Frankenmuth State Champion Football Teams – 1968 & 1969
Frankenmuth High School’s varsity football team recorded back-to-back 9-0 records in 1968 and 1969 to capture the state’s mythical Class C state championship both seasons from the Associated Press. The Eagles, under head coach Budd Thompkins and defensive coordinator Jim Weber, turned in a 7-0 record to win the Thumb B Conference in 1968. Frankenmuth finished 9-0 overall and outscored its opponents 194-19, posting seven shutouts along the way. ‘Muth topped Michigan Lutheran Seminary (13-0), Cass City (28-0), Laker High (9-0), Caro (12-0), Bad Axe (29-0), Sandusky (54-0), Vassar (15-6), and Marlette (20-0), before nipping Otisville-Lakeville (14-13) in the season finale. For the season Frankenmuth had 114 first downs while allowing just 43. The stellar defense intercepted 13 passes, recovered 10 fumbles, recorded three safeties, and tallied six touchdowns. Offensively, Dale Weiss led a balanced effort with 39 points, while Ralph Munger had 26, Dave Trinklein 22, Chip Weiss 21 and Rick List 20. Dave Trinklein earned All-State first team honors and Loren Rustern was an honorable mention selection. One year later the Eagles did it again, grabbing the Thumb B title with a 7-0 mark, before finishing 9-0 overall and its second consecutive Class C state championship. The Eagles toppled opponents by a whopping 400-104 margin, averaging 44.4 points per contest. Frankenmuth opened the season with a 36-22 win over Michigan Lutheran Seminary, before rolling up victories against Bad Axe (46-12), Caro (16-14), Laker High (32-16), Vassar (36-0), Marlette (68-8), Sandusky (50-8), Cass City (60-6), and Otisville-Lakeville (54-18). The Eagles recorded 146 first downs and allowed 84. Its defense recovered 24 fumbles and intercepted 17 passes. Munger was the top scorer with 96 points, while Dale Weiss had 90, Chip Weiss 74, while Rick List and Tom Weber had 48 and 30 points, respectively. Munger and Kirby Goodwin both earned All-State first team honors, while Tom Engel, Rick List, Chip Weiss and Dale Weiss were honorable mention selections. The Eagles were the Saginaw News Area Champions both seasons.