The 1945 Wildcat team was one of the smallest teams in SCHS history, and one of the grittiest.

One of the better football teams in the school’s history, they parlayed quickness and speed with deception to offset their lack of size – the first team average weight was 150 pounds. Usually, their opponents outweighed them on an average of 30-60 pounds per man.

They were an explosive team on offense and stingy on defense, outscoring the opposition 273-60 in a 10-game season. Head coach Kenny Farrar and his assistant, Howard Thurman, stressed physical conditioning, an explosive and deceptive offense, and quickness on defense to offset the lack of size.

Compiling an 8-2 record, the 1945 Wildcats blanked five opponents and allowed only two touchdowns in conference play. One of those probably cost them the championship, losing to eventual champion, Flora, 7-6, in a mud and rain marred game. The other touchdown was in a 38-6 win over Olney.

First team members were ends Keith Stonecipher and Arthur Radcliff, tackles Virgil Snidle and Jim Kendrick, guards John Evers and Ed Estes, center Bob Raver, quarterback George “Bud” Hofstetter, halfbacks Howard “Bud” Wagoner, Bill Pate and full· back Bill Hooks.

Second team members were Lawrence Alderson, Arlin Wade, Delmer Ocobock, Glenn Holler, Harold Middleton, Donald Wooldridge, Edward Brubaker, John McMackin, Jim Glendenning, Carle Blackwell and Gary Thomason. Team manager was David Bollinger.

Wagoner, Hooks and Stonecipher were named for all-conference honors. Wagoner the state’s No.2 scorer, was named to the Chicago Daily News all state second team. Hooks received special mention and Stonecipher, honorable mention.

Many of the players were also outstanding in track as the Wildcats won the North Egypt Conference Championship the following spring in 1946.