The 1969 Farmington High School football team never got a chance to compete in post-season play (Minnesota didn’t have playoff football until the mid-1970’s), but the undefeated Tigers distinguished themselves with perhaps the most successful season in school history.
After running up an 8-0-1 record in the fall of 1968 and tying Rosemount for the Missota Conference championship, The Flying Tigers finished the 1969 campaign with an unblemished 9-0 record, won the Missota title outright for the first time in school history and outscored the opposition by an eye-catching 344-44. The Tigers defeated Rosemount 70-0 in their Homecoming game.
But the honors didn’t stop there. Six players, including Mark Loesch, John Harmer, Jim Swedin, Mike Barger. Marty Bonnell and Pat Novitzki earned all-conference honors. The icing on the cake came at the end of the year when the St. Paul Pioneer Press named Farmington small school state champions.
In honor of that memorable season the team will be formerly inducted into the Farmington High School Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming week of 2025, September 24-27. It will mark the first time a team has received such an honor.
The coaches of the team, the late Carl Richards and assistants Wendell Franke, Al Maki and Jay Rasmussen have previously been enshrined in the Hall of Fame as individuals.
Team Members:
Mike Barger- Captain
Scott Cox
Louie Cordes
Dick Lehr - Captain
Allen Schmitz
Jim Swedin- Captain
John McDonald
Jay Steadman
Mike Hince
Chuck Newman
Russ Matson
Larry Partlow
Marty Bonnell
John Swedin
Steve Anderson
John Harmer
Phil Kramer
Bob Trout
Jim Becker
Mark Loesch
Tom Daily
Larry Swanson
Wayne Thom
Ron Barlage
John Pettis
Tony Rademacher
Joe Marthaler
Doug Herberg
Pat Novitski
Joe McBrien
Pete Fischer
Doug Grove
John Sauber
Dean Simon
Head Coach: Carl Richards
Assistant Coaches: Jay Rassmussen, Al Maki, and Wendel Franke,
Scouting: Sid Buckland and Ken Larsen
