POINT PLEASANT — This year marks a special milestone in the history of football at Point Pleasant High School.

It’s been 40 years since the 1969 football team recorded an undefeated season under the leadership of Coach Dick Ware, making it the first team at the high school to accomplish such a triumph. And during tonight’s Homecoming game against Ravenswood, members of that team will be honored with a special presentation taking place between the first and second quarters.

While there were several other teams in PPHS history that had just one loss (1956 and 1961), and one that had just one tie (1962), no team in history had completed the season with a clean slate.

Members of the unbeaten 1969 team include: James Barney, Robert Blaine, Doug Beam, John Calandros, Greg Clayton, Clarence Clonch, Gary Cotton, Robert Craddock, Joseph Dickens, David Elliot, Dwaine Greer, Michael Grubb, Jesse Hamm, Jack Hancock, Ricky Higgins, Mike Hudnall, Michael Hopson, Roger Johnson, Steve Littlepage, Morgan Long, Joseph Johnson, Eddie McDermitt, Ken Moore, James Neville, Stephen Neville, Randy Northup, Richard Oliver, William Oliver, Braderick Painter, Robert Painter, Mick Rawson, Ricky Roberts, Roger Roush, Rick Siler, Sam Simpkins, Michael Stearns, Glenn Swann, Michael Watson, Randall Williamson, William Wilson, Larry Wright, Clark Vickers and Alvin Yester.

Assistants to Coach Ware included Russ Wood, Jimmy Jo Wedge and Paul Skidmore. Team captains were Dwaine Greer, quarterback, and Ken Moore, linebacker.

Star players during the season Greg Clayton, the leading rusher with 1,026 yards on 178 carries; Michael Sterns, second in rushing with 643 yards on 76 carries; Dwaine Greer had 512 rushing yards; and Randy Northup was the third-leading rushing with 225 yards on 52 carries.

During the season, the then ‘Big Blacks’ faced opponents including South Charleston, Parkersburg South, Meigs, Huntington, Barboursville, Poca, Milton, Cabell County, Ripley and Ravenswood.

While the team had a perfect record, they were not chosen to play in the championship game. At the time, only two teams in each class were chosen. In 1969, there were three 10-0 teams in Class AAA, and Parkersburg and Buckhannon were chosen over Point Pleasant.

Despite the fact, however, the 1969 Point Pleasant High School football team gave memories to a community; memories that still remain today and that are honored even after 40 years.