Alexis (population 863) is a town of about 850 residents situated 12 miles north east of Monmouth, 3 miles east of Route 67. According to “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”, Alexis is the only town in the United States sitting in two different counties, Mercer and Warren, and four different townships.
The town was settled in 1870 and first named Alexander after J.E. Alexander who platted the town. The name Alexis was chosen after learning of another Alexander, Illinois and so a unique name Alexis was chosen. This time the town was named after Grand Duke Alexis, the heir to the Russian throne. Alexis was in the area hunting buffalo and with his consent, Alexis, Illinois was born.
Alexis High School was likely established in the late 1800s and survived through the 20th century. The school district was deactivated in 2004. Alexis and Monmouth Warren consolidated to form United High School beginning the 2004-2005 school year.
Alexis High School Memorial 2013
Photo by Owen Pulver
The Alexis High School building was utilized as the north campus of the United Consolidated School District, housing pre-school through the sixth grade for several years. The school was eventually razed in approximately 2010. A memorial to the building now stands in front of the former gymnasium (see photo to the right). The gymnasium is utilized as a community center.
Alexis High School Quick Facts
Year School opened: late 1800s(?)
Year School deactivated: 2004
Consolidated to: United School District (Monmouth)
School nickname: the “Cardinals”
School Colors: Red & White
School Fight Song: “On Alexis”
Sung to “On Wisconsin” tune
Alexis Cardinal Scoreboard
Alexis HS John Elder Football Field
Athletics
The Cardinals athletics teams were very competitive through their history, most notably on the grid iron. Girls basketball and volleyball also had success at the end of the 90’s. Alexis played in the Lincoln Trail Conference from the 1970s on.
If you have any further information you would like to see added to this page please do not hesitate to contact us via the means listed at the bottom of this page.
Alexis HS Football Team 1923 – Conference Champs
Submitted by Mike Edwards
Football
The Alexis football tradition is rich making several trips to the post season. The biggest success story for the Cardinals was a trip to the 2A State Championship game the first year the current state playoff structure was formed. The Cardinals finished 2nd that year with an 11-2 overall record. To get to that game, it took a double overtime thriller to defeat Sherrard. Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame member John Elder coached that team, among his 28 seasons as the head man in Alexis. Elder also coached track and basketball at times throughout his time in Alexis.
Regarding the photo above and to your right which was submitted by Mike Edwards, this is the Alexis Cardinal grid iron warriors of 1923. The names of the players were provided to us by Tammie Houston and Jackie Nelson. They are as follows:
First Row, L to R: Berle Stover, Joe Burns, Kenneth Bellinger, W. Hall, Gale Brown, Coach Clark
Back Row, L to R: Noha McFarline, Don Bellinger, Carl Thompson, Bill Allen, Charles Metzner, ? Edwards, Leonard Criswell, Bill Page, Proffessor Jones, John Beal, Harold Pittard
As the sign in the front of the team proclaims, this group won the conference championship that year. The Cardinals beat Keithsburg (107 – 0!), Monmouth, East Moline, Cuba, Knoxville, Industry, Aledo, and Colchester before falling to Dallas City in the season finale. This is proof positive that the Alexis football tradition extends deep into the school’s history.
Tradition also extends deep into the Edwards family. Mike’s grandfather, Richard William Edwards, is pictured in the photo standing in the second row directly above the “Champions” sign. Mike’s father, Richard Edwards, was also named Captain and starred on Cardinal team of 1943. Mike would later suit up for the Yorkwood Golden Bears in the late 1960s. If you know any of the other players pictured on the 1923 team photo let us know so we can properly identify them.
Listed below are the more successful seasons on the field at Alexis.
