack Wopata in the bottom row , far right....Wish he was still with us!"
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Larry Layden about Coach Stemper: "From what I've heard he was never called by his first name. It was either Mr. or Coach. Was Alvin Kent on your team? I have heard him described as "fearless" unstoppable" "A Beast to be avoided at all Cost"
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Lisa Marfice Flider: "I believe that my father Don Marfice is #14 middle row, far right. He graduated in 1951. He would have been 15 years old there."[Al confirmed that it is "Donnie"! and that Dennis Marfice is #17.
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Edward Tomek: :"Alvin was ahead of me so I did not play with him. But I assume that would have been a good description of him playing football. His brother, Myron [Kent] is in the picture, no. 44.
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Valerie Binder tagged Lizbeth Kalina Dmytryk, asking, "Is your dad #10? Lizbeth responded, Yes just saw that... yes he is number 10❤"
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Carrie Wilcox Farset: "My dad was Lyle Wilcox #22 and my uncle was Lawrence #87. We have never seen this picture....Did you graduate with my dad, Al?"
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Al Gold: "Nope, I graduated in 1950, I'm the runt in back row, far right, no uniform. Supt Jack Davis is standing next to me."
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Carrie Wilcox Farset: Al, thanks so much for posting this picture. My dad, Lyle Wilcox, passed away in August of 2015. My mom said she doesn't have this picture and now she does! Just wish my dad were here to see it, he would enjoy it! Thanks Again!
1952
November 13, 1952
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1952
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1954
1954
1956
September 6, 1956
1957
August 25, 1957
A memory about a 1957 game with cook
Lifetime member Larry Layden recalled the game with Cook, Nebraska that season. The schedule shows that it took place on October 23, 1957. Ads in the Argus show that it was postponed to October 28, for reasons unstated. The article about the game appeared in the October 31, 1957 edition of the Argus.
Larry wrote in a Facebook post:
Larry wrote in a Facebook post:
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Ken Ahntholz:
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A flurry of comments followed Larry's post. Abby Workman Rehm asked if Russel Workman had been on that team. Larry said:
Yes, Russel Workman was on that team. He played 32 quarters that year and made 41 tackles Russel responded, too:
Joyce Wopata Newton:
Russel Workman:
Joyce, I was 15 at the time. Larry talked about tackles I made but doesn’t mention the ones I missed. If we were tired we faked injuries. No one to sub.
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more from 1957
September 19, 1957
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September 26. 1957
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October 17, 1957
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1965
August 19, 1965
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August 26, 1965
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September 9, 1965
September 23, 1965
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October 2, 1965
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1966
September 1, 1966
September 1, 1966
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September 1, 1966
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September 15, 1966
October 6, 1966
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October 13, 1966
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October 20, 1966
1967
August 31, 1967
September 7, 1967
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September 7, 1967
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September 28, 1967
October 19, 1967
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November 6, 1967
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1973
November 1, 1973
1985
1985 season. Kim Vrtiska says that this was the first Tiger football team to win its first 11 games. (They then lost to Coleridge.)
Front left to right: Shawn Bellows, Allen Panko, Doug Mertes, Mark Kostecka, Jim Gilbert, Kim Vrtiska, Bruce Bernadt
2nd Row: Curtis Peters, Jim Jasa, Tim Puchalla, Joey Blecha, Rod Christen, Chris Gottula,
3rd row: manager ________Lytle, Terry Borcher, Troy Lytle, Norbert Wessel, Mike Schaardt, Dennis Peters, Manager __________ Peters.
Kim produced a newspaper article from the time: ":According to this article this was first unbeaten team since 1949 and first state playoff game ever. I believe Adam’s was rated #1 and we were #2 and the NSAA matched us up in the first round of the playoffs. They had switched to geographical pairings."
Front left to right: Shawn Bellows, Allen Panko, Doug Mertes, Mark Kostecka, Jim Gilbert, Kim Vrtiska, Bruce Bernadt
2nd Row: Curtis Peters, Jim Jasa, Tim Puchalla, Joey Blecha, Rod Christen, Chris Gottula,
3rd row: manager ________Lytle, Terry Borcher, Troy Lytle, Norbert Wessel, Mike Schaardt, Dennis Peters, Manager __________ Peters.
