Mount Morris High School “Mounders”

Mt. Morris High School Building Front 2016

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Mt. Morris HS 1920s – 1954 / G.S. Bldg 1954 – 1994

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Submitted by Warner Johnston

The History of Mount Morris High School

 

Mt. Morris Original School Building 1870

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Submitted by Warner Johnston

Mount Morris is located on Illinois Route 64 west of Oregon in Ogle County. Mount Morris is home to a number of news publication companies, including the Kable Printing Company. The town was also home to Mount Morris College, closed in 1932, and it has a population of about 2,500.

 

Mt. Morris residents organized a school system in their town in 1868. The first school building constructed was a four-room, two-story structure whcih housed all classes, including a high school curriculum.  In 1918 a second building was constructed and seperate school districts were formed for the Mt. Morris Grade School and Mt. Morris High School.  . 

 

Mt. Morris High School was a landmark  in the town until 1994, when the school district merged with Oregon after talks of merging Mount Morris and Leaf River (also featured here) failed. Students from Mt. Morris now attend Oregon High School.

 

Lenny Wells provided the following synopsis of the final year of Mt. Morris High School:

 

“The high school was suppose to close in 1993, but the state did not come through with enough incentive money for Oregon High School to agree with the merger so we had to stay open another year longer. The school board wanted a normal school year so our football team had to scramble to get teams to play in that 93 – 94 school year. We played teams from Chicago,Wisconsin and Iowa since we were not in the conference anymore and other area teams had their schedules already completed.” 

 

Mt. Morris High School Building Entrance 2016

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Mt. Morris High School Building 2016

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Now Oregon Junior High School

Mt. Morris High School Building Rear 2016

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The former Mt. Morris High School building is currently called Black Hawk Junior High and is used for as part of the Oregon School system. It is the only school currently located in Mount Morris as a 2004 fire burned Rahn Elementary School.  A nice Facebook page for Mt. Morris High School alumni to reminisce on can be viewed at the web address of http://www.facebook.com/pages/Do-You-Remember-this-in-Mt-Morris/277773599389?ref=nf

 

Mount Morris High School “Quick Facts”:

 

Year Opened:       1868
Year Deactivated: 1994

Annexed to:         Oregon High School 
Nickname:           The “Mounders”
School Colors:      Red & Black

School Song:       “Mounders”

                            (Lyrics Courtesy of JEFF HUFFORD)

                                     (Music courtesy of LENNY WELLS) 

 

                                  Mounders Red and Black
                                  Don’t Give up the Game 
                                  Yeah team strong attack
                                  Carry on to fame
                                  Mounders Drive ’em back 
                                  While we cheer our name

                                  We’re going to fight fight fight

                                  To win this battle 
                                  Victory is ours today!

Mt. Morris High School Mascot – School Memorial

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ATHLETICS

 

Mount Morris High School was very successful in athletics. Boys Basketball was their top sport, as is the case in most small schools in Illinois. The Mounders had some great success in all sports however. Football, Golf, Cross Country, Baseball, Softball, Bowling, and Track & Field were all a part of the Mt. Morris High School athletic program. The most successful seasons of these sports are listed below. If you have any further information regarding Mt. Morris High School athletics or other extra-curricular activities please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

Mt. Morris High School Gymnasium 2016

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BOYS BASKETBALL

 

The Mounders Boys Basketball team won three IHSA District Championships in 1924-25, 1926-27 and 1970-71. They also won an outstanding eight Regional Championships and won four in a row from 1973-1976. The other championships were won in 1939 and 1941 and 1985. In 1983, they not only won a Regional Championship, but also captured the Sectional Championship ending with a 19-9 record. In a Jan. 5, 1968 game against Polo, the Mounders prevailed in SIX overtimes in beating the Marcos by the score of 79-77. Doug Shank was the coach of the Mounders in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

 

1920-21                    Rockford District Tournament          Coach’s name & record needed.

                                 1st Rd lost to Rock Falls 32-28

                                 Rockford beat Belvidere in title game

                                 Rockford placed 2nd in state tourney

 

1921-22                    Freeport District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed.

