Football History

History of O.L.S.M Football

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      Orchard Lake St. Mary's began its football program on October 4, 1913 losing a close game at Pontiac High, 18-12.    The next week St. Mary's once again played the Chiefs but this time the Red and White were victorious 14-7 for their first victory ever.
      On November 1, 1913, the Eaglets played a doubleheader defeating Windsor Tech 22-7 at 10:00 a.m., and later romped over Detroit Central 26-12 at 2:00 p.m. The November 8 game at Fenton was cancelled, so the Eaglets completed their first successful season with a record of 3-1.
      Richard Remington came to coach at Orchard Lake from the University of Michigan in 1913.
      In 1914, the Eaglets posted a 5-1-1 record, defeating such teams as Ypsilanti Normal High, the University of Detroit Reserves and Cleary College.    The Eaglets' only loss in 1914 came at the hands of Pontiac High 21-0. St. Mary's also tied Fenton 6-6 to complete their second successful season.
      St. Mary's Preparatory had its first unbeaten season in 1915.   The Eaglets had a 6-0 record. Ypsilanti Normal High fell three times to the Eaglets, Pontiac High lost 33-0, the University of Detroit Reserves fell 21-0 and Cleary College lost 64-0.   The victory over Cleary College is St. Mary's highest point total and margin of victory in the school's history.   The Eaglets outscored their opponents 194-33.
      Football was dropped from the athletic program after the 1915 season for financial reasons. In the Fall of 1930, football was reinstated under the direction of Rev. Ladislaus Krzyzosiak.
      In 1930, the Preparatory had a three game schedule. St. Mary's season began on October 1 against Detroit Commercial High. The Eaglets were down 12-0 at halftime but came back to score 2 second half touchdowns and tied the game 12-12. St. Mary's Eaglets lost to Toledo St. John 32-0 in the second encounter and the Preparatory ended their season on October 24 with a 7-0 victory over Pontiac St. Frederick.
      In 1931, the Eaglets rolled to a 4-3 record. The Red and White lost their opening game to Pontiac High 18-0. Orchard Lake gained successive victories over Detroit St. Joseph 7-2, Detroit St. Anthony 13-12, and Detroit Holy Redeemer 27-0. The Eaglets lost two of their next three games, losing to Wayne High 13-6, Toledo St. John 33-6, and then defeating Pontiac St. Frederick 20-6.
     After 1931, the football program was cancelled until 1944 when it again became part of St. Mary's athletic program and where it remains today. Including the 1913 season through the 2005 season, the Eaglets have won 374 games, lost 189, and tied 7 (a 66% winning average). This includes 21 League Championships, 11 Prep Bowls, 5 District Titles, 7 Regional Titles, 7 State Semifinal appearances, 2 State Runners-Up, and 4 State Championshps. In Catholic League sectional play, the Eaglets have 202 wins, 117 losses, and 1 tie.
     Since 1976, St. Mary's has annually played Birmingham Detroit Country Day School for "The Gridiron Trophy" and emerged victorious in 17 of 28 games.   It is the longest running rivalry of any school that the Eaglets have played.
     On Homecoming, September 21, 1996, the football field was named in honor of Rev. Msgr. Stanley E. Milewski (Prep '47, College '51), Chancellor of the Orchard Lake Schools from 1977 to 2000.   Since 1996, the Eaglets' record at Msgr. Milewski Field is 35-7.

(Courtesy of Robin Goddard)

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