1973 State Football Championship

By: Fletcher Gould

Every high school football team that plays wants to win eventually gets to playoffs, and then has a chance to win the state championship. Only some teams make it to state and win the championship, but in 1973, the Regis Rams were able to win the state championship. This team was very tough, and nobody could stop them. This was a massive achievement because it was the player’s first football state championship and the Rams’ first football state championship title recorded at Regis. 

  The 1973 team had some ups and downs throughout the season but managed to fight through it all. Toward the start of the football season, the team and school had lost the life of Peter Wilson. Peter was a good football player, teammate, classmate, friend, family member, and a good guy. Everyone was devastated and had a hard time for a long time because of how difficult it was to lose Peter. This affected everyone, and not many people had lost such a close person at the time, but it was also hard for the football team to take his loss and try to keep playing the rest of the season for Peter.

 I spoke with one of the best players on the team Doug Lulay and he said that Peter Wilson’s death impacted the team because many of the kids had never experienced losing a close friend or teammate. Doug Lulay also said that this loss made the players give it their absolute all and play for Peter.  This motivation helped the team because they now had a more significant reason to play, and not to just bring home a state title. 

 “Junior QB Doug Lulay and sophomore tailback Denny Lulay provided much of the offensive punch with big contributions from fullback Jerry Mack and Bob Wagner, flanker Jim Gries and split end Gerry Goyins. Regis also had the finest offensive line in the state, led by senior tackles Kevin Christiansen and Pete Wilson, and Junior center Steeve Pillegi. Junior tight end Steve Keudell proved an excellent blocker and receiver. ”(1974 Regis Yearbook). 

The defense also proved to be very strong. “Juniors Mark Newkirk, Jerry Mack, Steve Pileggi, and sophomores Ted Highberger and Denny Lulay provided the extra strength to make the toughest defense in the state. Against class  “A” schools, only 22 points were scored on Regis. The defense was not scored on in 18 consecutive quarters of play, and a Regis’ is last for opponents Santiam, Harrisburg, Concordia Lutheran, and Pine Eagle failed to cross the goal line.”(1974 Regis Yearbook)

The offense was a big part of the team too. Nobody was able to stop the Rams’ offense. The offense gained nearly 3500 total yards, and Regis scored at a rate of 21 per game. 

The Rams were unstoppable and were terrific on both offense and defense. The Rams secured the 1973 football state championship. All the players were relieved, excited, and most of all happy that they were able to win the state title for Peter. The Rams went on to win five state championships in a row, and they were the most challenging team to beat. All the players and coaches worked hard to succeed and achieve many state titles.