Monthly Archives: November 2015
This Day in #ReitzFootball History (Nov. 30): Panthers tame 1940 Tigers for first time in seven years
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ReitzFootball.com proudly presents “This Day in #ReitzFootball History,” as we look back through almost 100 years of The Mighty Panthers.
Saturday, Nov. 30, 1940
Reitz 7, Memorial 0
Bosse Field
“An eager, overly anxious Reitz High School eleven struck quickly in the opening quarter at Bosse Field Saturday afternoon to beat Don Ping’s Memorial Tigers, 7 to 0, therby hanging up the 1940 city gridiron championship…a crown worn by the Lincoln Avenue Tigers for the past six years.
It was the first victory for Reitz over Memorial since 1933. The win gave the Panthers an undefeated season and places them in line for serious Indiana title consideration (which the Panthers subsequently won). Only a 0 to 0 tie with Central mars their record.
Capitalizing on a break, which came midway of the opening quarter, the Panthers wheeled into action and in seven plays they punched 34 yards for what proved to be the deciding points. The break came when Memorial fumbled on their own 37 and Ray Gooch, Reitz tackle, piled through to cover the ball on the Memorial 34.
Fullback Bob Ritter punched through a mass of waving Memorial arms to the 10-yard line. The jack rabbit, [Jack] Dezember, went flying through to the four. Back came Ritter and he was brought down in a wedge of players at the one-yard line.
A desperate Memorial front wall turned back Dezember, the ball coming to rest on the one-foot line. This time Reitz Quarterback Don Savage called on Ritter, and Ritter didn’t fail. He went ploughing through, over and across the last white line for the marker.
There was some confusion at the conclusion of the game. Memorial had the ball and Ellspermann passed incomplete. Time was up and the gun fired. Fans rushed on the field, only to be waved back by Referee Howard Millard. There was a penalty on Reitz on the play and Memorial got one more chance. But it failed, too.”
Reitz 7 0 0 0 - 7
Memorial 0 0 0 0 - 0
First quarter
Reitz - Ritter 1 run (Dezember kick)
Rei Mem
First downs 5 3
Rushes-yards 110 -54
Passing yards 3 40
Comp-Att-Int 1-5-2 3-12-0
Punts 10 10
Fumbles 2 3
Penalties-yards 7-45 2-20
Final city standings
Team City Overall
Reitz (c) 2-0-1 8-0-1
Central 1-0-2 6-0-3
Bosse 1-2-0 5-4-0
Memorial 0-2-1 4-3-1
Final SIAC standings
Team SIAC Pts Overall
Central (c) 4-0-2 30.5 6-0-3
Reitz 3-0-1 27.0 8-0-1
Sullivan 3-1-0 13.0 9-1-0
Bloomington 1-1-1 12.0 6-1-2
Princeton 2-2-1 8.5 4-2-2
Washington 1-1-2 8.0 4-2-3
New Albany 2-1-0 8.0 3-4-1
Vincennes Lincoln 1-5-1 6.5 3-5-1
Bosse 2-3-0 3.0 5-4-0
Bicknell 0-5-0 0.0 0-8-0
This Day in #ReitzFootball History (Nov. 29): Hape’s “mighty tackle” proved difference in 1934 victory; 1928 Panthers stopped on one-yard line as time expired
Celebrate the history of Reitz Football with some awesome shirts! Get a free gift when you purchase any shirt. Hurry, they’re on sale for a limited time only!
ReitzFootball.com proudly presents “This Day in #ReitzFootball History,” as we look back through almost 100 years of The Mighty Panthers.
On November 29:
- Overall: 1-1 (2 games)
- Every game on this day has been at Reitz Bowl, on Thursday and on Thanksgiving
1928: Central 6, Reitz 0 (Tiny Ten Conference game)
“The vaunted all powerful and devastating Golden juggernaut of Central high school encountered a determined, ripping, fighting Reitz eleven yesterday afternoon in mud and water that was the Hilltop bowl and it was by a 6 to 0 margin that the widely heralded juggernaut emerged triumphantly in the final and deciding game of the city championship series. Six was the margin in points only. The difference between defeat and victory or at least a tie was only a matter of inches to the Blue warriors of the West Side.
A more stirring, heartbreaking, nerve wracking finish will not be witnessed for many years if ever. It was worth standing in the rain and chill of a dismal dreary November day to see. Not a one of the 4,000 or so fans that stood huddled under protecting umbrellas or out in the open with hats pulled low and collars turned up will ever forget the gripping finish. Even the boys in the walking press gang, slushing through the mud and water up to their ankles, soaked to the skin by the steady downpour and chilled to the marrow, felt the blood gushing forth as one of the Reitz backs steamed into the Central line on third down, two yards to go for touchdown and in the last second.
The Reitz back failed. The time was up.”
