1977 PC Football

The 1977 Putnam City football team is the first football team to be inducted into the District Hall of Fame.  While they were the third state champion team for the Pirates, they may have had the most exciting run to a state championship, which included two contests against sister school, Putnam West.  The Pirates (led by Hall of Fame Coach Jerry Potter) finished the regular season 10-0, including a 15-8 victory over the rival Patriots.  After two more wins in the playoffs, a rematch was on, but for the State Title this time.  In front of a standing room only crowd at Taft Stadium, the game ended in a 14-14 tie.  The overtime would be played without PC’s starting quarterback (District Hall of Famer Kelly Phelps) who had been injured at the end of the game.  Backup quarterback Fred Donley didn’t miss his chance. He connected with Tracy Hinkle for a touchdown to put the Pirates up by seven.  Terry Johnson intercepted PC West’s first attempt in overtime and the game was over.  Putnam City secured it’s third state title with a perfect 13-0 season.