Jackson High School and Jackson County Central
Year by Year Football History (1928-Present)

1928-  The first year for coach Lewey Swearingen.  Swearingen would stay at Jackson High School until 1961 Swearingen was from Fairmont, Mn. and graduated from Hamline College.  He also started the JHS baseball program in 1952.In 1928 JHS moved their football field from Pointers Park to the fair grounds on the south side of Jackson.                                               
            Their record for 1928 was 5-2-1.  The final game of the against Windom was played in of a crowd of over 2,000 people. This was the first year that the parents of the football team started the post season football banquet.

1929- Captain Ben Bartels led the Bluejays to a 5-2-1 season.  After losing the first two games of the season, Jackson went undefeated for the next six games.

1930 - The Bluejays went 4-3 with big wins over Worthington, Luverne, Windom and Sleepy Eye St. Mary's.Three of their victories were shutouts.  Tom Osterby threw for 3 touchdowns

1931-Considered one the best teams ever to play at Jackson High School, the 1931 Bluejays went 7-0  by outscoring their opponents 186-6.  Their closest game was against Fairmont,12-6.  Senior HB, Kent Snyder, intercepted a pass late in the game and returned for a touchdown to win the game.The Bluejays were led by Captain-End, Bruce Berryman and HB Kent Snyder.  Both players are considered to be two of the best players ever to play at JHS.  Berryman went on to play at the U of Minnesota and became a great player for them.  Kent Snyder scored 18 touchdowns his senior year. Snyder died in the summer of 1931 from tumor in between his lungs and heart.

**The 1931 Football team was considered to be best football team at JHS since 1903.  Up until 1931, the 1903 (4-1-1)team was the most famous.  Three of the boys that played on that team went on to be captains at Macalester, Ohio Western (Ohio State), and the University of Minnesota.
 

1931 Jackson High School Football (7-0)
Front Row - Bob Bjorn, Jack Richmond, Bruce Berryman, Captain, Abie Chozen, Boyd Holecek, Cliff Dunlavey
Second Row - Dick Snyder, Glen Olson, Bob Wasuo, Ernie Knutson, Jerry Psik, Spunt Matuzka, Pelge Nasby, Curt Bramacher, Don Jenson, Roland Eggestein
Third Row - Ass. Coach Al Peterson, Curly Musegades, Kent Snyder, Floyd Strubbe, Larry Hansen,  Bat Smith, Lyle Kelsey, Joe Haugland, Bert Swensrud, Coach Swearingen
**JHS outscored their opponents 186 to 6   Halfback Kent Snyder scored 18 TDs

1931 Starting Offensive Line Up
RE-Joe Haugland                    160
RT-Bat Smith                           170
RG-Lyle Kelsey                       180
C--Freeman Musegades        170
LG-Spunt Mustuska               160
LT-Bruce Berryman                195
LE-Floyd Strubbe                   170
LH-Ernie Knutson                  145
RH-Jerry Psik                          150
QB-Jack Richmond                150
FB-Kent Synder                     165

**Captain Bruce Berryman and halfback Kent Snyder led the 1931 Bluejays to a 7-0 season.  Berryman later played for the nationally ranked Minnesota Gophers.  Snyder scored 18 touchdowns, as the Jays outscored their opponents 186-6.  He was voted to the All-Southern Minnesota All-Star team after the 1931 season.  Kent Snyder died of a tumor that grew in between his heart and lungs in the summer of 1932.

*Star High School Athlete, Student Called Suddenly
Picture Caption: Kent Snyder, son of Mr & Mrs Jake Snyder of Alpha died at Rochester last Friday.  Graduated from Jackson High School this spring with high honors.

A path of sorrow was cast over the Jackson and Alpha communities last Friday when it became known that Keny Snyder, 18 years old son of Mr & Mrs Jacob Snyder, had died at a hospital in Rochester.  The cause of death was a tumor between the heart and lung.  Little could be done for him by medical experts.
    Kent Snyder was one of the best known and also one of the best loved young men in Jackson county.  His achievements in athletics while a student at Jackson high school heralded his name for miles around.  His activities were not confined to athletics alone but his quiet, unassuming young athlete also excelled in the classroom.  He was named one of the honor students of the 1932 graduating class.
    Shortly after the close of the school term, Kent was taken sick.  It was not at first thought to be serious but a local physician diagnosed his ailment as a tumor near the heart and he was taken to Rochester June 24th.
    His case was found to be beyond medical aid and he failed rapidly.  His parents were at his bedside when the end came shortly after 12 a.m. Friday.
    The death of Kent Snyder takes one of the finest all around students ever to graduate from Jackson High School.  His prowess on the athletic field made it almost certain that he would have become an outstanding college performer.
    During his three years in the local high school he participated in the three major sports; football, basketball and baseball.  He had captioned all three teams.  Last fall he won recognition by being chosen halfback on the all-southern Minnesota football team and a few months later he was chosen for the all-district basketball team.  He performed in every game as catcher of the high school baseball nine's schedule.
    Kent Snyder was born in Alpha July 24, 1914, the second son of Mr & Mrs Jacob Snyder.  He spent his boyhood days in Alpha and graduated from the eighth grade there in 1928.
    At the age of thirteen years he was united with the Presbyterian church.  Since that time he has been active in the work of the young people in the church.
    He transferred from the Alpha high school to Jackson after he had completed his first years in Alpha and finished his course in the local school this spring.
    Besides his father and mother, Mr & Mrs Jacob Snyder, Kent is survived by three brothers, John who will be a senior at Macalester college next fall, Wayne and Jacob Jr, one sister Ruth, at home.
    Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church in Alpha Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, the Rev. Grube officiating.  The church proved much to small to hold the large number of friends who came to pay their last respects.  A.O. Myron, superintendent of Jackson schools was present and spoke highly of the sterling qualities of the decedent.  The choir of the church sang two songs beautifully.
    The six pall bearers were class mates of the decedent and Coach Louis Swearingen.
    Interment was made in Riverside cemetery in Jackson.
   

Action picture taken at the Jackson fairgrounds during the early 1930's

Kent Snyder 5'9, 165 Halfback

Bruce Berryman 6'0 190 Offensive Linemen

1932-Captain Burton (Bat) Smith led the 1932 Bluejays to a 6-1 record. Victories came over Adrian, Lakefield, Fairmont, Blue Earth, Milford and Windom.  Their only loss was to Worthington, 0-14.

**From 1920 until 1927, Jackson won only 1 game against Windom, 5-0 in 1925. In 1923, the game was called off because of a flu epidemic.  In 1924, Windom won 73-3.

1933-JHS scored only 12 points in the 0-4-1 season.  Fairmont and JHS tied 0-0.Admission was charged for     the first time at 35 and 25 cents. The school board announced that a new athletic field was being planned at the end of 1st Street.

1934- JHS suffered its 2nd consecutive losing season as they finished 1 and 5.  Their only win was against Fairmont, 6-0.  The team was led by Captain Paul Strubbe.  Sophomore Bruce Berry lettered as Left End at the U of M.  Parents of the football started a JHS Football Booster Club.

1935-Adolph Porish scored 7 touchdowns to lead the Bluejays in scoring.  The 4-2-1 Bluejays shut out 4 opponents.  In the 39-0 victory against Lakefield Porisch gained 158 yards in 23 carries, while Mike  Hunt gained 173 yards in 21 tries.  JHS finished 2-1-1 in the Southwest Conference which consisted of Luverne (Champs), JHS, Pipestone, Windom, Worthington, and Lakefield.

1936-JHS finished 0-6 and scored only 2 touchdowns in the year.  It was generally considered the worst team of the 1930's.

1937-Captain Becker led the JHS to their second straight winless season.  JHS finished 0-6.  JHS became one of the first teams to film some of their home games in  this year.

1938-JHS broke their 12 game losing beating St. James, 25-0 in the first game of the year.  JHS finished strong by winning their last three games of the year.  Captain Warren Ruskel led the team to a 4-4 record, they finished second in the Southwest Conference. Sophomore Bob Kula scored 3 touchdowns and kicked 9 extra points.

** In 1938 the new high school was built and used.  Windoms Larry Buhler was a All-American HB for the Minnesota Gophers.  He later played several years in the NFL.

1939-Junior HB, Bob Kula led the Bluejays to a 7-1 season.  JHS finished in a tie with Marshall for the  Southwest Conference Championship.  Other teams in the conference were; Tracy, Worthington, Pipestone Windom, Lakefield, Luverne and Slayton.  The Bluejays outscored their opponents 141-32.  Their only loss was to Fairmont, 6-13. Kula scored 8 Td's, passed for 5 TD's and kicked 10 Extra Points.

**From 1930 through 1939 JHS's football record was 33-32-2.  Lewis Swearingen's record at JHS at this point was 43-36-4.

1940-The 1940's started with the first play of the year going for a 45 yard Touchdown run by JHS HB Bill King.  JHS beat St. James 30-0 with Sr. HB, Bob Kula kicking a 40 Yard field goal and 2 extra points.  Kula, a 220 pound drop kick specialist went on to lead the Bluejays to a 3-3 record.  He threw for 391 yards (50-19-6), scored 6 touchdowns and passed for 2 more.  In his career, Kula scored 14 touchdowns, kicked 30 extra points, kicked 2 Field Goals (43 &40) and passed for 5 touchdowns.  After high school, Kula went on to the University of Minnesota and played for 2 seasons. He was their kicker in the fall of 1942, before being drafted for WWII. The most interesting game of the season came on the last game when Worthington beat JHS,13-12,on a 105 run a fake punt by Worthington back, Jack Griffith late in the game.  He also had a 67 yard run in the game.

