More history in Red Oak-Shenandoah rivalry

With a casual glance at Friday’s prep football schedule,  “Red Oak vs, Shenandoah” may just be like any other Class 2A match up of 1-1 teams.

But for these two southwest Iowa schools, separated by 22 miles, it’s another chapter in near-century long rivalry.

There have beeen many memorable games between the two schools. One of the more memorable games took place Sept. 19, 1997 between the two schools during Red Oak's homecoming.

Quarterback Jeremy Funk and running back Jacob Fort scored the touchdowns as Red Oak won the game 13-6. Fort had 138 rushing yards on that day.

The win snapped a 14-year drought of homecoming game victories. The last win prior to that took place in 1983 versus Creston.

The 2003 game happened 11 years ago on this date. It was an important game for Red Oak as their 27-0 win snapped a 32-game losing skid. The last win prior to that took place Oct. 1, 1999.

Andy Jennings had 213 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving). Nick Blay and Victor Metz had the other touchdowns in the win.

Red Oak has had its share of close losses in the rivalry.

The 1961 home game, which took place Sept. 22, 1961, featured two teams facing injury issues.

Red Oak went without main running threat Steve Carson. Mike Kinser, the power back at the time, was also hobbled with injuries.

Shenandoah meanwhile relied on back-up quarterback TJ Mikkelson, who took over for an injured Ed Bosley.

Red Oak scored its first points in the second quarter when starting quarterback Gary Brower connected with Tom Wright on a three-yard touchdown pass on fourth down, completing a 69-yard drive, to take a 7-0 lead.

Shenandoah didn’t tie the game until the second play of the fourth quarter when Mikkelson connected with Don Offenbacker for the score to tie the game.

Red Oak got the lead back with 7:10 left when Wright scored touchdown number two on a 25-yard run. The Tigers missed the extra point and led 13-7.

Mikkelson and Offenbacker connected again for another score, thanks to a 79-yard pass play. Shenandoah made the extra point and took a 14-13 lead.

Red Oak had a shot at the win late in the game as Brower drove down the field with pass plays to Wright, Dennis Wiley and Jim Woods.

A 28-yard pass play to Wright set-up the Tigers at the Shenandoah 11-yard line with under a minute to play.

The drive came to a screeching halt on the next play when Brower’s pass was picked off in the end zone.

It was another close game for Red Oak on Oct. 14, 1966. Shenandoah scored a touchdown on a 68-yard lateral with less than 30 seconds to go as they defeated Red Oak 26-20.

The play started off as a pitch from Mustang quarterback Van Brownson (who went on to play quarterback at the University of Nebraska) to Jim Livingston. As Livingston made his way up the field, he encountered the Red Oak defense. Livingston lateraled the ball to Jim Blane, who had blocking help along the way to get the score.

Reed Porter had the big game for Red Oak as he scored three rushing touchdowns, including a go-ahead one with 52 seconds left in the game.

Red Oak had an opportunity late to try and score, but an interception halted that chance.

The loss was a tough one for Red Oak as it eliminated them from consideration in winning the Hawkeye 7 title.

The next chapter gets written Friday at 7 p.m. at Shenandoah High School. 

NOTE: Click here to see last year's rivalry article.