A Century of Ashland Arrow Football
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Looking Backward This Week in Arrow Football

The AHS opener marks the beginning of the 104th football season. The All-time record is 456 wins, 449 losses, and 40 ties. The Arrows have won 14 league championships in 77 years of competition in 4 leagues. The Orange and Black won the North Central Ohio League three times in 26 seasons, the Cardinal Conference seven times in 28 years, the Ohio Heartland Conference once in 16 years, and three OCC titles in 7 years. Three leagues can be found on the Lincoln Highway League website at: www.3lhloh.com. Five times the gridders have made the State Playoffs, and in the 100th season 2006 the Arrows were voted the AP State champs. The entire football history can be found on the website: www.centuryarrowsfb.com.

5 Years Ago – 2005 Ashland 24, Wooster 21

The Arrows upset the Generals with their first-ever OCC loss in 15 games. Taylor Housewright outflanked the Generals on a 25-yard touchdown reception from Louisiana Katrina transfer Derrek Sander. The margin of victory was the first score of the game: Andrew Spicer's 20-yard field goal.

10 Years Ago - 2000

Coach Dick James' six consecutive non-losing seasons, the longest in AHS history, ended with a single win: a forfeit from Galion. Dan Stauffer was the leading tackler, QB Craig Scott had the most total offense, and Pride Starnes was the MVP.

15 Years Ago - 1995 Ashland 36, Shelby 14

The Arrows jumped off to four straight wins before running into 3 State ranked teams. Marc Wood ran for 228 yards on 27 carries for 2 touchdowns. QB Ryan Funk threw for three TDs to defeat the Whippets. The defense shut down Schroeder, their 2000 yd rusher.

20 Years Ago - 1990 Ashland 10, Garfield Heights 7 (two overtimes)

A delirious Homecoming crowd saw a 16-game losing streak end when sophomore Tim Seder kicked a 30-yard field goal in the second overtime. He scored all ten points including a 13-yd TD pass from the present day Hillsdale football coach Tommy Williams. Tim's career included kicking in the NFL and the Arena Football League. Matt Thomas (17) and Greg Fulk (13) led the defense in tackles, and Mr. Football Matt Harpster made 7 tackles.

25 Years Ago - 1985 Ashland 20, Lexington 14

Arrow Pride came alive! Matt Underwood, who is a Cleveland Sports broadcaster, tossed two TD passes to Joe Massie and Brian Moore to upset the undefeated Minutemen. Paul Herrmann ran for 138 yds on 22 carries and scored the winning touchdown. LBer Tom Dudte was the leading tackler.

25 Years Ago - 1985 Ashland 44, Mansfield Malabar 28

Arrow Pride produced 417 total yards and 7 TDs by Paul Herrmann (80, 60, & 4 yds), Sam Rado (two runs and one pass), and TD catches by Jeff Purtell and Joe Massie. Coach Quackenbush had high praises for the offensive co-coordinator Bill Seder and the offensive linemen: Steve Hewitt, Jerry Campbell, Mike Gordon,
and Steve & Scott Mowry.

30 Years Ago - 1980 Ashland 21, Galion 14

QB Bill Grindle passed for 129 yds and completed 12 of 19 passes to lead Coach Dave Gray's Run and Shoot offense. Tim Mowry scored a stunning 44-yd punt return. The defense was led by present-day AHS football coach Scott Valentine with seven tackles. The former Waynedale football coach and present-day
Crestview Superintendent Bill Seder had a key 4th quarter interception.

35 Years Ago - 1975 Ashland 20, Mansfield Senior 6

For the fifth straight year the Tygers could not beat the Arrows. QB Joe Brownfield directed the Veer offense on a rain soaked field to 226 yards against only 99 for Senior High. Tim Collins replaced the injured Matt Call and scored two touchdowns.

35 Years Ago - 1975 Ashland 7, Mansfield Madison 0

Jim Fowler rushed 18 times for 122 yds behind the blocking of Bob Crego. Linebackers Kevin Crossen and Gary Mularz led to the defense to their second straight shutout. The only score was on QB Joe Brownfield's option pitchout to Jim Fowler, who ran 14 yards to the end zone.

35 Years Ago - 1970 Ashland 32, Lorain Southview 14

QB George Andress had first the 1000-yd passing season in AHS history, and Seniors Steve Call, Randy Park, and longtime AHS press box announcer Jack Vanosdall led the line play. However, Tight end Warren Jones thrilled the crowd with his high stepping touchdown run which gave new head coach Paul
Dienstberger his first AHS coaching win.

45 Years Ago - 1965 Ashland 48, Mansfield Madison 6

Roosevelt Robinson scored 4 TDs and rushed for 124 yds as the A's captured their 15th straight Cardinal Conference victory. QB Joe Shideler threw two touchdown passes. Eddie McCormic blocked two punts and recovered a fumble to lead the defense.

45 Years Ago - 1965 Ashland 16, New Philly 14

The 17th straight Cardinal Conference win! Rosey Robinson scored all 16 point on 28 carries for 139 yards. The leading tacklers were Jim Shideler (16), Bill Ihrig (12), and Eddie McCormic (11).