**In 1921 JHS beat St. James 102-0 and Worthington 106-0.

1941-Captain Art Bunderle led the JHS Bluejays to a 1-5-1 record. Their lone win came against Luverne 40-20.  Lakefield and JHS tied 20-20.

Starting Offensive Line Up for the 1940 Team

1942-Captain Howard Boell led the team to a 6-1 season and a Southwest Conference Championship (4-0). JHS outscored their opponents, 208-246. Boell led the team in scoring with 12 TD's and 14 Extra points. HB, Tom Cady scored 14 touchdowns. Cady and Boell were selected to the All-State team.  Big wins of season were a 59-13 win over Windom and a 40-0 win over Lakefield.  Against Lakefield, JHS outgained Lakefield 447-2 in total yardage.

1943-Captain Les Spangler led the team to a 2-4 Season.  Their two wins came over Lakefield 27-0 and Worthington, 31-0.  In the Worthington win,  the Trojans did not get a first down.
 

1944-Captain Walt Vacura led the team to 4-2-1 season. The two losses came to Fairmont, 6-24 and St.James, 6-13.  JHS and Windom played to a 0-0 tie.  Junior Vic Dannewitz scored  6 touchdowns and passed for 2 more.  Ted Codere scored 6 touchdowns on the season, 5 of which were against Worthington.

Front Row:  Swinbank, Tilla, Zimmerle, Yarns, Miller, VonNote, Lockner, Rasmussen
Second Row:  Hauge, Webster, Bargfrede, W. Vacura, D Anderson, Strom, Boell, G Vacura, A. Anderson
Third Row:  Coach Swearingen, Nagel, Muir, Ohlenkamp, McMoran, Codere, Dannewitz, Overaas, Larson, Coach Bonino
**Walt Vacura is number 51, Godfrey is number 60.

**Walt Vacura played in the 1945 Shrine All-Star Game in Minneapolis.
**Godfrey Vacura played in the 1946 Shrine All-Star Football  game in Minneapolis
**Bob Kula was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1945 in the 15th round.

1945-Captains Rod Muir and Don Sharp led the team to 6-1 season. They also won the Southwest Conference with a 4-0 record.  Other teams were Pipestone 3-0-1, Marshall 2-0-2, Luverne 3-2,Windom 2-2, Worthington 2-2-1, Tracy 1-3, Lakefield 0-4, and Slayton 0-3.  The last game of the season vs. St. James was snowed out.  Against Windom, JHS had a total of 506 yards and 23 first  downs.   Ohlenkamp finished his career with 11 touchdowns.  Vic Dannewitz scored 8 touchdowns,passed for 1, and kicked 11 extra points.

1946 Bluejays

1946-Captains Charles Moore and Harry Moore led the team to a 4-2 season.  JHS canceled their first game of the season against Emmetsburg due to Polio vaccinations.  Their losses came against Fairmont, 0-12 and Worthington, 0-32.
 

1947-Captain Tom Demars led the team to a 5-1-1 season. Their only loss came to Fairmont, 12-19.  Worthington and JHS tied 0-0.  Teams in the  Southwest conference were Worthington, 5-0-1, Jackson, 4-0-1, Marshall 3-1-1, Luverne, 3-3-0 and Windom, 3-3-1, Mountain Lake, 1-2-0, Pipestone, 1-3-0, Tracy, 1-3-1, Slayton, 0-3-2, and Lakefield, 0-3-1.  Christopher scored 12 touchdowns to lead the team, while Duane Larson scored 6.  Christopher, Herder and Kolander made the Honorable Mention All-State team.

**Coach Swearingen finished his 20th at JHS with a 75-54-6 record.

1948-Captain Duane Larson led JHS to a outstanding 7-1 season.  HB, Larson and FB Jack Olson led a offensive that scored 311 points(38.8 points per game), while the defense only gave up 31 points. On the year, Olson score16 Touchdowns and kicked 26 extra points. Tom Nusbaum scored 14 touchdowns, while Duane Larson scored 10 touchdowns and passed for 2 more.
 JHS lost to Windom 12-13 in a big upset loss.  The flu bug hit the Jackson schools and many of their top players did not play in the game. Windom blocked 2 punts late in the game and scored 2 touchdowns on short runs.  In a 55-0 win over Pipestone, Jack Olson scored 5 touchdowns in the first half.  Other big wins came over Lakefield, 54-0 and Estherville 60-0.
          In the biggest game of the year, JHS defeated Fairmont 27-12 before a crowd of 3,500 people. Trailing 0-12 at halftime, Duane Larson played the game of a lifetime as he started the come back win with a 60 yard run, and then later intercepted 2 passes that set up two more touchdowns.  It was the first time in 14 seasons that JHS defeated Fairmont.

**The 1948 Football team is considered to be one of the best teams ever to play at JHS.   It was a team with great depth, great line play and great overall speed and athletic ability.
**1948 marked the first year that JHS played football under the lights at Albertus Field.  The School, City and several business men combined forces for the lights.  In 1962 the lights moved to the new complex on the corner of Dewey Street and North Highway.

Front Row:  Aden Hakes, Jack Aamot, Ed Werkamp, Daryl Smith, Laurie Stedman, Allan Muir, Lowell Hanson
Second Row: Frank Nusbaum, Ken Webster, Duane  Larson, Jack Olson, Jim Smith, Jim Bartosh, Neil Muir, Clark Olson,
Ken Vacura        Third Row:  Herb Miller, Dick Hugunin, Harlo Handevidt, Tom Morton, Al Grunst, Lee Marquart, Jack Vachuska, Bob Morton, Al Anderson        Back Row:  Coach Swearingen, Marv Helling, Burdette Theorphilus, Ross Muir
Starting Offensive Line-up

1949-Senior Captain and All-State selection, Jack Hugunin led the team to a 5-1-1 season.  Hugunin scored 10 touchdowns on the season and was outstanding defensive player.  He played at the University of Minnesota. JHS's only loss came against Windom 7-9.

**JHS finished the 1940's decade with a 40-18-4 record. Swearingen's record at JHS is now 87-56-7.

1950-Captain Jim Smith led the team to a 7-1 record.  Smith led the team offensively and defensively.  Their only loss came to Luverne, 0-14.  In 1950, the Bluejays defeated three undefeated team during the year.Their biggest win came against Windom in a 14-12 win.  JHS was trailing 12-0 in the fourth quarter, the Bluejays scored 14 points to snap Wimdoms 13 game winning streak.  JHS outscored their opponents156-61.

	Left-3 year starter in Basketball and Football Jim Smith's four sons would play in the 1970's Upper Right-Running backs Jerry Benda, 5"11, 175 and Roger Yarns 6"0 185 with Coach Swearingen. Lower Right-Outstanding student and athlete, Dick Hugunin, 6"0, 195, would later play at the University of Minnesota.

1951-The Bluejays were outscored 59-220 in their 1-6 season.  Their only win came against Lakefield, 33-0.

1952-Captains John Alstadt and Duane Crawley led the team to 3-3-2 record.  Wins came against Luverne, Lakefield and Windom.  Their biggest loss came to Pipestone, 6-51.  In 1951 and 1952, Pipestone outscored JHS, 6-110.

1953-JHS celebrated one of their great teams by going undefeated, 8-0, by outscoring their opponents 308-45.Captains Jerry Benda and Jim Yarns led the team.  Their biggest win came against Pipestone in a 34-6 victory.  The win snapped a 19 game Pipestone winning streak.  In other big games, JHS scored 26 points in the second half to beat Worthington 40-14. They beat Windom 47-0 in front of 2,200 paid fans. Jerry Benda finished his 4 year career as a starting running back with 20 touchdowns.  Warren Bailey  kicked 28 extra points.  Against Redwood Valley, JHS passed for a school record 116 yards in the game.
      They averaged 351 yards per game on offense, and gave up 158 yards per game of defense.  They were the Southwest Conference Champs and finished ranked 5th in the state.

**Jerry Benda finished his outstanding career at JHS by playing the High School All-Star Shrine Football game in the summer of 1954.
**1949 graduate of JHS, Bob Morton lettered 4 years and  made the all-Big Eight Team at the University of Colorado.  He was a outstanding lineman at JHS and at the University of Colorado.