– Evansville Courier, Nov. 30, 1928
1934: Reitz 14, Central 13
“Two perfect place kicks by Billy Koch and a mighty tackle by Captain George Hape stood out in the cloudy gray of a late November day yesterday afternoon as Central’s Bears and Reitz’s panthers matched strength and skill on the gridiron for the 14th annual year.
Close to 8,000 fans, perched high on the concrete seats of the big west side bowl, saw Koch’s toe sent the ball unerringly over the bar and between the goal posts after two touchdowns and saw big Hape stop big Tony Vargo’s plunge for point after Central’s second touchdown.
[In the third quarter] came the great tackle by Hape. Central lined up with Vargo back. Hape anticipated the play and as Vargo came smashing in with his 194 pounds, Hape, 188, hurled himself at the big Central star. There was a crash. Hape recoiled a yard but Vargo went down about two or three feet short of the goal line. Probably no other player on the field could have prevented Vargo from gaining the necessary two yards for the point.”
J. Ritter and Gene Parrish scored the Panthers’ two touchdowns.
– Evansville Courier, Nov. 30, 1934
This Day in #ReitzFootball History (Nov. 28): Panthers secure two state titles
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ReitzFootball.com proudly presents “This Day in #ReitzFootball History,” as we look back through almost 100 years of The Mighty Panthers.
On November 28:
- Overall: 2-1-1 (4 games)
- At Reitz Bowl (1957): 1-0
- At Bosse Field (1929, 1935): 0-1-1
- At Lucas Oil Stadium (2009): 1-0
- On Thursday (1929, 1935, 1957): 1-1-1
- On Saturday (2009): 1-0
- Reitz has never played a Friday game on this date
Note: every Thursday game played on Nov. 27 has been on Thanksgiving
1929: Central 12, Reitz 6 (Tiny Ten Conference game)
1935: Reitz 0, Central 0 tie (SIAC game)
1957*: Reitz 33, Bosse 13 (SIAC game)
“Reitz’ Panthers, one of the best football teams ever fashioned in Evansville, ended a perfect 10-0 season yesterday and at the same time won the state, city and SIAC championships by defeating Bosse, 33-13, at Reitz Bowl.
The victory solidifed Reitz’ claim to the mythical state title. Coach Herman Byers‘ Panthers, who haven’t lost in 24 straight games now, have already been named state champs by International News Service. They’ve also been acclaimed Indiana co-champs by the Associated Press, and currently lead the Litkenhous ratings by a wide margin over East Chicago Roosevelt, the club which tied them for the AP honors.”
Led by the running of Jerry Thienes and Tom Trainer, the Panthers gained 349 yards rushing 16 passing for a 365 total. Reitz’s great defense limited Bosse to 58 yards rushing and 26 passing.
Thienes, a third-string fullback until 20 days ago, was the big gun. He scored three touchdowns on runs of 13, 26 and two yards.”
– Evansville Courier & Press, Nov. 29, 1957
2009*: Reitz 23, Lowell 9 (Class 4A State Championship game)
The Panthers scored their eleventh state championship by knocking off Lowell in the Class 4A finals for the second time in three years. Jeff Hudson, the offensive player of the game, led the Panthers with a touchdown pass, touchdown completion, two extra point kicks and a field goal. Cuda Dimmett was voted defensive player of the game for nine tackles and an interception.
* – denotes state championship season
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This Day in #ReitzFootball History (Nov. 27)
Celebrate the history of Reitz Football with some awesome shirts! Get a free gift when you purchase any shirt. Hurry, they’re on sale for a limited time only!
ReitzFootball.com proudly presents “This Day in #ReitzFootball History,” as we look back through almost 100 years of The Mighty Panthers.
On November 27:
- Overall: 3-1 (4 games)
- The Panthers have never played at Reitz Bowl on this date
- At Boonville (1919): 1-0
- At Bosse Field (1942): 1-0
- At Enlow Field (1924, 1930): 1-1
- On Thursday (1919, 1924, 1930): 2-1
- On Friday (1942): 1-0
- Reitz has never played a Saturday game on this date
Note: every game Thursday game played on Nov. 27 has been on Thanksgiving
1919: Reitz 26, Boonville 2nds 0
The Francis Joseph Reitz team returned from Boonville last night with a 26 to 0 game to their credit against the Boonville high second team. They appeared in the curtain raiser for the Boonville Petersburg game which was by Boonville 10 to 6.
In only the third quarter did the locals fail to cross the Boonville line. Terrell, who made a forty-yard run in the second quarter, pulled the spectacular bit of the game. Reed made the first touchdown. Wood and Hooker crossed the line in the fourth quarter. Hooker kicked two goals in four chances.
