Former Lawrence High School teachers and coaches were the center of attention last Friday night at a reception at Dick's Place in Lawrence. Mr. Curt Johnson and Mr. Mark Reinhardt (pictured in the front center of picture) coached the Lawrence High School football teams in the early 198's. They compiled a 68-5 won-loss record from 1980 to 1985. Former students and friends attending the reception came and went during the evening. The above picture was taken during the reception.
Curt Johnson, former coach and business teacher at Lawrence High School in the 80s, was inducted into the Nebraska 8-man Football Coaches Hall of Fame Saturday, June 15th. Many of his former students, athletes and co-workers gathered at Dick's Place on Friday evening to congratulate him and reminisce. Joining Mr. Johnson was former Lawrence High School industrial art teacher and his assistant coach, Mark Reinhardt.
Mr. Johnson currently lives in Arizona and Mr. Reinhardt lives in Hastings.
(The following was provided by a Mr. Bobby Mills of the McCook Gazette.)
From 1980 to 1985, Coach Johnson's powerful Panthers teams played for five state titles over the span of six season. During that incredible run, Lawrence dominated their opposition with 68 wins to just five losses, while also compiling three state titles and a runner-up finish. Coach Johnson's program will go down in history as the Nebraska 8-Man Football Dynasty of the early 1980s.
During his short tenure in Lawrence, Coach Johnson sent ten of his athletes to play in the Eight Man All-Star Game. He was also honored as an assistant (1982) and head coach (1984) for the East All-Stars. He cites working in Lawrence with great athletes and young men, as well as his assistant coach, Mark Reinhart – as his proudest moments in coaching. Along with his football accomplishments, Curt also led Lawrence to a state basketball title in 1983.
What Coach Curt Johnson accomplished in a short span of six years at Lawrence may be a spectacular mini version of Fall City Sacred Heart and their incredible 87 game win streak.
Coach Johnson's stint at Lawrence can possibly be summed up by a mind-goggling 1982 Eight Man Class D-1 State Championship game performance in Ansley.
Keep in mind how powerful Ansley was back in that era. "Two rare Ansley turnovers, both in the first quarter, both leading to Lawrence touchdowns, sparked a 30-0 opening stanza lead for the visiting Panthers, who never looked back. Lawrence executed their offense and defense to near perfection enroute to a 67-8 win over one of the most storied football programs in the state.
All-Stater Bill Kucera led the Lawrence onslaught with 108 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Kucera rambled 48 yards for a score on the Panthers first play from scrimmage, then scored on a five yard run, a 79 yard kickoff return to open the second half, another five yard dash in the 3rd and an 11 yard run in the 4th quarter.
To this day, the 67-8 win by Lawrence is the most lopsided score in NSAA 8-Man football playoff history."
Here is a list of All-State players Curt Johnson produced in his short tenure at Lawrence High School: Joe E. Svoboda, Arnie Svoboda, Mark Herz, Ed Karmazin, Ed Menke, Lee Herz, Paul Kucera, Russ Faimon, Bill Kucera, Dan Svoboda, Jerry Hoelting, Lonnie Mazour, Roy Faimon, Tom Menke. 1986 player, Tim Menke was also groomed to play by Johnson.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held last Saturday evening in conjunction with the annual 8-Man football All-Star game, played in Hastings this year.
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