The First Winning Streak: 25 games from... 1958-60
At present time, THE FIRST STREAK’s exact start date (as well as anecdotal records of the time period) is unknown, but what is known is that the groundwork for “The First Streak” actually began in 1957, a mere seven seasons after the inception of the Bettendorf Football program. That season, Bettendorf went 7-2 and won the first conference championship in school history as members of the relatively new Illowa Conference. Setting the tone that would last for the next fifty-plus years, Bettendorf’s defense was ironclad as it only allowed 90 total points. On offense, the Bulldogs racked up 1,425 total yards—best in the state—and at season’s end then-head coach Merrit Parsons was honored by being named the Quad Cities “Coach of the Year.” To say the least, the Bettendorf Football program was now on the map.
In 1958 with high expectations surrounding the program, Bettendorf raced through the season 9-0 to not only net the first undefeated football season in school history, but also captured the Illowa Conference crown for the second consecutive season. The Bulldog’s defense, spearheaded by sophomore linebacker Stu Sparling, was balanced by Bettendorf’s single wing offense led by quarterback Don Gray (1,088 rushing yards, 755 passing yards, 10 TDs). Gray was complemented by spinback Dave Cox (1,156 rushing yards, 680 receiving yards) and both players earned All-State recognition as the Bulldogs had the number one rushing and scoring offense in the state of Iowa. Cumulatively, Bettendorf outscored their opponents, 306-95, and such that, were ranked #10 by the Iowa Daily Press Association in its final poll.
The 1959 campaign proved to be just as successful as the ’58 season as Bettendorf again sliced through the season unbeaten to a 7-0-1 record while lengthening “The First Streak” to 16-straight wins. Bettendorf’s offense, anchored by tackles Dale Dexter and running back Scott Rocker, again out gained their opponents by amassing 2,544 yards of total offense while scoring 193 total points. The defense, yet again anchored by Stuart Sparling and his team-leading 55 tackles, limited their opponents to only 1,152 yards and 70 total points and eventually wound up as the 10th best defensive squad in the entire State. The only setbacks—if one would call them that—occurred in Week #5 when the Bulldogs tied Newman, 12-12, and one month later the last scheduled game of the season against Assumption was cancelled due to a blizzard. Nevertheless, Bettendorf again captured the Illowa Conference Championship—their third in a row—while finishing the season ranked #12 by the Iowa Daily Press Association and both Rocker and Dexter were named to the Des Moines Register All-State football team.
The 1960 season not only dawned a new decade upon the Bulldogs, but also new opponents as Bettendorf became members of the newly-formed Little 6 Conference and their schedule consisted of such teams as Burlington, North Scott, Muscatine, and Davenport Assumption—all who would become rivals of Bettendorf for decades.
Soaring anticipation also surrounded the program and that anticipation was exceeded as Bettendorf’s offense mercilessly outscored their opponents, 381-98, to set a new school record for scoring 42.3 points per game that still stands today. Offensive tackles Steve Grossman and John Hartung, along with center John Cain, paved the way for halfback Rocker’s 959 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Sparling, for the third season in a row, led the team in tackles with 54 and was aided by the stout defensive play of defensive back Bud Reiselt. To say the least, no one even challenged the Bulldogs during the entire season.
The Bulldogs finished the ’60 campaign with a perfect record 9-0 not only for the second time in three years, but also with their fourth-straight conference championship. As well, their unbeaten streak now stood at 26-straight games. In all, seven Bulldogs earned All-State honors by the Des Moines Register and included 1st team players Rocker and Grossman, 5th team performer Sparling, and Honorable Mention competitors Cain, Hartung, Reiselt, and Jim Dilts. Additionally, Grossman earned “Quad City Lineman of the Year” honors and Parsons was named by the Des Moines Register as “Coach of the Year.” Furthermore, nine Bulldog seniors who had played together since 7th grade—Tom Johnson, Gary Rinehart, Rookie Barretto, John Brooke, Cain, Rocker, Grossman, Sparling, and Reiselt—capped a football career in which they never lost a game in five years.
However, the most notable and impressive accomplishment was the United Press International naming of Bettendorf as the “Mythical State Champions” of Iowa. Of course, it wouldn’t be until 1972 that an actual playoff system was implemented in Iowa (and not until 1981 that Bettendorf would outright win their first state championship) but regardless, the U.P.I.’s crowning of Bettendorf in 1960 will always belong to that squad who will forever be known as the “Original State Football Champs of Bettendorf.” Unfortunately, the 25-0-1 unbeaten streak ended with the ’60 squad as Bettendorf lost the 1961 season opener to Cedar Rapids Regis, 10-21.
25 in a row!
