The Greatest Game Ever?
By Steve Stranghoener
I’ve been following Suburban North Conference sports for a long time, even before I had a chance to participate myself as a Hazelwood Hawk back in the early 1970s. Someone asked me recently what I thought was the greatest single game of all time. Under furrowed brow, I massaged my chin as my brain engaged and lurched through a process of elimination. So many sports to choose from! How about those great Ritenour baseball teams; perhaps a game featuring Jerry Reuss who later played for the Cards? Or how could I overlook the Huskie’s grapplers with that amazing string of state wrestling championships back in the day? Why not basketball, track & field, volleyball, hockey or cross country? Well, I thought, football is my favorite sport so let’s start there.
Next I had to zero in on one local school. McCluer won two state titles under Steve Pisarkiewicz before he left for Mizzou and was later drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Football Cardinals. St. Charles High, a former SNC member, terrorized opponents with running back extraordinaire Curtis Brown who also went on to Mizzou before replacing infamous NFL legend OJ Simpson in Buffalo. Hazelwood Central won it all in 1985 with one of the best players ever to come out of this area, Tony Van Zant. As the Parade All-America Player of the Year this galloping gazelle was destined to boost Mizzou’s sagging fortunes before his ill-fated knee injury in his final high school all-star game. Has anyone had more success than Coach Rick Gorzynski at Hazelwood East in developing players for NCAA Division I and NFL careers? Selfishly, I wanted to peg my Hazelwood team’s 1972 trip to the state championship against Kansas City Southwest. We still own the distinction of the only state championship game to end in a tie. And a young Rick Gorzynski was an assistant coach on that team. Nah, come to think of it, that was one of the most depressing games of all times. To come that far, for the first time in school history, and have to settle for a tie because of the horrendously sloppy field conditions at Washington University’s Francis Field still leaves a sour taste in our Hawk beaks. It would not be fair to single out one school on the basis of accomplishments, statistics, excitement or sheer entertainment value. These things are all open to debate among reasonable people so I’ll just have to go with my heart.
Although I was a Hawk through and through, I have adopted Pattonville since all my kids attended there. You’d be right in branding me as biased but at least I’m honest about it … my heart bleeds Pirate green. Whew … with that settled we still have quite a task ahead. PHS has a rich gridiron tradition, especially under legendary Coach Don Greco who grew up in the SNC patrolling the trenches at Riverview Gardens before starring at Western Illinois and carving out a stellar NFL career clearing the way for Billy Sims with the Detroit Lions. Under Coach Greco, the Pirates had many memorable seasons, outstanding records, conference championships and a long string of playoff appearances. They pulled off some stunning upsets along the way too against powerhouse teams. But one season stands out for the simple reason that it was the only time in Pattonville’s storied past that they made it all the way to the state finals in 2000. Are you ready to move on? Well, not so fast! We still need the winnowing fork. Unfortunately, PHS lost in the final to a very talented Rockhurst team led by freshman phenomenon, Tony Temple, in a competitive effort. Is there another game that stands out in this most special season? Unfortunately, there are two that stick out in my mind so, with tongue firmly in cheek; I’ll have to recount the two “greatest games” if you’ll afford me that discretion.
The first game was actually a loss. What, you say … how can a Pirate defeat be deemed “greatest”? Bear with me sports fans and I think you’ll understand. There was electricity in the air as the juggernaut from Columbia Hickman invaded Pirate Nation on Friday night, September 29th, 2000. Fireworks erupted early and often in this epic shootout as the two titans traded touchdowns like two heavyweights exchanging haymakers toe-to-toe in the middle of the ring. On more than one occasion the Kewpies led the home town heroes by two touchdowns only to see the boys in green come roaring back. The stands were packed with delirious fans who cheered wildly as one magical moment after another crashed all around like relentless waves pounding the seashore. As the clock wound down on this marathon thrill-fest, the score stood at an incredible Hickman 63, Pattonville 56. There was less than a minute left and Hickman had the ball near mid-field. It was time for the fans to catch their breath since the end was inevitable with Hickman holding the ball near mid-field and the Pirates without a timeout remaining. But, against all odds and reason, hearts were still pounding with the faint hope that one more miracle would occur. Then on fourth down with just a few seconds left, the unthinkable happened. Hickman’s QB dropped back and scurried out of the pocket to run out the clock and a Pattonville defender swooped in and knocked the ball loose. It bounded away like a jack rabbit only to be scooped up by an opportunistic Pirate. As the gun sounded, he sprinted toward the end zone to tie the game and send it into overtime. The Kewpie QB had the angle and met the sprinting Pirate inside the five yard line and barely knocked him out of bounds to preserve Columbia Hickman’s victory. Yes, it was a Pirate loss but the game was a masterpiece of guts, determination, iron will and thrills. Many records were set that night. At 119 points it still stands as the fifth highest combined score in state history and, as far as I know, the highest in the large school record books. Losing such a hard fought nail biter could have been devastating to the team but it brought out the best in them. They made it through the fire and were refined as gold, preparing them to make history in the season ahead.
