Lees–McRae Bobcats football explained

Teamname:	Lees–McRae Bobcats football
Firstyear:	1929;
Lastyear:	1993;
Athleticdirector:	Marty Favret
Headcoach:	John Pate
Headcoachyear:	3rd
Hcwins:	4
Hclosses:	21
Hcties:	1
Location:	Banner Elk, North Carolina
Ncaadivision:	II
Conference:	Independent
Atwins:	268
Atlosses:	228
Atties:	30
Bowlwins:	2
Bowllosses:	7
Playoffapps:	1
Playoffs:	0–1 (NJCAA playoffs)
Conftitles:	2 CFC (1987–1988) 1 R10 (1967) 6 WCJCC (1951, 1953–1956, 1960) 3 NJCC / CJCC (1948–1950)
Divtitles:	1 CFC Southern Division (1975)
Mascotdisplay:	Bobcats

The Lees–McRae Bobcats football team represented Lees–McRae College in college football at the NCAA Division II level. The Bobcats were independents, fielding its team as an independent from becoming a four-year college in 1991 until the program shut down in 1993.

Conference affiliations

• Independent (1929–1931)
• North Carolina Junior College Conference (1932–1935)
• Independent (1936–1939)
• North Carolina Junior College Conference / Carolinas Junior College Conference (1946–1950)
• Western Carolina Junior College Conference (1951–1962)
• Region 10 Junior College Conference / Region 10 Conference (1963–1969)
• Coastal Football Conference (1971–1990)
• NCAA Division II independent (1991–1993)

Championships

Conference championships

Lees–McRae claims twelve conference titles, the most recent of which came in 1988.

1948	North Carolina Junior College Conference / Carolinas Junior College Conference	6–1–1	4–0–1	Fred I. Dickerson
1949		9–2–1	5–0
1950		7–1–1	5–0
1951	Western Carolina Junior College Conference	4–2	3–2
1953		8–2	5–1
1954		5–0–3	4–0–2
1955†		4–3–1	2–1–1
1956†		4–3	2–2
1960		7–1	6–0
1967	Region 10 Conference	8–1–1	5–0–1	George Litton
1987	Coastal Football Conference	12–0	5–0	Mac Bryan
1988†		9–2	4–1

† Co-champions

Division championships

Lees–McRae claims one division title, with the only one coming in 1975.

1975

Coastal Football Conference Southern Division

7–3

4–2

Warren Klawiter

Postseason games

NJCAA playoff games

Lees–McRae has appeared in the NJCAA playoffs just once, with an overall record of 0–1.

1967

Savannah Shrine Bowl

NE Oklahoma A&M

L, 35–13

Bowl games

Lees–McRae has participated in nine bowl games, and has a record of 2–7.

1949	Fred I. Dickerson	Little Sugar Bowl	Wharton County	L, 49–0
1950		Golden Isles Bowl	South Georgia	L, 24–6
1953		Golden Isles Bowl	South Georgia	L, 20–7
1968	George Litton	El Toro Bowl	Arizona Western	L, 27–6
1986	Mac Bryan	East Bowl	Mississippi Gulf Coast	L, 14–13
1987		East Bowl	Grand Rapids	W, 20–13
1988		Mid-America Bowl		L, 36–7
1989		East Bowl	Itawamba	W, 27–18
1990		East Bowl	Butler County	L, 23–8

List of head coaches

Coaches

No.! scope="col"

Name	Season(s)	GC	OW	OL	OT	O%	CW	CL	CT	C%	PW	PL	PT	DC	CC	NC	Awards
1	Dick Flinn	1929	4	2	2	0						0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Charlie Zimmerman	1930–1931	16	5	8	3						0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Don King	1932	8	2	5	1		1	4	1		0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Fred I. Dickerson	1933–1935, 1946–1961	153	75	62	16		51	38	12		0	0	0	0	6	0	0
5	Johnny Mackorell	1936–1939	29	9	19	1						0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	George Litton	1962–1969	77	41	32	4		15	22	2		0	1	0	0	1	0	0
7	Jim Osborne	1970	10	6	4	0		2	4	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Mike Cook	1971–1974	37	22	14	1		12	10	1		0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Warren Klawiter^[1]	1975	10	7	3	0		4	2	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Cole Proctor	1976–1978	29	14	15	0		6	10	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Bill Bomar	1979	10	6	4	0		4	2	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Soupy Campbell	1980–1984	59	30	27	2		15	21	1		0	0	0	0	0	0	0
13	Mac Bryan	1986–1990	54	44	9	1		19	5	0		0	0	0	0	2	0	0
14	John Pate	1991–1993	30	5	24	1						0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Year-by-year results