The F.J.R. team lined up as follows: Sutton, le; Opperman lt; Dale, lg; Dillard, c; Fisher, rg; Lindle, rt; Lynch, re; Hooker, qb; Wood, fb; Reed, lf; Terrell, rh.
The field was heavy and big pools of water stood in many places. On most of the downs the water was splashed high as the the men hit the field.”
– Evansville Courier, Nov. 28, 1919
1924: Bosse 22, Reitz 13 (Tiny Ten Conference game)
“Bosse high school’s year-old football squad stepped out of its swaddling clothes yesterday, put on man-sized togs and trimmed the full grown Reitz Hi Slykerites in the Turkdy Day game just as easily as did the Brown and Gold walk with the Kirklin outfit [Central won their game that day, 40-0].”
Schaefer and Thayer scored for the Panthers.
– Evansville Journal, Nov. 28, 1924
1930: Reitz 21, Bosse 7 (Tiny Ten Conference game)
“Reitz high school’s powerful Panthers captured their second Tiny Ten Conference championship in four years when they smashed their way to a 21 to 7 victory over a scrappy Bosse Bulldog in Enlow Stadium Thursday.
A crowd of 4500 braved the chilly weather to watch Elmo Weber‘s sturdy lads score their second victory over Bosse in history and complete the best season Reitz has ever experienced.”
Lyon, Schoettlin and Charley Brunson scored for the Panthers.
– Evansville Press, Nov. 29, 1930
1942: Reitz 34, Bosse 6 (SIAC game)
“Reitz High School’s West Side Panthers wound up a very successful football season Friday afternoon by administering a stinging 34-to-6 defeat over Phil Bevarly’s hapless Bosse Bulldogs, the victory giving Reitz second place to the champion Memorial Tigers in city gridiron scrambling.”
Merville Ray, who would be voted all-state quarterback, led the Panthers with 12 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown.
– Evansville Press, Nov. 28, 1942
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This Day in #ReitzFootball History (Nov. 26): Panthers upset 1931 Bulldogs to temporarily win share of city title
ReitzFootball.com proudly presents “This Day in #ReitzFootball History,” as we look back through almost 100 years of The Mighty Panthers.
On November 26:
- Overall: 3-2 (5 games)
- At Reitz Bowl (1925, 1931, 1953, 1959): 3-1
- At Enlow Field (1936): 0-1
- Reitz has never played a Friday or Saturday game on Nov. 25
Note: every game in Reitz Football history played on Nov. 26 has been on a Thursday and on Thanksgiving
1925: Bosse 21, Reitz 0 (Tiny Ten Conference game on Thanksgiving Day)
1931: Reitz 6, Bosse 0 (Thanksgiving Day game)
Ranked the third biggest game in Reitz Football’s Thanksgiving Day Game history, the Panthers upset previously unbeaten Bosse, 6-0, in front of 12,000 fans to temporarily win a share of the city championship. Of interest, the Panthers would lose a subsequent postseason rematch with the Bulldogs that gave the Eastsiders sole possession of the Pocket City crown.
1936: Bosse 26, Reitz 7 (SIAC game on Thanksgiving Day)
1953*: Reitz 27, Central 0 (SIAC game on Thanksgiving Day)
Also one of the Top 5 biggest Thanksgiving Day Games in Reitz Football history, at No. 2 was the Panthers’ 1953 win over the Bears. Don Siscel, who had six carries for 40 yards, led Reitz with two touchdowns. Fred Russel also had 7 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers.
1959: Reitz 32, Bosse 6 (SIAC A Division game on Thanksgiving Day)
“Some 2000 hardy football zealots bade farewell to Thanksgiving Day football in the cold and murky clutches of Reitz Bowl Thursday afternoon, and in the traditional fashion, Reitz smashed Bosse’s Bulldogs in the final game of the Indiana football season, 32-6.”
– Evansville Press, Nov. 27, 1959
* – denotes state championship season
Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at ReitzFootball.com!
This Day in #ReitzFootball History (Nov. 25): 13,000 witness Panthers shutout Memorial, assert 1948 state crown
ReitzFootball.com proudly presents “This Day in #ReitzFootball History,” as we look back through almost 100 years of The Mighty Panthers.
On November 25:
- Overall: 3-1-1 (5 games)
- At Reitz Bowl (1937, 1943, 1948, 1954): 3-1
- Away (1926): 0-0-1
- Reitz has never played a Friday or Saturday game on Nov. 25
Note: every game in Reitz Football history played on Nov. 25 has been on a Thursday and on Thanksgiving
1926: Reitz 7, Boonville 7 (Tiny Ten Conference game)
1937: Bosse 7, Reitz 6 (SIAC game)
1943: Reitz 26, Bosse 0 (SIAC game)
1948*: Reitz 14, Memorial 0 (SIAC Large Division game)
Reitz’s all-triumphant Panthers completed their climb to the 1948 mythical state championship yesterday afternoon, shaking off a dogged and determined Memorial Tiger eleven, 14 to 0, at the hilltop bowl.