First Row-L. Hargan, W. Goede, G. Yarns, H. Skow, R. Peterson, C. Sampson, K. Wilson, J. Swanson
Second Row- M. Nasby, G. Hunt, R. Bargfrede, D. Cunningham, F. Landis, L. Dilley, R. Muir, J. Vacura, G. Muir, G. Willet, W. Bailey
Third Row-Coach Farrell, F. Lockner, W. Davis, R. Creegen, N. Bute, R. Wilson, J. Benda, Coach Swearingen, R. Yarns, M. Olson, J. Pivo, J. Parkins, J. Verdick, Coach Lewer
Fourth Row-B. Donwen, J. Westby, N. Rogentine, G. Von Ohlen, R. Berg, D. Alstad. D. Cunningham, D. Schultz, R. Lee, P. Larsen, J. Nestergaard, D. Bond

1954-Captains Marv Bond and Ron Lee led the Bluejays to a 3-5 record.  They beat Mountain 14-12 for their14th straight win.  Other big wins came over Windom 27-12 and Redwood Falls 28-12. Warren Bailey kicked 40 extra points in his career to be the all time leading kicked in JHS history.

1955-Captains Jim Vacura and George Muir led the Bluejays to their 2nd undefeated team in three years.  JHS finished the season at 7-0-1.  JHS aveaged 353 yards per game while giving up only 191 per game.  Their 542 passing yards set a school record.  They averaged 32.3 points per game and gave up 6.6 points per game. Their only blemish on their season was a 14-14 tie with Fairmont.  They won the SWC title.
          The touchdown twins of Sr. FB, Jim Vacura and Jr. HB, Billy Madson led the team in all offensivecatagories.  They scored 33 touchdowns between them and rushed for over 1600 yards.  Vacura scored 22 touchdowns,(133 {points) rushed for 1037 yards, (JHS's first 1000 yard rusher), caught 12 passes 337 yards and was the teams leading defensive player.  Madson scored 11 touchdowns and gained 600 yards rushing.Jim Vacura ended his career with 23 touchdowns and 141 points. 

**Jim Vacura played in the 1956 Shrine All-Start football game.  He was the third Vacura to play
in game.  Walt played in the 1945 game, and Godfrey in the 1946 game.  Jim Vacura went on to
star at South Dakota State for 3 years.  He later played with the Boston Patriots in the AFL.


Front Row-C. Coonrad, E. Marquart, R. Wenzel, D. Wheeler, D. Schlager, D. Holt, A.Benson, G. Muir,
P. Von Ohlen, T. Ringkob Second Row-G. Bond, G. Willet, K. Wilson, R. Matuska, D. Cunningham,
G. Muir, J. Vacura, B. Madson, J. Nestergard, R. Roesner, R. Bargfrede, V. Muir, D. Fogelman
Third Row-Coach Berger, C. Voss, k. Nyborg, M. Skow, G. Larsen, A. Larson, D. Stolp, J. Dostal, Coach Swearingen.
Starting Offensive Line-Up
QB-Dave Cunningham            Sr.
FB-Billy Madson                    Jr.
      Gordon Willet                   Sr.
LH-Jim Vacura                       Sr.
RH-George Muir                    Sr.
LE-Ken Nyborg                     Jr.
LT-Gaylord Larsen                 Sr.
LG-Rollie Roesner                  Sr.
C--Bob Matuska                    Sr.
RG-Kieth Wilson                    Sr.
RT-Harold Skow                    Sr.
RE-Rueben Bargfrede             Sr. 

1956-Captain Billy Madson and Ken Nyborg led the Bluejays to a 4-3 record.  JHS won their 11th and 12th consecutive games over Mountain Lake, 40-6 and Luverne, 25-12.  Pipestone broke their winning steak with a 25-20 win.  In a 27-21 win over Fairmont, Fairmont lost 7 fumbles.   Madson led the Bluejay offense 713 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.  In his career, Madson scored 21 touchdowns and rushed for 1,313 yards.

**Billy Madson played in the 1957 Shrine  All-Star Football game.  Gopher coach, Bill Bierman was their coach.  Madson averaged 50 yards per punt.

1957-Captains Vern Muir and Dave Stolp led Lewis Swearingen's 30th year to a 6-1-1 record.  Junior HB, Mark Aamot rushed for 924 yards in 90 carries, and scored 17 touchdowns. 14 of Aamot's touchdowns were over 20 yards. JHS's only loss came Luverne 14-12.  The tie came against Windom 6-6.

1958-Captains Mark Aamot and Paul Strubbe led the Bluejays to a 5-2 season. Their two losses came Luverne 27-20 and Fairmont 20-7.  Luverne won the Southwest Conference title.  End Paul Strubbe, HB Gary Natterstadt, tackle Don Benda, HB Mark Aamot, fullback Gene Craven were selected to the  Southwest Conference All-Conference Team.  The backfield of QB, Jory Watland, FB Gene Craven, and HB's Mark Aamot and Gary Natterstadt were the best all-around backfield in JHS history.  In the spring of 59, the four backs went to the state in the 880 yard relay. Although Mark Aamot played most of the year injured, he scored 12 touchdowns, gained 933 yards rushing in 92 carries, had 192 yards in 8 kick off returns, 115 yards in punt return yards in 5 attempts, had 5 pass interceptions, and 50 yards in pass receiving.  In his career, Aamot gained 2007 yards rushing in 207 attempts and scored 31 touchdowns. Against Pipestone, Aamot gained 299 yards in 15 carries.

**Mark Aamot was one of the most pronounced student-athletes in JHS history. He was outstanding in Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track and Golf.  Aamot was a outstanding student that excelled in the classroom, in choir and band.
    In 1959 Aamot played in the Shrine All-Star Football and played very well.  After High School Aamot went on to St. Olaf College and excelled in Football and Basketball.  After college he became one of the best band directors in the upper midwest.
    Also, in 1959, Mark Aamot was announced as the Minnesota Athlete of the Year.

Mark Aamot, 5'10, 160 Left Halfback

Jory Watland, 6'0, 170 Quarterback

Gary Natterstadt, 5'9, 145, Right Halfback

Gene Craven, 5'11, 175 Fullback

1959-Captain Bob Anderson led the Bluejays to 1-6-1 record.  JHS lost the first 6 games of the season and then tied Windom, 13-13, and beat Lakefield 19-0.  JHS set school records in passing.  They threw the ball 63 times and completed 24.  Against Lakefield, JHS threw for 163 Yards. (9-13).  On the year the Bluejays gained only 1096 yards, an average of only 136 yards per game.

**The decade of the 50's finished with a 45-27-5 record with two undefeated teams, 1953 and 1955.
Swearingens record after the fall of 1959 was 132-83-12.

**The All-Star Shrine Football game was canceled after the 1959 season.  It continued after the 1973 season.

  1960-Captains Bruce Rassmussen and Harlo Schneekloth led the team to a 5-2-1 record.  JHS started the decade off with a 24-13 win over Mountain Lake.  Their losses came to Luverne, 19-0 and Pipestone,7-20.  Worthington and JHS tied, 13-13.  Luverne won the Southwest Conference with Pipestone finishing 2nd and Jackson 3rd.  End Dick Hansen, Tackle Lenny Rowe, Guard Harlo Schneekloth, Quarterback,Mark Wilhelm and HB Bruce Rassmussen made the all-conference team.JHS broke all the passing records this year.  Quarterback Mark Wilhelm passed for 831 yards (45-84),15 touchdowns.  Dean Libra caught 17 passes for 400 yards and 7 touchdowns, End Dick Hansen caught 16 passes for 250 yards and 6 touchdowns.  In his career, Wilhelm passed for 1381 yards (65 for 144)  and 17touchdowns.

1961-In Lewis Swearingens last season and the last season that varsity football was played on Albertus Field, captains Roger Fransen and Dean Libra led the Bluejays to 6-1 season. Their only loss came to Albert Lea, 7-14.  JHS won the Southwest Conference and End, Larry Willet, Tackle, Bill Hassing, Guard, Roger Fransen, HB Dean Libra and HB, John Lilleberg were All-Conference.  Dean Libra led the team offensively in rushing and pass receiving.  He best game was against Pipestone when he scored 4 touchdowns  in a 39-6 win.  Libra scored 19 touchdowns in career and later starred at Augustana College in South Dakota.

**Lewis Swearingen finished his coaching career at Jackson High School with a 143-86-13 in his 34 years. Swearingen was a 16 time letter winner at Fairmont High School.  From there he went to Hamline College and was a outstanding Football and Baseball player. After college, he tried out for the St. Paul Saints in the NFL.  Swearingen came to Jackson in the fall of 1928. Lewis Swearingen died in his class room in 1967. He was 66 years old.

Front Row-J. Cain, M. Bradley, E. Michelson, J. Pletz, D. Sathe, F. Westerlund, C. Porisch, D. Nasby, J. Muir
Second Row-D. Gingerich, D. Skow, D. Nyborg, C. Benda, R. Fransen, D. Libra, D. Borer, L.  Hovinga, J. Lilleberg
Third Row-Coach Berger, D. Tow, D. Vanderpool, B. Drahota, D. Bornholt, A. Hansen, B. Hassing, K. Borchard, L. Willet, Coach Swearingen
 

1962-The first year that Varsity Football games were played on the new facilities on Springfield
Parkway.  The land was purchased from the Nestergaard families.  The plan for the new facility included a new football field, a track, baseball field with a grand stand, and a softball field with a grand stand.  All but the softball field were completed on that complex.  The fields were laid out with water lines that surrounded all the fields.  Many of the water lines were not used until the mid-80's.

