1947-48' JERSEY PANTHER FOOTBALL SQUAD
1947 GAME RECAPS
(GAME RECAPS TAKEN FROM THE 1948 "J" ANNUAL)
September 12, 1947
Powerful South Central team downs Panthers in season's opener. J.T.H.S. gridders get much needed experience in non-conference starter.
September 25, 1947
Blue and White displays power in first vsalley tilt. Junior Lorton, burly tackle, opens big holes for hard-running Bailey to pile up most of the yardage.
October 2, 1947
Panthers top Winchester eleven in passing duel. Jim Warford's return bolsters Panthers defense.
October 10, 1947
Jerseyville loses thriller to Pittsfield. Forward wall of Lorton, Hewitt, Grafford, and Isringhausen holds down high scoring Saukees.
October 17, 1947
Panthers suffer second conference loss at hands of Roodhouse. Landon's defensive game, Bailey's brilliant running, and Thurston's fine break-away running keep Railroaders constantly on their toes.
October 24, 1947
Panthers maul Greenfield Tigers. Tied for second place in Illinois Valley Conference, Campbell and Bell were the big guns in this battle. Bob's excellent signal calling and Dick's shifty running make things look easy.
October 30, 1947
Panthers score convincing victory over old rivals, assuring a third place berth. The entire Jerseyville backfield were standouts in the Carrollton game.
November 7, 1947
Panthers equal eighteen-year-old record in winning final game. Substitutes see plenty of action in one-sided triumph over the Pleasant Hill eleven.
SHANE CAVANAH
FROM TEAM MASCOT TO HALL OF FAMER!
In the early 2000's when I started the very first Jersey Panther website (pantherfb.org), I received a very nice letter from Shane Cavanah. He wanted to reach out to me to let me know how much he was enjoying the website, especially the history pages and those that covered the years his father was the head coach. Even though he was very young, Shane had vivid memories of those happy days being the mascot for the Panther football team and watching his father Ralph lead the team. Shane asked me for my address so that he could mail out some of his memories of his days as the team mascot so that I could share them on the page. When I received the package in the mail, I found a few photos, some newspaper clippings, an official "Panther Badge" made of cardboard that he wore and a wonderful letter. His words were filled with his sincere passion for high school football, the Panthers and his father. Something that he emphasized in his letter was how much his father made such significant changes in the Jersey football program such as our team colors being changed from Orange/Black to Blue/White.
Shane passed away in 2022, and as you will read in his obituary that I have included, he leaves a high school football lifetime legacy that started in Jerseyville.
Scanned copy of actual cardboard badge that was created and colored and worn by Shane during games.
(Courtesy of the Shane Cavanah Private Collection)
Shane was born on August 2, 1941, to Ralph O’Dell (Cotton) and Doris Ann (Ramsey) Cavanah in Macon, Missouri. Shane had a difficult birth and if not for the forceful hand and voice of his Grandma Buster, may have never taken his first breath. After stops in Illinois and Bevier, MO, the Cavanahs relocated to Cotton and Doris’s hometown of Marceline, MO. This became Shane’s hometown and played and important part in his upbringing and his life in general. Shane was the oldest of four boys for Cotton and Doris. His younger brothers (Dave, Kem, and Lex) would follow in the oncoming years. He would even be the one to drive Doris to the hospital to deliver Lex in 1958
Shane grew up in an athletic household, playing multiple sports even into his
50’s. His first love was baseball; however, football would garner most of his
attention later on in life. After graduation Shane headed to William Jewell to play
football, but a coaching change forced him to transfer to a different college to
continue his education. Northeast Missouri State would be his next stop where he
would letter in football as a quarterback and punter. Kirksville would also be the
location where he found the love of his life, Cheryl Jean Mossbarger, a beauty
from Brookfield who would become his wife and life companion in 1965.
The coaching DNA that was installed by Cotton led the two educators to many
stops throughout Missouri over the next 21 years. Stops in Nevada, Knox County,
Princeton, Centralia, back to Princeton, Hamilton, and back to Nevada played out
until the Fall of 1976. Coach Cavanah would garner a state championship for
Princeton in 1968 and a 2nd place finish in Nevada in 1975. Shane would
eventually change professions and work for M.F.A./Shelter Insurance from 1977-
1988, becoming one of the most successful agents in the company.
