1964 ELYRIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Yes, the team lost a game — 6-0 to Barberton to open the season, but after that upset loss, it went on to win the next nine games including a decisive 32-6 win at Strobel Field over the vaunted Sandusky Blue Streaks in front of a standing room only crowd.

Sandusky had won 28 straight football games to that point. Elyria’s long-time and winningest coach — Bill Barton — called it his best win ever.

At Ely Stadium against rival Lorain for the final game of the season, the Pioneers overcame a 14-0 first quarter deficit to beat the Steelmen, 23-14, and wrap up the 9-1 season and 7-0 Buckeye Conference title. Elyria averaged 29 points a game while giving up less than four.

It was Elyria’s first out-right Buckeye Conference championship and the highest state ranking attained since the legendary 1947 team finished runner-up to Barberton. The Pioneers finished third in the final poll of the year behind unbeaten Massillon and once-beaten Canton McKinley. Sandusky wound up 7th, Barberton 14th, Lorain 19th with Admiral King and Findlay each getting votes.

Because the state playoffs wouldn’t start until 1972, neither the ’64 or the ’47 teams had the opportunity to play for the state championship on the field.

Halfback Al Campbell and defensive middle guard Jim Westbrook were named All-Ohio and Elyria placed 15 players on the All-Buckeye Conference first or second team including eight on the first team offense or defense. Campbell, tackle Dan Andrick and end Al Fields were named to the offensive first team. Westbrook, end Ray Rounds, linebacker Randy Stevenson and defensive backs Fields and Gary Krone were named on the first team defensive unit. Center Geza Kozmits, guard Walt Fabian and tackle Tom Bolinski along with backs Bill Alley and Houston Love were picked for the second team offense. End Bill Humphrey, linebackers Pete Christensen and Merle Wilford were chosen on the defensive second team. Honorable mention went to Lowell Cavin, Dick Glover, Dave Strickler and Krone on offense. Lewis “Buster” Edwards, Duane White, Bill Corder and Mike Aquilino were named on defense.

1964 W-9, L-1
at Barberton, 0-6
Cleveland West Tech,  33-0
Cuyahoga Falls,  20-0
Admiral King,  37-6
at Findlay, 39-0
Mansfield, 36-0
at Sandusky, 32-6
Marion, 40-0
at Fremont, 30-0
Lorain,  23-14
Totals,  290 – 32