50 Years Ago - 1960 Ashland 28, Dayton Belmont 8

The home game of the season at Redwood Stadium was the only win of the season. It was nearly Gary Moose night. On offense he gained 193 yards on 28 carries. On defense he made half the tackles, intercepted a pass, and recovered a fumble. Blocking back Larry Winger scored three touchdowns with 66 yds on
13 carries.

55 Years Ago - 1955 Ashland 12, Garfield Heights 0

The Arrows upset the state ranked opponent on Max Messner's pair of one yard touchdown runs. The future NFL Detroit Lion plunged 15 times for 99 yards. HB Eddie Lash picked up 87 yds rushing. The defense was led by middle linebacker Messner and two-way performers Ron McQuillen and Larry Street.

60 Years Ago - 1950 Ashland 13, Marion 12

The beginning of Coach C.E. Taylor's 21 game winning streak – the longest in AHS football history. The rushing of Rollie Scott and the Roseboro brothers (John - a senior and Jim - a sophomore) set up the two TDs. It was a memorable night for substitute junior back Harold Brown, who placekicked the winning 13th
point.

65 Years Ago - 1945 Ashland 20, Willard 0

It was the first year for Coach C.E. Taylor, and the first year as an independent after 26 years in the North Central Ohio League. Frank Glasser rushed 6 times and scored 2 TDs. Former AHS band director Dick Johnson was the fullback. Capt. Dick Stauffer and Gaylord Strine were the line stars.

70 Years Ago - 1940 Ashland 7, Mansfield Senior 6

The most memorable upset in AHS football history was to be the end of the rivalry because Mansfield was too powerful. Lester Hesson ran 58 yards with a pass interception for the TD and he kicked the extra point. The marching band led an ecstatic crowd from Redwood Stadium to the downtown. Every member of
the team signed the game ball, and it can be seen in the high school trophy case today. The rivalry was renewed in 1971, when the Arrows pulled off another 7-6 upset.

75 Years Ago - 1935 Ashland 19, Marion 6

The A's defeated the Presidents for the seventh year in a row. The highlight of the day was the dedication of Guy C. Myers fieldhouse at the formerly known as YMCA Field. Capt Bud Plank at 140 was the smallest lineman, and Bob McPherson at 205 was the largest blocker.

80 Years Ago - 1930 Ashland 64, Mt. Gilead 0

All 33 players got to play in the Dad's Day game. Jim Jesson (3 TDs) led six players, who scored touchdowns. Herb Smith and Dean Morgan led what has been called "one of the finest lines" in AHS history. The team had the best record since 1915. They, also, played the first night game in AHS football history. It was
a 13-13 tie with Bucyrus at the College Field.

85 Years Ago - 1925 Ashland 12, Norwalk 0

The Orange and Black opened on a Saturday afternoon at Y Field with a squad of 62 players averaging 135 pounds each. Paul "Beanie" and Maurice "Hap" Johnson scored the TDs. The Query twins (David and William) were the other starting backs. Senior Capt. Don McEntire, an All-NCO tackle, led the line play.

90 Years Ago - 1920

The Orange and Black had only one win, a forfeit from Mansfield, and Schulyer Wharton (5) and Fred McClintock (3) scored eight of the teams 9 TDs. Both went on to become successful coaches: Wharton at Coshocton and McClintock at Galion and Fremont Ross.

95 Years Ago - 1915 Ashland 27, Mt. Vernon 21

A substitute player, Paul Dessenberg, made the second longest play in AHS's football history. He caught a fumble in the end zone and returned it 102 yards for a touchdown. Sam Long returned a pass interception 103 yards in 1972 for the longest TD play in AHS history.

95 Years Ago - 1915 Ashland 72, Shelby 0

On a Saturday afternoon at YMCA Field the Orange & Black set the all-time single game record. Clarence Miller scored two touchdowns and established the single game record with six extra points. The other members of the highest scoring backfield in AHS history were: Wayne McDowell (4 TDs), James Ilger (3 TDs), and Roy Garman (2 TDs). The big tackle was Marshall Mohn, who was a four year letterman. Wayne McDowell scored 108 points that season, and it remained the AHS scoring record until 1959 when Dick Dauch surpassed it.

100 Years Ago – 1910 Ashland 6, Massillon 0

The A's played the defending State Champs on the College Field after a morning snowfall. The Tigers could only march to the Ashland 15-yardline, but they were held on downs. The margin of victory was two dropkicked field goals by Warren "Brownie" Spreng. The Massillon paper reported that they received "good
treatment" by the host school.

100 Years Ago - 1910 Ashland 22, Wooster 0

The A's boasted of a State Championship! The Thanksgiving Day game a College Field. 3:30 in the afternoon. Admission: 25 cents. Thomas H. Moore closed his coaching career with some of the great names of his era: Warren Spreng, Paul Ganyard, Percy McDowell, Martin Moore, Cy Winbigler, Harry Pifer, Herb Campbell, Glenn Miller, Alfred Eggers, Clarence Kosht, and Merle Lamprecht. Each one was a 3 or 4 year starter.

110 Years Ago - 1900 Ashland 0, Mansfield 18

The first AHS game although not all were bona fide AHS students. Ted Brindle was the Captain. Future AHS coach T. H. Moore was the center. Ellsworth Shinn, the top AHS back, was knocked unconscious and carried from the field. A crowd of 200 watched the game at the Mansfield Fairgrounds.

 



Researched by Paul R. Dienstberger, Web Design by Cathy Buscher
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