                                 1st Rd lost to Freeport 47-17

                                 Freeport beat Orangeville in title game

  

1922-23  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1923-24  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1924-25                    IHSA District Champions              Coach’s name & record needed

                                 District Scores Needed

                                 Joliet Sectional Tournament

                                 1st Rd Beat Ottawa 17-14

                                 Semi-final lost to Freeport

                                 Freeport lost to Elgin in title game

                                 Elgin won IHSA state title

 

1925-26  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

   

1926-27                    IHSA District Champions              Coach’s name & record needed

                                 District Scores Needed

                                 Sterling Sectional Tournament

                                 1st Rd lost to Rockford 18-13

                                 Rockford beat Sterling in title game

                                 Rockford lost in Elite 8 Round

 

1927-28  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1928-29  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1929-30  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1930-31  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1931-32  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

 

1932-33                    Mt. Morris District Runner-Up      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Oregon 23-11

                                 Semi-final Beat Ashton 18-14

                                 Title game lost to Polo 22-15

  

1933-34                    Oregon District Runner-Up          Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Stillman Valley 23-22

                                 Semi-final Beat Oregon 19-11

                                 Title game lost to Polo 25-15

  

1934-35                    Mt. Morris District Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Steward 35-17

                                 Second Rd lost to Rochelle 33-13

                                 Rochelle lost to Oregon in title game

 

1935-36                    Oregon Regional Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Leaf River 27-21

                                 Oregon Beat Polo in title game

  

1936-37                    Mt. Morris Regional Runner-Up    Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Stillman Valley 30-26

                                 Semi-final Beat Polo 26-13

MOUNT MORRIS (26): Bruner 11, DeAvril 5, Zellers 4, Henricks 2, R. Miller 2, Priller 1, Marshall 1

POLO (13): Woodruff 5, Thorntenson 3, Adrich 3, Schryver 2.

                                 Title Game lost to Rochelle 20-14

  

1937-38                    Oregon Regional Runner-Up        Coach’s name & record needed

                                 Early Rd Scores Needed

                                 Title game lost to Polo 27-20

         

   

1938-39                    Mt. Morris Regional Champions  Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Forreston 35-14

                                 Semi-final Beat Leaf River 36-27

                                 Title Game Beat Rochelle 24-19

                                 Rockford Sectional Tournament

                                 1st Rd Beat Pecatonica 43-38

                                 Semi-final Lost to Belvidere 35-18

                                 Rockford beat Belvidere in title game

                                 Rockford won State Championship

 

1939-40                    Oregon Regional Runner-Up       Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Ashton 32-14

                                 Semi-final Beat Lee Center 14-11

                                 Title game lost to Oregon 23-11

  

1940-41                    Mt. Morris Regional Champions  Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Oregon 33-26

                                 Semi-final Beat Ashton 30-21

                                 Title game Beat Byron 38-20

                                 Rockford Sectional Tournament

                                 1st Rd lost to Stockton 41-21

                                 Stockton lost to Rockford East in semi-final

                                 Rockford East beat Freeport in title game

                                 Rockford East lost in Sweet 16 Rd

 

1941-42                    Oregon Regional Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Byron 22-18

                                 Semi-final lost to Rochelle 33-31

                                 Rochelle beat Oregon in title game

 

1942-43                    Rochelle Regional Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Rochelle 52-26

                                 Rochelle beat Oregon in title game

 

1943-44                    Mt. Morris Regional Tournament    Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Ashton 37-29

                                 Rochelle beat Ashton in title game

 

1944-45                    Oregon Regional Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Oregon 39-27

                                 Rochelle beat Byron in title game

 

1945-46                    Rochelle Regional Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Polo 46-30

                                 Oregon beat Byron in title game

 

1946-47                    Mt. Morris Regional Tournament    Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Leaf River 52-34

                                 Semi-final lost to Byron 38-30

                                 Rochelle beat Byron in title game

 

1947-48                    Oregon Regional Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Leaf River 38-29

                                 Semi-final lost to Byron 36-34

                                 Byron beat Rochelle in title game

 

1948-49                    Rochelle Regional Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Polo 44-26

POLO (44): Messer 14, Clayton 12, Johnson 10, Knudsen 6, Smith 2.