1958
Bettendorf 19, Muscatine 13
Bettendorf 32, Fulton 19
Bettendorf 39, Savanna 6
Bettendorf 18, DeWitt 14
Bettendorf 33, Morrison 0
Bettendorf 49, Newman 13
Bettendorf 25, Amboy 6
Bettendorf 34, Assumption 6
Bettendorf 57, St. Mary's 12
1959
Bettendorf 19, Muscatine 13
Bettendorf 25, Savanna 6
Bettendorf 25, DeWitt 13
Bettendorf 34, Morrison 0
Bettendorf 12, Newman 12 (tie)
Bettendorf 36, Amboy 12
Bettendorf 16, St. Mary's 7
Bettendorf 26, Fulton 7
1960
Bettendorf 40, Cedar Rapids Regis 6
Bettendorf 34, Burlington 18
Bettendorf 42, Keokuk 7
Bettendorf 34, North Scott 6
Bettendorf 43, Muscatine 6
Bettendorf 32, Assumption 14
Bettendorf 56, Ottumwa 14
Bettendorf 40, Alleman 7
Bettendorf 60, Geneseo 20
The Second Winning Streak: 36 games from... 1987-89
THE SECOND STREAK began on Friday, September 5th, 1987, when an unranked Bulldog squad opened up the ’87 season with a 26-0 victory over North Scott; from that point on, the Bulldog’s offense—both methodical and punishing—never stopped and was led by junior tailback Greg Brown (1,515 yards, 26 TDs) who led all of Class 4A in rushing that season. Brown’s path was cleared by fullback Clint Watkins (845 yards, 16 TDs) along with a mammoth offensive line in the likes of tackle Joe Judge and guards Brad Schoenfelder and Scott Roberts. While the offense virtually steamrolled over every opponent, the defense—featuring standout ends Adam Bergeron and Gregg Folks, tackles Steve McCall and Eric Carlson, noseguard Mike Woolverton, linebackers Brian West and Scott Downs, and defensive back Andy Wall—simultaneously shut them down. Simply put, every time they took the field, the Bulldogs made a statement.
The Bulldogs ended the regular season with an 8-0 record—only the third time a Bettendorf team had done so since 1966—and for the fifth time in school history qualified for the Class 4A playoffs. In the 1st Round, Bettendorf hammered Pleasant Valley, 38-13, to advance to the Quarterfinals against a Davenport West squad they had previously defeated 43-7 the last game of the regular season; however, this time around, the contest was much closer but the Bulldogs manage to edge the Falcons, 19-14, to meet the Dubuque Wahlert Eagles in the Semifinals. Early in the game Bettendorf found themselves down, 14-0, before responding by rattling off five-straight touchdowns on the way to a 35-14 victory to propel themselves into the 4A title game for only the third time in school history.
The title game contest against the Dowling Maroons of West Des Moines was a defensive battle and the Bulldog’s crew alone stopped Dowling four different times inside the red zone. At halftime with the score reading 0-0, Bettendorf Head Coach Merv Habenicht and his staff convened in the locker room while his wife, Evelyn Habenicht, stood in on his behalf as he was inducted into the Iowa High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
The game remained scoreless after it restarted in the 3rd quarter but during the final period, Bettendorf finally drew first blood when Watkins scored from one-yard out to take a 7-0 lead. However, on their next possession, the Maroons countered with a touchdown and elected to go for the win with a two-point conversion. In what would be the play of the game, junior defensive back Scott Franks knocked away a pass and when the clock reached 0:00, the Bulldogs remained the only unbeaten team in Class 4A by capping a perfect 12-0 season with their 7-6 victory over Dowling. The title game itself was a prophecy fulfilled: the seniors had been told as early as 7th grade that someday they would win a state title. In the post-season, Judge, Schoenfelder, and McCall earned 1st Team All-State honors while 2nd Team players included Brown, Bergeron, and kicker Chad Skogman. As well, Augie Gutierrez was named to the 3rd Team as a kicker.
At the beginning of the 1988 season, Bettendorf was ranked #1 by the Coaches Poll as they returned a core group of players that included Brown, Roberts, receiver LaVance Banks, noseguard Dave Donohoo, defensive tackle Jason Reading, linebackers Downs and Sok On Yi, and Franks. In what would be both a history and record smashing season, Bettendorf began their quest for a second-straight state title with a lopsided victory over North Scott—this time 43-3—and then juggernauted through the regular season to finish 9-0 and thus extend the winning streak to 21 games.
Junior quarterback Matt Ulrich directed the offense and by the end of the season amassed 923 yards in passing with 15 touchdowns; his most prolific targets were receivers Banks (25 receptions for 634 yards, 7 TDs) and tight end Jeff Deere (27 receptions for 378 yards, 5 TDs). Banks was also a threat every time he returned a punt as he totaled 500 yards in just 17 returns while scoring 5 touchdowns. Bettendorf’s aerial attack was merely the icing on the cake and was offset by the rushing of Brown (1,722 yards, 26 TDs) and junior fullback Tony LaMarre (618 yards, 8 TDs) who both punished opposing defenses with their speed and brawn. Simply put, either through air or land, the offense was unstoppable.
Bettendorf’s biggest test of the regular season came five weeks into the season when a clerical error regarding a transfer student came to light and it was initially believed that because the player—a reserve who was technically ineligible because while he had switched schools, his residency had remained the same—had participated in several games, the contests would have to be forefeited. However, then-Athletic Director Chuck Nolting presented the Bulldog’s case to the Iowa High School Athletic Association who subsequently ruled with confidence that the gaffe was simply a bookkeeping mistake and no games would have to be forfeited—thus, the Second Streak continued onward.
In the 1st Round of the ‘88 playoffs the Bulldogs once again nearly stumbled to a team they had defeated previously when they pulled out a 15-13 victory over Pleasant Valley; merely five days earlier during the last game of the regular season, Bettendorf had blanked the Spartans 28-0. Regaining their composure as well as their attitude, the Bulldogs then rolled over the Iowa City High Little Hawks, 33-0, in the Quarterfinals and then for the second straight year, beat Dubuque Wahlert in the Semifinals, 20-6, to once-again find themselves in the 4A state championship game.
The Dawgs were not only the defending state champs, but also—depending on which poll one believed—the #1-ranked team about to do battle with other #1-ranked team in the Newton Cardinals. The 1988 title game was a rematch of the 1980 state championship—Bettendorf’s first-ever appearance in the title game in which Newton handily won, 28-14. However, this time around after a first-half slugfest which saw three lead changes, Bettendorf eventually took control in the second half—especially after defensive back Matt Rebro literally knocked off Newton running back Chad Gutherie’s helmet—and won, 28-12, to capture their second-straight state title (which at that point in history had never before been accomplished in Class 4A).
Bettendorf’s final 13-0 record set a new school record for most victories in a season and the Bulldogs not only earned a national ranking of #18 by the L.A. Times, but also extended their winning streak to 25-straight games. Moreover, Habenicht earned the Iowa Football Coaches Association “District Coach of the Year” award while also being named the Des Moines Register “Class 4A Coach of the Year”. Although disputable, the 1988 team was labeled by many as “The Best Bettendorf Team Ever” and featured four 1st Team All-State players in Roberts, Brown, Reading, and Downs while linebacker Yi earned 2nd Team recognition.
At the beginning of the 1989 season, Bettendorf was rated as the undisputed #1-ranked team by both the Coaches Poll and the Des Moines Register based on the fact that they were the two-time defending state champions who returned several key players on both offense and defense. Leading the charge on offense was LaMarre (now playing his natural position of tailback), Ulrich, and center Wes Arensdorf while returning defensive starters included end Ken Koehler, Rebro (who was moved to linebacker), and defensive back Matt Brown. Such that, the 1989 squad was firmly intent on winning an unprecedented third-straight 4A state title while maintaining The Streak—both tasks that were easier said than done.
The ‘89 Bulldog offense relied mainly on the legs of LaMarre who eventually rushed for a 4A-best 1,721 yards and 31 touchdowns and his path was cleared by fullback Eric Arguello and offensive linemen Mike Evans, Mike McNamara, Mike Murphy, and Arensdorf. Ulrich, now a seasoned quarterback, made opposing defenses pay for stacking nine men in the box as he threw for a total of 753 yards and 6 touchdowns and his main target was junior tight end Rob Benson (23 receptions for 372 yards, 2 TDs).
After opening up the season with a 42-0 blasting of Pleasant Valley, Bettendorf zipped through the M.A.C. to both an 8-0 record and an Honorable Mention “Team to Watch” in USA Today; along the way, the Bulldogs litmus tests came in the form of both Davenport North and Central but both times rose to the occasion to win 17-0 and 21-14, respectively. As always, Bettendorf’s defense played ruthlessly and was powered by ends Koehler and Eric Doerder, noseguard John Elkin, linebacker Rebro, and defensive backs Jimmy Kerker, Chad Fors, Bill Dockery, and Brown. So hardnosed was the defense that against Clinton, Bettendorf took a 41-0 halftime lead and all starters were pulled at the beginning of the 3rd quarter while in the North contest, the Bulldogs limited the Wildcat’s offense to just 48 total offensive yards and never allowed them to cross the 50-yard line.
Nonetheless, the #1-ranked Bulldogs biggest challenge awaited them in the season finale—a game that would decide the 1989 Mississippi Athletic Conference champion. Enter Bettendorf’s foe: the 8-0 and #3-ranked Burlington Greyhounds who would pit their high-powered and top-rated M.A.C. offense against Bettendorf’s stingy, state-leading defense that only allowed 9.9 points per game. Such that, the season finale was showcased as a “Clash of Titans” match-up and despite the 7,000 plus people who packed into TouVelle Stadium hoping to witness one last great games of the decade, the Bulldogs bolted to a 27-0 halftime lead. The second half was mostly uneventful and in the end, Bettendorf’s 34-12 victory not only extended The Streak to 34-straight wins, but also propelled the Bulldogs into the 4A playoffs with momentum.
