Rockford Defeats Wildcats 32-18 In Season Finale

By Don Bachman

A trio of Minster high grid players said goodbye to high school football Friday night, but not before they had made a showing, although losing to a good Rockford Tiger eleven 32-18 in a cold and windy battle here.

The graduating trio of Dave Seger, Bob Wente and Johnny Froning were given a round of well-deserved applause as they left the field late in the game. Although finishing the season with a 3-5 record, it was the outstanding play of these three seniors that was invaluable to the squad.

Undoubtably the most “unvaluable” player as far as the Cats were concerned, was the Tigers’ junior fullback Larry Hileman. Hileman was a thorn in the side of the locals all night as he personally accounted for four Rockford touchdowns, two on passes from Gary Pryer good for 43 and 28 yards, one on a gallop of 65 yards with an intercepted pass, and again on a 71-yard end run. Hileman also turned in a top-notch defensive job that should qualify him as the best back the Cats have seen all season.

The Orange and Black went down fighting as they fought their way from a 19-0 deficit to 19-12 before Hileman broke loose to ice the contest.

Rockford scored the first time they got their hands on the ball, following Ted Frericks punt that rolled out on the Rockford four yard line. Led by Bollenbacher and Dugan’s inside slants and Hileman’s end runs the Tigers moved to the Minster 38 in 12 plays. Hileman then raced around end for the score, but a backfield in motion penalty put the ball back on the 43. This penalty did not discourage the visitors for on the very next play Pryer flipped a pass to Hileman who scored. The point by Buel was good and Rockford led 7-0.

The Tigers made it 13-0 on the first play of the second quarter. A pass, Pryer to Jim Cochran, was good for 58 yards and a score. Buel’s kick was low.

Bob Wente got loose for 29 yards to the Tiger 45 late in the quarter, but the Cats were stopped and left the turf at the half trailing 13-0.

After Hileman intercepted a pass on the fifth play of the second half and rambled 65 yards to score, the Cats came bouncing back with a pair of touchdowns.

The Orange and Black marched 97 yards in ten plays to notch the first tally. With Wente picking up 32 yards to the Minster 43 and Froning picking up 19 in three carries the home forces moved for a first down on the Rockford 20. Froning then faded far back, escaped a couple of enemy tacklers and fired a long pass to Rollie Hausfeld in the end zone for the six pointer. A bad pass from center spoiled the point attempt.

The Cats added another score on the third play of the final period when Bob Wente darted off tackle for 35 yards and a touchdown. Froning’s kick was wide, and Rockford led 19-12.

The Tigers had their touchdown back almost at once as Hileman raced around right end for 71 yards. The point by Buel made it 26-12.

After the Orange and Black failed to gain on the kickoff Frericks punted to the Rockford 49. Hileman romped around end to the ten but a holding penalty on the next play moved the ball to the 25. Pryer then uncorked a pass to Hileman, who made a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch and raced for the score. The point attempt was no good.

A great defensive play bt tackle Jim Brown, who played a whale of a game, set the stage for the locals’ final tally. When Pryer faded back to pass from his own 18, Brown broke through, stole the ball from Pryor’s upraised hand and raced to the one yard line. Seger was stopped for no gain on two plays and Wente put the ball on the one foot line with fourth down upcoming. Froning pushed over for the score. The try for the point was low.

The Wildcats marched down to the Rockford 29 but time ran out before they could score.

Thus, another chapter of Minster high school football has been written into the record books. Although winning only three of eight contests the locals gave a good account of themselves in all but two. With most of the year’s squad back next year, things appear brighter on the local football horizon.

Scoring by quarters:

Rockford 7 6 6 13 — 32

Minster 0 0 6 12 — 18