There’s only one way to top such an iconic game … and that, of course, is with a victory. With a tip of the cap to all of the other great Pirate victories, I must contend that there was never as much on the line as there was on Saturday November 18, 2000. Both teams were seeking their first trip to the state finals. When the mighty Patriots of Parkway South (10-0) rolled into Pattonville Stadium to square off with the Pirates (10-2), the stands were jammed with nearly 5,000 fans including temporary bleachers and standing room only. The buzz was palpable as we gazed upon what I’ll call a three chopper game. There were three television news helicopters and a phalanx of media in place. There was some recent history and a cross-town rivalry that the media used to stoke the anticipation for this showdown. For me, this one was personal. One of my colleagues at work had a son on the opposing squad, a tight end named Tom Marsden who would score a go-ahead touchdown for the Patriots. South’s coach, Tom Dailey, was the son of a close business associate of mine, the late Ron Dailey. Most importantly, my son, Eric, was at the helm as QB for Pattonville.
Parkway South was still smarting from Pattonville derailing their previous unbeaten season and they were on a mission to get payback. They were loaded with talent like linebacker Emmitt Morris, QB Josh Broeker and 262 pound fullback Andre Malone. Bridgeton’s local media treasure, Rich Gould, smelled a story and dispatched a KPLR crew to dredge the details. First they visited the Patriots who were practicing inside due to the bitter cold that week. There were taunts aplenty from players and even Coach Dailey who boldly threw down the gauntlet promising to reverse their fortunes against the Pirates this time. When Channel 11 visited Pattonville they found the Pirates outside braced against the frigid winds. Coach Greco knew better than to pamper his eager charges. The news team interviewed one player, old number 12, Eric Stranghoener. Most of the talking was done by the reporter who relayed the challenges issued by South. He hoped to bait the QB into a war of words. Eric was no fool and calmly offered this short reply, “Bring it on.” When Rich Gould ran the piece on Channel 11 the night before the game he chuckled and exclaimed, “That’s my neighbor Eric and he says, bring it on.”
Both teams held up their end of the bargain. South’s stout defense stymied Pattonville’s potent running attack featuring Mizzou-bound Tyrone Roberson and SEMO-bound Chaun Tate. The Pirates offered strong resistance too, led by Illinois-bound middle linebacker Antonio Mason and Martin Nance. The future Minnesota Viking receiver, Nance, went both ways that day. The defensive struggle resulted in an 8-6 half-time lead for Parkway South. Both offensives came out ready in the second half. South put up two touchdowns and missed a two point conversion. Pattonville went to the air and Stranghoener threw a strike to Nance and added a two point conversion. After settling for a field goal, Stranghoener teamed up with Mike Montgomery for mind blowing 56 yard TD bomb to make the score 24-20 Pattonville. South was not done and was marching toward the end zone and a go-ahead score when Nance, now on defense, intercepted his second pass of the day to preserve the victory. The Patriots did bring it on that day but the Pirates were up to the challenge and would not be denied their first trip to the Dome. I think it’s safe to say it was the happiest day in the history of PHS football.
I offer my apologies to all of the other local schools with the many other “greatest” games that I overlooked. As I admitted, this one was from the heart. My fondest wish is for the next generation of grid iron greats to regale us with fresh grist for the legend mill. Only time will tell but perhaps Coach Greco will return someday to lead Pattonville to the Promised Land again and take that last step in securing their first state title. It would only be fitting. This I know … old number 12 is doing his best to help the Pirates reload for glory. Watch out for Cooper and Luke come 2028! I hope you’ll tuck this away and share it with your little Pirates when their time comes.
Ritenour Volleyball Players Named Academic All-State
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| Six RHS girls’ volleyball players were named Academic All-State this season. Joined by RHS volleyball coach Ellen Kim (center), they include (l to r) Tenley Rasch, Christina Elem, Alexis Haynes, Emma Chiodini, Stephanie Sontag and Jessica Poelker. |
Feb. 3, 2012 – Six student-athletes from the Ritenour High School (RHS) girls’ volleyball team were named Academic All-State by the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association. To qualify, athletes must play in 75 percent of the teams matches at the varsity level and earn at least a cumulative 3.6 grade point average. The student-athletes include senior Tenley Rasch; junior Alexis Haynes; sophomores Emma Chiodini, Christina Elem and Stephanie Sontag; and freshman Jessica Poelker. Last season, the Huskies finished second in the Suburban North Conference (SNC) with a record of 15-13.
“This was one of the youngest teams I’ve ever coached,” said RHS girl’s volleyball coach and RHS math teacher Ellen Kim. “It was a huge accomplishment to be above .500 for the fourth year in a row, especially with such a young team. I am very proud of their accomplishments.”
The Huskies received many other postseason accolades for their play on the court. Chiodini was named first team all-SNC; Sontag and Poelker earned second-team all-SNC honors; and freshman Hanna Baker, Haynes and sophomore Polina Shevchenko were named all-conference honorable mention.
“I’m very proud of this team and all of their accomplishments,” Kim said. “These girls do their very best to represent Ritenour well not only on the court but also in the classroom, and are leaders in their school. The girls and their families should be very proud.”
The Old Ball Coach |
Retired Pattonville Baseball Coach, Robert “Bob” Benben
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By Dennis Williams
The score was De Smet - 2, Pattonville - 0. The Old Ball Coach chuckles as he recalls the decision by De Smet to pitch to his star player, Scott Cooper, with first base open and a man on second during a 1986 playoff game. “De Smet had a very good pitcher, but Cooper was a great hitter. Scott hit the ball over the fence and onto the football field to tie the game.” The future Red Sox All-Star sealed the win with another homer, moving Pattonville one game closer to their eventual state championship. The Coach’s enthusiasm was obvious when he discussed that ’86 championship team. “The thing that made me proudest was, we were ranked number one preseason and we never lost that ranking the whole season. We were consistently good the whole year.”
Cooper remembers the De Smet game well. “There was a pretty good rivalry between Benners (Coach Benben) and
De Smet coach Greg Vitello. There was a very large crowd for a high school game, and a bunch of scouts in the stands. Vitello walks most of the way to the mound and tells the pitcher, in a voice we could hear, to pitch to me.” The result was a hanging curveball that Cooper deposited straight into St. Louis prep folklore. Cooper and Vitello often tell the story to participants in instruction clinics that they hold these days. “I kid him and tell the players that Greg is the gutsiest high school coach I know. He pitched to me with first base open.”
De Smet coach Greg Vitello. There was a very large crowd for a high school game, and a bunch of scouts in the stands. Vitello walks most of the way to the mound and tells the pitcher, in a voice we could hear, to pitch to me.” The result was a hanging curveball that Cooper deposited straight into St. Louis prep folklore. Cooper and Vitello often tell the story to participants in instruction clinics that they hold these days. “I kid him and tell the players that Greg is the gutsiest high school coach I know. He pitched to me with first base open.”
Robert “Bob” Benben was raised in Chicago, where his father worked for the FAA. The family relocated to St. Louis in 1957, when Mr. Benben took a job with Ozark Airlines. The future coach attended Mercy High School and was offered a baseball scholarship to Mizzou, but elected to attend Washington University, where he earned letters in football, basketball, and of course, baseball. “Playing more than one sport wasn’t uncommon then,” he modestly offered.