MOUNT MORRIS (26): D. Hagerman 10, Hartzell 6, Samsel 5, Patterson 4, Gooker 1.

                                 Rochelle beat Polo in title game

 

1949-50                    Mt. Morris Regional Tournament    Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Rochelle 52-47

ROCHELLE (52): McCarty 18, Wehner 13, Stroud 9, Cooper 5, Bushnell 5, Frisch 2.

MOUNT MORRIS (47): McGee 23, Martin 12, Samsel 8, Sweeney 2, Brinker 2.

                                  Byron beat Oregon in title game

 

1950-51                    Rochelle Regional Runner-Up      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Forreston 49-25

MOUNT MORRIS (49): Fridley 14, Downing 7, Egan 7, Miller 6, Haynes 5, Hanke 4, Sharer 4, Clark 2.

FORRESTON (25): Ludwig 8, J. Wubbena 6, L. Wubbena 2.

                                 Semi-final Beat Leaf River 50-42

MOUNT MORRIS (50): Egan 12, Haynes 11, Fridley 7, Hanke 9, Sharer 7.

LEAF RIVER (42): Miller 18, Saykel 11, Kuntzmann 6, Newcomer 5, T. Hake 2.

                                 Title Game lost to Rochelle 51-42

ROCHELLE (61): Frisch 23, Bushnell 19, Stroud 8, Cooper 6, Dicus 5.

MOUNT MORRIS (52): Egan 19, Hanke 13, Sharer 9, Haynes 7, Fridler 3, Small 1.

  

1951-52                    Mt. Morris Regional Runner-Up    Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Oregon 60-27

MOUNT MORRIS (60): Downing 18, Hanke 15, Hanes 8, Egan 7, Fridley 5, Harris 4, Spink 2, Sweeney 1.

OREGON (27): Medlar 11, Johnson 6, Snapp 4, Bergner 3, Hodges 2, Haws 1.

                                 Semi-final Beat Forreston 74-49

MOUNT MORRIS (74): Hanke 17, Downing 13, Hanes 13, Spink 12, Egan 10, Fridley 6, Sweeney 2, Corbett 1.

FORRESTON (49): DeGraf 15, Wubbena 11, L. Ruthe 10, Althafer 5, Ludwig 3, Montalbano 2, Markman 2, Hoffman 1.

                                 Title Game lost to Rochelle 63-62

ROCHELLE (63): Frisch 35, Ward 9, Dicus 9, Larson 6, Daub 4.

MOUNT MORRIS (62): Hanke 21, Hanes 17, Downing 15, Egan 6, Fridley 3.

 

1952-53  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

 

1953-54                    Mt. Morris Regional Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Polo 81-73

MOUNT MORRIS (81): D. Noonkesser 20, Lundholm 19, Merwin 15, Cory 9, B. Noonkesser 6, Henderson 5, Beinikis 5, Rawes 2.

POLO (73): McDaniel 29, Unger 14, Olsen 10, McKee 9, Abels 7, Person 2, Rebuck 2.

                                 Semi-final lost to Forreston 71-68

                                  Rochelle beat Forreston in title game

 

1954-55                    Rochelle Regional Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Forreston 49-47

                                 Semi-final lost to Oregon 52-27

                                 Rochelle beat Oregon in title game

 

1955-56                    Mt. Morris Regional Tournament     Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Byron 86-67

                                 Semi-final lost to  Rochelle 74-54

                                 Rochelle lost to Forreston in title game

 

1956-57                    Forreston Regional Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Byron 68-62

                                 Semi-final lost to Oregon 57-41

                                 Forreston beat Oregon in title game

  

1957-58                    Polo Regional Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Rochelle 74-48

                                 Forreston beat Rochelle in title game

 

1958-59                    Stillman Valley Regional Tourn.      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Byron 68-51

                                 Stillman Valley beat Byron in title game

  

1959-60                    Dixon Regional Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Rock Falls 71-66

                                 Sterling beat Dixon in title game

 

