Mt. Carroll High School “Hawks”

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Mt. Carroll High School
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Photo Courtesy of Gerry Halpin
MCHS – Courtesy of Gerry Halpin
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The History of Mt. Carroll High School

Mt. Carroll (population 1,832) is located in far northwestern Illinois in central Carroll County.  U.S. Route 52 crosses paths with Illinois Route 78 in the heart of the city. The Carroll Creek flows through the north side of town.  The CM St. P & P Railroad makes its way through Mt. Carroll as well.

Mt. Carroll is the county seat of Carroll County. The area where Mt. Carroll sits was first settled in the 1840s.  By 1860 it was considered a thriving and bustling town.  Its scenic surroundings was one of the reasons Mt. Carroll earned its nickname “New England of the Midwest”.  More on the history of the town and its current status can be read on the Mt. Carroll website at http://www/mount-carroll.il.us/ .

The forward-thinking, early residents of this town knew the importance of advanced education.  The Mt. Carroll Seminary was established in the 1840s shortly after the early settlers arrived.  Public schools soon sprang up throughout the area. A new Union School was established in 1863, noted as one of the finest institutions in the area. Mt. Carroll High School enjoyed the merits of a new building built in 1908 (pictured above).

Mt. Carroll High School served the community for well over 100 years. A newer building was built nearly a century later on the east side of town. In the early 2000s consolidation talks began between the western Carroll County high schools located in Thomson  and Savanna, and Mt. Carroll High School. These talks became finalized after the 2004-05 school year when all three school districts agreed to the creation of the West Carroll School District.

The high school for the new district is located in Savanna.  Mt. Carroll remains home to the West Carroll Middle School.

The fate of the Mt. Carroll High School building originally had good intentions. Benjamin Coleman, a former MCHS student, tells us:

“The Mt. Carroll High School building was sold at a silent auction by the city of Mt. Carroll to a private citizen in 2006.  The owner is currently trying to turn the building into a bit of an activity center for teens/adolescents.  The entire school complex (old gymnasium, K-3 Classrooms/South side, original 1908 structure, north side and new gymnasium) is still standing.”

However, this plan never came to fruition. The 1908 Mt. Carroll High School building is currently not being used in any capacity. It is hoped that the building will find a useful purpose before the opportunity to do so is lost.

Mt. Carroll High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                 late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed:                                  2005

Consolidated to:                            West Carroll School District (Savanna)

Mt. Carroll HS team nickname:       the “Hawks”

MCHS team colors:                       Purple & White

School Fight Song:                        unavailable
Mt. Carroll “Hawks” 2002-03  / IHSA Class ‘A’ 2nd Place Basketball Team
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ATHLETICS

The Hawks competed in many sports and were successful on many levels.  Included were two top four finishes in boys basketball and several Regional and Sectional trophies won in many different boys and girls sports.  Below are listed some of the better seasons attained by the Mt. Carroll High School Hawks athletic program.

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BOYS BASKETBALL

The Hawks were most impressive in their history of this sport.  Beginning in 1908 the Hawks made a total of four IHSA State Tourney appearances coming away with two 2ND Place finishes (www.ihsa.org)!  Add to this two District Championships, four Regional Championships, a Sectional Championship, and a Super-Sectional Championship. The Hawks also had at least thirteen 20+ games-won seasons!  The best of the Hawks successes on the hardwood court are listed below.

1907-08               IHSA State Tournament Finalist

First Round
Mt.Carroll 47, Geneva 20

Quarterfinals
Hinsdale Township 34, Mt.Carroll 29

Hinsdale finished 4th

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1908-09               IHSA State Tournament Finalist

Quarterfinals
Hinsdale Township 56, Mt. Carroll 7

Hinsdale finished 3rd

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1910-11               IHSA Tournament Finalist

District Champions

Semifinals
Mt.Carroll 58, Paris 30
Championship
Rockford 60, Mt.Carroll 15

(Mt.Carroll finished 2nd in State)

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1911-12              District Champions

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1939-40            Mt. Carroll Regional Champions

1st Rd Beat Chadwick 24-21

Semi-Final Beat Savanna 39-38

Title Game Beat Morrison 41-36

Kewanee Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Canton 35-34

Canton lost to Lewistown in title game

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1952-53  20 – 9                                                                                            Coach A.J. Hook

1953-54  22 – 6                                                                                            Coach A.J. Hook

1957-58  18 – 9                                                                                            Coach Jim Barr

1958-59  19 – 7                                                                                            Coach Jim Barr

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1962-63    9 – 16  Morrison Regional Champions                                      Coach Robert Aho

1st Rd Beat Fulton 64-63

Semi-Final Beat Savanna 64-46

Title Game Beat Prophetstown 62-55

Moline Sectional Tournament

Semi-Final lost to Aledo 79-52

Aledo Beat Rock Island in title game.