1923 8-1 Conference Champions Coach Clark
1943 Coach Francis Reed
1953 5-3-1Coach Wayne Strum
1974 11-2 IHSA CLASS 2A STATE RUNNER-UP Coach John Elder
Beat ROVA 21 – 0
Beat Stillman Valley 7 – 0
Beat Sherrard 10 – 9 (2 O/Ts)
Championship Game
Lost to Decatur St. Theresa 15 – 6
1977 10-2 IHSA Class 1A Final 4 Finalist! Coach John Elder
(Lincoln Trail Conference Champs)
Beat Tremont 12 – 7
Beat Sterling Newman Catholic 15 – 14
Lost to Stockton 14 – 0 (Stockton placed second)
1979 9-2 Class 1A Elite 8 Finalist! Coach John Elder
(Lincoln Trail Conference Champs)
Beat Walnut 28 – 6
Lost to Hampshire 32 – 14 (Hampshire State Champs)
1980 9-1 IHSA Class 1A Qualifier Coach John Elder
(Lincoln Trail Conference Champs)
Lost to Roseville 20 – 16
1981 9-1 IHSA Class 1A Qualifier Coach John Elder
(Lincon Trail Conference Champs)
Lost to Tiskilwa 40 – 22
1983 7-3 IHSA Class 1A Qualifier Coach John Elder
(Lincoln Trail Conference Champs)
Lost to Walnut 27 – 3
1988 7-3 IHSA Class 1A Elite 8 Finalist! Coach John Elder
Beat Monmouth Warren 13 – 0
Beat Annawan 9 – 0
Lost to Carthage 9 – 7 (Carthage finished 2nd)
1989 9-1 IHSA Class 1A Elite 8 Finalist! Coach John Elder
(Lincoln Trail Conference Champs)
Beat Bradford 28 – 0
Beat Westmer 12 – 10
Lost to Sciota NW 7 – 0
1990 8-2 IHSA Class 1A Sweet Sixteen! Coach John Elder
(Lincoln Trail Conference Co-Champs)
Beat Avon 28 – 6
Lost to Monmouth Warren 28 – 6
1999 8-2 IHSA Class 1A Qualifier Coach Job Lindbloom
(Lincoln Trail Conference East Champs)
Lost to Dakota 13 – 6 (Dakota lost in semi-finals)
The Cardinals won their final game as the Alexis Cardinals 34-10 over Galva.
Alexis Cardinal Team Records
Rushing Yards/Season (3298) 1979
Rushing Yards/Game (429) 1981 vs. Winola
Passing Yards/Season (1054) 1999
Passing Yards/Game (189) 2000 vs. Monmouth Warren
Alexis Cardinal Individual Records
Rushing Yards/Season (1306) 1999 Eric Humes
Rushing Yards/Game (255) 2000 Tyler Yarde vs. Alwood
Tackles/Game (24) 2001 Jimmy Lawson vs. Annawan
Yards off Kickoff Returns (143) 1988 Ryan Brown vs. Carthage
Alexis had a long running rivalry with the Aledo Green Dragons known as “The Old Shoe Rivalry”. The series ran from 1915 to 1989, with the winner claiming host the “old shoe” for the year. The “old shoe” retired as a Cardinal, with Alexis winning the final meeting 35-0. Aledo won the series 34-28-3.
To view more excellent information on Alexis High School Football please take a look at the web address of www.geocities.com/umhur . Truly a thorough look at the major records in Cardinal Football history. A majority of the records listed are in turn listed below:
STATS
Rushing Yards in a Season
1,306 Eric Humes 1999
1,008 Tyler Yarde 2001
Rushing Yards in a Game
255 Tyler Yarde vs. Alwood 2000
238 Eric Humes vs. Princeville 1999
224 Tyler Yarde vs. Union 2000
216 Jerry Henderson vs. Toulon 1986
Rushing Touchdowns in a Season
20 John Tucker 1979
19 Eric Humes 1999
Rushing Touchdowns in a Game
5 Eric Humes vs. Princeville 1999
5 Tyler Yarde vs. Alwood 2000
5 Ben Corben vs. Galva 2000
Longest Runs From Scrimmage
97 yards Eric Humes vs. Wethersfield 1999
89 yards Eric Humes vs. Princeville 1999
86 yards Dan Patterson vs. ROVA 1985
76 yards Jerry Henderson vs. Toulon 1986
76 yards Tyler Nelson vs. Galva 2001
74 yards Jimmy Lawson vs. Annawan 1999
70 yards Tyler Yarde vs. Alwood 2000
70 yards Tyler Yarde vs. Union 2000
PASSING
Most Passing Yards in a Season
1,054 Ryan Peterson 1999
988 Graham Johnson 2001
776 Gary Swanson 1981
691 Graham Johnson 2000
682 Gary Goodman 1979
Passing Yards in a Game
198 Graham Johnson vs. Galva 2001
189 Graham Johnson vs. Warren 2000
188 Graham Johnson vs. Cambridge 2001
172 Graham Johnson vs. Alwood 2001
169 Ryan Peterson vs. Wethersfield 1999
Touchdown Passes in a Season
12 Gary Goodman 1979
11 Graham Johnson 2001