1962-Don Larsen was chosen to replace Lewis Swearingen.  His team was captained by Guard Chuck Benda and Quarterback Kent Borchard and went 6-2 on the new Football Field on Springfield Parkway.  JHS's two losses were to Owatona, 6-13 and Fairmont 41-26.  They won the Southwest Conference  Championship with Windom coming in second.The first touchdown on the new field came on the 2nd offensive play in the first game against Lake Crystal. Sophomore Right Halfback, Dennis Hale took the hand off and went off left tackle for a 55 yard touchdown.  Hale went on to score 11 touchdowns on the season. Against Pipestone he caught 3 touchdown passes of 66, 37 and 3 yards from QB Kent Borchard.  End, Bill Drahota, Guard,  Chuck Benda, Quarterback, Kent Borchard and Fullback Duane Tow made the Southwest All-Conference Team.  .

**The new field football was officially name Swearingen Field in 1962.  It was presented during half time of the Worthington Game.
**Chuck Benda was voted to the Minnesota High School All-State Team.

Early photo taken at Swearingen Field in the Spring of 1963
from the Northeast Corner of the football field
 

1963-Charles Kankel replaced Don Larsen as Head Coach of Bluejays.  JHS went 4 and 5 in his only year as coach. Their wins came against Lake Crystal, Marshall, Pipestone, and Slayton.  Dennis Hale was the teams leading scorer with 8 touchdowns and 4 extra points.

**1964 was the first official year of the modern day Southwest Conference. Redwood Falls, Marshall, Pipestone, Luverne, Worthington, Slayton, Windom and Jackson made up the eight team conference.

1964-Wes Wistrom replaced Charles Kankel as head coach and led the team to their first undefeated season     since 1955 (7-0-1).  Dennis Hale and Craig Muir were captains.  The Bluejays only blemish on their record came to Fairmont in a 14-14 tie.  JHS won the SWC and finished 6th in the State rankings. QB, Dennis Hale, FB John Lee, HB Craig Muir, Tackle Gary Willink, and Guard Del Stedman made the All-Conference team. JHS outscored their opponents 23.4 to 4.9.  They shut out 4  of their 8 opponents.

**Dennis Hale finished his career with 30 touchdowns and 10 extra points for 190 points.  He rushed for 2013 yards in 239 attempts to surpass Mark Aamot record of 2007 Yards.  In Hale's career, he amassed 3,937 all purpose yards.
** Dennis Hale was voted to 1964 All-State football team and to the WCCO prep team of the week 3 times.
** Hale went on to be a 3 year starter at the University of Minnesota.  In 1968, he was the MVP of the Blue-Gray All-Star game as he intercepted 3 passes in the game.  In 1976 he became the Head Football coach at Worthington High School.

1964 JHS Bluejays

1965-Captains John Lee and Glen Liembach led the team to back to back undefeated seasons as they finished  8-0. The Bluejays gave up only 26 points on the year as they shut out 6 of the 8 opponents.  They won the SWC for the 2nd straight year and extended JHS's winning to 16 games.  HB Mark Eggiman, HB Glen Leimbach, C, Terry Seierstadt, LBer, John Lee and Tackle Gordon Ruskell were voted to the All-conference team.

**Glen Leimbach made the All-State football team.  He later went on to the Air Force Academy and was the captain his senior year.
**John Lee went on the University of Minnesota and played one year as a linebacker.  He is considered by many as the best defensive player ever to play at JHS.

Best Defensive Team in JHS history
DE-    80    Dave Hutchinson        5'11    180    Jr.
DT-    81    Terry Seierstad          6'3       205    Sr.
DT-    72    Randy Snow                5'11    230    Jr.
DE-    23    Glenn Liembach         6'0       200    Sr.
CB-    22    Rich Stolp                   6'2       165    So. 
S-       25    Mark Eggiman           5'10     170    Sr.
LB-    40    Jerry Vacura              6'0        190   Jr.
MLB 70    John Lee                     6'2       215    Sr.
LB-    62    Gordy Ruskell            5'11     180    Jr.
S-       20    Joe Anderson             5'10      170   Jr.
CB-    60    Mike Ksumach          6'0        189   Sr.

1966-Captains Gordy Ruskell and Jerry Vacura led the team to 6-3 record. JHS had their 15 game winning snapped in the first game of the season against Albert Lea, 7-20.  Other losses during the year were against Windom, 14-19, and Fairmont 21-27.  The biggest win of the season came against Luverne, 42-0, as both teams were 4-1 and in conference play.  QB Joe Anderson, Center, Dick Seierstadt, End Dave Hutchinson, FB Jerry Vacura and HB Richie Stolp made the All-Conference team.  Stolp led the team in scoring with 11 touchdowns.JHS won the Southwest Conference Championship for the 3rd straight year.

**Dick Sierstadt was chosen to the WCCO All-State team in 1966, Hale(1964) and Liembach (1965) were also on that All-State Team.
     
1967-Captains Rich Benda and Paul Porisch led the team a 5-4 record. Losses were Albert Lea, 7-26,Worthington 0-34, Marshall 0-33, and Fairmont 6-20.  All-Conference player were HB Rich Stolp,Tackle, Rich Benda and tackle Rolf Grudem.  Their biggest win of the season came against Windom in a 46-27 win.  JHS gained 406 yards rushing and 51 yards passing.

1968-Rolf Grudem, Tom Olson and Tom Eggiman captained the 8-1, Southwest Conference Champs. Their only loss came on the last game against Fairmont 6-13.  All-Conference members were DE Randy Olson, Tackle Rolf Grudem, HB Steve Peterson, FB Rick Vacura and Quarterback Larry Armstrong.  Vacura  gained 949 yards rushing and scored 12 touchdowns as a junior.

Rick Vacura, 6'2, 215, HB

Jerrod Vacura, 61'220, Linemen

Jerry Vacura, 6'1,190, HB, LBer

1969-Captains Rick Vacura and Steve Peterson led the team to 7-1-1 record and SWC championhip.  All  Conference players on that team were HB Rick Vacura, FB Steve Peterson, QB Brent Chozen, E Charlie  Clarksean, Guard Tim Petrick and Guard Tim Tyrrel.  Their only loss came to Fairmont 6-7 and their tie was against Windom 14-14.

Vacura Family
Rudolph Vacura        Guard and Tackle        1924-25
Harold Vacura           Right Tackle                1927-28
Cyril Vacura              Halfback                       1928-29
Gordon Vacura          Left End                        1934-35
Walt Vacura              Tackle                           1942-43
Godfrey Vacura         Tackle                          1942-44
Ken Vacura                Guard                           1949-51
Jim Vacura                 Half Back                     1953-55
Jerry Vacura              Half Back                     1965-67
Rick Vacura               Half Back                     1966-69
Guy Vacura                Guard                           1975-77

** Steve Peterson and Rick Vacura formed one of the best backfield combinations in JHS history. Vacura weighed 215 and Peterson 210.  Vacura signed at the Universtiy of Texas and played 2 years before a knee injury sidelined him. Peterson was the starting fullback at NDSU until injuries sidelined him.  Several players from that1969 team went on and played in college including, Charlie Clarksean at SDSU, and Brent Chosen at Augustana.
**Rick Vacura was the son of Walt Vacura who played in the Shrine Game of 1944.  Rick scored 28 touchdowns in career and rushed for 2516 yards.  His career rushing yardage passed Dennis Hale set in 1964.Vacura was a 4 year starter for JHS, the first 4 year  starter since Jerry Benda in the early 50's.

**The 1960's ended with a record 62-19-3 and 7 Southwest Conference Championships.  It has been said that Jackson High School had as many Division I athletes per capita as anyone in the state.  Over 50 JHS football players went on to play in college.

Front Row-D. Schley, C. Clarksean, R. Vacura, M. Simmons, B. Chozen, T. Roggow, R. Senesac, D. Rosenbrook, T. Petrick, T. Tyrrell, Coach Norman
Second Row, Coach Wistrom, J. Herman, M. Bettin, R. Ringquist, T. Sabatka, S. Holmes, C. Miller, J. Lere, D. Gilbert, N. Jorgenson, M. Porisch, S. Peterson, B. Mariner, Coach Froyum

All-American, Rick Vacura

1970-Captains Bill Hutchinson and Mark Pengra led the team to a 4-3-2 record.  Losses were to Blue Earth 20-29, Luverne 12-13, and Fairmont 7-13.  The two ties were to Marshall and Worthington.  All SWC players were LBer Mark Porisch, HB Bill Hutchinson and tackle Mark Pengra.

1971-Captains Dave Pengra and Brian Bettin led the team to a 3-5-1 record. Losses came against Blue Earth 12-21, Windom 19-27, Pipestone 0-7, Marshall 0-7, and Fairmont 14-32.  All SWC players were Guard Craig Fransen and guard Dennis Whisney.

1972-Captain Jim Lilleberg led the team to a 6-3 record.  JHS finished second in the conference with a 6-1 record. Luverne won the title with a 7-0 record.  Their three losses came to Fairmont 26-0, Blue Earth  28-7 and Luverne 20-7.  Tackle Jim Lilleberg, QB Scott Bargfrede, HB Craig Abraham and HB Rick Ailts made the All SWC Team. 