During this time period the young couple added to their family. Michael Shane
was born in 1967, Bradley Ryan followed in 1971, and concluded with the
addition of Douglas Patrick (Trey) in 1976. The boys would lead Shane and Cheryl
to numerous football fields, wrestling matches, track meets, baseball diamonds,
and basketball gyms throughout the 70’s, 80’s and the 90’s. Followed by a second
wave of being supporters as all three sons became educators and coaches of
various sports.
The competitive drive raised its head again as Shane left Shelter Insurance and
Nevada for his hometown of Marceline in 1988. After counseling his oldest son
not to get into education, Shane was back in the classroom and on the sidelines
for MHS. He led the Tigers to a state runner-up finish in 1989 and made several trips to the post season during his time with the Tigers. Marceline would be his
home from then on until his passing. After his first tenure with the Tigers, Shane
would coach in Sweet Springs, Trenton, Richmond, Brookfield, and conclude with
one final season at the helm of the Tigers of Marceline. During this time Shane
celebrated his 200th win on November 7, 2003, with a Bell Game Bulldog victory
and then also his 250th when the Tigers defeated Western on October 9, 2009.
Shane would end his career with a 255-119-3 record, which puts him in the top
10 all-time list for coaches in the state of Missouri. He had the distinction of
coaching in 5 decades.
Tragedy struck the Cavanahs as they lost their oldest son, Mike, in an automobile
accident in 1995. The family rallied around each other and with the strength of
Shane and Cheryl persevered. The turn of the century brought much happiness as
they welcomed with open arms their five grandchildren. Macy Elizabeth was the
1st to arrive in 2001. Lauren Camille and Layne Michael would follow in 2003. Livia
Jo would be presented in 2006 and Latimer T, would burst on the scene in 2010.
This would lead to the third wave of being spectators for Shane and Cheryl Along
with the athletic events, dance recitals and stage productions were added to the
docket keeping a burning path between Marceline, Chillicothe, and Richmond.
Ramsey Shane Cavanah was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
(2012), The Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2000), and the
Nevada (MO) High School Athletic Hall of Fame (2019). Shane served as the
president of Phi Sigma Epsilon at NEMSU (Truman State) and worked in
broadcasting his entire life. He enjoyed being the center of attention whether it
be at halftime of a football game or on stage dressed and singing as Elvis.
Throughout his life he was a fan of Missouri Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and
Chiefs, but Shane’s heart was always with his family and Marceline. He became an
ambassador for the town and one of its biggest supporters. He authored three
books about his life experiences, and even co-hosted a morning radio show up
until 2021.
Shane wore many hats during his lifetime and will be greatly missed by his family,
friends, and all the communities that he touched throughout his life. His humor
and wittiness, as well as his lectures will be sorely missed. Whether you called him
Coach Cavanah, Mr. Cavanah, Tiger Shane, PaPa, Dad, or husband, his
fingermarks appear on many lives….and we are better for it.
Photo of Shane during his days as a Jerseyville Panther Football Mascot.
(Photo courtesy of the Shane Cavanah private collection.)
FOOTBALL MEN DRESSED FOR SUCCESS!