1960-61                    Rock Falls Regional Tournament    Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Sterling 67-47

                                 Sterling beat Dixon in title game

  

1961-62                    Sterling Regional Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Sterling Newman 65-54

                                 Rock Falls Beat Dixon in title game

  

1962-63                    Dixon Regional Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Rock Falls 76-48

                                 Sterling beat Dixon in title game

 

1963-64                    Rock Falls Regional Tournament    Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Dixon 83-76

                                 Sterling beat Dixon in title game

  

1964-65                    Sterling Regional Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Sterling Newman 66-45

                                 Rock Falls Beat Sterling Newman in title game

  

1965-66                    Rock Falls Regional Tournament    Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Rock Falls 88-48

                                 Dixon beat Rock Falls in title game

  

1966-67                    Sterling Regional Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd lost to Dixon 92-64

                                 Dixon beat Rock Falls title game

  

1967-68                    Mt. Morris District Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Stillman Valley 81-56

                                 Semi-final lost to Forreston 65-52

                                 Forreston beat Ashland in title game

 

1968-69                    Stillman Valley District Tourn.        Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Shannon 82-56

                                 Semi-final lost to Franklin Center 66-56

                                 Byron beat Franklin Center in title game

  

1969-70                    Rock Falls Regional Runner-Up  Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Amboy 78-55 

                                 Semi-final Beat Dixon 78-76

                                 Title Game lost to Sterling 63-43

  

1970-71                    Polo District Champions              Coach’s name & record needed 

                                 Semi-final Beat Ashton 79-70

                                 Title Game Beat Stillman Valley 55-54

                                 Sterling Regional Tournament

                                 1st Rd lost to Dixon 78-75

                                 Rochelle beat Dixon in title game

  

1971-72                    Byron Regional Runner-up           Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Leaf River 75-52

                                 Semi-final Beat Byron 69-56

                                 Title Game lost to Oregon 69-60

 

1972-73                    Oregon Regional Champions       Coach’s name & record needed

                                 1st Rd Beat Ashton 68-60

                                 Semi-final Beat Polo 58-49

                                 Title Game Beat Byron 62-60 (O/T)

MOUNT MORRIS (62): Shank 33, Hanson 10, Pease 7, Messer 6, Rosenbaum 4, Vested 2.

BYRON (60): Lucas 20, Parks 19, Hogan 6, Blackbourne 6, Toops 5, Hendee 4.

                                 Maple Park Sectional Runner-Up

                                 Semi-final Beat South Beloit 63-61

MOUNT MORRIS (63): Shank 31, Hansen 16, Pease 7, Vested 5, Buck 2, Rosenbalm 2.

SOUTH BELOIT (61): Thornton 18, Toye 16, Wendtland 10, Ingram 9, Story 4, Ghinazzi 2, Lofton 2

                                 Title Game lost to Kaneland 58-43

KANELAND (58): Sambrooks 16, Lynch 11, Peterson 11, Kreese 9, Ackerman 9, Johnson 2.

MOUNT MORRIS (43): Shank 14, Pease 12, Messer 7, Rosenbaum 6, Macklin 2, Buck 2.

                                 Kaneland placed 2ND in IHSA State Class ‘A’ Tourney

 

1973-74                    Mt. Morris Regional Champs     Coach’s name & record needed 

                                 Semi-final Beat Ashton 72-52

                                 Title Game Beat Polo 70-54

MOUNT MORRIS (70): Shank 19, Messer 12, R. Pease 12, Buck 9, Bowker 8, S. Pease 5, Bested 2, Floski 2, Alden 1.

POLO (54): Brattrud 13, Galor 10, Vock 9, Tegeler 5, Howard 5, Jenkins 4, Terry 2, Craig 2, Clayton 2, Finkle 2.

                                 Kaneland Sectional Runner-Up

                                 Semi-final Beat Elgin St. Edward 68-65

MOUNT MORRIS (68): Shank 23, R. Pease 23, Messer 12, S. Pease 4, Bowker 2, Buck 2, Vested 2.

ST. EDWARD (65): Leetzow 19, Carlson 16, Chovancek 15, Krienbrulk 11, Petrie 2, Lollie 2.