A 28-6 victory over Davenport Assumption in the 1st Round advanced Bettendorf to the Quarterfinals where they again were matched against the Little Hawks of Iowa City High. The game was a dogfight and at halftime Bettendorf led, 3-0. However, midway through the 4th quarter, City High scored to take a 7-3 advantage and became the first opponent that season to ever lead the Bulldogs. Yet, on their next possession, Bettendorf rose to the challenge and drove the length of the field only to face a 4th and 4 near the goal line; with more than just the season on the line, LaMarre took the handoff from Ulrich and ran untouched into the endzone as Bettendorf retook the lead. The Bulldog defense stopped the Little Hawks on their next drive and another score by the offense sealed a 16-7 victory to not only advance the Bulldogs one game from the championship round, but upped The Streak to 36-straight wins.
In the Semifinal Round, Bettendorf faced an arduous opponent in the Linn-Mar Lions (10-1) whose sole loss had been a 10-8 thriller to the Iowa City Little Hawks. Although the Lions scored on their opening drive, Bettendorf responded immediately and led 7-6 until midway through the 3rd quarter when a blocked punt inside the Dawg’s own red zone allowed Linn-Mar to retake the lead. Several other uncharacteristic turnovers eventually doomed Bettendorf and they eventually lost, 25-7, on Saturday, November 11, 1989, ending both Bettendorf’s 36-game winning streak and a bid for a third-straight state championship.
In the post-season, Habenicht was named the “M.A.C. Coach of the Year” while LaMarre, Koehler, Rebro, and Elkin earned 1st Team All-State honors. As well, Arensdorf and Evans were named to both the 2nd and 3rd teams, respectively. Most certainly, over 150 players in a three-year span contributed to what is the longest winning streak in Class 4A in the last fifty years.
After the game, Habenicht said in The Quad City Times, “I just hope some day we can do again what we’ve accomplished the past three years.” In this context, did “Humble Hab” know that “again” would be as little as two seasons later when “The Third Streak” would begin?
36 in a row!
1987
Bettendorf 26, North Scott 0
Bettendorf 41, Burlington 14
Bettendorf 22, Davenport Central 14
Bettendorf 40, Muscatine 15
Bettendorf 35, Davenport Assumption 7
Bettendorf 33, Clinton 6
Bettendorf 40, Davenport North 20
Bettendorf 43, Davenport West 7
1st Round: Bettendorf 38, Pleasant Valley 13
Quarterfinals: Bettendorf 19, Davenport West 14
Semifinals: Bettendorf 35, Dubuque Wahlert 14
Championship Game: Bettendorf 7, WDM Dowling 6
1988
Bettendorf 43, North Scott 3
Bettendorf 20, Burlington 7
Bettendorf 33, Davenport Central 6
Bettendorf 41, Muscatine 0
Bettendorf 41, Davenport Assumption 0
Bettendorf 20, Clinton 6
Bettendorf 48, Davenport North 14
Bettendorf 43, Davenport West 20
Bettendorf 28, Pleasant Valley 0
1st Round: Bettendorf 15, Pleasant Valley 13
Quarterfinals: Bettendorf 33, Iowa City High 0
Semifinals: Bettendorf 20, Dubuque Wahlert 6
Championship Game: Bettendorf 28, Newton 12
1989
Bettendorf 42, Pleasant Valley 0
Bettendorf 28, Davenport Assumption 8
Bettendorf 41, Clinton 21
Bettendorf 41, Davenport West 14
Bettendorf 17, Davenport North 0
Bettendorf 41, North Scott 6
Bettendorf 41, Muscatine 14
Bettendorf 21, Davenport Central 14
Bettendorf 34, Burlington 12
1st Round: Bettendorf 28, Davenport Assumption 6
Quarterfinals: Bettendorf 16, Iowa City High 7
The Third Winning Streak: 30 games from... 1991-93
THE THIRD STREAK began on Friday, October 16, 1991, during Week #7 and would continue through the 1992 season all the way into post-season play of 1993; Habenicht’s prophetic comment, “I just hope some day we can do again what we’ve accomplished these past three years...” would ring so true that some wondered, “Did he know all along?”
The Bulldogs opened up the ’91 season with a 13-15 loss to Burlington but then rebounded by winning four straight games which included a 31-13 victory over eventual-M.A.C. champion Davenport Assumption. “The Third Streak” officially began when the Bulldogs, coming off a 14-28 loss to Clinton in Week #6, smashed the Lancers of North Scott, 48-6, en route to a 7-2 regular season finish to qualify for the Class 4A playoffs; it was tongue-in-cheek that the Bulldogs actually finished fourth in the conference behind Assumption, Clinton, and Burlington—but would eventually be the team to beat in 4A. To say the least, junior tailback Tavian Banks—who the year before missed the entire season after breaking his leg in a season-opener—led the state with his 9.2 average per carry and rushed for a total of 1,905 yards and 32 touchdowns and his path was cleared by offensive lineman Keith Lucier and Eric Lyons—both 1st Team All-State selections. The traditional Bettendorf defense was as tightfisted as ever and was anchored by tackle Jed Orgill and end Pat Bateman who also both earned All-State honors after the season.
