Centralia Sports Hall of Fame

1956 Centralia High School Football Team
The Centralia Sports Hall of Fame
1997 Team Award Winner

Front Row- (L-R) Joe Mayoral, Lonnie O’Neal, Monti Milton, Bennie Page, Sylvester Hutcherson, Rockie Mackie, Dick Flanagan, Bill Crain, Jerry Ritter.
Second Row- (L-R) Manager Frank Moses, Fred Plassman, Lowell Stonecipher, Charles Black, Paul Kessler, Dick Norwood, Ron Nieman, Ronald Lawson, Manager Richard Forehand.
Third Row- (L-R) Mike Geurin, Bill Cowie, Jack Tyler, Melvin Patterson, Ted Bonner, Ernie Robnett, Delbert Bushong, Bob Hight, Nate Clay, Leon Carter, Bob Bonner, Mick Scheriger.
Not Pictured- Leonard Gant, Norman Schuchman, Richard Copple, Head Coach Jimmie Evers, Assistant Coaches Bill Davies, Jerry Wilson, and Jim McKee.

Coach Jimmie Evers guided the 1956 Centralia High School Orphans to his first undefeated campaign. One of eight undefeated teams in CHS history, they outscored their opponents by an average of 28 points per game while compiling an 8-0-1 record and a South Seven Conference title.

Dick Norwood led the team in scoring with 93 points. Bill Crain received first team All-State honors from the Champaign News Gazette. Paul Kessler and Jerry Ritter received honorable mention All-State, and Monti Minton received special mention All-State.

Game scores: Flora 53-0; Benton 13-13; Herrin 54-13; Murphysboro 33-13; Harrisburg 32-0; Salem 53-0; Marion 39-9; Mt. Vernon 14-12; West Frankfort 33-14

COACH: Jimmie Evers. ASSISTANT COACHES: Bill Davies, Jerry Wilson, and Jim McKee.