After graduating with a degree in education, Bob took a job coaching baseball and basketball at the now-shuttered Augustinian Academy in south St. Louis. He had his first taste of coaching success there when the Fighting Braves faced Ritenour in the state finals. Although Ritenour featured future major leaguer Jerry Ruess, “they had another pitcher by the name of Pruitt, and he was really good. This kid was a senior and Ruess a junior, so they started him.” Ritenour won, but a winning coaching career was launched.
In 1967, Benben moved to Pattonville High School, beginning an association that would last 32 years. It was also about this time that he started an even longer association by marrying his wife Nancy, with whom he would have three sons: Bobby, Todd, and Brian. As he did at Augustinian, Benben coached not only baseball, but basketball, as well, taking the Pirates to the Class 4A quarterfinals in 1976-77. In addition, he somehow found the time to coach Lindenwood basketball from 1983 to 1985. While admitting that this made for a busy schedule, he also insisted that it was great fun. “I really enjoyed the interaction with the kids, so it never seemed like work to me.”
When pressed to single out some exceptional Pirate athletes, he mentioned several. John Cherry was a QB/LB who wound up quarterbacking Mizzou to several upsets in the early ‘70s. Benben summed up Cherry as “big and tough and talented.” He lauded Darryl Washington, a 6’4” basketball and track star, but saved his highest praises for Scott Cooper, who he said was “excellent at every sport he played,” and that his superb throwing arm could have made him a successful pitcher if he had chosen that route.
For his part, Scott Cooper has the highest respect for Coach Benben. “He’s a great guy. He was a serious coach, though, very intense. He had kind of a high-pitched yell, and when someone wasn’t doing their job, that voice would get higher and higher and his face would turn redder. There was no way we were going to laugh about it, either.” The Coach began to mellow out as the eventual state champions began to come into their own. “We had some very talented ballplayers, and Benners trusted we would do what needed to be done, so he would kind of roll the ball out and let us play.” Cooper also recalls remembers Benben coming to a party that the Coopers threw when Scott was drafted. At the time, none of his players had yet made to the Major Leagues. He pulled Scott aside and told him, “If I‘ve ever coached anyone who will make the Majors, it’s you.” Cooper remembers the words 25 years later.
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| Pattonville's Scott Cooper, was an all star third baseman for the Boston Red Sox and later played for the Cardinals. |
Although Coach Benben claims he has slowed down a bit, he still finds time to serve as a Bridgeton council member and says he plays quite a bit of golf. But more than anything else he does, these days he enjoys the family time. He speaks glowingly of his sons, but the pride is really obvious when he talks about how much fun he has watching his numerous grandchildren participate in their various sports activities. One granddaughter, Hannah Benben, is an All-State soccer player at Villa Duschene, and he doesn’t hesitate to let me know that she won that honor as a sophomore.
I don’t ask him if it is hard for him to sit and watch games without wanting to offer the coaches a little advice on how to do it right. If he does voice his opinion, they would be wise to listen. After all, he is The Old Ball Coach.
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| Hole #1 at St. Ann Golf Course. Photo by Steve Erdelen |
Awkward Lies
Hello, my name is Mark Ryan; I am the Golf Professional at St. Ann Golf Course. In the upcoming months I am going to provide our readers with some of my favorite golf tips. The first in the series deals with uneven positions on the golf course which I like to call Awkward Lies.
Uphill Lie
Ball positioned more on left heel
Shoulders tilted parallel to the ground
Weight primarily on right side
Ball will fly higher so use one more club
Downhill Lie
Ball positioned more back in stance
Shoulders tilted parallel to the ground
Weight slightly more on left side
Ball will fly lower and farther
Any Hill/Ball Above Feet
Ball positioned in center of stance
Grip down on club, knees bent
Ball flight will curve to the left
Aim right for proper alignment
Any Hill/Ball Below Feet
Ball positioned in center of stance
Grip down on club, knees more bent
Ball flight will curve to the right
Aim left and stay bent through impact
Remember when you are faced with a less than perfect lie try to keep these tips in mind and swing with less than full power to keep good balance.