National champions

Conference champions

Division champions

Bowl game berth

Playoff berth

Season	Year	Head coach	Association	Division	Conference	Record							Postseason	Final ranking
						Overall			Conference
						Win	Loss	Tie	Finish	Win	Loss	Tie
Lees–McRae Bulldogs
1929	1929	Dick Flinn	—	—	Independent	2	2	0
1930	1930	Charlie Zimmerman				2	4	2	^[2]
1931	1931					3	4	1	^[3]
1932	1932	Don King^[4]			NCJCC	2	5	1	8th^[5]	1	4	1
1933	1933^[6]	Fred I. Dickerson^[7]				5	3	2	T–3rd^[8]	3	2	0
1934	1934					3	6	0	4th^[9]	2	2	0
1935	1935					2	5	1	6th^[10]	2	4	1
1936	1936^[11]	Johnny Mackorell^[12]			Independent	2	5	0
1937	1937					3	4	0
Lees–McRae Bobcats
1938	1938^[13]	Johnny Mackorell	IAA	—	Independent	1	5	1
1939	1939^[14]					3	5	0					—	—
No team from 1940 to 1945
1946	1946^[15]	Fred I. Dickerson	NJCAA	—	NCJCC / CJCC	0	7	1	7th^[16]	0	5	1	—	—
1947	1947^[17]					2	5	2	6th^[18]	1	3	2	—	—
1948	1948^[19]					6	1	1	1st^[20]	4	0	1	—	—
1949	1949^[21]					9	2	1	1st^[22]	5	0	0	L Little Sugar Bowl	—
1950	1950^[23]					7	1	1	1st	5	0	0	L Golden Isles Bowl	—
1951	1951^[24]				WCJCC^[25]	4	2	0	1st^[26]	3	2	0	—	—
1952	1952^[27]					3	3	1	3rd	3	3	1	—	—
1953	1953^[28]					8	2	0	1st^[29]	5	1	0	L Golden Isles Bowl	—
1954	1954^[30]					5	0	3	1st	4	0	2	—	—
1955	1955^[31]					4	3	1	T–1st	2	1	1	—	—
1956	1956^[32]					4	3	0	T–1st	2	2	0	—	—
1957	1957^[33]					3	3	1	4th	1	2	1	—	—
1958	1958^[34]					1	5	2	4th	1	4	1	—	—
1959	1959^[35]					1	6	1	4th	1	4	1	—	—
1960	1960^[36]					7	1	0	1st^[37]	6	0	0	—	—
1961	1961^[38]					1	4	1	4th	1	3	1	—	—
1962	1962^[39]	George Litton				2	7	0	4th	1	3	0	—	—
1963	1963^[40]				R10	2	6	1	4th^[41]	1	5	0	—	—
1964	1964^[42]					3	6	0	4th^[43]	2	4	0	—	—
1965	1965^[44]					5	5	0	4th	1	4	0	—	—
1966	1966^[45]					6	4	0	4th	1	4	0	—	—
1967	1967^[46]					8	1	1	1st	5	0	1	L Savannah Shrine Bowl	2
1968	1968^[47]					8	2	1	2nd	3	1	0	L El Toro Bowl	10
1969	1969^[48]					7	1	1	2nd	1	1	0	—	10
1970	1970^[49]	Jim Osborne			CFC	6	4	0	5th	2	4	0	—	—
1971	1971^[50]	Mike Cook				6	3	1	2nd	4	1	1	—	—
1972	1972^[51]					3	6	0	T–4th	2	4	0	—	—
1973	1973^[52]					7	2	0	3rd	3	2	0	—	—
1974	1974^[53]					6	3	0	4th	3	3	0	—	—
1975	1975^[54]	Warren Klawiter				7	3	0	1st (Southern)	4	2	0	—	—
1976	1976^[55]	Cole Proctor				5	4	0	3rd (Southern)	3	2	0	—	—
1977	1977^[56]					4	6	0	7th	1	4	0	—	—
1978	1978^[57]					5	5	0	6th	2	4	0	—	—
1979	1979^[58]	Bill Bomar				6	4	0	2nd	4	2	0	—	—
1980	1980^[59]	Soupy Campbell				7	3	0	5th	3	3	0	—	—
1981	1981^[60]					4	6	0	8th	2	6	0	—	—
1982	1982^[61]					6	3	1	3rd	3	2	1	—	—
1983	1983^[62]					2	7	0	8th	1	5	0	—	—
1984	1984^[63]					5	5	0	6th	2	4	0	—	—
1985	1985^[64]					6	3	1	3rd	3	2	0	—	—
1986	1986^[65]	Mac Bryan				9	1	1	1st	5	0	0	L East Bowl	4
1987	1987^[66]					12	0	0	1st	5	0	0	W East Bowl	2
1988	1988^[67]					9	2	0	T–1st	4	1	0	L Mid-America Bowl	7
1989	1989^[68]					8	2	0	2nd	3	1	0	W East Bowl	—
1990	1990^[69]					6	4	0	4th	2	3	0	L East Bowl	—
1991	1991^[70]	John Pate	NCAA	Division II	Independent	1	9	0					—	—
1992	1992^[71]					1	9	0					—	—
1993	1993^[72]					3	6	1					—	—