                                 Title Game lost to South Beloit 69-67

SOUTH BELOIT (69): Ingram 24, Thornton 18, Robinson 11, West 6, Story 4, Ghinazzi 4, Bell 2.

MOUNT MORRIS (67): Shank 33, R. Pease 17, Bowker 13, Buck 2, Messer 2.

                                 South Beloit lost in Sweet 16 Round

 

1974-75                    Byron Regional Champions         Coach’s name & record needed

                                 Semi-final Beat Oregon 70-48

                                 Title Game Beat Polo 82-60

                                 Kaneland Sectional Tourney

                                 Semi-final lost to Marengo 56-54

MARENGO (56): Dunek 18, Dunker 12, Rausch 10, Suidzinski 8, Cowan 8.

MOUNT MORRIS (54): Alden 23, Hongsermeier 12, Masters 10, Pease 4, Turner 3, Reckmeyer 2.

                                 South Beloit beat Marengo in title game

                                 South Beloit lost in Sweet 16 Round

 

1975-76      21 – 7     Polo Regional Champions           Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd Beat Polo 66-57

                                  Semi-final Beat Byron 68-64

                                  Title Game Beat Franklin Center 84-65 

                                  Maple Park Sectional Runner-Up 

                                  Semi-Final Beat Richmond-Burton 55-47

MOUNT MORRIS (55): Hongsermeier 18, Watson 12, Alden 10, Diehl 9, Masters 4, Wardelow 2.

RICHMOND-BURTON (47): Wagner 11, Rabelhofer 11, Rudolph 10, Marzahl 7, Miller 6, Behm 4.

                                  Title Game lost to Winnebago 74-62

WINNEBAGO (74): Cowman 19, Nelson 18, L. Boeke 16, Bailey 10, G. Boeke 9, Samsel 2.

MOUNT MORRIS (62): Hongsermeier 18, Diehl 14, Masters 14, Alden 10, Watson 4, Condit 2.

                                  Winnebago lost in Sweet 16 Round

 

1976-77                     Oregon Regional Tournament     Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd Beat Leaf River 75-51

                                  Semi-final lost to Byron 64-62

                                  Byron beat Forreston in title game

                                  Byron lost in Sectional

 

1977-78                     Mt. Morris Regional Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd Beat Polo 53-49 (O/T)

                                  Semi-final lost to Franklin Center 62-47

                                  Oregon Beat Franklin Center in title game

                                  Oregon lost in Sectional

 

1978-79                     Sterling Regional Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd lost to Oregon 83-58

                                  Oregon Beat Polo in title game

                                  Oregon lost in Sweet 16 Round

 

1979-80                     Polo Regional Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd lost to Byron 77-71

                                  Franklin Center Beat Polo in title game

                                  Franklin Center lost in Sweet 16 Round

 

1980-81                     Mt. Morris Regional Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd lost to Malta 60-58

                                  Polo beat Forreston in title game

                                  Polo lost in Sectional

 

1981-82                     Oregon Regional Tourney           Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd Beat Polo 85-79

                                  Semi-final lost to Forreston 51-48

                                  Oregon Beat Forreston in title game

                                  Oregon lost in Sectional

 

1982-83                     Polo Regional Champions        Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd b Beat Polo 82-57

                                  Semi-final Beat Ashton 77-63

                                  Title Game Beat Oregon 49-42

                                  Maple Park Sectional Champions

                                  Semi-Final Beat Elgin Academy 67-57

                                  Title Game Beat Winnebago 75-70

                                  IHSA Class ‘A’ Super-Sectional

                                  Title Game lost to Tiskilwa 65-56

                                  Tiskilwa lost in Elite 8 Round 

 

1983-84                     Mt. Morris Regional Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd Beat Franklin Center 69-58

                                  Semi-final lost to Forreston 47-45

                                  Forreston Beat Oregon in title game

                                  Forreston lost in Sectional

 

1984-85                     Polo Regional Champions        Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd b Beat Forreston 82-63

                                  Semi-final Beat Ashton 73-54

                                  Title Game Beat Franklin Center 83-62

                                  Oregon Sectional Tourney

                                  Semi-Final lost to Stillman Valley 51-50

                                  Harvard beat Stillman Valley in title game

                                  Harvard placed 4TH in Class ‘A’ Tourney

 

1985-86                     Mt. Morris Regional Runner-up    Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd Beat Malta

                                  Semi-final Beat Forreston 49-47

                                  Title Game lost to Polo 48-46

                                  Polo lost in Sectional

 

1986-87                     Oregon Regional Tourney               Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd Beat Leaf River 63-52

                                  Semi-final lost to Franklin Center 60-47

                                  Oregon Beat Franklin Center in title game

                                  Oregon lost in Sectional

  

1987-88                     Mt. Morris Regional Tourney           Coach’s name & record needed

                                  1st Rd Beat Leaf River 75-55

                                  Semi-final lost to Forreston 67-50

                                  Forreston Beat Franklin Center in title game

                                  Forreston lost in Elite 8 Round

 

1988-89  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1989-90  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1990-91  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1991-92  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1992-93  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

  

1993-94                     Mt. Morris Regional Tourney           Coach’s name & record needed

                                  **1st Rd lost to Oregon 70-49

                                  Oregon Beat Forreston in title game

                                  Oregon lost in Sectional

**Final boys basketball game for the Mt. Morris Mounders, consolidated to Oregon in the summer of 1994.

GIRLS BOWLING

 

When girls sports became a reality in Illinois high schools, the Mount Morris Girls Bowling team was one of the top teams in Northern Illinois, winning District Championships and qualifying for the State Tournament in 1974, 1975, 1977, and 1978. The team achieved a Fourth-place state finish in 1974. Information is needed on the team members of these teams, as males were very common in Girls Bowling (et al Dixon’s state championship in 1975).

 

1973-74    District Champions/Team Finished 4th in State Tournament!!

 

                    Final Team Standings

                    1)  Arlington Heights (Forest View)
                    2)  Hoopeston (H.-East Lynn)                
                    3)  Schaumburg (H.S.)                       
                    4)  MT. MORRIS HIGH SCHOOL

 

1974-75    District Champions

1976-77    District Champions

1977-78    District Champions   

FOOTBALL

 

Mt. Morris High School Football Field 2016

A large green field with trees in the background

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Information is needed on past football teams at MMHS. We do know that they qualified for the Class 1A playoffs in 1991 and 1992 (their last two years of existance) under coach Vern Welp. Tom Sikorski provided some of the better seasons in Mt. Morris HS football history.  Great job boys! 

 

1952  4-3      Blackhawk Conference Co-Champs            Coach  J.R. Worley

1953  3-3-1   2nd place (tie) Blackhawk Conference            Coach  J.R. Worley

1954  3-2-2   3rd place Blackhawk Conference                    Coach  J.R. Worley

   

1955  7-0      Blackhawk Conference  Champions           Coach  J.R. Worley

 

1958  5-1-1   Blackhawk Conference Champions            Coach  Ray Walder

  

1959  7-1      2nd place Blackhawk Conference                   Coach Ray Walder

  

1960  8-0      Blackhawk Conference Champions            Coach  Ray Walder

   

1961  5-3                                                                               Coach Ray Walder

1962  6-2      2nd place (tie) Blackhawk Conference            Coach Ray Walder

1963  5-2-1   3rd place Blackhawk Conference                    Coach Ray Walder

  

1964  7-1      Blackhawk Conference Co-Champs            Coach  Jay Dooley

  

1967  5-2      2nd place (tie) Blackhawk Conference            Coach Bob Stahl

1968  5-2      3rd place (tie) Blackhawk Conference             Coach Bob Stahl

  

1972  8-0      Mid Northern Conference Champions        Coach Bob Stahl

  

1974  5-4      3rd place (tie) Mid Northern Conference         Coach Bob Stahl

  

1981  6-3                                                                               Coach Gerald Allison

1983  6-3      3rd place Mid Northern Conference                 Coach Gerald Allison

1990                                                                                      Coach Terry Jenkins

 

1991  6 – 4    2nd place Upstate Illini South                    Coach Vern Welp

                       1A playoff qualifier

                       Lost to Manlius 12 – 0

The 1991-1992 team was led by John Urish (QB), Brent Mayer (RB), Drew Francis (RB), Matt Dempsey (WR), Dan Sheely (C), Bill Wiskur (T), and several others.  This was the school’s first trip to the Illinois State Playoff’s in football.  Brent Mayer was selected to the All-Conference team for the Upstate Illini North Conference as a running back.

