McDonell Central Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
McDonell Central Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic high school
in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
in the Diocese of La Crosse
. It is the only Catholic high school in Chippewa County
.
The original McDonell High School building, sitting high above downtown Chippewa Falls, is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places The structure was built in 1907 and, after the school moved to a more suburban location, it sat abandoned for a number of years until it was taken over by the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association and converted into the Heyde Center for the Arts in 2000.
team was known for its high power passing attack. Former quarterback Ben Gardow (1986–1989) holds the Wisconsin
state record for single season and career records for most passing yards, and also the state record for most passing touchdowns in a single season. Wide receiver
Rick Baier holds the state record for most pass receptions in a season (106 - 1987), and is second on the career list with 176 despite playing only two years. Several players are also former or current national high school record holders. Dave Huffcutt held the record for most plays in a season (630 - 1986) until 1997. Todd Harings holds the current record for most plays per game (54.6 - 1984). Ben Gardow held the record for most pass attempts in career (1348) from 1989 until 1993, while Todd Harings held the single game pass attempts record (74 - Oct. 6, 1984) until 2001. Harings also held the record for passing attempts per game (48.8 - 1984) until 1988. Dave Geissler held the record for most completions in a game from (41 - Oct. 31, 1981) until 1987 and the per game completion record (25.6 -1981) until the current record was set in 1988.
For his efforts leading the team during this era, former coach Gerry Uchytil was elected into the state's football coaches hall of fame.
In 1997, the Football team won the CWCC conference title. It was their last conference title before the folding of WISSA.
In 2009 the Macks lost to Burlington Catholic High School in the state championship.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls is a city located on the Chippewa River in Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 13,661 at the 2010 census. Incorporated as a city in 1869, it is the county seat of Chippewa County....
in the Diocese of La Crosse
Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse
The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse covers an area of west-central Wisconsin, including the city of La Crosse and 19 counties: Adams, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Marathon, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Portage, Richland, Trempealeau, Vernon, and...
. It is the only Catholic high school in Chippewa County
Chippewa County, Wisconsin
Chippewa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 55,195. Its county seat is Chippewa Falls. The United States Census Bureau's Eau Claire Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Chippewa County...
.
Football
During the 1980s, The McDonell Central footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team was known for its high power passing attack. Former quarterback Ben Gardow (1986–1989) holds the Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
state record for single season and career records for most passing yards, and also the state record for most passing touchdowns in a single season. Wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Rick Baier holds the state record for most pass receptions in a season (106 - 1987), and is second on the career list with 176 despite playing only two years. Several players are also former or current national high school record holders. Dave Huffcutt held the record for most plays in a season (630 - 1986) until 1997. Todd Harings holds the current record for most plays per game (54.6 - 1984). Ben Gardow held the record for most pass attempts in career (1348) from 1989 until 1993, while Todd Harings held the single game pass attempts record (74 - Oct. 6, 1984) until 2001. Harings also held the record for passing attempts per game (48.8 - 1984) until 1988. Dave Geissler held the record for most completions in a game from (41 - Oct. 31, 1981) until 1987 and the per game completion record (25.6 -1981) until the current record was set in 1988.
For his efforts leading the team during this era, former coach Gerry Uchytil was elected into the state's football coaches hall of fame.
In 1997, the Football team won the CWCC conference title. It was their last conference title before the folding of WISSA.
In 2009 the Macks lost to Burlington Catholic High School in the state championship.