During the 1991 playoffs, Bettendorf clearly peaked by outscoring their opponents 127-41. A 31-15 rout of Davenport Assumption in the 1st Round was followed by a 55-17 revenge-thrashing of Burlington during the Quarterfinals. In the Semifinals against Dubuque Wahlert, defensive back Mitch Harvey intercepted four Eagle passes in a sound 41-9 victory to propel Bettendorf into their 5th title game appearance since 1980 against the Sioux City Heelan Crusaders. The championship game was a defensive battle and Banks scored the only touchdown on a 68-yard fake-reverse scamper as Bettendorf won their seventh consecutive game, 6-0, as well as the school’s fourth Class 4A state football title.
In 1992, Bettendorf had a wealth of returning starters, including Banks, and soundly beat every opponent as they raced through the regular season to a 9-0 record. Entering the 4A playoffs as the #1-ranked team and owner of 16-straight victories, Bettendorf’s was first tested by Davenport Assumption in the 1st Round but prevailed 28-18. The next trial in the Quarterfinal match was against the Iowa City High Little Hawks—a rising force in Class 4A—who were led by speedy running back Tim Dwight who was only a junior. Bettendorf initially was stunned by the Little Hawks who took an early 14-0 lead, however, the Bulldogs battled back by scoring twenty-four straight points and eventually won, 31-28, to meet Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the Semifinal Round. A 14-0 triumph against the J-Hawks advanced the 12-0 Bulldogs to the state championship game where they met the West Des Moines Valley Tigers who also boasted an impressive 12-0 record.
However, the Tigers were no match for the Bulldogs and in a then-historical 41-0 smashing, Bettendorf not only won their fifth and second pair of back-to-back Class 4A state championships, but they also recorded their 20th consecutive win. Banks, a Parade All-American running back, ran for 250 yards and 4 touchdowns in the game to end his senior year with a total of 2,394 yards and 42 touchdowns; the tailback owed much credit to his offensive line consisting of guard Brent Kock, center Chris Miller, end Shane McCallister, and All-State tackle Corey Ryan. The defense also had its share of great players in the likes of end Chris Lensing and linebacker Eric Hoch—both of whom earned 1st Team All-State honors—as well as linebacker Mike Sage who was 2nd Team All-State selection.
Entering the 1993 season as the #1-ranked team, Bettendorf—without a doubt—was the team to beat and they proved that by carving through the regular season uncontested. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents, 405-103—an average score of 45-11—en route to a 9-0 record while not only capturing their fifth M.A.C. title in seven years, but also extending the streak to 29 straight-wins. Simply put, the Bulldogs handily defeated every single M.A.C. opponent they encountered and this was proven by the fact that their closest game point-wise was a 49-22 victory over Davenport North.
The offense was built around Paul Harnung (1,636 yards, 29 TDs) and Ron McQuay (1,072 yards, 18 TDs) who not only took turns leading the M.A.C. in rushing, but also became the first pair of Bettendorf backs since 1958 to rush for more than 1,000 yards in one season. Both players had their paths cleared for them by end Frank Lawler, tackles Brock Ryan and Eric Hull, center Chris Taylor, and Brent Kock who provided quarterback Scott Longval plenty of time to complete 50 passes for 815 yards and 7 touchdowns. Placekicker Matt Schara, an eventual 1st Team All-State pick, was also deadly accurate as he made 58/60 extra points and 3/4 field goals during the season. As well—despite the redundancy—the Bulldog defense yet again complemented the offense by limiting 7 of their 11 opponents from scoring more than two touchdowns a game and was led by the crew of end Rick Adriano, tackles Chris Cowherd and Shane Pearson, and back Jeff Mossbrucker.
Much like the 1989 squad four years before them, the 1993 team marched into the 4A playoffs intent on winning an unprecedented third-straight 4A state championship. In the 1st Round game, the Bulldogs faced Davenport Assumption—their new M.A.C. rival whom they had defeated 34-7 during the regular season and this time around the Knights challenged the Bulldogs. After a hard-fought game, Bettendorf ultimately prevailed, 21-18, to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
“The Third Streak” now stood at 30-straight games and the Bulldogs—for the fourth time in six years—were paired against the Iowa City High Little Hawks in the Quarterfinals. Over 7,000 fans made TouVelle Stadium a standing-room-only venue; however, in this game, Dwight was a senior and wanted revenge—which, after yet another intense Bettendorf-Iowa City High brawl, he earned when his Little Hawks beat Bettendorf, 27-14, to end “The Third Streak” on Monday, November 8, 1993. The defeat not only ended Bettendorf’s 30-game winning streak, but also their bid for a third-straight state championship.
For post-season honors, Harnung, Kock, Ryan, and Schara were selected to the 1st Team All-State Squad while Mossbrucker, Adriano, Pearson, and Cowherd all earned 2nd Team honors. As well, McQuay was a 3rd Team selection at running back while long-time assistant coach Randy Scott earned “Assistant Coach of the Year” honors by the Iowa Football Coaches Association.
