Football Hall of Fame

Front Row: (from left) Val Petty, Gary Corwin, Scott Watson, Dennis Reynolds, Rusty Davis, Mark Phillips, George Ward, manager Gail Blame.

Second Row: (from left) Assistant coach Bob Rogers, Eric Heiligenstemn, Don Kaiser, Rob McMichel, Scott Haines, Brent Birdsall, Leroy Sledge, Dennis Brown, Robert Wright, Jerome Lilly, manager John Stevens.

Third Row: (from left) Assistant coach Charles Siebel, Coach Tom Peeler, Joel Van Luven, Vince Wieland, Ken Wade, Jim Graves, Tom Vachon, Pat Williams, Dave Peeler, Greg Rucker, Dave Metz, Loren Brandt, manager Steve Frank.

Fourth Row4from left) Paul Curless, Mike Wittmer, Mike Hoftiezer, Bruce Lyon, George Hackman, Cleo Ingram, Packy Watson, John Dismuke, Joe OíBrien, John Few.

RICHWOODS HIGH SCHOOL, in the midst of a tremendous run coached by Tom Peeler, manufactured its second undefeated season in 1971. The team was ranked No. 5 in the state and won its third consecutive Mid-State Nine title.

The Knights' offense was again a very potent weapon, producing 308 points, scoring 26 or more points in all but two games, the closest call a 12-7 win over Pekin in the second game of the season.

The Mid-State Nine Conference selected offensive and defensive teams for the first time in 1971 and many Knights were honored.

On the Offensive squad were tackle Scott Haynes, guard Ken Wade, and running back Packy Watson. The Defensive squad included linemen Denny Reynolds, Scott Watson and Mike Hoftiezer, linebacker Packy Watson and back Mark Phillips.

Running back John Dismuke was named to the second team while Rusty Davis earned special mention as a defensive back.