A turbulent, thrilling decade — from McGinnis’s final years through Dale Evans’s state title, Tom Cuppett’s four-year run, and Bucky Stewart’s return as a former player turned head coach. 49 wins, 46 losses, 5 ties across ten seasons.
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McGinnis closed out his tenure with a competitive 1960 squad that went 4-5-1, then endured a painful 1-8-1 collapse in 1961 — winning only at Harrisville while being outscored 274-94 on the season.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| at Wirt County | 7 | 0 | W 1-0 |
| at Tyler County | 19 | 13 | W 2-0 |
| St. Marys | 7 | 40 | L 2-1 |
| Ravenswood | 12 | 20 | L 2-2 |
| Williamstown | 20 | 20 | T 2-2-1 |
| at Paden City | 6 | 20 | L 2-3-1 |
| at Pennsboro | 26 | 6 | W 3-3-1 |
| Harrisville | 13 | 0 | W 4-3-1 |
| at N. Cumberland | 6 | 7 | L 4-4-1 |
| Magnolia | 25 | 40 | L 4-5-1 |
Players: Kenny Wells, Stanley Groves, Larry Hayes, Gary Grimes, Wade Ash, Ronnie Berkhimer, Ronnie Whitley, Dave Kyle, Alan Wells, Bucky Stewart, Gary Henderson, Jim Shreves, Ronnie Reed, Gary Snodgrass.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler County | 6 | 26 | L 0-1 |
| at St. Marys | 0 | 44 | L 0-2 |
| at Williamstown | 0 | 50 | L 0-3 |
| Paden City | 13 | 26 | L 0-4 |
| Pennsboro | 6 | 14 | L 0-5 |
| at Harrisville | 14 | 7 | W 1-5 |
| at Ravenswood | 6 | 27 | L 1-6 |
| Wirt County | 6 | 7 | L 1-7 |
| Walton | 26 | 26 | T 1-7-1 |
| at Magnolia | 7 | 59 | L 1-8-1 |
Evans took over in 1962 and immediately improved the program. The 1962 finale against Magnolia — a 7-7 tie — was the last-ever game between the two rivals. The 1963 season was marred by controversy: an on-field record of 5-3-1 was reduced to 3-6 after the SSAC ordered the first four games forfeited for use of an ineligible player.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| at Newell | 7 | 0 | W 1-0 |
| at Tyler County | 13 | 12 | W 2-0 |
| St. Marys | 0 | 13 | L 2-1 |
| Williamstown | 6 | 7 | L 2-2 |
| at Paden City | 6 | 19 | L 2-3 |
| at Pennsboro | 33 | 18 | W 3-3 |
| Harrisville | 7 | 19 | L 3-4 |
| Ravenswood | 27 | 6 | W 4-4 |
| at Wirt County | 40 | 14 | W 5-4 |
| Magnolia* | 7 | 7 | T 5-4-1 |
Players: J. Williams, Bill Wagner, John Stewart, Mike Connor, Roger Cline, Joe Starkey, Don Quinif, Jack Fiest, Butch Heinlein, Ted Hays, Terry Hays, Joe Manley, Robert Kelly, J. Markley, Tim Doty, Tom Gilligan, P. Dennis, Tony Sutton, Perry Leach, Don Williamson, Howard Jones, Chuck Stewart, Paul Long, Jim Allender, Henry Racer, Earl Shreves, Steve Oyler, Don Frum, Robert Pancake, John McGinnis, Larry Moore, Jerry Wilson, Bob Cline, Spike Berkhimer, Jack Pancake, Ken Hunt, Dick Deaton, Steve Miller, Starkey, Dunkle.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Local, OH | 53 | 33 | W* 0-1 |
| Tyler County | 7 | 0 | W* 0-2 |
| at St. Marys | 0 | 0 | T* 0-3 |
| Clks. Notre Dame | 0 | 20 | L* 0-4 |
| Paden City | 14 | 40 | L 0-5 |
| Pennsboro | 39 | 14 | W 1-5 |
| at Harrisville | 33 | 6 | W 2-5 |
| at Ravenswood | 14 | 20 | L 2-6 |
| at Spencer | 46 | 0 | W 3-6 |
Players: Don Clark, David Frum, Dick Deaton, Spike Berkhimer, Junior Wilson, Steve Miller, Jim Allender, Ed Shreves, Nubbin Hammel, Roger Cline, Jack Manley, Steve Oyler, Perry Leach, Robert Kelly, Jay Kuehne, Jim Markley, Henry Racer, Larry Moore, Paul Long, Bob Pancake, D. Doak, Chuck Stewart, John McGinnis, Bill Springer, Howard Jones, Tom Gilligan, Don Cline, Jim Willison, Chuck Deaton, Tony Sutton.
The program’s second state championship — and one of the most unusual paths to a title. All four regular-season losses came against Class AA opponents, which under the rules of the time did not count against a team’s rating. Sistersville dominated Fairview 27-0 in the championship game at New Martinsville; Fairview had entered with a perfect 9-0 record. The rule was amended after this season.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamstown | 0 | 7 | L 0-1 |
| Tyler County | 25 | 13 | W 1-1 |
| St. Marys | 19 | 10 | W 2-1 |
| at Wirt County | 13 | 12 | W 3-1 |
| at Paden City | 13 | 0 | W 4-1 |
| at Pennsboro | 56 | 6 | W 5-1 |
| Harrisville | 27 | 6 | W 6-1 |
| Ravenswood | 12 | 28 | L 6-2 |
| at River Local, OH | 12 | 14 | L 6-3 |
| at Calhoun County | 20 | 26 | L 6-4 |
| ★ State Class A Championship vs Fairview (New Martinsville) | 27 | 0 | W 7-4 |
Players: Tony Sutton, Paul Long, Jay Kuehne, Fred O’Brien, Howard Jones, Bob Greathouse, Joe Manley, Randy Cline, Steve Oyler, Don Cline, Jerry Wilson, Bill Springer, Tom Gilligan, Robert Kelly, Perry Leach, Henry Racer, Danny Doak, Bob Cline, Jamie Moore, Bob Pancake, Chuck Stewart, Danny Williamson, Larry Moore, Mike Hickman, Chuck Deaton, Paul Kyle, Allan Ramsey, Charlie Henderson, John McGinnis, Jim Willison.
Under the rules of the era, losses to schools in higher classes did not count against a team’s rating. All four Tiger losses came against Class AA opponents, keeping the door open for the Class A finals. The rule was amended after this season.
New coach Tom Cuppett inherited a program coming off a championship but struggled in his first year, going 3-6-1. The Tigers managed a 58-13 rout of Pennsboro but couldn’t find consistency elsewhere.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| at Williamstown | 0 | 12 | L 0-1 |
| Tyler County | 19 | 12 | W 1-1 |
| at Fairview | 6 | 7 | L 1-2 |
| Wirt County | 7 | 13 | L 1-3 |
| Paden City | 6 | 6 | T 1-3-1 |
| Pennsboro | 58 | 13 | W 2-3-1 |
| at Harrisville | 19 | 12 | W 3-3-1 |
| at St. Marys | 13 | 27 | L 3-4-1 |
| at Bishop Donahue | 7 | 19 | L 3-5-1 |
| Calhoun County | 20 | 26 | L 3-6-1 |
Players: Allan Morgan, Robert Kelly, Howard Jones, Danny Williamson, Perry Leach, Tom Gilligan, Paul Kyle, Chuck Stewart, Bob Greathouse, Don Cline, Greg Gaiser, Jim Willison, Chuck Deaton, Bill Springer, Charlie Henderson, Jerry Wilson, Allan Ramsey, Fred O’Brien, Earl Shreves, Jamie Moore, Don Stewart, Roger Campbell, Dick Burgess, Happy Pancake, James Ice, Rick Oyler, Chick Clegg, Rolland Crockett, Ken Livingston, Eric Peters, Joe Cooper, Ray Cooper, Dan DeGarmo, Greg Snodgrass, Perry Flesher, Randy Campbell.
Cuppett’s second season was a gem. The Tigers opened 3-0, lost only to Wirt County (who went 11-0 and won the Class A title), and finished 8-1-1 with dominant wins over St. Marys (33-6) and Bishop Donahue (27-0).