The Third Streak also marked the end of an era as not only would fourteen years would pass before another winning streak was born, but also the retirement of Merv Habenicht and the fact that Bettendorf would not play for another state title until the year 2000.
30 in a row!
1991
Bettendorf 48, North Scott 6
Bettendorf 49, Muscatine 7
Bettendorf 35, Davenport Central 0
1st Round: Bettendorf 31, Davenport Assumption 15
Quarterfinals: Bettendorf 55, Burlington 17
Semifinals: Bettendorf 41, Dubuque Wahlert 9
Championship Game: Bettendorf 6, Sioux City Heelan 0
1992
Bettendorf 42, Burlington 0
Bettendorf 28, Pleasant Valley 14
Bettendorf 34, Davenport North 6
Bettendorf 42, Davenport West 3
Bettendorf 26, Davenport Assumption 7
Bettendorf 49, Clinton 21
Bettendorf 55, North Scott 0
Bettendorf 49, Muscatine 7
Bettendorf 23, Davenport Central 6
1st Round: Bettendorf 28, Davenport Assumption 18
Quarterfinals: Bettendorf 31, Iowa City High 28
Semifinals: Bettendorf 14, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 0
Championship Game: Bettendorf 41, WDM Valley 0
1993
Bettendorf 42, Burlington 7
Bettendorf 41, Pleasant Valley 13
Bettendorf 49, Davenport North 22
Bettendorf 34, Davenport West 0
Bettendorf 34, Davenport Assumption 7
Bettendorf 57, Clinton 20
Bettendorf 49, North Scott 14
Bettendorf 50, Muscatine 14
Bettendorf 49, Davenport Central 6
1st Round: Bettendorf 21, Davenport Assumption 18
The Fourth Winning Streak: 24 games from... 2007-08
While THE FOURTH STREAK began on Friday, August 31st, 2007, the foundation for it was actually set nine and a half months earlier in 2006 when Bettendorf met Cedar Rapids Xavier in the Semifinal Round of the 4A playoffs. The Bulldogs were on the verge of playing for the state championship as with less then 2 minutes in the game, they were tied with Xavier, 14-14. Although the Bulldog’s offense had been mostly stifled by a stout Xavier defense, Bettendorf was playing their usual brand of grind-it-out football and had taken the ball down the length of the field to Xavier’s 4-yard line; about to score, Bettendorf’s favorable circumstances abruptly reversed when on the ensuing play tailback Jake Eikenberry was hit during the quarterback-running back exchange and the ball hit the ground… and in a play since dubbed “The Immaculate Recovery,” the pigskin was scooped up by a Xavier defender who then to rambled 96-yards to the opposite end of the field to score and put Xavier up for good, 21-14.
From that lesson all Bulldogs learned to never take anything granted—and from the beginning of the 2007 season the team not only played with a chip on their shoulder, but also with a purpose: to not only get to the state championship game, but to win it and reclaim the Destiny they seemingly had been denied the season before.
The 2007 squad was overabundant in talent and were led by a plethora of offensive players that included offensive linemen Dan Bettenhausen and Seth Mosbrucker—both of whom would protect junior quarterback Danny Tharp (128 completions for 1,903 yards, 15 TDs) who could easily handoff to running back Jake Eikenberry (135 carries for 1,004 yards, 16 TDs) as he could throw to Billy Rembold (51 receptions for 892 yards, 13 TDs), Carter Ridenour (36 receptions for 536 yards, 8 TDs), and Mitch Overstreet (19 receptions for 280 yards, 1 TD). Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by ends Pete Kabler, Eric Speidel, and Adam Coleman, linebackers Anthony Losasso and Mitch Jurevitz, and backs Garrett Scott and Doug Smith. On the same note, it would also be worth mentioning that punter Nate Meyer’s leg was an overlooked and underestimated weapon.The 2007 Bulldogs opened up their season with not only a #1-state ranking, but also a 62-0 blasting of Davenport West. The following week the Bulldogs throttled Davenport North 50-0 and it wouldn’t be until the third game—against Davenport Assumption—that an opponent would score: the Knights were led by running back Willie Argo—who eventually went on to break the M.A.C. touchdown record that season—but in this contest he was held in check as Bettendorf won, 21-14. Having outscored their first three opponents 133-14, the Bulldogs then went on a five-game scoring spree that witnessed them scoring 250 points with wins over Burlington (49-20), Muscatine (47-10), Clinton (49-0), Davenport Central (56-14), and Pleasant Valley (49-0).
