Former Badger football players and coaches honored at historic game

BONNERS FERRY — Football players and coaches from the 1974-75 Badger football seasons were recognized before the 3A IHSAA playoff game on Oct. 29.

The Badgers 2022 football team is undefeated for the first time since 1974 and played in the 3A IHSAA playoff game against Wood River on Oct. 29, the first time since 2003. In honor of this historic feat, the players and coaches from the ‘74 and ‘75 seasons were recognized before kickoff.

Players from the class of 1975 (1974 season) went 11-0 and won the regional championship. The Class of 1976 (1975 season) went 9-0-1 and won the State A-2 championship. For those two seasons, they were a combined 20-0-1.

They were also recognized that year as North Idaho’s Team of the Year. While some of these players will be watching today’s game from above, we’d like to congratulate and thank the players and coaches from those two teams, BFHS athlete department.

Head coach of the team was Doug Cox, and assistant coaches were Lee Davis, Bill Hayden and Tom Wofford. Wofford would go on to become head coach and was coach when current head coach Travis Hinthorn played from 1986-89.

There was also a special recognition of honorary captain, No. 30 Tim Mercer, who was tragically killed while in high school. He was a phenomenal three-sport athlete and, to this day, a scholarship in his name is given out to a deserving senior every year, Badger officials said.

Some of the players from the class of ‘75 and ‘76 include: Gary Aiken, Dennis Dinning, Don Dinning, Rick Dinning, John Figgins, Dewy Hall, Dave Kramer, Mike Ladely, Tom Mackey, Mike Mulvaney, Jim Morice, Mike Newhouse, Lee Pinkerton, Lester Pinketon, Kevin Schnuerle, Gary Stueve, Dennis Warner, Chris Yount and Ken Yount.

A photo gallery from the game is available at our website, www.BonnersFerryHerald.com