CLAUDE DAVIS
JAMES WAGGONER
BILL REYNOLDS
GENE DONALDSON
JIM WARFORD
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(CLICK TO ENLARGE ANY ARTICLE)
"PANTHERS OPEN SEASON WITH MT. OLIVE TEAM"
DATE: AUGUST 15, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"HILIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: AUGUST 29, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HILIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"FOOTBALL SEASON OPENS AT JTHS FIELD SEPT. 12"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"PANTHERS OPEN SEASON WITH MT. OLIVE TEAM"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"PANTHERS HOST TO MT. OLIVE FRIDAY NIGHT"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 12, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HILIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 12, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"THREE VALLEY ELELVENS LOSE OPENING FOOTBALL CONTESTS"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"SPORTRAITS"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"MT. OLIVE SWAMPS PANTHER GRIDDERS 26-7"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HIGHLIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"JERSEY WORKS FOR SEPT. 26 GAME"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"JERSEYVILLE IN NIGHT TILT AT WHITE HALL"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HILIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"CARROLLTON AND JERSEY ON TOP IN VALLEY LOOP"
DATE: SEPTEMBER 27, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"JERSEY GAME CHANGE"
DATE: OCTOBER 1, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"ILLINOIS VALLEY CONFERENCE FOOTBALL RACE"
DATE: OCTOBER 2, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"AT WINCHESTER FOR SECOND LEAGUE GAME"
DATE: OCTOBER 3, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HILIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: OCTOBER 3, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"ON U. OF I. TEAM"
DATE: OCTOBER 4, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"THREE VALLEY ELELVENS LOSE OPENING FOOTBALL CONTESTS"
DATE: OCTOBER 4, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"JERSEYVILLE PLAYER FRACTURES FINGER"
DATE: OCTOBER 10, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"ROODHOUSE AND PITTSFIELD LEAD ILLINOIS VALLEY"
DATE: OCTOBER 11, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"JERSEYVILLE BOWS TO PITTSFIELD 14 TO 6"
DATE: OCTOBER 17, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HILIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: OCTOBER 17, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"PITTSFIELD AND ROODHOUSE WIN VALLEY GAMES"
DATE: OCTOBER 18, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"ROODHOUSE DEFEATS LOCALS BY 19-6 COUNT"
DATE: OCTOBER 24, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HILIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: OCTOBER 24, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"PANTHERS BEAT GREENFIELD IN VALLEY, 26-0"
DATE: OCTOBER 25, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
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"HAWK, JERSEYVILLE ALUMNI IN GRID GAME"
DATE: OCTOBER 27, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"CARROLLTON, JERSEYVILLE ALUMNI IN TIE GAME"
DATE: OCTOBER 30, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
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"JERSEY ELEVEN AT CARROLLTON TONIGHT"
DATE: OCTOBER 30, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"DOGPATCH VS JERSEYVILLE ALUMNI TUESDAY NIGHT"
DATE: OCTOBER 31, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"ANNUAL ALUMNI GAME SET FOR NOV. 4 "
DATE: OCTOBER 31, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HILIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: OCTOBER 31, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"JERSEYVILLE SET FOR CARROLLTON BATTLE"
DATE: OCTOBER 31, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"JERSEY TAKES THIRD IN VALLEY LOP STANDINGS"
DATE: OCTOBER 31, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"HILIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: NOVEMBER 7, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"JERSEYVILLE SMOTHERS CARROLLTON 32 TO 6"
DATE: NOVEMBER 7, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"FRESH-SOPH. TEAM DRUBS CARROLLTON"
DATE: NOVEMBER 7, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"JERSEYVILLE ALUMNI IN SECOND GRID CLASH"
DATE: NOVEMBER 3, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"DOGPATCH IN 12-0 WIN OVER ALUMNI"
DATE: NOVEMBER 7, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"JERSEYVILLE BEATS PLEASANT HILL 41-0 IN FINALE"
"EQUAL BEST WON-LOST MARK IN SCHOOL HISTORY"
DATE: NOVEMBER 14, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"ROODHOUSE: THE FOOTBALL TOWN OF THE
ILLINOIS VALLEY CONFERENCE"
DATE: NOVEMBER 14, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HIGHLIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: NOVEMBER 14, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"ILLINOIS VALLEY FOOTBALL STAR TEAMS CHOSEN"
DATE: NOVEMBER 14, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"CAMPBELL, LORTON & PROUGH SELECTED ON FIRST ELEVEN"
DATE: NOVEMBER 21, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
" CARROLLTON ALUMNI ROMPS JERSEY ALUMNI 25-0"
DATE: NOVEMBER 21, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"HIGHLIGHTS IN SPORTS"
DATE: NOVEMBER 21, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
"THREE VALLEY ELELVENS LOSE OPENING FOOTBALL CONTESTS"
DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 1947
SOURCE: ALTON TELEGRAPH
"GRID LETTER WINNERS ANNOUNCED TUESDAY"
DATE: NOVEMBER 28, 1947
SOURCE: JERSEY COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWS
