Football Hall of Fame

Front row (left to right): Bill Alexander, Tom Carr, Calvin Fuller, Jon Gasperi, Brad Fuller, Sam Polito, Chris Hibbard, Keith Roberson, Brian Fowler, Greg Lawless, Keith Shurman, Kenny Hopp (captain), Ron Mason, Denny Klein.

Second row: Steve Hampson, Steve Kurth, Rob Wagner, Rick Antrim, Ted Moore, Chip Hollingsworth, Jeff Youngren, Eric Roberson, Dan Lowery, Mike Wood, Marlon Aberle, Doug Wilson, Steve Nofsinger, Darren Wilson.

Third row: Bill Brunk, Todd Hibbard, Mark Meeks, Todd Bulmer, Matt White, Matt Hodges, Scott Milburn, Spencer Roosevelt, Dan Albritton, Scott Underwood, Dan Henderson, Jim Bullard, Bob O’Dea, Jim Hamilton.

Fourth row: Asst. Coach Mark O’Neill, Asst. Coach Paul Cram, Asst. Coach Phil Moss, Todd King, Tim Heller, Greg Herman, Larry Otte, Gary Dester, Asst. Coach Bob Witherell, Asst. Coach Rocke Cooper, Head Coach John Venturi, Asst. Coach Tom Tennyson.

Not pictured: John Morgan.

Coached by John Venturi, the Washington Panthers played six conference champions during an 11-2 season that ended with a second-place finish in the IHSA Class 4A playoffs. Washington finished second in the Mid-Illini Conference, losing only to Limestone, then beat perennial power Springfield Heart Griffin (27-6) to open postseason play. The Panthers then defeated Libertyville (28-18) and Harrisburg (21-3) before falling to Woodstock (41-28) in the title game.

Running back Kenny Hopp led the Peoria area in rushing with 1,631 yards and 24 touchdowns, and quarterback Jon Gasperi threw for 10 TDs. Gasperi, Bob O’Dea and Calvin Fuller combined for 10 interceptions, while Hopp, Matt Hodges and Spencer Roosevelt led the team in tackles.