**1972 marked the first year that the MSHl had a true football play- off for the state championship.
Classes were set up for 9-Man, C,B,A and AA.  At this time only the conference champion, and a point system, allowed teams to the play-offs.

1973-Capatins Ned Garber, Monte Beck and Craig Abraham led the Bluejays to a 8-2 and a SWC Championship. It was their first SWC title since 1969. JHS's only losses were to Blue Earth 13-14 and Hutchinson in the first round of the state play offs, 25-21.  Hutch, led by future U of Minnesota Captain and NFL player, Stan Sytsma, drove the ball 80 yards on their last possession and scored the winning  touchdown with a 45 seconds left to win the game.  In the first game of the year, Jackson beat Fairmont 7-6 for the first time in 7 years.  QB Scott Bargfrede led the offense with 622 yards rushing, and 502 yardspassing.  He also scored 8 touchdowns rushing and passed for 5 touchdowns and kicked 17 extra points. Halfbacks Rick Ailts and Craig Abraham rushed for 774 and 743 yards respectively. The entire backfield of FB Monte Beck, QB Scott Bargfrede, HB's Craig Abraham and Rick Ailts made the All-SWC football team.  Also, lineman John Knaabe and Randy Assmus and End Gary Ahlbrecht were on the team. JHS average 301 yards per game on offense and gave up 161 yards per game.

Scott Bargfrede and Rick Ailts made various All-State teams.  Both players went on the University of Minnesota and played one year.  In the spring, Ailts won the state championship in the discus and shot put.

1974-Captains Tom Benson, Bruce Huginun and Bob Dietz led the team to 1-8 season.  Their victory came against Slayton, 7-6.

1975- Captains Randy Roggow, Ron Whisney and Wayne Drahota led the team to 1-8 record.  Their only win came against Slayton, 16-0.  JHS was shut out in their first 3 games of the season.  They scored only 4  touchdowns on the season.  LBer Ron Whisney and HB Randy Roggow made the All SWC team. Windom with a 6-1 record won the conference.

1976-Captains Dennis Bosshart and Jeff Bullock led the team to 2-7 record.  The two wins came against Slayton, 22-18 and Pipestone, 6-0.  Standings in the SWC were;Worthington 7-0, Marshall 5-2, Pipestone 4-3, Luverne 4-3, Windom 4-3, Jackson 2-5, Redwood Falls 1-6 and Slayton 1-5.   JHS passed for only118 yards for the entire year.  Guy Vacura made the All SWC made, while Curt Shellum and Ross Libra were Honorable Mention.

** Coach Wes Wistrom finished his 13 year career at JHS this year. It was his 19th year of coaching.  He finished with a 66-45-5 record with 7 conference championships.

1977-Capatins Dan Schley and Tim Helmers led the team to a 2-7 record.  Assistant coach Jim Mader took over as head coach after the 1976 season.  JHS victories came over Redwood Falls, 14-0 and Slayton 13-7.  HB Tim Helmers and guard Kevin Christopher made the All- SWC team.  Greg Hartzler was voted honorable mention.  Helmers was voted Player of the Year by his teammates. 

1978-Captains John Miller and Curt Ringenberg led the team to a 2-7 record.  Their only wins came against Slayton 10-7, and Luverne 26-6.  HB Bruce Burns and Tackle Bob Ruby made the SWC All-Conference Team.  Burns was voted MVP by his teammates.

1979-Captain Bret Ailts led the team to a 3-6 record.  Their wins were against Blue Earth 35-14, Slayton 24-21 in overtime, and Luverne 16-13. In the game against Slayton, JHS tied the game with 1 second left in the game on a 20 yard pass from Bret Ailts to Greg Schnieder.  Ailts then kicked 23 yard field goal to win the game.  Bret Ailts and Ken Murray made the All-SWC team.  Murray gained 756 and Ailts 727 yards to lead the team in rushing.

  **Jim Mader moved to Albany High School and became a assistant coach for two years and then became the Head Coach for 25 years.  There he led Albany to 2 State Championship.  In 1998, his team beat Jackson in the championship game, 55-7.

The 1970's are generally known as the "Dark Ages" of JHS football as their record fell to 33-55-3 for that decade.

Bret Ailts, brother of Rick Ailts won the State Championship in Shot Put, Discus and Long Jump in the Spring of 1980.

1980-The 1980's started with a new head coach, Dave Wells and a 0-9 record. JHS scored only 32 points on   the season and gave up 257.  Pipestone won the SWC with a 7-0 record, Marshall 6-1, Luverne 5-2,           Windom 4-3, Slayton 3-4, Redwood Falls, 2-5, Worthington 1-6 and Jackson 0-7 finished out the order.300 pound tackle, John Miller made the All-SWC team with Terry Hummel named to the Honorable Mention team.

1981-Sherburn's Paul Krohn replaced Dave Wells as the head coached.  Captains Terry Hummel and  Brain Roggow led the team to a 2-7 record.  Their wins came over Sherburn, 19-0 and Luverne 13-0.Conference standings were Redwood Falls 6-1, Pipestone 5-2, Worthington 5-2, Marshall 4-3,  Slayton 3-4, Jackson, 1-6 and Luverne 0-7.  HB Brain Roggow gained 704 yards in 105 carries and mad  the All-SWC team.  Terry Hummel was selected to the Honorable Mention team.

Due dwindling enrollment, Slayton dropped out of the Southwest Conference after the 1981-82 season.
**The new school on Springfield Parkway would used for the first time in the fall of 1982.

1982-Dave Uhlir replaced Paul Krohn as head coach.  Captains Dan Lamack and Dan Smith led the team to a 2-7 record.  The wins came over Luverne,8-6 and Sleepy Eye St. Mary's 20-0.  The conference  standings were Marshall 6-0 (9-0), Redwood Falls 5-1, Pipestone 4-2, Worthington 3-3, Windom 2-4, Jackson 1-5, Luverne 0-6.  Dan Lamack made the all-SWC team and QB Jeff Luhnman made the Honorable Mention team.

1983-Tyrone Wacker became the 5th head coach in 5 years at JHS.  Captains Greg Hunt and Steve Schultz led the team to a 7-2 record.  JHS tied for the conference championship with Worthington and Marshallwith a 5-1 record.  The Bluejays beat Worthington, 14-0 and lost to Marshall 6-14.  Worthington won thethe coin flip to advance to the state play-offs. All-Conference players were Guard Tom Fransen, End Steve Schultz, DB Todd Schlager, and FB-LBer Greg Hunt.  Honorable Mention players were QB Kevin Nordquist, Tackle John Stensland, HB Mike Swanson and end Jeff Temple. QB Kevin Nordquist set several passing records as he attempted 120 passes and completed 54.  Both school records.  Steve Schultz was theleading pass receiver with 18 catches.JHS averaged only 11.7 points per game while giving up only 7.7.  The 11.7 was the lowest point totalof any JHS team that won a SWC championship.

**Coach Wacker came to Jackson from Huron College in South Dakota.  He also coached at Worthington Community College, South Dakota State College and Gaylord, Minnesota.  His team at Gaylord High School won the State Championship in 1972, the first year that the MSHL sponsored the state tournament.

**End Steve Schultz, (6'4, 220)was selected to play in the Shrine All- Star Game.  After high school, Steve had a outstanding career at  South Dakota State .

1984-Captains Kevin Cromwell and Tom Larsen led the team to a 5 and 4 record.  The Bluejays started the season off with 5 straight wins and lost 4 straight games.  Sophomore Quarterback, Wade Wacker broke11 passing records on the season.  Junior receivers, Jon Lilleberg and Bruce Johnson both caught 20 passes to break the school record on pass receptions.  DB Kevin Cromwell and QB Wade Wacker were selected to the all-conference team.  LBer Tom Larsen and DT Harold Miller were honorable mention.

1985-Captains Mike Lloyd and Eric Ringquist led the team to a Class B State Championship season. On the season the Bluejays went 13-1.  Their only loss came in a 0-2 loss to Windom in a sleet storm.  JCC tied Marshall for the SWC crown with a 6-1.  During the regular season,  Jackson beat Marshall 14-13.  The 85 Bluejays were loaded with great team depth and talent.  Many people felt that great team speed on defense and Wade Wackers ability to run the veer offense was the key to their state championship.  JHS broke 32 records during the year. Wacker broke all the passing records including 1158 passing yards and 1989 total offensive yards. He also scored 13 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver, Jon Lilleberg caught 32 passes for 518 yards and 8 touchdowns. Senior running back, Bruce Johnson rushed or 1274 yards and scored 13  touchdowns.    RB Bruce Johnson, WR John Lilleberg, DB Andy Lundblad, LBer Jim Reed, DE Eric Ringquistand QB Wade Wacker for selected for the SWC Team.  Guard, Brian Michelson and Tackle Dave Macek were honorable mention. JHS started their march for the championship with a home 34-0 win over Mankato Loyola. In the section quarter finals they beat Wabasso 41-15.  In the section finals,  JHS matched up with Coach Wacker's old high school team, Gaylord, and came from behind to win 19-13.  JHS marched 75 yards in the final 3 minutes to win the game.  Most people felt that Gaylord was the best team JHS had played in the fall of 85.
         The first round of the State Tournament was played against St. Charles at Hutchinson, Mn.  The game was scheduled to be played in Jackson, but a ice storm in southwest Minnesota forced the game to be moved. The game was played in bitter wind and cold, as JHS prevailed 14-6.  The semi-final game was against Watertown in Jackson.  During the week and snow storm hit in southwest Minnesota and left 14 inches of snow.  The snow was cleared with graders and snow blowers.  Towns people worked though the night to get the field ready for Saturday afternoon.  In what has been called one of the fiercest defensive games played in JHS history, the Bluejays held the vaunted Watertown team to 136 total yards and allowed them over the 50 yard line only on the last play of the game.  JHS moved to the Metro-Dome with a 14-0 win.
      In the Metro-Dome, JHS beat Mahnomen 26-20 despite losing 6 fumbles.  The game was tied 14-14 at the half.   There were several outstanding plays and players in the final game at the dome.  Most people connected with the game felt that the leadership of Andy Lundblad and the defensive play LBer Mike Lloyd were the keys to the victory.