An overflow crowd of 13,000 fans jammed the big Reitz Stadium under sunny skies to see the powerful Panthers strike for touchdowns in the first and fourth periods to mark up their tenth consecutive triumph of the season and their 17th straight victory over a two-year period.
The result also brought the Hilltoppers their second straight Southern Indiana Athletic Conference championship, their fifth undisputed city crown and wider recognition as the peer of all Indiana high school football teams this season.
– Evansville Press, Nov. 26, 1948
1954: Reitz 47, Memorial 0 (SIAC game)
* – denotes state championship season
This Day in #ReitzFootball History (Nov. 24): It was the best of times (2007 state title win), it was the worst of times (104-0 1921 loss)
The 1922 Panthers were the first team coached by William Slyker
ReitzFootball.com proudly presents “This Day in #ReitzFootball History,” as we look back through almost 100 years of The Mighty Panthers.
On November 24:
- Overall: 3-2 (5 games)
- At Reitz Bowl (1922, 1928): 1-1
- Away (1921, 1927, 2007): 2-1
- On Thursday (1921, 1927): 1-1
- On Friday (1922): 0-1
- On Saturday (1928, 2007): 2-0
1921: Central 104, Reitz 0 (Thanksgiving Day)
In the first game ever played between the schools, Central gave Reitz one of its worst defeats in school history as future Reitz Hall of Fame coach Herman Byers gave the Bears three touchdowns.
1922: Central 46, Reitz 0
1927: Reitz 39, Boonville 2 (Tiny Ten Conference game on Thanksgiving Day)
1928: Reitz 38, Providence (Ky.) 0
2007*: Reitz 33, Lowell 14 (Class 4A State Championship game)
The Panthers won their first state championship in 36 years, completing an undefeated season. Senior quarterback Paul McIntosh, who had 24 carries for 161 yards and three touchdown runs, also had two touchdown passes and completed 11-of-21 in the Panthers 33-14 victory over the Red Devils.
* – denotes state championship season
Eleven Panthers named All-SIAC
Reitz Panthers named to the 2015 All-SIAC football team:
- Brock Ashworth (defensive lineman)
- Logan Boehm (offensive lineman – second team)
- Will Brown (defensive back)
- Larry Buchanan (defensive lineman – second team)
- Tristen Clark (wide receiver)
- Evan Deig (quarterback – second team)
- Elijah Dunham (defensive back)
- Aaron Euler (linebacker)
- Isaac Flowers (defensive back – second team)
- Cole Jarvis (offensive lineman)
- Kerrion Ringo (running back)
This Day in #ReitzFootball History (Nov. 23): Panthers upset Central to win 1923 city title
The 1923 Panthers were the school’s first championship team
ReitzFootball.com proudly presents “This Day in #ReitzFootball History,” as we look back through almost 100 years of The Mighty Panthers.
On November 23:
- Overall: 1-0 (1 game)
- No games played at Reitz Bowl
- At Bosse Field (1923): 1-0
- On Friday (1923): 1-0
- No games played on Saturday
1923: Reitz 7, Central 3 (Tiny Ten Conference game)
In the only game Reitz ever played on Nov. 23, the young Panthers, in their fifth season of the sport, beat Central for the first time.
All the scoring came in the second quarter. Reitz struck first when Turnham recovered a Bear fumble in the end zone, with Alexander booting the extra point. Central’s McIntosh (the article did not list first names) nailed a 15-yard field goal as the first half expired.
“Entering the game with Central high at Bosse field yesterday afternoon as the “underdogs”, and considered without a chance to win, the Reitz high gridiron warriors covered themselves with mud and glory, and outfought the Brown and Gold warriors completely, winning the city championship 7 to 3, in one of the hardest fought games seen here for a long time.
Central tried desperately in the second half, after they had been battled off their feet in the first two periods, to come back and score a touchdown that would win, but the Purple and Gold [Reitz’ school colors in the early days] fought just as desperately.”
In the fourth quarter, McIntosh was stopped by the Panthers five yards shy of the end zone as time expired.
“When the game ended Central had the ball on Reitz’s five-yard line. Reitz fans stood astounded when the final whistle blew. They seemed for a moment unable to realize that their team had won. Suddenly a great shout arose as the truth dawned on the hundreds of fans. The score board registered three minutes to play, and they were unaware that the game was over. Nearly 1,500 Reitz students and fans formed an immense parade on Main street last night, headed by the high school band, and snake danced their way down Main street, tieing [sic] up traffic for several blocks. A big bonfire that was visible all over the city, was started on Forest Hills in celebration for the great victory.”
– Evansville Courier & Press, Nov. 24, 1923
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