Inductees

In the fall of 1973, Columbia Public Schools opened a new high school called Rock Bridge. A year later, the varsity football team went but missed the playoffs because of the state’s complicated points system.

“There was some disbelief in 1974 about how a team can be undefeated and not be included in the state playoffs,” Rock Bridge’s John Stafford recalled. “I would not say there was a bitterness, yet better to say a focus with anticipation for next year’s season. I do remember the senior class of the 1974 season at that time supporting and expecting the 1975 team to right the wrong.”

That’s exactly what happened, as the Bruins dominated the middle part of the decade. In fact, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted the 1975 & 1977 Rock Bridge High School Undefeated State Championship Football Teams with the Class of 2024.

The 1975 team beat Nevada 10-0 on a muddy Faurot Field in Columbia and finished 12-0 under the guidance of coach Rich Davies. Earning All-State were running back Sam Smith, center John Cunningham, defensive tackle Phil Brady and defensive end John Massey. Todd Drennan earned honorable mention.

That team was on a mission after the 1974 team had finished 9-0 and won the conference championship. The 1975 Bruins outscored opponents 390-52.

“The success of the team in 1975 starts with a group of teenagers who believed in a coach that reminded us through his talks with the team that each of us come from being raised by the best parents, being taught at the best school, living in the best community and having the best coaching staff around,” Stafford said.

Sam Smith, John Massey, Mark Golden, Van Darkow and Tim Wolfe combined for 2,512 yards rushing of the team’s 2,817 yards on the ground. Wolfe threw for 668 yards in the regular season, with Drennan hauling in 374 yards receiving.

In the postseason, Van Darkow (33), Gill (38), Cunningham (33), Brady (28, Forward (22), Drennan (19) and Massey (17) were among the leading tacklers on defense.

In 1977, Rock Bridge edged Camdenton 7-6 in the Class 3 state championship game, finishing 10-0-1. Nose guard Danny Snap blocked the tying extra-point kick.

That was the first season for coach John Henage (MSHOF 2015). All-State honorees were tackle Ray Nunnelly, linebacker Greg Mengel and defensive end Jeff Earley.

“The 1977 team was the fastest team I had ever seen. By winning it all in my first year at Rock Bridge, that team changed my life,” Henage said.

That season began with Rock Bridge rallying for a 15-14 win.

“The 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977 teams were great. If not for key injuries on the 1976 team, they likely would have won the 3A state championship, too,” said defensive back Daryl Smith.

With 22 seniors, the 1977 team used its quickness.

“The (5-2 defense orchestrated by Coach Henage and assistant Dan Devine, Jr.) was a bend-but-don’t break defense,” Smith said.

Those Bruins pitched four shutouts and held six teams to only one score. That defense featured Nunnelly, Danny Sapp, Terry Whitney, Greg Mengel, Jeff Early, Doug Nichols and Smith.

The offense was a veer that utilized quarterback Marc Lewis, who later played in the United States Football League and the Canadian Football League, and rushers Ken Turner and Gary Robertson. Late in games, Hobie Crane ran the two-minute drill, and Lewis moved to slot.

Henage emphasized top physical conditioning during two-a-days, and players believed in the cause after the season-opening win on a hot Saturday afternoon.

On the Monday following a 0-0 tie against Mexico, Henage changed the starting lineups, moving four or five players out of both-ways roles.

“We were fortunate to have Coach John Henage walk into our lives in 1977,” Lewis said. “We had the personnel but needed someone to evaluate our talents and put us in the best positions to be successful.”

Rock Bridge scored a 20-6 quarterfinal victory against St. Louis’ McKinley, which featured future NFL players Demetrius Johnson and Calvin Thomas (Walter Payton’s fullback with the Chicago Bears).

In the semifinals, the Bruin defense turned back three drives in the red zone, and Turner had a TD called back.

In the state finals, Lewis scored on the second play from scrimmage, a 77-yarder, thanks to Wesley Buckner’s block.

Said Smith, “We had grit and determination. We would not let another team out-work us. We were tougher, faster, and more well-conditioned than any team we faced.”