It’s the midway point of the 2017 high school football season with Sidney and Lehman winning a combined nine of ten encounters. I was asked recently if we could be headed for their best ever aggregate regular season record, and the reply was affirmative. While Lehman historically contends for league titles and postseason berths, the same is usually not the case with Sidney.
However, 47 years ago Lehman was very good and Sidney was simply great. Lehman was established in 1970 and posted a 7-2-1 mark. Meanwhile, the Sidney Yellow Jackets were closing a third consecutive perfect campaign to put the local ledger at 17-2-1. On a combined basis they’ve never exceeded that. It’s also become a record that can’t be matched since ties have been eliminated in favor of overtime.
The squads were a combined 7-0-0 at Julia Lamb Stadium in 1970 including the Cavaliers well attended Saturday night wins over Bradford and Parkway. Lehman’s 6-6 tie came in the snow and mud on the final Saturday of the season in Piqua against Versailles which included senior tackle Dick Roll who is now Lehman’s longtime successful coach.
I’m still amazed at the atmosphere that surrounded these glory days of SHS football under coach Dave Haines. I got the full perspective as a spectator for one year and a team member for two. While the Sidney community has always followed and enjoyed football, this era was something extra special. Season ticket reserved seats for home games were at a premium. For road games with limited seating, early arrival was a must. I recall getting off the bus to a loud ovation at Lima Shawnee in 1970. Our fans got there before we did. Many went to road games straight from work even with the 8 p.m. kickoffs of that era.
On game days Sidney flags in school colors flew on the court square. The team was literally the talk of the town. There was great energy at the high school with spirit marches, pep rallies, and overall enthusiasm. We were ranked highly in Dayton, Lima, and statewide.
With the current Ohio football playoff system, both Sidney and Lehman would have qualified in 1970 with Sidney or both hosting a first round game. However, playoffs didn’t commence until 1972 and the initial formula admitted a scant dozen teams statewide to the November party. Contrast that with today when 32 teams qualify in each of seven divisions for a total of 224.
Though challenges lie ahead over the next five weeks, Sidney and Lehman could “run the table” for a combined 19-1 record. This would result in both winning league titles and hosting first round playoff contests at Sidney Memorial Stadium on the first weekend of November. What a weekend that would be.
When the stadium opened in 2004, neither local football program was strong. For a while St. Henry had more wins there than either Sidney or Lehman. Despite that current state of affairs 13 years ago, I told many folks that our proudest day would eventually be when both local teams hosted opening playoff games on the same weekend in our community stadium.
Football teams often have their squads break a practice or sideline huddle by barking out a key motivational word or phrase. At Sidney in 2017 that is usually the single word “November” which says it all. A playoff berth would be only the second in school history (1989). The most recent conference football title was in 1970.