**Bruce Johnson was selected to play in the 1986 Shrine Football game.  After High School, Johnson went on to play at Gustavus Adolphus.

1986-Captains Wade Wacker and Mark Rodina led the team to a 5-4 record and tie for the SWC title.  After getting off to a 5-1 start, the Bluejays lost their last 3 games of the year.  In a unusual season, 5 games were play in rain storms or very wets fields. Wacker led the team in scoring with 11 touchdowns, 1 field goal and 10 extra points.  Rodina was the teams leading rusher with723 yards.  QB Wade Wacker and RB-LB Mark Rodina made the SWC all conference team.  Guard Dale Lucht was honorable mention.

**Wade Wacker was selected to play in the Shrine All Star Football game.  He broke all existing passing records and total yardage records.  He was voted to the All SWC football teams 3 straight years.
**Mark Rodina went on play 4 years at South Dakota State College.

1987-Captains Scott Bahr, Scott Benda and Packey Haberman lead the team to a 3-5 record. Marshall won  the SWC title with Luverne and Redwood Falls finishing 2nd and 3rd.  Tackle Terry Bannister made the all SWC team, while LBer Rob Hunt was selected to honorable mention team.  HB Barry Johnson led the team in rushing with 649 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

1988-Captains Scott Anderson, Dusty Bosshart and Dewey Mix led the team to a 7-3 record.  In what was suppose to be a down year, the young Bluejays finished third in the conference behind champions Luverne and runner-up, Marshall.  Voted to the All SWC team were DB Scott Holm,LB Steve Vant Hul, LB Todd Shover and RB Dewey Mix.  Selected on the honorable mention team were TE Kurt Schentzel, Center Linc Wells and Guard Jerrod Vacura. 

**Jerrod Vacura was a 3rd generation Vacura to play football at JHS.  His grandfather was Walt,  played in the 1940's, and his father was Jerry Vacura,  played in the 1960's.

1989-Captains Steve Vant Hul, Lincoln Wells and Jerrod Vacura led the team to a 7-5 and Section  Championship.  JHS finished in 6th place in the SWC with Windom winning the championship.  Section wins came over Lake Crystal 35-15, Janesville 50-8 and St. James 9-0.  In the first round of State Tournament, JHS lost to the eventual state champion, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 13-30.  LBer Steve Vant Hul made the all SWC Team, while HB Tracy Allen and Guard Jarrod Vacura made honorable mention.  Junior halfback, Tracy Allen broke the school record for rushing yards, which was held by Bruce  Johnson in 1985, with 1291 yards in 212 carries.  He also scored 14 touchdowns.

**The 1980's featured a State Championship, 2 Section Championships, and 3 SWC championships.
After a slow start in the early part of the decade, JHS finished at 51-47.

1990-Captains Tracy Allen, Steve Mix and Chris Koehne led the team to a 3 and 6 record.  Their biggest win came on the last regular season game of the year when they defeated the unbeaten Worthington Trojans,19-13.  Other wins were over Windom, 17-0 and Maple River 56-24.  All-Conference players were FB Steve Mix, TB Tracy "Doc" Allen, WR Eric Johnson, and QB Lincoln Wacker.Tracy Allen finished the season with 638 yards and 6 touchdowns.  His career total for rushing yards was 2069, 2nd in JHS history behind Rick Vacura.  Pipestone won the SWC.

1991-Captains Chad Drevor, Eric Johnson, and Lincoln Wacker led the team to a 4-5 record.  JHS finished 4rth in the SWC behind Marshall, Worthington, and Luverne.  The Bluejays lost in the first round of the playoffs to Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, 36-47 in a game that produced 984 yards of offense.  WR Eric Johnson, QB Lincoln Wacker and RB Chad Drevor made the SWC all conference team.On the season, Lincoln Wacker passed for 1,091  yards. The second highest in JHS history behind his older brother, Wade Wacker.   The younger Wacker finished with 1,846 passing yards in his career, also second highest in JHS history.  He also finished with 2,382 total offensive yards which ranked 4rth in JHS history.

**Senior wide receiver, Eric Johnson, broke the JHS career pass receiving record with 60 catches.
He passed John Lilleberg and Trent Berkness on the list.
**Senior Quarterback and place kicker, Lincoln Wacker broke Warren Bailey's (55) extra point record with 52  in his career.  His also kicked 10 field goals (record), with his longest being 43 yards. (record)

1992-Captains Jason DeWall, Brent Berkner and Eric Edlin led the team to 3-6 record.  Sr. Quarterback, KipWachal and Sr. receivers Jason DeWall and Mark More set passing records at JHS.  JHS gained 2316 total yards, 72% of which were passing yards.  Wachal attempted 235 passes and completed112 for 1677 yards and 10 touchdowns.  Dewall caught 50 passes for 758 yards and 4 touchdowns.  More caught 26 passes for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns.  JHS finished 5th in the conference with Worthington and Redwood Falls finished in a tie for first.   C-LBer Erik Edlin, WR-Jason DeWall and QB-Kip Wachal  were selected to the SWC team.

**Kip Wachal set new passing records in attempts, 235, completions, 112,and yards, 1677.
**Jason DeWall set new pass receiving records with 50 catches for 728 yards.  In his career, he caught 66 passes for 980 yards, both records.

** Coach Tyrone Wacker resigned after the 1992 season and became a full-time athletic director for 3 years.  Wacker was the head coach at Gaylord, Worthington Community College, Huron College and Jackson High School for 26 years.  He finished his 10 year career at JHS with 57 and 41 record.  His record at Gaylord was 54 and 6.  His final 16 year high school record ended at 108 and 47.

**Dean Walters, who was Wacker's assistant for 3 years, became the head coach for the 93 season.Walters was a outstanding football player at U of Minnesota at Morris in the late 1980's.

1993--Captains Steve Johnson, Josh Hansen and Brad Henning led the team to a 3-6 record. Wins came over Windom, 14-6, Worthington 13-12 and Marshall 12-7.  JHS made the play-offs, but were beaten by  USC in the first round, 7-3.  DB, Mark Wenzel and DE, Brad Henning were selected to the SWC All-Conference team.  Matt Foster and Jason Scrabek were Honorable Mention.

1994--Captains Brad Henning, Matt Foster and Mark Wenzel led the team to a 9-2 record.  Their losses came to Luverne, 14-10 and Madelia-Truman, 15-7 in the section finals.  The team featured outstanding speed and over-all athletic ability in every position. The backfield of Matt Foster, Andy Titus, Mark Wenzel, Eric Walsh, Brad Baldry had outstanding speed.  JHS outscored their opponents 280-106, and had a 2796 to 1559 advantage in total yardage.  Mark Wenzel scored 15 touchdowns to lead the team in  scoring.   He tied a school record by scoring 5 touchdowns in a 60-8 win over USC.  Defensive lineman,Brad Henning, Paul Pribyl, Jason Scrabek, RB, Andy Titus and DB Mark Wenzel made the All-SWC team, while Matt Foster and Grady Wachal were honorable mention.

**The 400 meter relay team of Foster, Wenzel, Titus and Baldry placed fourth in the State in the spring of 95.

**Mark Wenzel scored 22 touchdowns in his career at JHS.  He later went on to Southwest State in Marshall and had a outstanding career as a DB.

**Matt Foster went on to Westmar College and had a outstanding baseball career.  In the spring of 95, he particated in  both baseball and track at JHS.  He broke the school record in the 100 meter dash at 10.9.

1995--Captains Dan Copley, Eric Walsh, and Matt Grantz led the team to a 1-7 record.  Their only win came against USC, 24-6 in the last came of the season.  LBer Dan Copley made the All-SWC team while QB,Matt Grantz and RB, Eric Walsh made honorable mention.

**Dean Walters resigned after the the 95 season.  His final record at JHS was 13-15.

**Darrin Bartman replaced Walters as head coach at JHS for the 96 season.  He was a outstanding receiver at South Dakota State University for 3 seasons.

1996-Captains Dan and Dave Kanuch led the team to a 2-7 season.  JHS beat USC, 34-0, and Redwood Valley 14-3 for their two wins.  They lost in the first round of the play offs to Windom 6-21.  Sophomore QB, Brig Wachal led the team with 739 yards of total offense, 679 of which were passing yards.  Wide  Receiver Ryan Dunlavey made the All SWC team.  He caught 39 passes for 549 yards.  LBer Randy Gasca was voted honorable mention.

