Mason City led the way in 1945

Nearly all the responses to our quest for the best teams were for larger schools in Spokane and Spokane Valley. There was one exception: Richard W. Ross, Mason City class of 1946, nominated his team. His submission included a team photo from The Spokesman-Review and an S-R story on the final game of the undefeated 1945 season. They follow:

1945 article: Beavers grab county title

Mason City High School completed (its) second consecutive undefeated season in football by defeating Omak 13 to 6 last Saturday afternoon and insuring (sic) the Okanogan County championship for themselves.

Chuck Morehouse snagged one of Scallan’s passes to score in the first quarter. Another Scallan pass failed for the extra point. In the second period Chuck Hall tossed another pass to Morehouse, who ran 40 yards for the second Beaver tally.

Baker plowed over for Omak’s score in the third quarter after a series of line plunges, but muffed the pass for the extra point.

In the final period, the Beaver line really showed their stuff when it held Omak on the one yard line for four downs and topped their scoring threat.

The Mason City eleven has beaten Wilber (twice), Ephrata (twice), Tonasket, Grand Coulee, Omak and tied with Okanogan.

A very successful passing attack has given the Beavers a definite edge over their opponents. The line showed its power when it stopped Bob Young of Grand Coulee and Baker of Omak.

2013 letter

Gentlemen,

I have been reading about your search for the best football team in Spokane history. I thought you might be interested in one of the smaller schools in our part of the state.

Mason City was constructed on the east side of the river below Grand Coulee Dam for the construction workers in the late 1930s and early ’40s. It no longer exists and has been consolidated with Coulee Dam, which was on the west side of the river, and Grand Coulee. The school is now known as Lake Roosevelt. As you can see by the article, we played all of the schools in the area in 1945 and never lost. We tied Okanogan twice. I graduated in 1946 and then joined the navy. It is my understanding that the season of ’46 team also went undefeated.

We had a great coach, and the community filled the stands for every game. It was great fun and wonderful memories.

Respectfully,

Richard W. Ross, No. 33