11 Gary Swanson 1981
10 Ryan Peterson 1999
Touchdown Passes in a Game
3 Ryan Peterson vs. Alwood 1999
3 Darrin Frye vs. ROVA 1983
Longest Touchdown Pass
92 yards Swanson to Donn Sperry vs. ROVA 1981
91 yards Swanson to Brian Nall vs. Aledo 1982
83 yards Frye to Brian Nall vs. Winola 1983
79 yards Peterson to Eric Humes vs. Wethersfield 1999
78 yards G.Johnson to Scott Swiler vs. Annawan 2001
77 yards McGuire to Brian Nall vs. Toulon 1984
69 yards Lindley to Dave Cook vs. Winola 1985
65 yards Swanson to Donn Sperry vs. Alwood 1981
62 yards Swanson to Brian Nall vs. Winola 1982
Completion % in a Season
48.5% Graham Johnson 2000
41.7% Ryan Peterson 1999
RECEIVING
Receiving Yards in a Season
466 Scott Swiler 2001
434 Kyle Flowers 2000
344 Tyler Yarde 1999
Receiving Yards in a Game
140 Grant Gilliland vs. Warren 2000
119 Scott Swiler vs. Cambridge 2001
116 Scott Swiler vs. Annawan 2001
96 Tyler Yarde vs. Alwood 1999
94 Scott Swiler vs. Alwood 2001
89 Kyle Flowers vs. Galva 2000
Touchdown Receptions in a Season
7 Donn Sperry 1981
5 Brian Nall 1983
4 Donn Sperry 1980
4 Scott Swiler 2001
3 Derek Clayton 1999
3 Kyle Flowers 2000
Receptions in a Season
27 Kyle Flowers 2000
27 Scott Swiler 2001
23 Ben Corben 2000
18 Jimmy Lawson 2001
16 Kyle Flowers 1999
16 Tyler Yarde 1999
Receptions in a Game
10 Scott Swiler vs. Cambridge 2001
TOTAL OFFENSE
Total Offense in a Season
1,412 yards(1,306 rushing + 106 receiving) Eric Humes 1999
Total Offense in a Game
276 yards Ryan Peterson(153 passing+123 rushing) vs. Princeville 1999
262 yards Eric Humes(183 rushing+79 receiving) vs. Wethersfield 1999
The Alexis Cardinal boys basketball team won a total of FOUR District titles throughout their history. Several scores involving Alexis High School in the IHSA State Tournament play were found on a webiste titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores and the location of the tournament are listed below. Also listed below are seasons Alexis won district titles, season reocrds and coaches’ names of other seasons are needed.
1921-22 through 1932-33 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.
1933-34 Roseville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Stronghurst 26-13
2nd Rd Beat Monmouth 21-16
Semi-final lost to Media 14-12
Media beat Keithsburg for the title
1934-35 Roseville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Avon 27-26
Avon lost in 2nd Rd to Stronghurst
Stronghurst lost to Roseville in title game
1935-36Blandinsville District Champions Coach’s name & record needed
Semi-Final Beat Oquawka 27-14
Title Game Beat Blandisnville 20-16
Roseville Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to Biggsville 22-15
Biggsville lost to Monmouth in semi-final
Monmouth lost to Macomb in title game
1936-37 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1938-39 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Oquawka 32-23
Semi-final lost to Alpha 48-19
Alpha beat Sherrard in title game
1939-40 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed
1940-41 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed
1941-42 Joy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Biggsville 46-27
2nd Rd lost to New Boston 36-29
Viola beat Aledo for title
1942-43 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach Francis Reed
Season record needed
1st Rd lost to Alpha 47-24
Alpha lost to Aledo in title game
1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed
1944-45 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Aledo Roosevelt Military 32-21
Roosevelt Military lost to Alpha in title game
1945-46 Joy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Aledo 52-20
Aledo beat Alpha for title
1946-47 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Biggsville 91-29
Biggsville lost to Sherrard in 2nd Rd.
Roosevelt Military beat Sherrard in title game
1947-48 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Aledo 39-35
Aledo beat Joy in title game
1948-49 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to New Boston 63-46
New Boston beat Aledo in title game
1949-50 Joy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to New Boston 54-44
New Boston lost to Aledo in title game
1950-51 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Aledo 79-55
Aledo lost to Sherrard in title game
1951-52 Joy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Viola 45-33
Viola lost to Aledo in semi-final
Aledo beat Sherrard for title
1952-53 9 – 15 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach Wayne Strum
1st Rd Beat Reynolds 62-55
Semi-finallost to Aledo 69-58
Joy beat Aledo in title game
1953-54 Joy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Winola 63-46
Winola lost to Joy in title game
1954-55 Sherrard Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Joy 72-39
Joy beat Aledo for title
1955-56 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Winola 73-44
Winola lost to Little York in semi-final
Little York beat Aledo in title game
1956-57 Sherrard Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Alwood 78-48
Alwood beat Aledo for title
1957-58 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Sherrard 46037
Sherrard lost in semi-final
Alwood beat Aledo for title
1958-59 Alexis Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Aledo 49-45
Aledo lost to Sherrard in semi-final
Alwood beat Sherrard in title game
1959-60 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed
1960-61 Woodhull Regional Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Winola 72-59
Semi-final Beat Sherrard 43-40
Title Game lost to Aledo 73-34
(Aledo won all 3 of their Regional
games by an average of 40 points)
1961-62 15-10 Alexis District Champions Coach Bob Houser
Semi-final Beat Warren 57-53
Title Game Beat Alwood 50-40
Aledo Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to Aledo 60-44
Aledo lost to Galva in title game
1962-63 Alexis District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Yorkwood 58-51
Yorkwood beat Cambridge for title
1963-64 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed
1964-65 14-11 IHSA District Champions Coach Ronald Powell
District scores needed
IHSA Regional Tournament
Regional scores needed
1965-66 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed
1966-67 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed
1967-68 18-7 Woodhull District Runner-UpCoach Ronald Powell
Season record needed
Semi-final Beat Alwood 69-63
Title Game lost to Cambridge 75-58
1968-69 Alexis District Tournament Coach Ronald Powell
Season record needed
1st Rd lost to Yorkwood 58-52
Yorkwood lost to Warren in title game
1969-70 Woodhull District Tournament Coach Ronald Powell
1st Rd Beat Alwood 77-72
Semi-final lost to Cambrige 63-61
Cambridge beat Yorkwood for title
1970-71 9-14 Woodhull District Champions Coach Ronald Powell
Semi-Final Beat Warren 89-76
Title Game Beat Cambridge 87-86 (O/T)
Sherrard Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to ROVA 74-73
ROVA lost semi-final to Galva
Galva beat Aledo in title game
1971-72 19-6 Knoxville ‘A’ Regional 2nd Place Coach Ronald Powell
1st Rd Beat Knoxville 91-71
Semi-final Beat Yorkwood 77-63
Title Game lost to Abingdon 71-59
1989-90 Lincoln Trail Conference Champs Coach Ron Smith
Record needed
Postseason scores needed
1990-91 Lincoln Trail Conference Champs Coach Ron Smith
Record needed
Postseason scores needed
1972-73 through 2003-04 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.
*The Cardinals had other successful seasons on the basketball court. They won the LTC Conference championship back-to-back in 1990 and 1991. Coach Ronald Powell won 156 games as the head coach including an 18-7 campaign in 1967-1968 and a 19-6 record in 1971-1972
Girls Basketball
The girls basketball program at Alexis had good runs in the late 1990’s winning three regional titles. Below are those seasons.
1997-98 N.R.A. Regional TitleCoach Peg Mitchell
1998-99 N.R.A. Regional TitleCoach Peg Mitchell
1999-00 N.R.A. Regional TitleCoach Jeff Whitsitt
LTC Conference championships were won in 1976, 1977, 2000 and 2001 (tie).
Where the Girls Basketball success tired out the Regional Titles came in for the Volleyball teams at Alexis. Listed below are the Regional titles for Alexis Volleyball.
2000-2001 N.R.A. Regional TitleCoach Donn Damos
2002-2003 N.R.A. Regional TitleCoach Donn Damos
2003-2004 N.R.A. Regional TitleCoach Donn Damos
LTC Conference championships were won in 1987 (tie) and 2002 (tie). They also won the LTC Volleyball Tournament in 2002.
Track & Field
Listed below are Alexis Track & Field state medalists. Note STATE CHAMPION and three time medalist Tony VanFleet!!
Tony VanFleet 1975 Triple Jump 7th place
Tony VanFleet 1976 Triple Jump 3rd place
Tony VanFleet 1977 Triple Jump State Champion!!
The Cardinal Boys team won LTC Conference championships in 1977, 1980, 1981 and 1982.
Diane Hilliard 1978 440 yd. dash 2nd place
Matt Dutton 1991 Discus 8th place
Matt Dutton 1992 Discus 3rd place
Mike Smith 1992 Triple Jump 4th place
The Cardinal Girls team won LTC Conference championships in 1980 and 1982.
Individual Events
Alexis also had their fair share of success in the English activity spotlight, as they won four District Championships in Individual Events in the following years: 1962, 1966, 1969 and 1970.
Great Coach
The name John Elder is renowned around the state of Illinois football as much as it is in the town of Alexis. Coach Elder stalked the sidelines of Alexis High School from 1965 to 1993 amassing a 167-99-4 record with a trip to the State title game in 1974 and two appearances state semi-finals. Elder also served as the schools High School Principal from 1968 to 1995 and Superintendent from 1984 to 1995. Coach Elder is a member of the Illinois Coach’s Hall of Fame, and has been a recipient of the Ray Elliot Award, a Distinguised Service Award, as well as a recipient of the Gerald Ford All-American Coach.
Seeking Further Information
We are seeking further information regarding the Alexis High School Cardinals and their many successful seasons. If you wish to share any information please write us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net