**In the fall of 1997, the Jackson High School Bluejays and Lakefield High School Panthers merged into Jackson County Central High School Huskies.  In 2002, Sioux Valley Schools joined the school system.

1997--In the first year as the Jackson County Central  Huskies the Lieutenent System of captains was used as  leadership for the team.  JCC finished their first year of existence with a SWC Championship by going 6-0 and shutting out 5 of the 6 teams in the conference.  Redwood Valley, 20-14, was the only team in the conference to score.  JCC also won the Section title and finished second in the state to finish with a 13-1 record.
          In the play-offs, JCC beat Montgomery-Lonsdale, 45-0, Blue Earth, 35-0, and Glencoe-Silver Lake in the Section Finals, 24-21.  In the State Tournament, JCC beat Lake City 23-21, on a field goal in the last minute of play, beat St. Micheals-Albertville in the dome 35-15.  In the finals against Albany,  JCC battled to a close half time score of 7-13 deficit, but could'nt hang on as Albany scored 42 points to make the final score 55-7. Albany was coached by former Jackson High School coach, Jim Mader.
           The merger of Jackson and Lakefield meant that JCC had the most depth of any team in history.  JCC had experienced players any every position.  Back up fullback, Rob Brown gained 993 yards rushing.  JCC outgained their opponents 349 yards per game to 204 and outscored their opponents 28 to 8 points per game.
           The offense was led by juniors Brig Wachal and Andy Traetow.  Wachal passed 1,369 yards and Traetow rushed for 1,800 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.  Senior wide receiver, Ryan Dunlavey caught 47 passes for 818 yards and 6 touchdowns. The offensive line of Center, Jonah Reyes 185, Guards Mitch Hecker, 240, Don Hedrick, 235, Tackles James Withers, 265 and Dallas Clarksean 215 was the biggest and one of the most talented in Jackson history.
           The defense was led by outstanding linebacking of Vern Nissen, Randy Gasca, Rob Bern and Andy Schmidt.  Other outstanding players on the defense DB Jeremy Dostal, DE, Joe Johnson, Safety, Andy Traetow and DE, Dallas Clarksean.
            WR, Ryan Dunlavey, LBer, Randy Gasca, OL, Don Hedrick, MLBer, Vern Nissen, C, Jonah Reyes, and HB Andy Traetow were named to the ALL-SWC team.  Rob Bern, Mitch Hecker and Andy Schmidt were honorable mention.        

**Senior Wide Receiver, Ryan Dunlavey caught 96 passes for 962 yards to break the school record in both catagories.  He passed Jason DeWall in both.

**Junior Halfback, Andy Traetow rushed for 1800 yards to break Tracy Allen's record of 1,291 yards. Traetow averaged 128 yards per game rushing. He also, passed Wade Wacker's record of 2001 total yards, set in 1985, with 2040 total yards.

1998--A captain by committee led the team another SWC Championship, Section Championship, a Runner-Up in the State Play-Offs and 12-2 over-all record.  JCC's only conference loss came to Worthington 7-27.  In the section play-offs, the Huskies beat Sibley East 61-12, LeSuer Henderson 44-6,  and Glencoe-Silver Lake 28-7.
In the state play-offs they beat Kasson-Mantorville, 27-19, Delano in the Dome, 23-7,  and then lost to Foley in the finals, 21-7.  JCC featured a outstanding rushing attack with a outstanding offensive line and running backs. Despite missing three games, Andy Traetow rushed for 1658 yards and 24 touchdowns,  Fullback, Jesse Voss added 863 yards, Marshall Helmers 370, and Brig Wachal 310.  The defense was led by outstanding line play of Dallas Clarksean, Mitch Hecker, Dusty Nosbusch, Joe Johnson, and Jon Anderson.  Sophomores DE, Travis Ahrens and MLBer Tony Phillips were also outstanding players on the defense.
         Selected to the All-SWC team were HB, Andy Traetow, OL, Mitch Hecker, DE, Dallas Clarksean,LBer, Joe Johnson, and OL Jamie Withers. Brig Wachal made the honorable mention unit.

**Andy Traetow finished his football career at JCC by setting several records.  Despite missing half of the season as a sophomore and 3 games as a senior, Traetow reached new records for touchdowns and yardage gained.
      *His 41 career touchdowns passed Rick Vacura's 32 set in 1969
      *His 24 touchdowns passed Jim Vacura's 22 set in 1955
      *His 4,222 career total yards, (Rushing, Passing, Receiving) passed Wade Wacker's 3,774 set in 1987.
      *His 3,592 career rushing yards passed Rick Vacura's 2,516 set in 1969.
**Andy Traetow was a three year star at JCC.  He was a 4 year starter in basketball and outstanding catcher on the baseball team.  In the spring of 1999 he was selected to play in the Baseball State All-Star Game.  Traetow went on to play one year at SDSU in Brookings and three years at Gustavus Aldolphus.  At Gustavus he was a 3 time All-MIAC selection and a two time All-American.  He also played 2 years with the Sioux Falls Storm in the a indoor football league.
**Traetow  was selected to play in the Football Shrine Game in the Summer of 1999.

**Brig Wachal passed for 2,992 career yards to break Wade Wacker's mark of 2380 yards.

**Dallas Clarksean went on to play at South Dakota State U.
**Mitch Hecker became a 3 year starter at Bemidji State.
**Jesse Voss played a Sioux Falls College for 3 years.
**Joe Johnson played at Northwestern College for 4 years.
**Dustin Nosbusch was a starter at South Dakota Schools of Mines as a freshman.

**Darrin Bartman resigned after the 1998 season and took the head coaching position at Pipestone High School.  He finished his career at JCC with 27 and 10 record with 2 SWC Championships and 2 runner-ups in the State Tournament.

**In the summer of 1999 JCC hired long time JHS assistant football coach, Tom Schuller.  Schuller  was a assistant coach, starting in 1987, under Tyrone Wacker, Dean Walters and Darrin Bartman.  Former JHS athletes Wade Wacker, Charles Clarksean and former JHS coach, Tyrone Wacker were added as his assistant coaches.

1999-Captain by committee led the team to a 8-3 record.  Losses were Windom, 27-34, Worthington 20-42, and St.Peter 28-36 in the section finals.  On offense, the Huskies averaged 378 yards per game and 32 points per game.  Senior QB, Jack Zelinko passed for 2,042 yards and 23 touchdowns on 100 completions. Wide receiver, junior Travis Harmening, caught 47 passes for 999 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver,
Scott Williams caught 32 passes for 681 yards and 7 touchdowns.  Zelinko, Harmening and Williams broke most of the passing records in school history. No other pair of wide receivers caught as many passes.
        TB, Marshall Helmers was the 6th player in school history to go over the 1000 yard mark as he gained1040 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. All-Conference players were QB, Jack Zelinko, DE, Travis Ahrens, HB, Marshall Helmers, and SE, Travis Harmening.  LBer, Nate Baker and Fl. Scott Williams made the honorable mention team.

**QB, Jack Zelinko broke records in passing yardage as he threw for 2040 yards.  He passed Kip Wachal's 1677 yards set in 1992.
**Zelinko also passed Andy Traetow's mark of 2040 yards for total yardage with 2215 yards.
** The combination of Jack Zelinko and Scott Williams carried on through out the year as they were the guards on the basketball team, and shortstop/2nd baseman on the baseball team.
**Fullback/linebacker Nate Baker was a three time State Champion in Wrestling.

2000-Captain by committee led the team to a 10-1 record, SWC Championship and runner-up in the section. Offensively the Huskies averaged 374 yards per game and gave up 264 yards per game.  They averaged 27  points per game, while giving up 9 points per game.  Senior QB, Brad Bosacker led the offense with  1517 yards passing and 18 touchdowns.  Bosacker threw for 291 yards against Marshall, a school record.  Senior, Travis Harmening was Bosacker's main receiver as he caught 56 passes for 992 yards and 9 touchdowns. Senior HB, Matt Thiner became the 7th player in school history to rush for 1000 yards as he ran for 1141 yards and 9 touchdowns. Outstanding offensive lineman on the team were Mitch Rowe, Jake Drahota, Paul Scheff, Travis Ahrens and Matt Romo.
          Defensively, the team was led by senior defensive end, Travis Ahrens, senior middle linebacker, Tony Phillips and junior strong safety Tyler Ringquist.  Ahrens and Phillips were three year starters and played a dominating role on offense and defense.  Ahrens as a offensive guard and Phillips as a tight end.  Ringquist, who was one of the fastest players on the squad, was a outstanding defensive back and aggressive tackler.
          In the final game of the year, JCC played Glencoe in the Section Finals at Glencoe.  Both teams went into the game undefeated.  The game was played in front of 3,000 fans on a cold November night.  Glencoe came from behind to win 12-10 in one of the all time classic football games in Jackson history.  Glencoe went on to win the State AAA Championship.
        All-SWC players were, RB, Matt Thiner, SS. Tyler Ringquist, LBer, Tony Phillips, WR, Travis Harmening,
G, Paul Scheff, QB, Brad Bosacker, and DE, Travis Ahrens.  Honorable Mention were kicker, Ryan Place and Center, Jake Drahota.

