The heroes of yesterday returned to the scene of their exploits Friday night at Lincolnton Memorial Stadium.
At halftime of the East Lincoln-Lincolnton game, PA announcer Max Garner recognized 14 members of the 1967 Wolves, who went 9-1 in the regular season, won the Western 3A Conference title and beat Hickory in a memorable playoff game.
Lester Reinhardt, a co-captain who kicked the winning field goal against Hickory, was among the `67 alumni to be honored.
Also on hand was co-captain Eric Frazier, along with Sidney Turbyfill, Smitty Little, Wally Lingerfelt, Rickie Helms, Bobby Joe Easter, Johnny Colvard, Colin Rudisill, Mike Cline, David Frye, Mike “Cow” Cline, Larry Yoder and Kim Rudisill.
The former players gathered along the sideline while coaches Von Ray Harris, Don Pack and Perry Brown handed out memorabila.
Harris, who retired in 1987 after 28 years as the Wolves` head coach/AD, is still active with the team on game nights.
“Thank you for being here tonight and for all the great memories,” Garner announced after the ceremony ended.
One memory of the 1967 team that fans cherish was the Wolves` 7-0 win over Shelby. No Lincolnton team could duplicate that feat until 2001, when Lincolnton ended the jinx in the third round of the state playoffs at Shelby`s Blanton Stadium.
The star-studded team featured two of the top backs in school history in Reinhardt and Easter, a three-sport star who helped to break the color barrier at Lincolnton.
Mike Cline, a lineman, went on to play Division-I football at the University of South Carolina.
by Mike Powell
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