1959 OCONOMOWOC

In my previous story, “1946…A SEASON WITH VARIOUS NOTES…PART 1” I mentioned that the Associated Press began posting lists of undefeated teams each season from 1945-1954.  The 1946 list included Oconomowoc, a team that had an 8-0-0 record.  Coached by Virgel Licht from 1939-64 the Racoons or as they were nicknamed back then, the “Cooenys or Coon’s”.

Having posted two previous undefeated seasons, both having 7-0-1 records, 1946 was the first undefeated, untied team for Licht as his men won the Little Ten Conference title outright.  They scored 161 points and allowed only 41 points.

Oconomowoc would have several very good years after 1946 but to most observers, the 1959 team would be their best.

1959

There were many stars on the 1959 squad as the team rolled up 279 points and allowed only 30 with five consecutive shutouts.

After losing an early season game, 19-0 vs. Beaver Dam in 1957 the Cooney’s went 27-1 getting to the last two games of the 1960 season before losing 13-12 to Beaver Dam.  Over the 28-game stretch, Oconomowoc won 25 games and tied.  Overall, the team scored 828 points and allowed 175 in the 28-game run.

After scoring six touchdowns in the first 2 ½ games, star back Bob Monroe was lost for the remainder of the year.  Monroe was the defending Waukesha County 1958 scoring champion with 90 points, 84 in conference play.  Most observers thought that Monroe was one of the school’s best backs ever.  The scoring slack was taken up by quarterback Jim Braatz who had 10 touchdowns on the ground and tossing 12 td’s, end Bill Holden caught seven scores, and John Counsell ran, caught and returned six more.  The Coons scored 19 touchdowns on runs, passed for 14 and had six special team scores.  The special team touchdowns were on an 87-yard kickoff return by Phil Kienast and on five punt returns by various players.  Throughout the season, the team ran a reverse almost every time on the punt returns and this caused problems for their opponents.  Bob Monroe had twoscores of 86 and 75-yards in game two vs. Beaver Dam.  

In the season opener, a 46-18 win over non-conference opponent Monroe High, back Brian Cloutier scored a touchdown but had a hairline fracture in his right leg, just an inch above the fracture he suffered in 1957 as sophomore.  One of the interesting play’s occurred when halfback Pete Jolly, a lineman in 1958, intercepted a pass, sort of.   He snatched the ball out of Monroe quarterback Eave Grams hand as he was throwing.   Jolly stood still for a second, not knowing what to do then ran 35-yards for a score. 

It should be noted that the Little Ten Conference added two teams to the group in 1959 with Hartland Arrowhead and Ripon joining so the league had 12 teams. 

Waukesha County Freeman   November 5, 1959

Junior Mark Cloutier, Brians brother, was one of the mainstays who replaced Bob Monroe.  He was a hard driving fullback who scored several times on the year.  In the season finale, as he carried 20 times against West Bend, he had a slight leg injury on the very last play of the game/season.  Mark would be okey after resting after a few days.

Coach Licht was a supporter of the single -wing offense which was considered “old school” at the time as no one around used that formation.  He also employed, at times, the shotgun which was ahead of his time.  He had a philosophy that every opponent team had to prepare hard every week for his team.  How could you beat the success that Oconomowoc had?   

The defense was outstanding giving up only 413 total yards, 141 rushing.  Opponents were only 24 of 68 passing and allowing the Conney’s to intercept 14 balls.  The team also recovered 14 fumbles.  Phil Kienast was a nearly unstoppable linebacker, using his 210 pounds and his speed to level opponents with over 100 tackles. 

John Counsell, father of future Milwaukee Brewer coach, Craig, was recruited by coach Licht to be a quarterback because of his strong arm after seeing him throw a baseball in from the outfield.  Councell declined as he liked catching passes better than throwing.  He told Licht that it was fun to catch the ball and the coach replied that the idea wasn’t to have fun but to WIN!

So then, Licht talked Jim Braatz, also a baseball player, who didn’t play football as a freshman or as a sophomore to come out and play football.  With a good arm and running ability, Braatz proved to be a fit as the starting quarterback.  Councell would become media specialist with the Milwaukee Brewers.  Braatz later worked for Brownberry Ovens in Oconomowoc. 

Lineman Tom Bartz accepted a football scholarship to Maryland and played two seasons, 1964 and 1965 for the Denver Broncos and later worked for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.  Bob Monroe taught school in Germantown.  Phil Kienast earned a scholarship to Notre Dame, suffered a knee injury and never played again but became a college professor.  Harold Roberts opened an excavating company as well as serving as Delafield’s fire chief.  Bill Holden attended UW-Madison, and at one time held the Big 10 high jump record.  After graduation he became an airline pilot.  These are but a few of the success stories for the teammates of 1959.

Coach Licht coached from 1936- 1961 and posted a career record of 143-49-15 while earning a spot in the WFCA Hall of Fame.  His football teams went undefeated six times and won 10 conference titles.  He also coached the school’s basketball tam winning three Little Ten championships.  He also served as the school’s athletic director for 30 years.