1966 Varsity Football Team

Of all the great Ottawa Township High School football teams, the 1966 team stands particularly prominent. The team was undefeated with a 9-0 record and crowned NCIC Champions. They scored 380 points and allowed only 19 points during the season, averaging 42.2 points to their opponents 2.1. The defensive unit was scored on only once all season. The team had 183 first downs, 3,761 offensive yards gained, 2,141 rushing and 1,620 through the air. Of 152 passes attempted, 90 were completed, with only 4 interceptions. The 1966 Pirates broke another record when every senior starter received appointment to a major newspaper’s all-state team. Quarterback Bob Burns was voted as First Team All American and receiver Steve Sipula was Honorable Mention All-American. Team members were: Bob Burns, Joel Cechowicz, Fred Crisler, Al Dooley, Bill Foutch, Bill Goodin, Gary Grenter, Jeff Hale, Ken Herington, Stan Kranov, Ernie Matthews, Gary Mooney, Paul Muus, Brien Nagle, Brian Neilsen, Kerry Novak, Randy Olson, Chuck Pfau, Larry Pike, Dick Pope, Ken Poutre, Mickey Rowe, Gaylon Ryg, Steve Sipula, Ron Sohn, Fletcher Wells, Chuck Willet, Jim Zidow; Managers: Larry Goodin, Bob Risberg, Ron Weaver, Jim Wielgopolan, Don Woodyer; and Coaches: Bill Novak, Dean Riley, Ralph Nelson, and Ron Slack.