Kim produced a newspaper article from the time: ":According to this article this was first unbeaten team since 1949 and first state playoff game ever. I believe Adam’s was rated #1 and we were #2 and the NSAA matched us up in the first round of the playoffs. They had switched to geographical pairings."
Photo 10700, 1985, shared by Kim Vrtiska.
Photo 10701, shared by Kim Vrtiska
a nice story!
In 2019, Kim Vrtiska posted a link to a June 4, 2019 blog by Bobby Mills about high school football. The subject?
If you follow down the list of "Career 5,000 yard rushers" on the blog, you will come to Table Rock's Jim Gilbert, with 5,046.
Because links are sometimes broken, here is the part of the article, which is where Jim was mentioned:
Great question, in fact it’s the question most people ask me when first being introduced. No easy answer to that million dollar inquiry even though I have compiled black and white numbers that reflect who had the most rushing yards in a career.
Many wish it was as simple as seeing which back gained the most yards but there is more to it than a list.
There are so many variables and measures that come into play when determining who is king of that Fantasy 8-Man backfield. But, the list of 5000 yard career rushers is a good place to start.
With the Sertoma Eight Man Coaches Association All-Star football game less than two weeks away, I begin a series of articles leading up to this annual event which will take place Saturday, June 15th at Hastings College.
Here is a list of 8-Man football running backs I have compiled who have rushed more than 5000 yards in a career…..
Eight Man Football Career 5000 Yard Rushers:
Corey Eikmeier-Dodge………………….8,330..(1993-1996)
Steven Dent-Mullen……………………..7,903..(2001-2004)
Lane Edis-Mullen……….………...……..6,969..(2015-2018) 6
Clint Belina-Howells………….………….6,626..(2006-2008) (2 years/11-Man)
Ethan Skinner-Hemingford…………...6,139..(2011-2014)
Jacob Morrill-Creighton………………..5,981..(2010-2013)
Quentin Moles-Bloomfield...…………..5,911..(2014-2017)
JJ Oltmer-Humphrey St. Francis…….5,740..(2011-2014)
Garrett Sonderup-Fullerton…………….5,678..(2011-2014)
Scott Gray-Coleridge……………………...5,632..(1984-1987)
Tyler Paulsen-Dodge……………………...5,617..(1997-1999)
Brent Gatezemeyer-Bancroft-Rosalie.5,348..(1984-1987)
Brendan Holtorf-Prague…...……….……5,348..(1998-2001) (2 years 6-Man)
Zach Call-Mullen…………………………....5,272..(2007-2010)
Sean Campbell-Pleasanton……………...5,202..(2006-2009)
Jay Theis-Friend…………………………....5,185..(1994-1997) (1 year of 11-Man)
Wade Edis-Mullen………………………....5,169..(1988-1990)
Cory Hall-Elwood……………………........5,151..(1984-1987)
Adam Broders-Bloomfield……………….5,116..(2006-2009)
Dylan Loberg-Randolph………...……….5,115..(2011-2014)
Alex Horky-Twin Loup……………………5,073..(2014-2017)
Austin Stuhr-Henderson Heartland…5,063..(2013-2016)
Jim Gilbert-Table Rock…………………..5,046..(1982-1985)
Alex Dose-Hampton……………………….5,017..(2006-2009)
Darwin Snyder-Winnebago……………..5,007..(1982-1985)
So, what does this list reveal to us? It tells me that these were exceptional athletes that had at least two seasons of running behind a sensational offensive line. Maybe three. The list shows us a model of consistency, a career full of good fortune as far as the injury bug was concerned, and great coaching for sure.
The 5000 yard list also indicates a run-heavy football program such as Mullen, who boasted four RBs, three of which were coached by Mike Brown, I believe. Howells, under the great Mike Speirs, was another team that rarely through the ball during that terrific championship run. In fact, Mike would have been more than happy to tell you their short list of running plays and which direction they were going.
What the list does not say is how many state championship games the player and his team were involved in. There is also nothing to let us know how many RBs enjoyed a legendary-type two year run, or a 4000+ rushing career.
With all those factors in mind, here is a list of additional names to consider in addition to the 5000 Yard Career players.
With that, Mills began an extensive list of players based on those types of additional factors.