By the season finale Bettendorf was not only 8-0, but also the undisputed #1-team in Iowa. The last game of the regular season was against North Scott who the year before not only had blanked the Bulldogs, 17-0, in the M.A.C. championship game, but also thoroughly embarrassed them. However, it’s noteworthy to point out that while North Scott would finish the regular season 9-0, they lost to Iowa City High in the 1st Round of the Playoffs while the 8-1 Bulldogs advanced to the Semifinals. This time around though, North Scott squad was no match for the Bulldogs who dismantled them 36-6 as they entered the playoffs as the team to beat in Class 4A.In the 1st Round the Bulldogs were paired with the Little Hawks of Iowa City High—a team they had faced the previous three seasons in the playoffs. The Bulldogs and Little Hawks first met in the post-season in 1988 and since that initial game have had some classic contests such as Bettendorf’s 1989 come-from-behind 16-7 Quarterfinal victory, 1992’s “Banks vs. Dwight” Quarterfinal battle that Bettendorf won, 35-28, and the 17-13 loss 1st Round loss in 2005 that occurred in the final minute of the game.
The 2007 game would be no different as yet another street fight ensued and this contest was seemingly a war of attrition. By the 3rd quarter, it was obvious that Bettendorf’s traditional platoon system was wearing down many of the Little Hawk’s two-way starters and despite a valiant effort by Iowa City, Bettendorf emerged as 31-28 victors. In the Quarterfinals, the Bulldogs had to once again face Davenport Assumption and this time around the Bulldogs silenced all detractors who speculated that the Knights’ lone loss of the season was a fluke as Bettendorf easily won, 35-14. Returning to the Semifinals for the third time in four years, the Bulldogs battled the Tigers of Cedar Falls in another classic match up that ended in regulation with a 0-0 tie. In overtime, Cedar Valley was unable to score a touchdown and their 4th down field goal attempt was blocked by junior Kyle Lichtenberg. Wasting no time, Bettendorf elected to kick a field goal on 1st down and Rembold’s successful kick gave the Bulldogs a 6-3 overtime victory and propelled them into the 4A state championship game.
Bettendorf entered the 4A title game with a 12-0 record and was playing for their second state title in four seasons. Matched up against the Ankeny Hawks, this was not only the first meeting between the two teams, but also the first time since 1997 that the Hawks were playing for a state title. Ankeny entered the game with both an 11-1 record and dangerous Power-T offense that had definitely peaked during the playoffs as indicated by their lopsided victories in the first two rounds.
On the third play of the opening series, Bettendorf running back Jared Masterson busted loose and rambled 59-yards down the sideline to Ankeny’s 3-yard line; two plays later Anthony Losasso—in for Jake Eikenberry who suffered a season-ending injury in the 1st Round game—scored to put Bettendorf ahead, 7-0. Seemingly, Bettendorf was headed for a rout of Ankeny—but the game that followed was probably one of the best 4A title contests ever.
Ankeny’s offense—a mixture of the Wing-T, Wishbone, and Belly series—virtually owned the field from their 5-yard line to the Bulldog’s 5-yard line and were able to run the ball at will and although Bettendorf’s defense slowed them down, the Hawks managed to rush for 5.1 yards per carry (for a game total of 287 yards). After Ankeny tied the game 7-7, Bettendorf next scored on a 65-yard pass play from Tharp to Rembold to put Bettendorf up 14-7. However, over the course of the game Ankeny’s run game took a toll on Bettendorf and although they couldn’t punch it into the endzone, the Hawks scored three-straight field goals to own a 16-14 lead with less two and a half minutes remaining in the contest.
After returning the kick to their own 20-yard line, Tharp went under center and with a tough Ankeny defense blanketing his receivers, threw three straight incomplete passes. Obviously, the Bulldogs faced a dire situation: down 16-14 and facing 4th and 10 from their own 20-yard line with literally two minutes left in the game, head coach Randy Scott had no choice but to go for it—and Tharp’s 23-yard completion to Rembold began one of the most memorable drives in Bettendorf history. Tharp completed four straight passes to both Scott, Overstreet, and Ridenour while rushing for one yard to put the Bulldogs on Ankeny’s 19-yard line with :24 seconds left in the game. Then, in a brilliant tactical move, Bettendorf took a shot at the endzone—and to the surprise of everyone except the Bulldogs—Rembold caught the pass and with his successful extra point, put the Bulldogs ahead 21-16 with :12 seconds left in the game; three plays later Bettendorf won their seventh state championship in school history to cap Part I of the Fourth Streak.
Bettendorf players not only dominated the All-Conference squad, but also the annual All-State teams selected by the Des Moines Register and Iowa Newspaper Association: 1st team picks included Coleman, Scott, Mosbrucker, Losasso, and Meyer while Kabler and Rembold landed on the 2nd Team. As well, Overstreet was a 3rd team selection and Bettenhausen earned Academic All-State honors. Also, Randy Scott—who would retire from coaching shortly after the 2007 season—was named as the “M.A.C. Coach of the Year” while Tharp earned “Red Zone Player of the Year” honors. As a team, Bettendorf was ranked #30 in the nation by MaxPreps, #32 by Student Sports, and the “Best Team in Iowa” by Sports Illustrated.
Part II of the Fourth Streak continued the following year when the Bettendorf opened up the 2008 season with a new head coach in Aaron Wiley who had served as an assistant since 1997; originally hired by former head coach Merv Habenicht, Wiley had served as the defensive coordinator for both Habenicht and Scott and under their tutelage was certainly ready to lead the Bulldogs into their next chapter of success.
