Undefeated 1971 Cloverleaf team to be honored at halftime of Colts game tonight

The 1971 Cloverleaf football team that won the Chippewa Conference en route to a 10-0 season will have its 50th anniversary celebrated at halftime tonight when the Colts (0-1) take on neighboring Black River (2-0). Coached by Medina County Sports Hall of Famer Phil Hahn, Cloverleaf featured offensive tackle/linebacker Jim Ross — the All-Gazette Team Co-Captain — and a rushing attack with fullback Kurt Gibbs, halfbacks Scott Chrislip and Dan Richard and quarterback Jeff Patterson that still holds the school record for yards in a season (2,825). Cloverleaf went 2-7-1 in 1970 but was considered the darkhorse in the Chippewa Conference due to 15 returning letterwinners. The Colts became the first school besides Wadsworth or Orrville to win the league that, at the time, also included West Holmes, Brunswick and Triway. Ross, Patterson and Gibbs were joined on the All-Gazette first team by George Otte, Dave Ogilvy, Jim Koppes and Larry Brandenburg. Second-team honors went to Chrislip, Richard, Rick Scholz and Ted Gordon, the current athletic director at Black River. The Colts, who outscored opponents 304-76, remain the only team in school history to win a league championship. Due to COVID-19 regulations, fans are asked to purchase tickets through the HomeTown Fan app or coltsathletics.org.