Ace’s Boys
by Dennis Williams
You can’t be a jockey if you weigh 250 pounds. You can’t play offensive tackle if you tip the scales at 100 lbs. However, regardless of your height, weight, or build, you can compete in the sport of wrestling. Between 1941 and 1970 a group of high school athletes of all shapes and sizes came together and competed more successfully than any other team in Missouri
During that 28-year period, the Huskies never finished below fourth place in the state. Included in their incredible run were 14 straight state championships (the second most nationally) and 5 additional second place finishes. This era produced more than 60 individual state champions, including the 4-time winner Ray (Buzzy) Berkfeld. No other Missouri
Much of the program’s success can be attributed to one remarkable family; the family of Willard and Isabel Grubbs, also known as “The Grappling Grubbs Boys.” Starting in the 30’s with their oldest boy, Bill, several generations of Grubbs boys and their cousins wore the orange and black singlets that became the symbol of Husky dominance. Willard and Isabel became fixtures on the scene, hauling team members to meets and even helping to sew together old long johns to make practice uniforms. In all, seven members of the family won state championships, and several went on to wrestle at colleges such as perennial power Purdue and the University of Missouri U.S. Louisville
Ritenour wrestling coach, John (Ace) Moore
Just as important to the program was Hall of Fame coach John (Ace) Moore.
Moore, after whom the current high school field house is named, was a thin, serious man who was a true believer in the gospel of hard work and that practice makes perfect. Coach Moore’s word was law, and if you were going to wrestle for him you had better be on the same page. His practices were legendary for both their length and intensity, with a heavy emphasis on cardiovascular fitness. His boys were not going to lose a match because their opponent was in better shape.
Proving you were tough enough to wrestle for Moore was a rite of passage for hundreds of young men, and they felt it made them part of an elite fraternity. Their great success made the brutal workouts and the strict diet easier to swallow. Moore
Times were different in the 40’s and 50’s and the Ace’s wrestlers competed for camaraderie and fun, as well as the respect they received for being champions. It is sport at its purest. They didn’t do it for fortune, fame, or 15 minutes of YouTube notoriety. I’m sure they didn’t think someone would be writing about them a half century later. I like to think the men who wrestled on these teams, some of whom are now in their 80’s, look back on those times as golden. I hope they can laugh about how hard the practices were and I hope they take the time to exaggerate a little when they describe them to friends and family, just like most of us do when we spin yarns about how tough we were during our ball playing days. One thing they can’t exaggerate is how great those teams were. The record speaks for itself. So the next time you see a fellow in the area who may be up there in age but still has fire in his eye, you better show some respect and stay on his good side. That man just might be one of Ace’s Boys.
Catching Fish Near Home
by Gary McBride
I’ve been fishing for most of my life, and it’s one of my most rewarding activities. I've fished from Kansas Indiana Minnesota Texas St. Charles , Mo.
I really enjoy all kinds of fishing, from bass to stripers, whites to hybrids, and crappie to catfish. The fish I really love to catch are those big dark bluegills. Since I was a kid, using a cane pole and tin can of worms on the Bourbeuse River
When I was eight or nine, I had my first lesson in the use of a fly rod, and I was hooked. These days, my equipment has improved, and my skill has gotten better, as well. Give me a small lake that holds some nice “gills,” a fly rod with a popping bug, and I am a very happy camper.
All this leads me to let you know that you don’t have to travel for hours and hundreds of miles to have some very good fishing.
Several years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to an “ole farmer” in a small town just north of here. He had a very small lake, less than two acres, and granted me permission to fish when I wanted. The lake was less than an hour from my home and has provided me with many hours of wonderful fishing. I have caught crappie of 15 inches, largemouth bass in excess of 7 pounds, channel catfish over 8 pounds, and thousands of big bluegills.
Just last week I fished a small lake close to home. The early morning was cool and calm. I slipped a small boat into the lake and began to cast my fly rod with a popper near the shore. It was no time at all before I heard that “smack” that a big bluegill will make. I lifted my rod tip and set the hook on a nice “gill.” Over the next hour or so, I boated 25 “gills” and loved every minute of it.
Bluegills are not only great to catch but some of the best eating fish, too. I’ve gotten to the point that I usually take just six fish home, because that makes a dinner of filets for my wife and me.
