Still the Champs!

In 1968, I was a junior at Canoga Park high school. We started as sophmores, so it was my second year there. In August, football practice started. Hot and miserable we practiced twice each day, and we had been doing fitness workouts together for a month. Then the coaches announced that all team members would have their hair shaved (like a boot camp haircut). This was a big deal to some, especially the seniors, but we all did it. I think that was when the magic started.

Our school newspaper: The Hunter's Call"

The short version: we surprised everybody by wining the Los Angeles City Championship for the first and only time in Canoga Park's history! IT was a wonderful experience, and sticks with me to this day. The power of team work, and believing in yourself were driven home to me during this amazing season. 

#12 Keith "White Shoes" Litz runs the ball,
 Charlie Barker #75 blocks,
and Greg done "22 is ready for the pitch.

As a junior, I was on the kicking teams, and second team offensive and defensive tackle. At 6' 2" and 185, I was one of the tallest, but certainly not the biggest guys on the field. Because of injuries to the two senior lineman who played ahead of me, I got to start in 5 of the eight regular season games. In one game I was the only Canoga player to play both offense and defense. After playing defense in a few games I was given my coveted green practice jersey. The defensive team was called the "Green Machine", while the offense was the "White Wave". Great memories. We forged tremendous friendships with each other. They were a different kind of friendship. We didn't have to hang around together all the time, although some did. We became truly brothers. That's the best I can describe it, still doesn't feel like it conveys the deep level of commitment and love we feel to each other.

Coming off the field after holding Poly's Offense. #21 is Joe Mears.
I am partially visible behind #30, Tommy Lee. I wore #76. You can see
I was one of the tallest, and wore a white "neck roll" for extra
protection.

Yes, I used the present tense: feel. The team has gotten together several times for reunions over the years. Many of these have been hosted by our head coach, Jack Mathieson. To a football player, there is something god-like about the head coach. Now that can be good, or bad. I experienced both while playing. Coach Mathieson was good, very good. He had (and still has) a sense of humor, compassion, sternness, and understanding that came together in a wonderful mixture. He made it FUN, worked our asses off, did not tolerate slacking, and somehow brought that team together psychologically into a force. We truly believed we were unbeatable (we did lose one game, but that is another story). 

A young Coach Mathieson. He was also my swimming
coach as a sophomore.

In june we all gathered once again at Coach Mathieson's home in Arizona. He hosted us all at the Orange Tree Golf Resort in Scottsdale. We spent three days together, reminiscing and catching up on life. Not all could make it, but most of us were there. Most of us went on to play college football, but nothing was ever quite so satisfying and rewarding as that season in 1968 when we came together, and showed that grit, determination, hard work, and believing in yourself can make magic happen.

Here's some pictures of the reunion.

Joe Mears, and his wife Patti (she was one of our cheerleaders!)

Greg Done our "scat back" on the right,
with our QB Keith "White Shoes" Litz and his friend 

Billy Murillo, our defensive safety on the left,
and our kicker, Nick Lomax on the right.
 Billy's nick name was the "Frito Bandito" as he
 intercepted 13 passes during the season!

Nose Guard/Center Larry Megougerac (left),
 with Def. Tackle Kieth Fisher

Ray Dembroge was our offensive end. He now lives in
Carson City.

THe Frito Bandito, BOb Adams, our All City Running Back, and me.

Keith Fisher, Offensive Tackle Charlie Barker,
and Nose Guard Don Wolfram raise their glasses

Coach and his wife Helen.

Team picture. The banner was signed by all of us at a
previous reunion.

The coach was loving this picture! Many of the ladies were on
the cheer leading squad, or in the stands during our games.
Of course, Kim was going to school in South Lake Tahoe at the time.

Nice cake! It went fast!

It was a good time for all. Kind of sad that a few of us couldn't make it. It is amazing how rejuvenating these reunions are. Hopefully we will get together again in a few more years.

That's All!