The beginning of McCook football

The boys of summer have put their bats away and exchanged them for pads and helmets. One of the things that small towns do is support their teams and McCook is no exception. One of the things that small town boys do is play multiple sports which leads to a cohesive group.

Football is big business in Nebraska and has a big following in McCook. Curious as to when football grabbed hold of a fan base here, I went to the annals of the McCook Tribune. The following article, prominent of the front page of the Nov. 16, 1894 issue, was my first clue:

“The high school boys ought to be comparatively happy now. They have organized a foot ball club. For this purpose a meeting was held in the East Ward building, Monday, November 12th, and an organization perfected to be known as the McCook high school foot ball team with the following officers: Manager, Arthur Douglass; Captain, J. H. Fowler; Coacher, Jerry Mullen; Secretary and Treasurer, Charles Northrup. The team as now constituted consists of twenty-two members. There are exciting times in store for the boys from this wildly popular sport.” (Note: Yes, they spelled football as two words.)

Moving ahead to 1895, I found the following note, again on the front page of the Tribune:

“On Friday of last week a game of football came off on the school grounds, between the high school club and a picked-up eleven from among the railroad boys. Only the first half was played, darkness putting a stop to the game. The score was 12 to 0 in favor of the school eleven.”

Apparently, according to the next two front page articles, finding opponents to play from other schools didn’t occur on a regular basis until the 1900’s.

The McCook Tribune, Nov. 25, 1898:

“The yellow and black of the Railroad Football club and the scarlet and cream of the High School team met on the gridiron, Thanksgiving afternoon, and after two heroic halves victory perched upon the banner of the yellow and black. The score stood six to nothing and was made in the beginning of the first half, the Railroad boys scoring on the kick-off by rushing the ball over the line by superior weight.”

It continued with this:

“The game was witnessed by quite a number of people with keen interest and vociferous enthusiasm. An admission fee of 15 cents was charged to the grounds and 25 cents to the grand stand.”

Then a year later the front page of Nov. 10, 1899 held this appeal:

“The McCook High School football team is out with a challenge to play any team in Red Willow county before or on Thanksgiving day. Games may be had by applying to J. LeHew, manager.”

Moving forward, the Sept. 12, 1902 paper, again on the front page, held this notice:

“Football practice was commenced on Tuesday evening. The material at hand gives promise of a formidable team later.”

By 1904 however, other teams from area high schools became available to play and the McCook Tribune, Nov. 18, front page made it clear that McCook’s team, though long in existence, was lagging behind in technique:

“The high school boys went down to Arapahoe, Saturday last, and were given several pointers in football by the high school lads of that burg. The score was 34 to 4 in Arapahoe’s favor. Arapahoe now claims to be champion of the Republican Valley.”

Next week we will follow the progress of high school boys to the 1914 Southwest Nebraska Champion ranks.

Southwest Nebraska Geneaology Society’s library would appreciate any donations of area high school annuals, both old and new, to round out their high school section. Should you not wish to donate, please consider allowing us to make a copy for public use.

Library hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and we are located at 110 West C, Suite M-3.