Although the Bulldogs were the #1 ranked team in Iowa at the beginning of the season, it was a designation they would eventually lose to West Des Moines Valley based on comparative scores. Regardless, a convincing 37-7 victory over Pleasant Valley was the fourteenth straight victim in the Fourth Streak and the following game Bettendorf mercilessly pounded Muscatine, 52-12. However, unlike the season before in which the Bulldogs razored through the season, victories in the 2008 campaign didn’t come as easily: although the final result of the third game was a 35-0 victory over Davenport North, the Week 4 game against Clinton wasn’t assured until the 4th quarter. As well, the following game against North Scott witnessed the Bulldogs come-from-behind in the 3rd quarter to win, 24-16. Nevertheless, Bettendorf still outplayed their opponents on a week-by-week basis and such victories included a 45-13 thrashing of Davenport West, a 42-0 drubbing of Davenport Central, and a 31-15 conquest over Burlington. The season finale against Davenport Assumption ended in a 31-7 victory and the fact was Bettendorf had outscored their nine regular season opponents, 332-87—not a far cry from 2007’s 418-63 totals.
Bettendorf thus entered the playoffs with a perfect 9-0 record—joining only West Des Moines Valley and Iowa City High as the remaining undefeated teams in Class 4A. However, playoffs state-wide had changed in format with the implementation of a Substate game which literally doubled the number of participants in 4A from 16 to 32 and critics—which were many—of the Substate game cited that the playoffs would now be “watered down” as a result of many 5-4 and some 4-5 teams now qualifying for the Substate game.
For the most part, the higher-seeded teams dominated their opponents except in a few cases—most notably, M.A.C teams suffered the brunt of the new Substate game: North Scott, who ended the season with an 8-1 record, lost to Dubuque Wahlert who was one of the few 4-5 teams to qualify for the playoffs while 7-2 Burlington lost to 5-4 Dubuque Hempstead. Bettendorf was paired against 4-5 Clinton—a team they had soundly defeated during the regular season but simply put, since Clinton had nothing to lose, they gave the Bulldogs a run for their money and with less than eight minutes remaining in the game, the River Kings owned a 21-20 lead. In response the Bulldogs, as they had all season long, displayed their true grit and with a long drive, touchdown, and successful two-point conversion, eventually claimed a 28-21 victory that extended their winning streak to 23-straight games. In the 1st Round game, the Bulldogs met Cedar Rapids Prairie—a team they had previously never played—and rebounded by thrashing the Hawks, 28-3, for their 24th-consecutive win.
In the Quarterfinals the Bulldogs had to travel to Cedar Rapids to take on Mississippi Valley foe the Washington Warriors who featured a dangerous spread offense. Unfortunately, history does repeat itself and like the 1989 team twenty seasons before, the 2008 squad became their own worst enemy and committed five turnovers—four in the first half—and all four turnovers led to Warrior touchdowns. Hence, in a strange land on Monday, November 7th, 2008, the Fourth Streak came to an abrupt end when Bettendorf lost to Washington, 48-27.
Post-season, Bulldogs dominated the All-Conference and All-Metro teams while five players earned 1st Team All-State honors: Overstreet, Lichtenberg, wide receiver Pat Brown, punter Nate Meyer, and defensive lineman Casey Nabb. As well, linebacker Mitch Jurevitz earned 3rd Team honors while Meyer and Overstreet became just the sixteenth and seventeenth players in Bettendorf history to earn All-State honors twice.
Since 1951, Bettendorf has won 423 games and 115 of those victories—27%—have been won in a row at one time or another over the course of eight seasons and five different decades. Machiavelli said it best: "Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past" and regarding another Bettendorf football winning streak, it would be neither arrogant nor overconfident to say as it has happened before, it will happen again
24 in a row!
2007
Bettendorf 62, Davenport West 0
Bettendorf 50, Davenport North 0
Bettendorf 21, Davenport Assumption 13
Bettendorf 49, Burlington 20
Bettendorf 47, Muscatine 10
Bettendorf 49, Clinton 0
Bettendorf 56, Davenport Central 14
Bettendorf 49, Pleasant Valley 0
Bettendorf 35, North Scott 6
1st Round: Bettendorf 35, Iowa City High 28
Quarterfinals: Bettendorf 35, Dav't Assumption 14
Semifinals: Bettendorf 6, Cedar Falls 3 (OT)
State Championship: Bettendorf 21, Ankeny 16
2008
Bettendorf 37, Pleasant Valley 7
Bettendorf 52, Muscatine 12
Bettendorf 35, Davenport North 0
Bettendorf 35, Clinton 14
Bettendorf 24, North Scott 16
Bettendorf 45, Davenport West 13
Bettendorf 42, Davenport Central 0
Bettendorf 31, Burlington 15
Bettendorf 31, Davenport Assumption 7
Substate: Bettendorf 28, Clinton 21
1st Round: Bettendorf 28, Cedar Rapids Prairie 3
