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
Mt. Morris High School Building 2016
Now Oregon Junior High School
Mt. Morris High School Building Rear 2016
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 ofJEFF 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
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
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.
1924-25IHSA 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.
1926-27IHSA 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
1941-42Oregon 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
1946-47Mt. 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
1947-48Oregon 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
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).
1973-74District 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
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!
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
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 wonfirst place in Comedy Readingat 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
Mt. Morris School District Memorial Plaque 2016
Submitted by Warner Johnston
Mt. Morris High School
Home of the Mounders (photo courtesy of Mike Lawton)
