Reitz HS 1971 State Football Champions

Getting ready to put on my favorite T-shirt!

Get ready, teammates. We'll be reaching out soon for your help in getting these old game films converted to digital format. Hopefully, old radio broadcasts, too! 🏈🏆

No more comments from Bloomington South coach after the convincing win at Indpls. North Central a week after this article by Al Dunning in the Evansville Press (circa Oct., 1971) thanks Jim Claybourn for this contribution

The '71 Panthers helped bring about a football playoff in Indiana, but there was nothing "mythical" about this team. Some grumbling out of Bloomington once our Panthers were elevated to #1 in the state over their Panthers!

1972 grad, Dr. Kirby Gross, will be guest speaker at this year's Reitz Senior Banquet on Sunday evening, May 7. All of his '71 team members are invited and encouraged to attend this event. It would be great to have a large turnout in support of Kirby. If you wish to attend, please post your name and send a message with your email for details.

Check out Reitz Mirror tribute to '71 Panthers

Unbreakable: 1971 state champs celebrate success, lasting friendships - Reitz Mirror For some of the members of the Reitz High School 1971 state championship team, it had been 45 years since they had seen any of the other players. “They look different. They’re older. But they’re still the same people with the same personalities, except even more loving,” said Scott Dill, a member of...

Reitz alumni celebrate '71 title

Tom Buck and Kirby Gross met for lunch last July in Indianapolis to catch up.It was one of many annual, casual get-togethers since they were classmates at Reitz High School.Their conversation spanned Gross’ career as a surgeon to Buck’s recent retirement to their days playing for the Panthers’ football team.When they were seniors in 1971, Reitz went undefeated and won its ninth state championship. The members of the team hadn’t formally celebrated it since.“Hey, next fall is going to be our 45th anniversary,” Gross said with a glimmer in his eye. “We’ve never had a reunion. Why don’t we get some guys together?”Buck didn’t know how they’d track everybody down. They called a couple of friends they’d kept in touch with and eventually held conference calls every few Saturdays trying to find everyone and plan a football-specific reunion.

Reitz alumni celebrate '71 title for first time The 1971 Reitz Panthers held their first reunion since going undefeated and winning a state title.

Check out the article on the '71 RHS Panthers in tomorrow's Courier by reporter Chad Lindskog.

Players and family of deceased recognized at game Friday night, 9/2/16

Thanks to Lowell Clark for supplying some compiled stats from '71 season. They speak for themselves:

Doug Claybourn was so happy to see Merle Padgett today at church. We're hoping Merle, who was married to deceased coach Bob Padgett when he led the Panthers to a 10-0 record and state championship in '71, will try to attend the 45th anniversary celebration on Sept. 2 at Reitz during the game vs. Castle. Mrs. Padgett was a vocal cheerleader back in the day and would be a welcome sight to team members who attend.

OK, this team is among the greatest, if not THE greatest team in Reitz football history! If you know someone in this photo, tell him about the 45th anniversary celebration Fri., Sept. 2 @ Reitz Bowl. If you're in this photo, you better make arrangements to be there!