1996 Golden Anniversary Team

McCook Football, 1946

In 1946, McCook High School utilized a blend of the speed from a state track championship team and the experience of a talented senior class to win the school's first and only football state championship (written in 1996).

The Bison went 9-0 and defeated Fremont, 7 to 0, in the Big 10 Conference playoff game in the final game of the year.  The prized victory for this team was 40-7 over Grand Island.  This victory put McCook in line for the championship because Grand Island later defeated the Lincoln champion Lincoln High, which had defeated Omaha champion Omaha South. 

In those pre-football playoff days, comparative scores were the basis for final ratings and state title selections.

McCook also won the Southwest Conference championship and scored 176 points for the year, giving up 26.  Coach Russ Sautter's team usually won easily but in the few close games they had, they showed a knack for the big play.

Roster: 

Dale Allen

Robert Bell

Jack Boyd

Jim Brown

Gary Creasman

Dick Drake

Melvin Drews

Phil Dulaney

Howard Fletcher

Pete Gonzales

Don Hein

Richard Hill

Harvey Hoffinan

Merlin Hoyt

Wallace Keen

Milton Krogh

Dale Lyons

Joe Magrath

Jerry McClain

Jerry McIlmoyle

Leo McKillip

Roger Messinger

Don Payton

Alan Peterson

Bob Porter

Robert Real

Merrill Ream

Richard Schafer

Everett Skillman

Glen Sliger

Ted Sloniker

Allen Strunk

Bob Wallen

Robert Warburton

Stanley Webster

Joe Weiland

Bob Wilcox

Coach:

Russ Sautter

Asst. Coaches:

James Meader

Lloyd McCullough

Student Managers:

Kenneth Bollerup

Keith Roper

Cheerleaders:

Mary Lou Shubert Drake

Georgine Waugh

Mary Ann Wagner

Lee Avis Coler Rutt