Even though the 1969 Morris Redskins football team finished with six wins and three losses, head coach Larry Kane always said it was one of the finest teams he directed at MCHS.

The fiery little mentor accumulated a record of 42 wins, 21 losses and
2 ties during his seven-year coaching career at Morris.

The losses during the '69 campaign were to three excellent gridiron teams, that included Ottawa, St. Bede and Lake Park.

Tom Enger, a 6-1, 178 guard and Tom Karlin, a 6-0, 196 tight end were named co-captains for the year.

The starting offense for Morris stacked up this way: Ed Harseim or Jim Olson at left end; Jim Bottomley LT; Jud Brown LG; Frank Hildy C; Tom Enger  RG; Jim Smith RT; Tom Karlin or Jim Olson at RE; Mick Peterson QB; Rick Springer or Dan Mansmith FB; Len Butler LH; Ralph Varland or Mark Parnell RH.

On defense: LE Jim Smith; LT John Maddox; LG Bottomley; MLB Enger; RE Tom Karlin; RT Brown; RG Ed Thompson; Cornerbacks Olson, Parnell; Safeties- Harseim and Greg Dummitt.

In the opening game of the season, the Redskins dropped a 21-16 game to Ottawa. Morris won everything but the final score.

The 'Skins outrushed the Pirates, 205-53 and also in passing yardage, 70-57. The disappointing statistics found Morris losing three fumbles and also throwing two interceptions.

Ottawa's standout quarterback, Wally Kistenfeger intercepted a Mick Peterson pass and returned it 77 yards for a first quarter touchdown. A Tom Karlin punt was blocked, putting the  ball on Morris's 13-yard line. One play later Ottawa scored on a pass play and led 13-0.

Peterson connected with Harseim on passes good for 12 and 14 yards. The Morris quarterback took into the end one from 1-yard out and Morris was on the scoreboard.

Len Butler tallied from 3-yards out and also scored on the two-point conversion and Morris led 16-13.
 
With only seconds remaining to halftime, Kistenfeger fired a touchdown pass and a two point conversion. The Pirates went into intermission with a 21-16 edge. The second half was scoreless.

Fullback Springer led Morris with 181 yards rushing on 17 attempts, while Butler added 126 yards on 22 carries. It was a tough opening season loss to a Bill Novak football team, that had a habit of winning year after year.

The Redskins bounced back in a big way, beating Hall Township of Spring Valley, 28-0. After a scorless first half, Morris began to pull away.

Butler scored on a 5-yard jaunt, while Parnell ran the two-point conversion across the goal line. Peterson then hit Jim Olson with a 53-yard touchdown pass, and once again the two-point conversion was good in the third quarter. Butler raced across the goal line from 33 yards out and the Skins were well on their way to victory. Parnell finished the scoring on a 20-yard scamper and Morris won 28-0.

The Redskins walloped Ottawa Marquette 40-9, Pontiac 32-0 and Joliet East 44-6 to make it four wins in a row. In the Pontiac game, Butler scored all 16 points in the first half. One highlight during the game was a Peterson to Harseim pass that was good for 96 yards and a touchdown in the third quarter.

Len Butler had a big night against Joliet East, as he rushed for 182 yards on 29 carries.

Morris lost to a good Lake Park squad, 40-26. The 'Skins led at one point 18-13, but could not keep the lead and fell behind 19-18 at halftime.

Lake Park and its excellent quarterback, Glenn Damato, took control of the game in the second half and won the contest. Damato ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more scores.

Morris suffered its second straight loss, dropping a close 24-22 contest to the St. Bede Bruins. After falling behind 16-0 at intermission, Morris got back in the game in the second half. A Butler score and a Peterson to Karlin six pointer, along with Butler's
two point conversion and it was St. Bede 16, Morris 14 in the third quarter.

In the fouth quarter, Butler scored on a 1-yard run. Peterson raced around end for two points and Morris led 22-16.

St. Bede scored with 1:13 left in the game and added a two point conversison and won the game 24-22.

Next up for the Redskins was the Princeton Tigers (5-1-1) in a non-conference game.

Morris led 22-0 at intermission. Standout defense by Maddox, Thompson and Enger held Princeton scoreless in the first two quarters. Peterson connected with Harseim for two scoring pass plays in the first half of action. Peterson, the excellent Morris quarterback, had a standout game, hitting 15 passes in 21 attempts for 273 yards, including three touchdowns.

The final game of the season, is one that is still talked about in Morris. The Redskins completely overwhelmed Streator 76-6. Len Butler scored 10 touchdowns and rushed for 284 yards on 38 carries. Butler scored a school record 64 points during the game and remains one of the state's elite marks. Butler tied another Morris standout, Jim Cryder, who scored 10 touchdowns and 60 points in Morris' 121-0 victory over Gardner in 1949.

On the season, Butler was second in the state with 168 points. He also rushed for 1,132 yards, scored 23 touchdowns and 13 points after. Mick Peterson passed for 1,077 yards, connecting on 55 passes with 126 attempts and 11 scores. Harseim set a school record, at the time, with 13 interceptions. Harseim also caught 19 passes for 453 yards and 6 scores on the season. At the teams annual banquet, Tom Enger was named the Most Vauable Player.


NFL picks

Vance "Keep on Truckin" Vasdal almost won the "Mr. Perfect" award, by finishing at 15-1 for the week. The only pick he missed was the Baltimore and Tennessee game. Vance selected the Ravens.

Many years ago, Professor Don Neushwander compiled a perfect score and had the award named after him. He also has never let anyone forget about it over the years.

Nick 'All Business' Vidito had a terrific week, chalking up a 14-2 week. Professor and this writer were both 12 and 4 for the week.

The Bears looked terrible against New Orleans and now must improve rapidly as the Green Bay Packers come to Chicago Sunday.