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1976-77  25 – 1    Undefeated Regular Season                                            Coach Larry Lennartz

Fulton Regional Runner-Up

Semi-Final Beat Chadwick 64-56

Title Game lost to Morrison 73-57

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1977-78  20 – 5                                                                                            Coach Larry Lennartz

1978-79  20 – 7                                                                                            Coach Larry Lennartz

1982-83  25 – 3                                                                                            Coach Randy Jackson

1983-84  21 – 6                                                                                            Coach Randy Jackson

1995-96  16 – 9                                                                                            Coach Dave Kunkel

1996-97  23 – 3                                                                                            Coach Dave Kunkel

1997-98  23 – 3                                                                                            Coach Kevin Kunkel

1998-99  19 – 9                                                                                            Coach Steve Sandhols

1999-00  23 – 5                                                                                             Coach Chris Payne

2000-01  23 – 6                                                                                             Coach Chris Payne

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2001-02  27 – 1   Undefeated Regular Season                                              Coach Chris Payne

Class ‘A’ Regional Champions

Semi-Final Beat Milledgeville 75-50

Title Game Beat Fulton 70-62

Moline Class ‘A’ Sectional Runner-Up

Semi-Final Beat River Ridge 56-42

Title Game lost to Rock Falls 81-69 (2 O/Ts)

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2002-03  32 – 2   IHSA CLASS A STATE RUNNER-UP !!                        Coach Chris Payne

     Class ‘A’ Regional Champions

Semi-Final Beat Fulton Unity Christian 59-40

Title Game Beat Fulton 77-58

     Class ‘A’ Sectional Champions

Semi-Final Beat River Ridge 53-35

Title Game Beat Abingdon 59-48

     Super-Sectional Champion

Mt. Carroll 59, Abingdon 48

     Elite 8 Finalist

Mt. Carroll 69, Auburn 62

     Final Four Finalist

Mt. Carroll 73, Cairo 64

     STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!

Chicago (Hales Franciscan) 58, Mt. Carroll 53

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2003-04  17 – 11                                                                                      Coach Cordell Juhola

2004-05  18 – 11                                                                                      Coach Cordell Juhola

GREAT BASKETBALL HISTORY AT MT. CARROLL HIGH!!

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FOOTBALL 

The football program at Mt. Carroll High was not without its moments as well.  A great season by season account of the grid iron success at Mt. Carroll High School can be found on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) .  The best of these seasons are listed below.

1928-30                                                                                                Coach Harold B. Walker

1930-31   5 – 1 – 2                                                                                Coach Harold B. Walker

1931-32   5 – 3 – 1                                                                                Coach Harold B. Walker

1932-33   3 – 0 – 1                                                                                Coach Harold B. Walker
1933-34   3 – 0 – 1                                                                                Coach Harold B. Walker
1934-35   4 – 0                                                                                      Coach Harold B. Walker

1935-36   4 – 4                                                                                      Coach Harold B. Walker

1936-37   7 – 2                                                                                      Coach Harold B. Walker

1937-38   6 – 0                                                                                      Coach Harold B. Walker

1938-39   3 – 1 – 1                                                                                 Coach James Long

1939-40   6 – 1                                                                                      Coach James Long

1940-41   6 – 0 – 1                                                                                 Coach James Long

1941-43                                                                                                 Coach John Lusk

1943-47                                                                                                  Coach Carl W. Kellman

1947-49                                                                                                  Coach Robert Duffield

1949-50   5 – 4                                                                                       Coach Robert Duffield

1950-51                                                                                                  Coach Robert Duffield

1951-52   4 – 2 – 1                                                                                  Coach Robert Duffield

1952-53   4 – 3                                                                                        Coach Robert Duffield

1953-54                                                                                                   Coach Robert Duffield

1954-56                                                                                                   Coach Ken Buikeman

1956-59                                                                                                   Coach Duncan Reed

1959-60   6 – 1 – 1                                                                                   Coach Lloyd Morriss

1960-61   4 –  4                                                                                        Coach Lloyd Morriss

1961-65                                                                                                    Coach Al Schoenbach

1965-68                                                                                                    Coach John Fippinger

1968-70                                                                                                    Coach Ed Knirlberger

1970-71   5 – 2 – 1                                                                                   Coach Ed Knirlberger

1971-72   7 – 1                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger

1973-74   8 – 1                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger

1974-75   7 – 2                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger

1975-76                                                                                                    Coach Ed Knirlberger

1976-77   5 – 4                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger

1977-78   5 – 3                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger

1978-79   7 – 3          Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs                      Coach Ed Knirlberger

                                     Top 16 Teams in State

                                     Lost to Hampshire 20 – 12

Hampshire placed 2nd

1979-80   4 – 4                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger

1980-81   5 – 4                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger

1981-82                                                                                                    Coach Ed Knirlberger

1982-83   5 – 4                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger

1983-84   8 – 3          Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs                      Coach Ed Knirlberger

                                     Elite 8 Finalist

                                     Beat Freeport Aquin 12 – 6

                                     Lost to Walnut  25 – 0

1984-86                                                                                                    Coach Ed Knirlberger

1986-87   6 – 3                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger

1987-88   6 – 3                                                                                         Coach Ed Knirlberger
1988-89   9 – 1           Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs                     Coach Ed Knirlberger

                                     Top 32 Teams in the State

                                      Lost to Galena 15 – 8

1989-91                                                                                                    Coach Ed Knirlberger
1991-92                       Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs                    Coach Ed Knirlberger

                                      Top 32 Teams in the State

                                       Lost to Morrison 44 – 0 

1994-97                                                                                                    Coach Ed Knirlberger

1997-98                                                                                                    Coach Jeff Voltz

1998-01                                                                                                    Coach Jeff Holley

2001-02                                                                                                    Coach Shane Sikkema

2002-03                                                                                                    Coach Andy Hughes

2003-04                                                                                                    Coach Brandon Farrell

In a September 24, 1999 game against Milledgeville, Craig Murray connected on four field goals. The first one went for 24 yards and was followed consecutively by kicks of 28, 37 and 25 yards. This tied the state record! Murray also recovered six fumbles that season, as well as averaging 17.3 yards per reception in his career from 1998 to 1999. He had 31 catches for 539 yards.

Mt. Carroll Girls Basketball Team
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1910

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Lady Hawks won a Regional title in the 1999-2000 season.  Unfortunately the team record and coach’s name of this and other great MCHS teams are not currently available.

1999-00              Regional Champions

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GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

The Lady Hawk netters had some nice seasons as well.  A District title and a Regional title were the hi-lites of the Lady Hawk program.  The District title was followed by a Sectional title before ladies lost in the Super-Sectional showdown.

1980-81                     District Champions

                                    Sectional Champions

                                    Sweet 16 Finalist


1999-00                     Regional Champions

2003-04  21 – 7 – 1                                                                              Coach Chris Falk

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BOYS TRACK & FIELD

No less than TEN individual athletes brought home medals from the IHSA State Track Meet.  Of those TWO brought back “the Gold”.

1905-06         Allan Berkstresser            1 Mile Run                  STATE CHAMPION!!

                                                                         880 Yard Run           3RD Place

1929-30         Kenneth Williamson           Javelin                       4TH Place

1935-36         Arnold Wilson                      440 Yard Dash          5TH Place

1950-51         John Decker                         Shot Put                     5Th Place

1952-53         Floyd “Bud” Smith               High Jump                 STATE CHAMPION!!

1957-58         Mike Mullin                            1 Mile Run                  2ND Place

1984-85         Ross Richardson                 Shot Put                     6TH Place

1988-89         Dan Ramsey                          300 M Hurdles          5TH Place

1996-97         Andrew Ricklefs                   3200 M Run               8TH Place

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GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Three Mt. Carroll HS female tracksters won a medals at the IHSA State Track Meet as well.   Barb and Kris Fogel in fact won a total of 10 medals with Barb winning 8 of those!  Barb’s efforts led thge 1980-81 team to a NINTH place finish overall!

1979-80        Barb Fogel            200 M Dash                  2ND Place

1980-81        Team Finished NINTH in State Meet Competition!!

                        Individual Medalist

Barb Fogel           400 M Dash                   STATE CHAMPION!!

                                                       100 M Dash                   2ND Place

                                                       200 M Dash                   8TH Place

1981-82         Barb Fogel           400 M Dash                   2ND Place

                                                       200 M Dash                   5TH Place

                                                       100 M Dash                   6TH Place

1982-83         Barb Fogel           400 M Dash                   2ND Place

1983-84         Kris Fogel            400 M Dash                   6TH Place

1985-86         Kris Fogel             800 M Run                     8TH Place

1989-90         Jenny Gorham    300 M Hurdles              4TH Place

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SEEKING MORE INFORMATION

If you have any further information you can provide or corrections that need to be made regarding Mt. Carroll High School please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form. We are especially seeking a photo of the high school building. You can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.  60631

Mt. Carroll High School Built in 1908
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Courtesy of the Mount Carroll Website
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School Entrance

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