Inductees THE 1969 RICHWOODS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM, coached by Tom Peeler, produced the first unbeaten team in the history of the school when it raced through a 10-game schedule unscathed. The team was ranked No. 1 in the state and won the Mid-State Nine Conference title. 
The Knights boasted a torrid offense that averaged almost 40 points a game plus a tight defense that produced five shutouts and allowed just six touchdowns all season. Only Peoria Central was able to score twice on Richwoods in a 20-13 game.
Fullback Bob Hoftiezer, an 185-pound senior fullback, won all-state honors and led a large contingent of Knights on the Mid-State 9 All-conference team.
Others to be honored were quarterback D.R. Phillips, halfback Dan Young, guards Tom Thornburg and Tom Peeler, tackles Eric Young and Bill Elkins and end Ward Eastman.
Special mention went to center Tom LaBarr and end Bob Moseman while halfback Bill Piskorski received honorable mention.
THE 1969 SEASON
Rich Woods 34, Argo 0
Richwoods 20, Central 13
Richwoods 28, Pekin 6
Richwoods 40, Limestone 6
Richwoods 35, Spalding 0
Richwoods 46, Manual 0
Richwoods 48, Woodruff 0
Richwoods 37, Galesburg 7
Richwoods 41, Bergan 0
Richwoods 42, East Peoria 7
John Emmett Seery A native of Princeville, John Emmett Seery played in four different major leagues during a nine-year career from 1884-1892. An outfielder with a career .252 batting average, 300 runs batted in and 27 home runs, Seery played for Baltimore and Kansas City in the Union Association League; St. Louis, Indianapolis and Louisville in the National League; Brooklyn in the Players League; and Cincinnati in the American Association. |