The La Harpe High School Eagles had some memorable seasons in several different sports. The boys competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track.  The girls competed in softball, volleyball, basketball, and track.  On the academic side the kids of La Harpe High School faired well in Speech Sweepstakes, Individual Events, and the Scholastic Bowl competitions.

 

We do need several season records and coach's names from each sport.  We would also like to share information regarding the school's fight song.

 

 

The boys of the baseball diamond had four seasons in which they earned some hardware in the IHSA State Tournament. Regional titles were won in 1997, 2002, 2004, and 2006.  Former Coach Todd Porter tells us of the co-ops that La Harpe High School was a part of during the 1990s and 2000s:

 

"I was the varsity baseball coach for the LaHarpe-Northwestern Thunder from 1992-2003, which was the last year that co-op existed.  I was also the varsity coach for what then became the LaHarpe-West Prairie Cyclones from 2004-2006."

 

As you can tell by looking at the records below, Coach Porter's teams had some incredible seasons. Coach Porter has carried on his winning tradition as the current head coach of Carthage Illini West High School.

 

1992-LH/NW     7 - 9                                            Coach Todd Porter
1993-LH/NW     8 - 4                                            Coach Todd Porter 
1994-LH/NW     9 - 8                                            Coach Todd Porter 
1995-LH/NW   16 - 8                                            Coach Todd Porter 
1996-LH/NW   18 - 2                                            Coach Todd Porter

 
1997-LH/NW   20 - 6     Regional Champions      Coach Todd Porter
 

1998-LH/NW   14 - 6                                            Coach Todd Porter 
1999-LH/NW   22 - 7                                            Coach Todd Porter 
2000-LH/NW   22 - 7                                            Coach Todd Porter 
2001-LH/NW   27 - 6                                            Coach Todd Porter 
 

   
2003-LH/NW     8 - 17                                          Coach Todd Porter

   
2004-LH/WP   25 - 8    Regional Champions       Coach Todd Porter

  
2005-LH/WP   19 - 6                                            Coach Todd Porter

  
2006-LH/WP   18 - 9    Regional Champions       Coach Todd Porter

 

 

The lady Eagles earned a trophy for their school as well.  The girls of 1975-76 earned a Regional title trophy for the school.  Team record and coach's name of this and other softball teams at LCHS are needed.

 

1975-76       Regional Champions

 

 

 

1945-46          Regional Champions  
1973-74          Regional Champions
1982-83          Regional Champions
2001-02                                               Coach David Billitor (partial season 2 - 7)

 

 

The girls did not win any IHSA tourney hardware, but we are confident there were some nice seasons in the school's history.  Coach Jim Cox led the charge in the late 1980s.  More team records and coach's names are needed to complete the history of this sport for La Harpe High School.

 

1987-88    6 - 16    Coach Jim Cox
1988-89    2 - 20    Coach Jim Cox  

 

 

The football program at La Harpe High School ventured into the IHSA State football playoffs twice in the late 1980s.  Coach Tim Lafferty led the grid iron heroes from at least 1986 through 1991.  We know that the La Harpe boys played football through the close of the school as they were part of the West Prairie co-op between LHS and Sciota Northwestern.  Any further information on this program is welcome. 

 

1985-86    5 - 4

    
1986-87    6 - 4       IHSA Class 1A Qualifier          Coach Tim Lafferty

                             Lost to Warsaw 16 - 8

 

                             Lost to Roseville  20 - 0

 

1988-89    0 - 9                                                      Coach Tim Lafferty
1989-90    0 - 9                                                      Coach Tim Lafferty
1990-91    2 - 7                                                      Coach Tim Lafferty
1991-92    3 - 6                                                      Coach Tim Lafferty

 

We are told that La Harpe High School co-oped with with Sciota Northwestern and were known as the "Thunder" in football through the consolidation of Northwestern and Colchester (who formed the West Prairie School District).  The West Prairie - La Harpe co-op was then called the "Cyclones".

 

As a part of this co-op arrangement, the La Harpe folks enjoyed some incredible football success, including SECOND place finishes in the IHSA State Finals in 1996 and 2000!

 

La Harpe football results as part of the co-op with Sciota Northwestern and West Prairie schools:

 

 

1992-95                                                                        Coach Tim Lafferty

 

 

One District title and two Regional Championships were the highlights of the lady netters program.  This includes one great "last hurrah" as the Cyclones won the last Regional title in the school's history in the school's final year of existence.  Team records and coach's names of these and other great Eagle volleyball teams are needed.

 

1981-82            District Champions 
1997-98            Regional Champions 
2006-07            Regional Champions

 

 

The Eagle thin clads had four boys earn medals at the IHSA State Track meet.  Two of those individuals, a gentleman named Claycomb and Gene Maynard, earned Gold Medals!  In fact, Gene Maynard earned his under the old one-class system, earning him the unquestionable state championship in his event, the 880 Yard Run !! 

 

 

 

 

 

The Eagle lady tracksters had one individual medal at the IHSA State Meet.  Jaimie Jones earned medals in FOUR consecutive trips to the State Finals in her specialty, the high jump!!  In her junior and senior years Jamie captured the IHSA Class 'A' STATE CHAMPIONSHIP as part of the Northwestern-LaHarpe Girls Track Coop effort!! 

 

1997A         Jamie Jones          High Jump          STATE CHAMPION!!

1998A         Jamie Jones          High Jump          STATE CHAMPION!!

 

 

The IHSA also offers competition in non-sporting events as well.  La Harpe High School faired well, bringing home hardware in the "Speech Individual Events", "Speech Sweepstakes", and "Scholastic Bowl" competitions!!!!