Gridiron Glory: History of Streaks Football

Galesburg High School started playing football in the early 1900’s. While there may be earlier groups who played football games, the GHS Reflector indicates the first season was in the Fall of 1902. 

I want to look back at some of the great teams, coaches, and players throughout the history of GHS football. 

Undefeated Teams

1908- 7-0 

1916- 9-0

1956- 9-0

Winningest Coaches

C.C. Van Dyke

26 seasons- 1944-1969

137-83 (.623)

John Gillespie

17 seasons- 1924-1940

81-64 (.559)

Kelly Kane

11 seasons- 1974-1984

66-36 (.647)

Tim Dougherty

7 seasons- 2011-2017

29-38 (.433)

Chris Stiles

4 seasons- 1988-1991

19-18 (.514)

Play-Off Teams

1976- 7-3- Coach Kelly Kane

1980- 8-2- Coach Kelly Kane

1983- 7-3- Coach Kelly Kane

1987- 6-4- Coach Bill Bolinder

1991- 8-2- Coach Chris Stiles

2002- 5-5- Coach Zach Shay

2012- 5-5- Coach Tim Dougherty

2014- 5-5- Coach Tim Dougherty

2016- 8-3- Coach Tim Dougherty

* First Team to Win Play-off Game. 

Best Seasons Since 1940

9 Win Seasons

1956-  9-0.  CC Van Dyke

8 Win Seasons

1945-  8-1.  CC Van Dyke

1949-  8-1.  CC Van Dyke

1950-  8-1.   CC Van Dyke

1966-  8-1.  CC Van Dyke

1967-  8-1.  CC Van Dyke

1980-  8-1.  Kelly Kane

1991-  8-2.  Chris Stiles

2016-  8-3.  Tim Dougherty

7 Win Seasons

1957-  7-1.  CC Van Dyke

1961-  7-2.  CC Van Dyke

1976-  7-3.  Kelly Kane

1981-  7-2.  Kelly Kane

1983-  7-3.  Kelly Kane

1984-  7-3.  Kelly Kane

6 Win Seasons

1958-  6-2. CC Van Dyke

1959-  6-3. CC Van Dyke

1964-  6-1. CC Van Dyke

1972-  6-3. Bob Johns

1977-  6-2. Kelly Kane

1979-  6-3. Kelly Kane

1982-  6-3. Kelly Kane

1985-  6-3. Bill Bolinder

1987.  6-4. Bill Bolinder

1990.  6-3. Chris Stiles

Hall of Fame Football Players

These are players who played football at GHS and have been inducted in the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame.