That season the Salem offense terrorized opponents with a scoring average of 39 points a game. On four occasions the Wildcats scored more than 50 points a game (against Flora, Fairfield, Olney, Mt. Vernon) and twice they reached 60 points in a game (against Flora and Olney).

The Wildcats defense was equally tough, as it surrendered an average of just seven points a game. Salem posted shutouts against Fairfield 53-0, Mt. Carmel 28-0 and Olney 61-0.The Wildcats held three more opponents (Bridgeport, Centralia and Benton) to a single touchdown.

It was a season that provided just one disappointment. In the season opener Salem lost a controversial 19-18 decision at Lawrenceville. Even though the Wildcats won their final eight game, that lone setback denied Salem the North Egypt Conference championship.

The Wildcats potent backfield was led by halfback Dan Wile, who led the team with 890 yards rushing and a 7.7 yards per carry average. Wile rushed for more than 100 yards in a game five times that season including a season high 165 yards in the loss to Lawrenceville. Wile was second on the team in scoring with 13 touchdowns for 78 points.

The leading scorer was fullback Eddie Murray with 14 touchdowns for 84 points. Murray teamed up with Wile to form a potent one-two rushing punch. Murray had 629 yards rushing for an average of 6.7 yards per carry. His high was 101 yards against Flora.

Another key performer in the backfield was quarterback Bob Martin. Martin was an extremely accurate passer, as he completed 47 of 64 of his attempts for 871 yards. Martin had 12 touchdowns and just one Interception.

Martin’s favorite targets were Don Guymon and Murray. Guymon caught 20 passes for 399 yards and seven touchdowns. Murray caught 12 passes for 226 yards and four scores.

The Wildcats defense was led by tackle Fred Gain, who led the team in tackles with 69. Other leading tacklers that season were linebacker Murray, tackle Bob Page and guard Leroy Davis.

Twelve members of the squad received All-NEC honors. Wile and Murray were named First Team Offense, while Page and Guymon were named First Team Defense.

NEC Second Team honors went to quarterback Martin, center Bob Griggs, tackle Gain and guard Davis.

Honorable Mention choices included tackle Ed Wakefield, guard Phil Jones, end Bill Love and halfback Bob Reeves.

A 1969 graduate of SCHS, Hill was known as a fierce rebounder on the basketball court despite his lack of size inside. That ability led to special mention on the all-state team in the 1968-69 season.

In football Hill capped off a solid high school career in 1968 when he was named to the All-South Team as a split end.

Hill was medalist during several meets as a Wildcat golfer. His biggest moment came during his junior season in 1968 when he finished second at the regional and qualified for the state meet as an individual. During state competition Hill finished 30th out of 144 golfers.

While Hill had a good career at Salem, his career skyrocketed in college. Hill played his first two years at the University of Missouri before he transferred to the University of Missouri at Rolla for his junior season.

During his junior year in college he won the MIAA Conference individual championship and qualified for the NCAA Division II championships as an individual.

Hill also set two course records while at Rolla although both have since been broken.

Once Hill graduated from Rolla in 1974, he continued to stay active in golf. In 1977 Hill qualified for the Missouri Amateur Championship Round. That led to his selection to the Missouri Amateur Golfers Honor Roll in 1978.

Hill soon turned professional and earned his first check in 1979. He has been a member of the Professional Golfers Association of America since 1980.

Hill has also been active in the distribution of sports merchandise. In 1983 he was named Sports Illustrated Merchandiser of the year.

Other associations Hill has had with golf include time spent on the PGA rules committee and the operation of a golf pro shop.

Hawley’s broadcasts on WJBD Radio have been a part of listeners lives for more than a quarter of a century.

Hawley, a graduate of Odin High School, made his debut over the airwaves in 1971 when he covered the Wildcats basketball team at the Centralia Holiday Tournament.

By the fall of 1972 Hawley had added football broadcasts to his resume.

He has been doing both sports on a regular basis ever since.

Hawley has had the pleasure of broadcasting four Salem football teams that have won North Egypt Conference champions (1985, 1991, 1992 and 1997) and 13 teams that have qualified for the state playoffs.

While Hawley has not had the pleasure of broadcasting an NEC title for Salem basketball, he does have some memorable moments. Among some things that stick out include the team’s fourth place finish at the Centralia Holiday Tournament in 1971 and the Salem Invitational Tournament championship on 1972.

During his broadcasting career Hawley has also covered selected Salem Wildcats baseball games plus Salem Lady Wildcats basketball and volleyball games.

Hawley’s association with SCHS athletics goes beyond just game broadcasts. He has kept area fans up to date by serving as a host on WJBD’s weekly Saturday Sports Showcase.

The association Hawley has had with SCHS began before his broadcasting career. Hawley taught at the school from 1970 until 1976. During that time he served as an assistant coach for the Wildcats football, baseball and track teams.