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The Monrovia High School Football's History

Few Southern California football programs have been as successful as Monrovia's. In the 100 year history of football at Monrovia High School, the Wildcats have had legitimate shots at no less than 24 CIF-Southern Section titles. Incredibly, they've failed to win any.

Monrovia High was founded in 1887, which makes it one of the oldest high schools in Southern California. The school first fielded a football team in 1898. In 1914, it was one of the founding members of the CIF.

By 1927 the Wildcats were among the top teams in Southern California Monrovia was 7-1 and lost the to Covina, CIF champs. 1928 Monrovia again lost the CIF to Covina.

After a couple of subpar seasons, Gene McAlister took over as Coach for the Monrovia team and put together a powerhouse in 1935. It was quite possibly the best team in school history and among the greatest San Gabriel Valley teams ever. The Wildcats, led by quarterback Leroy Zimmerman and Johnny Lindell won the Pacific League title beating Pomona 7-0. McAlister's team then played Santa Barbara for the CIF title at the Rose Bowl. Monrovia was favored but held off the Wildcats 14-12 in one of the most exciting Large Schools finales to that point.

Zimmerman went on to play for NFL (1940-48). Lindell played Baseball for 11 years (1943-53), mostly with the New York Yankees.

By 1948, Bob Blackman coached the Wildcats back to gridiron glory.

They went 9-0 in the regular season and qualified for their first playoff berth since 1935. Monrovia's 1st round opponent for CIF champs was Santa Barbara. Once again, the underdog Dons bested the Wildcats.

Warren Hall (center) and Benny Vance (half-back) were chosen all CIF that year. Bob Cox was Captain of the 1948 team. Bob followed Coach Blackman to PCC where he won Jr. College All American and was team captain there too. Bob went on to USC and lettered at USC in 1951 and 1952 and played in the Rose Bowl, where USC beat Wisconsin 7-0, Jan. 1, 1953.

Dink Walker along with John Daniels assumed coaching in 1950 and the

1951 team was great. The Wildcats, led by lineman Hardiman Cureton, rolled over 11 opponents. Once again they played Pomona for the CIF title.

Both teams were 11-0. Pomona won 26-13, in front of a standing room only crowd, estimated at 25,000 at Mt. San Antonio College.

In addition to Cureton, who starred at UCLA and played in Canadian Football League, guard Jim Pullman played at UC Santa Barbara, end Larry Ross played for the University of Denver and then in the CFL and Bob Ballard who followed Cureton to UCLA.

Over the years Monrovia has continued to have great football teams and many, many times went to the CIF playoffs but always fell short of being CIF Champs. A story that is all too familiar to the Monrovia faithful. Along with the great football teams, there have been great coaches and terrific school spirit. Maybe one of these years they'll win CIF Champs!

Monrovia has won many Pacific League Titles but never won CIF champs.

Addition Wildcats who went on to play Pro were:

Keith Lincoln AFL with the San Diego Chargers (1960-?)

Fair Hooker (1969-1975) with the Cleveland Browns.

Obie Graves (1972-74) Canadian Football League

Chris Hale (1982-83) four years in the NFL

Meanwhile, back in La Verne