Check around with friends and family for a lake near you, and get permission to fish. It can bring you many hours of pleasure and an occasional surprise. Enjoy the fresh smells, the sounds of wildlife, and the gentle breeze of our great outdoors.
I’ll check in with you from time to time here at the Rock Road Reporter and report on fishing here in our area and state. Until then remember, keep your rod tip up and a tight line.
Focus and Discipline Employed For High Caliber Offense at Ritenour
by Dennis Williams
Ritenour High School’s Huskies Head Football Coach Hoyt Gregory was watching ESPN late-night college football when he happened upon a game featuring the University of Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack. The commentators were raving about Wolf Pack Head Coach Chris Ault's new offense, a variation of the popular spread offense, dubbed the pistol offense. Coach Gregory watched with interest as the Wolf Pack chewed up its opponent using multiple running backs and an efficient, low-risk passing game. As he watched, the thought occurred to him, "Why not us?"
Hoyt Gregory is a Ritenour guy, born and bred. He grew up in Overland and graduated from Ritenour, where he was a three-sport standout, especially in football, where he was an All-Conference lineman. He began his high school career, in his own words, not taking his studies as seriously as he should have. Then he came under the influence of Coach Don Owens, who changed his outlook. "Coach O took a personal interest in me and was a huge influence on my development. He stressed the importance that high standards and hard work have in allowing you choices in your life." Although several Division 1 (D-1) schools were interested in him, his grades were still too low because of his slow start academically, so he chose to play football for Lindenwood University. The future coach thrived both in the classroom and on the gridiron and earned All-American honors in 1990. More importantly, he graduated with a degree in education.
After graduation, he accepted a job as an assistant at football hotspot Garland (Texas) High School, which has produced numerous D-1 and NFL players. As much as he enjoyed coaching in football-crazy Texas, he still missed home, and when asked to return to Ritenour under Coach Rick Shelton, he jumped on the opportunity. He took over the program from Shelton in 2006.
Taking over a program that hadn't had a winning season in years, Gregory knew that he faced a daunting task. There was no winning tradition, and the team created little buzz around campus. He needed to create an environment that fostered success, and he was well-aware of the challenges of competing in the powerhouse Suburban North Conference. One thing he wasn't going to compromise was the philosophy passed down from Coach O. He insisted that anyone playing football was going to be a solid citizen and abide by a written code of conduct that has zero tolerance for poor behavior. He knew that this rigid approach would keep some good athletes off the field. "We know there are some kids that could help us on the field but won't follow the rules. Every kid who wants to play gets a chance, but if they can't stay out of trouble, they can't stay on the field with the kids who do what's expected. We stress that the choices they make now affect the choices they will be able to make later in life. We believe it's an important message."
Code of conduct aside, Gregory still wants to win as bad as anyone, and the night he saw the pistol offense in operation, he saw a way to involve more of his playmakers and add creativity to the Husky attack. Although many colleges have adopted some form of the pistol, no area high school was using it, and to Gregory's knowledge none are today. The pistol is a hybrid of the shotgun and single-back formations. The quarterback (QB) lines up four yards deep as opposed to seven in the shotgun, and the single back is behind the QB rather than beside him. This allows for improved reads as well as giving some additional time for decision-making. The improvement is obvious when looking at the stats for the 2010 Huskies with their 5-5 record. Four different players rushed for more than 200 yards, and as a team they rang up 2,000 rushing yards at 5.66 yards per carry. Add 1,500 passing yards, and you have a very impressive 349 total yards per game. In addition, they have heavily recruited defensive star Edmond Ray, a 6-foot-5-inch, 290-pound defensive tackle who runs a 4.9-second 40-yard dash. Ray is being sought after by the likes of Mizzou, USC , and Penn State.
Gregory has also helped start a Junior Huskies Youth Program. Other schools have offered similar programs for years, and Gregory feels that this program will help the Huskies to compete in the future. The program will run the pistol as well as the 3-4 defense that the high school uses. When the players make it to high school, they will know what's expected, and the coaches can focus on more advanced skills and techniques.
It's obvious that Coach Gregory and his staff are placing the building blocks for creating the beginnings of a winning tradition at Ritenour. A few more "bullets" in the pistol, and you might see the Huskies competing for a conference championship after he pulls the trigger on 2011.
