Inducted 2002. Class 3A Semifinalists Finish with 12-1 Record.
The first year of the Illinois state football playoff system was a memorable one for Catholic Boys High School, which steamrolled over 11 opponents before suffering a heartbreaking 3-0 loss in the mud of Q-Stadium to Mount Carmel in the Class 3A semifinals.
The three-man backfield of Marvin Smith, Mike Hummert and Joe Mueller combined for 2,804 yards and 35 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Jeff Johnson passed for 752 yards and 11 touchdowns. The defense was led by middle linebacker Dale Inman, a first-team all-stater, and held the opposition without a touchdown in six games that season.
The Raiders, coached by 27-year-old John Rodemann, started the playoffs with a 22-0 victory over Taylorville, then knocked off Morton 10-8 to move within one game of the state title game. CB had a chance to score in the fourth quarter but couldn’t convert on four downs from the 4-yard line, and Mount Carmel held on to win. The team rebounded to whip Hannibal 39-14 in the last game of the regular season, with Hummert totaling 357 all-purpose yards. CB finished with a 12-1 record.
Team members, shown in the photo above, were: First row, manager Tom Hellhake, Jerry Harcharick, Mike Liesen, Mark Blickhan, Mike Schuering, Kevin Oitker, Dan Goerlich, Mike Hummert, Mark Goedereis and Greg Fischer. Second row, manager Gary Frericks, Ron Mast, Tim Geisendorfer, Rollie Thomas, Jeff Johnson, Randy Till, Dale Inman, Marty Peters, Joe Mueller and Tim Oitker. Third row, Tom Kaltenbach, Tom Tushaus, Dan Otte, Mark Wiewel, Marvin Smith, Dave Hummel, Chuck Grawe, Greg Frericks, Brad Soebbing, and trainer Jeff Dreyer. Coaches were John Rodemann, Chuck Morrow, Ray Heilmann, Mark Nelson, Ron Peter and Bob Williams.
I wish to congratulate the QND Hall of Fame Selection Committee for choosing the 1974 football Raiders as a team to be honored. Quincy Notre Dame has always prided itself in athletic excellence. Led by co-captains Mike Hummert and Dale Inman, the team exemplified all that is good in the areas of determination, dedication, hard work and team play. I will never forget the early morning off-season training sessions followed by runs in the park. Since 1974 was the first year of the state playoffs, the entire community was caught up in the excitement. After winning two playoff games, the overtime loss in the semifinals was devastating. Credit must be given to the team, because four days later they played a game against Hannibal that had been postponed twice. The 39-14 win gave the team a 10-0 regular season record and made a statement about the character of this special team. Thanks to assistant coaches Chuck Morrow, Ray Heilmann, Mark Nelson, Ron Peter and Bob Williams, and special congratulations to the players, managers and trainer. You were a special group. Treasure the memories. — John Rodemann