1972-73 Lions went from worst to first

By C. Scott Holland

The Lions? Well not the Detroit version, but rather Leamington District Secondary High School’s own version.

Like the NFL Detroit team, imagine a dismal record of 2-18-1 over three seasons of high school play. Quite an unimpressive record, and one which vanished magically in the 1972-73 campaign, when the LDSS Lions vaulted from last to first and then won the ECSSA football championship.

The team’s offense posted an average of 17 points per game, while their defense allowed a meager 7.5 points to their opposition per game.

In regular season play, the Lions compiled five wins and lost only one contest.

In the playoffs, the Lions showed their mettle by disposing of Amherst 14-6 and then topping the league-leading Sandwich squad 10-0 to claim the ECSSA title.

The victory put them up against Chatham McGregor for the SWOSSA title, but the strong Chatham entry blanked the Lions 13-0.

The team’s success came via the hard work of the coaching staff and the dedication and enthusiasm of the team members. The immense vocal support shown by the spectators was an extra incentive.

Few LDSS teams have had that kind of a magical season and that season was certainly one to remember.

The 1972-73 Leamington Lions won the ECSSA football title. Front row: Frank Silveira, Greg Misener, Tim Crawford, Todd Pepper, Paul Healey, Harry Ediger, Mike Healey, Mark Beaupre, Greg Borschke, Doug Fletcher, George Sarkis. Middle row: Bob McCarty, Pat Misener, Randy Matheson, Garry Long, Bill Myles, Bill Taylor, Terry Misener, Vic Neufeld, Bill Kiff. Back row: Kevin Kimball, Drew Wilkinson, Gary Miller, Brad Smith, Mr. T. Burney, Mr. D. Zannier, Rick Myers, Ron Johnston, Tony Clement, Paul Brown (manager). Absent: Mr. J. McLaren.

Photo courtesy of the Scott Holland Collection