**Travis Ahrens went on the SDSU and played 4 years.  He also won the State Championship in the  Heavy Weight division in Wrestling his senior year.
**Ahrens played in the Shrine All-Star Football game.
**Travis Harmening became the most prolific pass receiver in JCC history as he caught 104 passes for 2,021 yards and 19 touchdowns.
**Tony Phillips was also a outstanding catcher on the baseball team for 3 years.

2001-Captain by committee led the team to a 13-1 record, a SWC Championship, a Section Championship and a Class AAA State Chamionship.  JCC's only blemish was a 15-22 loss to Redwood Valley.  The Huskies showed remarkable resilience through out the season as many of the starters on the team were lost for part or the entire season due to injuries. At one point in the season,  JCC had to play their 3rd string quarterback as starter Micah Fransen was lost for most of the season due to a broken collarbone.  Back up QB, John Hummel was lost for two games due to a appendicitis.  Third string senior QB, Dan Condon, stepped in and got the Huskies through two games.  In the section and state play-offs, 3 sophomores played key roles for the Huskies.  MLBer, Tom Nesseth stepped in and filled Dan Voss's position who lost to a knee injury.  QB John Hummel replaced Micah Fransen, who had a broken collarbone. And Nick Lusk filled in for Levi Kruse, who had a knee injury.  All three sophomores played outstanding in play-offs.
         In the play-off, the Huskies toughest game was their first of the section with LeSueur- Henderson when JCC had to score in the last 4:00 minutes of play and then hold of LeSueur in the last minute to win 22-18.  JCC then beat St. Peter, 21-0, in the semi-finals and Kasson Mantorville 21-0 in the finals.  All the section games were played in Jackson.   In the first round of the State Tournament,  JCC beat BOLD 20-7 in a hard fought game in Olivia. In the Metro-Dome the Huskies completely dominated both games as they beat Lake City 33-0 in the semi-finals, and then beat Becker in the finals, 42-7, to win the State Championship.
         Offensively, the Huskies average 345 yards per game and gave up 241 yards per game.  They averaged 26 points per game, and gave 11 points per game.  A big offensive line of Tackles Mitch Rowe, 320, and Jon Swanson 205, Guards Garret Rassmussen, 230, and Matt Romo 245, and center Matt Walters 250 had a outstanding year.  Tight End Ryan Place and Jason Resch were the main receivers for the offense.  Place caught 35 passes for 583 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Resch caught 18 passes for 5 touchdowns. Senior tailback, Luke Rosenbrook had a great year as he gained 1806 yards rushing on 225 carries, and scored 21 touchdowns.
Fullbacks Tyler Ringquist gained 654 yards and Dan Voss 472 yards.  Voss missed the last 4 games of the season due to a knee injury.  Junior QB, John Hummel, passed for 1102 yards and 9 touchdowns, while back up QB, Dan Condon threw for 358 yards.  Hummel threw for 256 yards against Lake City in the Dome.
          Defensively, the team was led by MLBer, Tom Nesseth and strong safety Tyler Ringquist.  Both were players were dominating forces the entire year.  The defensive line of junior Scott Syverson, 230, Senior, Trent Bisiallion, 215 junior Levi Kruse, 205 and Sophomore, Nick Lusk 210 played outstanding in the final six games.Other outstanding players were linebackers Marc Harwood and Kyle Arndt, and defensive backs Shane Titterington and Ryan Place.  Place intercepted 9 passes on the season and Titterington was one of best all-around defensive backs and kick returners in the area.
          Tight End Ryan Place, tackle Mitch Rowe, defensive back, Tyler Ringquist, defensive back, Shane Titterington, and running back, Luke Rosenbrook made the All-SWC team.  Matt Walters, Matt Romo and Garret Rassmussen were selected to the honorable mention team.

**Tackle Mitch Rowe was selected to play in the Shrine All-Star Football Game.
**Luke Rosenbrook rushed for 1806 yards to break Andy Traetow's mark of 1800 set in 1997.  He finished his career with 2191 yards rushing to rank 3rd behind Traetow and Rick Vacura.
**Ryan Place broke the school record with 9 interceptions.  Place had a outstanding career as Tight End and a Defensive Back.  Over his entire career, he broke several records as a place kicker and punter.  Place punted 46 times in 2000 and 132 in his career, both records.  He kicked 7 field goals in 2000.  Also, he kicked 35 extra points in 2001 and 69 extra points in his career.  Also records.  Place was also a outstanding pitcher on the baseball team as he won 10 games in the spring of 2002.
**Outside LBer, Marc Harwood, was a a two time state champion in wrestling.

2002-Captains by committee led the team to a 7-3 record.  A big win during the year was a 34-30 come from behind win against Redwood Valley.  JCC trailed in the game 8-30 midway in the 3rd quarter and then scored the next 26 points to win 34-30. Other wins during the year were against Blue Earth, Fergus Falls, Pipestone, Windom, and Luverne.  Losses came against Marshall and Worthington.  In the Play-offs, they beat Saint Peter 28-16 and then lost to LeSueur in the semi-finals, 16-22, in overtime.  JCC gained 390 yards per game on offense and gave 222 yards per game on defense.
        John Hummel led the offense by passing for 1878 yards and rushing for 264.  Hummel also punted 41 times during the year.  Kevin Williams led the team in pass receiving with 34 catches.  Micah Fransen caught 27 passes, Jeremy Sirovy 21 and Pat Wieneke 20.  Micah Fransen scored 14 touchdowns to lead the team in scoring.
         RB, Micah Fransen, TE, Pat Weineke, DE,Scott Syverson and junior QB, John Hummel made the All-SWC team.  DB, Jeremy Sirovy and DT, Nick Lusk made honorable mention.

2003-Captains by committee led the team to 10-1 record, and a SWC championship.  Their only loss came to Redwood Valley, 6-19, in the finals of the section.  JCC beat Redwood Valley during the regular season, 18-15, on the last play of the game.  Senior QB and 3 year starter, John Hummel injured his shoulder mid-way through the season and moved to wide receiver.  Junior, Caleb Rossow replaced him and threw for 1150 on the season.  Hummel caught 25 passes, 429 yards and 4 touchdowns.  JCC average 346 yards per game and 25 points per game.  Their opponents averaged 233 yards per game and 11 points per game.
          Senior FB/SS, Kent Scheff, Senior QB, John Hummel, Senior Linemen, Nick Lusk, Senior MLB Tom Nesseth, Senior DB/WR, Jeremy Sirovy, and Senior Center, Adam Weets made the All-SWC Team.  Junior DL, Tim Ruby and Junior QB, Caleb Rossow made honorable mention.

**John Hummel finished his career with 2980 yards passing, 2nd, behind Brig Wachal. 
**Hummel set a school record with a total of 4,236 total yards(passing, running and pass receiving) which passed Andy Traetow's 4,222 total yards.
**Tom Nesseth won the State Championship at 191 in wrestling  in the spring of his senior year.
**John Hummel had a outstanding baseball career at JCC, and was a key member of the State Championship team in the Spring of 2004.  He holds several records in both the hitting and pitching catagories.  Hummel went on to the University of Minnesota to play baseball.

2004-Captains by committee led the team to 4-5 record.  JCC lost in the first round of play-offs to Pipestone,7-27.  In the second game of the year, JCC was trailing Redwood Valley, 6-28 in the 4rth quarter and came back to win the game 31-28.  Others wins came over Blue Earth, 24-8, Crosby-Ironton,36-14 in Hopkins, and Marshall, 18-13.  Despite a season ending knee injury the 5th game of year, QB, Caleb Rossow,  threw for 650 yards and 6 touchdowns.  Jeff Fowler caught 32 passes for 527 yards.  DE, Tim Ruby made the All-SWC Team, with Tyler Skow making honorable mention.

2005-Captains by committee led the team to a 3-6 record. JCC lost the first of the year to Windom 14-55.  Other losses were to Blue Earth, Worthington, Fairmont, Luverne and Maple River.  They lost in the first round of the play-off to Maple River, 0-7.  Their wins came over Waseca 43-14, New Ulm 36-6 and Redwood Falls 42-14.  Junior Running Back, Marcus Schultz broke several school records in kick off returns for yardage and the number off kicks returned.  Senior wide receiver, Jeff Fowler tied John Lilleberg with career catches.
        Running Backs Marcus Schlutz, Matt Stegenga and DE, Justin Schmidt made the Southwest Alliance All-Conference Team.  Center, Brian Vancura made the honorable mention team.

**2005 marked the first year that Southwest Conference and South Central Conference merged into the Southwest Alliance Conference.  Fairmont, 8-0 won the conference.  Fairmont lost to Worthington in the finals of the 3AA section.

**Tim Ruby played in the 2005 All-Star football game.                

2006 Captains by committee lead the team to a 9-2 record. The team lost their standout starting running back/safety Marcus Schultz for the season in the first game of the year vs. Windom. The team finished in 2nd place in the 2nd and final year of the Southwest Alliance Conference. Starting running back Torey Stewart won second place in the state wrestling tournament in the winter of 2006.