(5-30-23) Late in the 1960’s the Marengo Indians started a 45 game consecutive game winning streak, the 4th longest today in Illinois high school football history.

During that run they dominated the SHARK Conference, that is no longer in existence.

Thanks to Dean Bentley for above article.

In the final game of 1969 the Indians beat Harvard 20-0 to extend the consecutive game winning streak to 35.

The final 9-0 season for the Indians was in 1970 and they extended their consecutive game winning streak to 44 in a row,

In 1971 Marengo would beat Grayslake 7-0 in the first game of the season to extend the streak to 45.

From the Marengo Beacon News (Thursday, March 30, 1972)-

Looking at the past Coach Poppe said the low point was obviously the loss7-0 to Beloit Catholic that ended the 45 game winning streak. He also said the players showed what fine competitors they are by rebounding to win the last seven games.

From the Beloit (Wisc) Catholic 1972 Yearbook –

Illinois HS Association (IHSA) Most Consecutive Wins

[1.] 64, Pittsfield, Sept. 6, 1966-Sept. 21, 1973

[2.] 50, New Lenox (Providence), 1994-Oct. 24, 1997

[3.] 47, Decatur St. Teresa), 1971-75

[4.] 45, Marengo, 1966-71

[5.] 44, East St. Louis (Sr.), Sept. 9, 1983-Oct. 4, 1986

[6.] 39, Rockford Boylan Catholic August 27, 2010 to November 3, 2012

[6.] 39, Springfield Sacred Heart-GriffinAugust 30, 2013 to November 14, 2015

[8.] 34, Robinson, Sept. 24, 1943-Nov. 16, 1946

[8.] 34, Oak Lawn Richards, Aug. 3 1988-Oct. 12, 1990

[10.] 32, Joliet Catholic, 1976-78

[10.] 32, New Lenox (Providence), 2000 thru Sept. 20, 2003

Did you know…

During the 45 game streak there was no playoffs being held in Illinois

The Indians played in the SHARK Conference, an acronym for the original five members of the league, South Beloit, Harlem, Aquin, Rockton Hononegah and Kirkland.

Courtesy Illinois HS Glory Days…

Shark

This league got its name from the first letter of its 5 charter members…South Beloit, Harlem (Machesney Park), Freeport Aquin, Rockton Hononegah and Kirkland-Hiawatha. By 1952 Kirkland-Hiawatha had dropped out and in 1953 Harvard and Marengo joined. In 1955 Freeport Aquin left and Rockford St. Thomas joined the loop. North Boone played its first full football season in the league in 1957. Richmond-Burton did likewise in 1958 the same year Loves Park Harlem and Rockford St. Thomas dropped out. In 1960 Alden-Hebron joined but left in 1964 along with Richmond-Burton. These two were replaced that same year with Winnebago and Beloit, WI Catholic. From 1965 through 1968 Beloit, WI Turner also participated in the league’s football wars. In 1972 when Winnebago left for the Mid-Northern conference, Amboy took their place in the conference but left in 1975 to join the newly formed Three Rivers conference. In 1978 Johnsburg was added. In 1981 – the league’s final football season – Beloit Catholic, North Boone and South Beloit left and the only replacement the league could secure was Woodstock Marian.

The 1971 Beloit Catholic team (pictured below) that ended the Indians 45 consecutive game winning streak, with that win the Crusaders went on to win the SHARK Conference. It also might be pointed out that the first loss came to a Wisconsin school, not one from Illinois.