As talk of consolidation had been finalized and the new schools — Southmont and North Montgomery — were under construction there was one final football season for the three county schools, which fielded football teams.
For Coal Creek, Ladoga and New Market the 1970 football season would be a bittersweet season as it would be their last.
For one of the team’s the last season had a much bigger meaning.
New Market had just one more season to try to snap a very long losing streak. Although it can’t be confirmed officially, it was believed to be one of the longest losing streaks in the state at that time. As the season began, the streak had stretched to 37 games according to the Journal Review or nearly four full years as the team was coming off 1-9, 0-9, 0-10 and 0-10 seasons.
The Purple Flyers had its chances in the first few games of the 1970 season to break the losing streak, but could never seem to get the big play at the right time.
In the season opener, it fell to North Putnam 14-12 as the Cougars stopped New Market with a great late-game defensive effort. Tom Lauy recovered a Cougar fumble with just 2:14 to play in the game on the Cougars’ 36. A pass interference call moved the ball to the 23 and then New Market running back John Roberts scampered into the end zone for what was thought to be the go-ahead score. However, it was called back because of a penalty. Following a couple of penalties against North Putnam, the Purple Flyers had the ball first-and-goal on the nine-yard line. Four straight running played failed to get the ball into the end zone as Robert was stopped about a yard short with 22 seconds and the streak continued.
The next week, New Market was shut out by North Vermillion 20-0. Then came a 20-18 loss to Rockville. Rockville as the Purple Flyers missed on all three of its tries for two-point conversions.
The streak had hit 40 and fans wondered if the team would ever taste victory before closing its doors. According to the current Indiana Football Coaches Association website, the 40 loses in a row would be the sixth-longest streak in the state for all-time.
New Market ended the streak against county rival Ladoga by winning a 12-6 decision on Sept. 25, 1970 to set off the celebration in the town of New Market. When New Market Coach Dave Scott was asked what he was going to do to celebrate he replied, “I’m not sure, it’s been a long time.”
The Purple Flyers enjoyed winning that game so much that it pulled off its second win in a row the following week by defeating Coal Creek 8-6. In that game, the only New Market touchdown came on a 20-yard pass from Jerry Gilliand to Marvin Walters. In fact, the play worked so well the team used it again to score the conversion and took an 8-0 lead in the second quarter. Coal Creek cut the lead to 8-6 in the fourth quarter when fullback Steve Padgett plunged in for the Bearcats’ score. New Market’s defense then sacked Coal Creek’s quarterback Bill Coon on the conversion attempt and that was the final score of the game.
The wins over Ladoga and Coal Creek gave the Purple Flyers the unofficial “county title.”
New Market did not win another game in the final five games, but did manage to tie Fountain Central 14-14 to end the final season with a 2-7-1 record and 2-5-1 in the Wabash River Conference. Ladoga ended the 1970 1-9 overall and 1-7 in the WRC.
The following season, New Market and Ladoga teamed up with players from athletes from Waveland and New Ross to form the undefeated 10-0 Southmont football team.
Barry Lewis has been involved in Montgomery County sports for nearly 50 years. He has a passion for keeping its rich history and tradition alive.
