Lou Williams and his 1952 Ortonville High School teammates started out with another team’s uniforms.
From there, the football program at what became Brandon High School evolved to the point where the stands are packed during Blackhawk home games on Friday nights.
Williams was the quarterback on the first Ortonville team, one of about 17-18 players on the team, including seven seniors and eight juniors. With so few substitutes available, the members of that team played both offense and defense.
The genesis of the Blackhawk football program began in 1951, when Ortonville took on Goodrich and Clarkston twice each in scrimmages, giving the high school students a chance to learn the game.
The district instituted football as a varsity sport in 1952, and hired Burl Glendenning as head coach and Max Barry as an assistant coach, both fresh out of Albion College.
However, there was the small detail of finding uniforms for the players. Glendenning was able to find a school replacing their uniforms, and was able to acquire gold and beige pants, jerseys, and leather helmets for the Ortonville squad.
Although the school district did not have a budget for the football program at the time, Williams said Arlo Davis, the owner of Davis Machinery in Ortonville, helped to pay for the uniforms.
‘He was enthusiastic about sports in the community,? Williams said. ‘The uniforms were probably the most unique thing about the first year. We didn’t have any face masks or mouth guards.?
The Blackhawks played their first season where the current varsity baseball field is located. Williams said the team members helped dig out the field so it would be suitable for play.
The team practiced on a field located behind where H.T. Burt Elementary School is currently located. ‘We practiced each day for about an hour,? Williams said.
Ortonville competed in the South Central League its first year. During that year, basketball reigned as the top sport in Ortonville. Williams was part of a Blackhawk team that made it to the state quarterfinals that year.
However, football was a constant learning experience for Williams and his teammates.
‘At football, we were novices,? he said. ‘We didn’t have a T-formation. We ran what they called a short punt formation.?
Glendenning became a fixture in the Ortonville school district after being hired as head football coach, eventually becoming superintendent of schools for the district. Meanwhile, Barry left Ortonville after three years to teach in the Roseville school district.
However, both men were on hand when Brandon celebrated the 50th anniversary team during a game against Oxford in 2002.
‘We had our 50th class reunion at my house, and Barry was there,? Williams said. ‘Glendenning was there when they introduced the ?52 team at the game.?
Lee Stewart and the Ortonville Historial Society contributed to this story.