Individual accomplishments

All-Americans

Lees–McRae produced 27 All-Americans with Robert Hardy being the only two-time All-American. Seventeen of the 27 were First Team.

First Team

Year	Player	Position	Source
1960	Terry Postell	RB
1963	Lane Hurley	TE	^[73]
1967	Bill Martin	OG	^[74]
1968	William Martin	OG
1969	Arthur Morrison	OG	^[75]
1975	Wardell Johnson	RB	^[76]
1976	Brian Johnson	LB
1980	Otis Lindsey	LB	^[77]
	Russ Carpentiere	PK
1981	Andy Kilgore	RB	^[78]
1984	Deron Farina	OL	^[79]
1986	James Galloway	LB
1987	Robert Hardy	RB	^[80]
1988		RB	^[81]
	Craig Brawley	PK
1989	Richard Maddox	DL
1990	Jeff Fortner	OL	^[82]

Second Team

Year	Player	Position	Source
1956	Allison Richardson	OG	^[83]
1970	Carl Witherspoon	DT
1971	Ron Parson	RB	^[84]
1977	Barry Tolley	OL	^[85]
1978	Jeff Bridges	OL	^[86]
1982	Larry Spears
1985	Todd Daggs		^[87]
1986	Steve Debell	DL
1987	Randy Norris	RB
1989	Randal Olds	OL

Honorable mentions

Year	Player	Position	Source
1962	Lane Hurley	TE
1964	Freddy Waltom	QB	^[88]
1965	Cecil Ratcliff	TE
	Mike Sizemore	TE
1966	Ron Rossello	RB
1967	Danny Copenhaver	S	^[89]
	Wally Matthews	RB
1968	George Porter	DL
1975	Frank Wilson	LB
	Ron Wilson	DL
	Henry Vinson	OL
1976	Paul Talley
1978	Rick Crosby
1983	Rusty Smith		^[90]
1985	Chris Ledbetter
1986	Anthony Pearson
1987	Wesley Pope
1988	Calvin Tiggle

Notes and References

1. News: March 22, 1975 . Cavalier coach named to Lees-McRae football post . October 11, 2024 . Johnson City Press . 6.
2. News: September 6, 1930 . Lees McRae Has Tough Schedule . October 12, 2024 . The Charlotte Observer . 17.
3. News: August 9, 1931 . Lees-M'Rae Has Tough Schedule . October 12, 2024 . The Charlotte Observer . 21.
4. News: July 14, 1932 . Don King Appointed Coach At Lees-McRae . October 12, 2024 . News and Record . 10.
5. News: November 29, 1932 . Final Statistics Of Junior Teams' Football Season . October 12, 2024 . The Greensboro Record . 5.
6. Web site: 1933 . Ontaroga Junior [1933-1934] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
7. News: April 18, 1933 . Lees-McRae Coach . October 12, 2024 . News and Record . 11.
8. News: November 28, 1933 . Baptist Squad Undefeated In State Circuit . October 12, 2024 . The Greensboro Record . 8.
9. News: August 31, 1934 . Lees McRae Has Four Lettermen Back This Season . October 12, 2024 . Johnson City Chronicle . 7.
10. News: Durden . Chauncey . November 22, 1935 . Crucial Battle Thursday; Lion, Brevards Tilt . October 12, 2024 . The Charlotte News . 23.
11. Web site: 1936 . Ontaroga [1937] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
12. News: August 11, 1936 . Mackorell Puts Out Grid Practice Call; Warning Given Men . October 13, 2024 . News and Record . 10.
13. Web site: 1939 . Ontaroga [1939] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
14. Web site: 1940 . Ontaroga [1940] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
15. Web site: 1947 . Ontaroga [1947] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
16. News: November 9, 1946 . Lees-McRae, Mars Hill To Clash . October 11, 2024 . Asheville Citizen-Times . 5.
17. Web site: 1948 . Ontaroga [1948] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
18. News: November 21, 1947 . Junior College Coaches Meet; President Named . October 11, 2024 . News and Record . 26.
19. Web site: 1949 . Ontaroga [1949] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
20. News: December 1, 1948 . Bobcats Take Junior Title From Camels . October 11, 2024 . The News and Observer . 11.
21. Web site: 1950 . Ontaroga [1950] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
22. News: Whitson . Elizabeth . November 27, 1947 . Bobcats, Winnter Of Nine Straight Games, To Play Wharton College Of Texas . October 11, 2024 . Johnson City Press . 18.
23. Web site: 1951 . Ontaroga [1951] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
24. Web site: 1952 . Ontaroga [1952] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
25. News: September 10, 1951 . New Junior College Loop Is Formed . October 14, 2024 . The Durham Sun . 11.
26. News: October 23, 1951 . CJCAC Accepts Resignations Of Western Teams . October 11, 2024 . Asheville Citizen-Times . 14.
27. Web site: 1953 . Ontaroga [1953] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
28. Web site: 1954 . Ontaroga [1954] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
29. News: November 21, 1953 . Bobcats Play In Third Grid Bowl . October 11, 2024 . The Greenville News . 9.
30. Web site: 1955 . Ontaroga [1955] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
31. Web site: 1956 . Ontaroga [1956] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
32. Web site: 1957 . Ontaroga [1957] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
33. Web site: 1958 . Ontaroga [1958] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
34. Web site: 1959 . Ontaroga [1959] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Collections.
35. 1960 . Ontaroga [1960] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
36. 1961 . Ontaroga [1961] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
37. News: October 27, 1960 . Unbeaten Lees-McRae Is Champion Of Western Carolinas Conference . October 11, 2024 . Johnson City Press . 12.
38. 1962 . Ontaroga [1962] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
39. 1963 . Ontaroga [1963] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
40. 1964 . Ontaroga [1964] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
41. News: Kiser . Ronald . November 6, 1963 . Undefeated Chowan Has 2 Tilts Yet . October 11, 2024 . The News and Observer . 16.
42. 1965 . Ontaroga [1965] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
43. News: November 15, 1964 . Ferrum Wins Region Ten Grid Crown . October 11, 2024 . Asheville Citizen-Times . 18.
44. 1966 . Ontaroga [1966] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
45. 1967 . Ontaroga [1967] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
46. 1968 . Ontaroga [1968] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
47. 1969 . Ontaroga [1969] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
48. 1970 . Ontaroga [1970] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
49. 1971 . Ontaroga [1971] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
50. 1972 . Ontaroga [1972] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
51. 1973 . Ontaroga [1973] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
52. 1974 . Ontaroga [1974] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
53. 1975 . Ontaroga [1975] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
54. 1976 . Ontaroga [1976] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
55. 1977 . Ontaroga [1977] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
56. 1978 . Ontaroga [1978] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
57. 1979 . Ontaroga [1979] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
58. 1980 . Ontaroga [1980] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
59. 1981 . Ontaroga [1981] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
60. 1982 . Ontaroga [1982] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
61. 1983 . Ontaroga [1983] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
62. 1984 . Ontaroga [1984] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
63. 1985 . Ontaroga [1985] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
64. 1986 . Ontaroga [1986] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
65. 1987 . Ontaroga [1987] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
66. 1988 . Ontaroga [1988] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
67. 1989 . Ontaroga [1989] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
68. 1990 . Ontaroga [1990] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
69. 1991 . Ontaroga [1991] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
70. 1992 . Ontaroga [1992] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
71. 1993 . Ontaroga [1993] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
72. 1994 . Ontaroga [1994] ]. October 9, 2024 . North Carolina Yearbooks.
73. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 69.
74. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 67.
75. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 66.
76. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 63.
77. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 60.
78. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 59.
79. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 71.
80. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 56.
81. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 55.
82. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 54.
83. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 71.
84. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 65.
85. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 62.
86. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 61.
87. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 57.
88. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 68.
89. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 67.
90. Web site: 2023 . Football Record Book 2023 . October 10, 2024 . National Junior College Athletic Association . 58.