 

1992  8 – 2    Upstate Illini South Champions                  Coach Vern Welp

                       1A playoff qualifier

                       Lost to Manlius 47 – 0    

The 1992 team went 8 – 2 and was lead by All-Conference quarterback Brad Strite and linebacker Randy James as well as team members Jason Page, Rich Highbarger, Scott Aken, Ernie Hayenga, and Corey Krieder.

Mt Morris last fielded a football team in 1992.  Last win in school history was 35-8 over Beloit, WI Catholic.

 

BOYS GOLF

 

In the mid-1970’s, Mount Morris won three consectutive IHSA District Championships, coming in 1975-1977 in Class A. In 1976, they qualified for the State Tournament.

 

1974-75   District Champions                                    

1975-76   District Champions/State Meet Qualifier     

1976-77   District Champions  

  

VOLLEYBALL

 

Mount Morris won three District Championships (1976, 1979 and 1981) and a Regional Championship in 1982 playing in Class A.

 

1975-76   N.R.A.  District Champions     

1978-79   N.R.A.  District Champions

1980-81   N.R.A.  District Champions

1981-82   N.R.A.  Regional Champions 

 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

 

Mount Morris was a Girls Basketball hotbed in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, winning four Regional Championships (1976-77, 1979-80, 1981-82 and 1982-83).

 

1976-77  N.R.A.   Regional Champions   

1979-80  N.R.A.   Regional Champions

1981-82  N.R.A.   Regional Champions

1982-83  N.R.A.   Regional Champions

  

Mt. Morris High School Track – Track & Field 2016

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BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

 

A District Championship was won by the Mounders Boys XC team in 1971. Leading the way individually was Jim Buell, who placed third in the state meet.

 

1971-72              District Champions                              Coaches Name Unavailable

                         Individual Medalist

                         Jim Buell                                             3rd Place State Meet

1980-81              Lowell Miller                                       21st Place State Meet                             

 

GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY

 

The Lady Mounders also competed in Field Hockey in the 1970s under the guidance Coach Sally Wessels.  Mt. Morris was one of the very few teams outside of the Chicago area who offered this sport.   

 

“ACTIVITIES”


Mount Morris also had their share of activity clubs. In 1942, Mt. Morris student James Asp won first place in Comedy Reading at the IHSA Individual Events tournament. Feats like this are very big due to the domination from bigger schools (like Chicagoland) and achievments like Asp’s and other small school champions in activity events are very special.

 

The biggest rivals of Mount Morris was Oregon. When the merger happened in 1993, people were unsure about a stability of a combined high school. However, times and feelings get better: as displayed in a poem written in the Mount Morris Times by Oregon alum and Mount Morris resident Marni Heller in 1997:

 

“Four years ago two towns became one,
And what we thought wouldn’t work has turned into fun,
Now the first class of all four years together,
Will graduate with a special bond forever. . .”

 

GREAT COACH

 

Sally Wessels was an excellent Coach and mentor for the kids of Mt. Morris and Oregon High Schools.  She also coached girls basketball and boys golf for many years.

 

More Information

 

More information is being sought about Mount Morris High School; use the Guest Commentary Form or the School Submission Form to submit. If you have more Information about Mount Morris High School, including a photo of the school, school colors and especially win-loss records and other great teams you would like to share please e-mail this website at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .

 

You may also write us at:
 
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago,  IL  60631

Mt. Morris School Building Front 2016

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Mt. Morris School District Memorial Plaque 2016

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Submitted by Warner Johnston

Mt. Morris High School

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Home of the Mounders (photo courtesy of Mike Lawton)

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