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamstown | 28 | 0 | W 1-0 |
| at Tyler County | 34 | 2 | W 2-0 |
| Fairview | 20 | 12 | W 3-0 |
| at Wirt County | 13 | 19 | L 3-1 |
| at Paden City | 0 | 0 | T 3-1-1 |
| at Pennsboro | 41 | 7 | W 4-1-1 |
| Harrisville | 41 | 6 | W 5-1-1 |
| St. Marys | 33 | 6 | W 6-1-1 |
| Bishop Donahue | 27 | 0 | W 7-1-1 |
| at Cameron | 20 | 7 | W 8-1-1 |
Players: Jerry Wilson, Charlie Henderson, Fred O’Brien, Jim Willison, Bill Springer, Greg Gaiser, Don Cline, Jamie Moore, Chuck Deaton, Allan Ramsey, Earl Shreves, Robert Starkey, Roger Campbell, Ken Livingston, Greg Snodgrass, Happy Pancake, Allan Leach, Dick Burgess, Rick Oyler, Eric Peters, James Ice, Chick Clegg, Dan DeGarmo, John Grimm, Ray Cooper, Perry Flesher, Jim Shanks, Clyde Horner, Randy Campbell, Tom Menighan, Larry Heintzman, Larry Groves, Chuck Heinlein, Rodney Dieringer, Allan Peake, Jim Fiest, Lindsey DeGarmo, Fred Smith, Mike Rice, Pete Cote, Jim Gilligan.
The Tigers opened 0-4 — the worst start of the decade — but rallied to win five of the last six, including shutouts of Pennsboro and Burnsville to close the year at .500.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| at Williamstown | 0 | 19 | L 0-1 |
| Tyler County | 13 | 21 | L 0-2 |
| at Parkersburg Cath. | 13 | 33 | L 0-3 |
| Wirt County | 0 | 14 | L 0-4 |
| Paden City | 14 | 6 | W 1-4 |
| Pennsboro | 12 | 0 | W 2-4 |
| at Harrisville | 35 | 6 | W 3-4 |
| at St. Marys | 0 | 26 | L 3-5 |
| Valley | 20 | 7 | W 4-5 |
| Burnsville | 20 | 0 | W 5-5 |
Players: Happy Pancake, Rick Oyler, Ray Cooper, Dan DeGarmo, James Ice, Don Stewart, Eric Peters, John Grimm, Allan Leach, Clyde Horner, Perry Flesher, Greg Snodgrass, Jim Shanks, Tom Menighan, Larry Heintzman, Fred Smith, Larry Groves, Rodney Dieringer, Allan Peake, Jim Fiest, Mike Rice, John Wright, Randy Rutherford, Paul Howlett, John Bolen, Mike Wilson, Dale Cline, Bill Metz, Kent Watkins.
Cuppett’s final season was his best. After dropping the opener and back-to-back losses to Wirt County and Paden City (the state Class A runner-up), the Tigers won their final five games. Highlights included an upset of previously undefeated Fairview (8-0) and a 13-12 win over Double-A St. Marys.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamstown | 0 | 6 | L 0-1 |
| at Tyler County | 24 | 6 | W 1-1 |
| at Parkersburg Cath. | 27 | 7 | W 2-1 |
| at Wirt County | 0 | 14 | L 2-2 |
| at Paden City | 0 | 48 | L 2-3 |
| at Pennsboro | 28 | 0 | W 3-3 |
| Harrisville | 18 | 7 | W 4-3 |
| St. Marys | 13 | 12 | W 5-3 |
| Fairview | 13 | 7 | W 6-3 |
| Valley | 21 | 18 | W 7-3 |
Players: Larry Groves, Larry Heintzman, Tom Menighan, Greg Buck, Fred Smith, Rodney Dieringer, Jim Fiest, Allan Peake, Mike Rice, Larry Smith, Terry Starkey, Keith Barth, Jon Bolen, Chris Carse, Dale Cline, Brent Crawford, Nelson Hartline, John Hess, Paul Howlett, Steve McGee, Bill Metz, Randy Rutherford, Wesley Smith, Nelson Travis, Lewis Vandergrift, Kent Watkins, Mike Wilson, John Wright, Chris Deaton, Frank Haines, Jim Haines, John Mace, Denver Starcher, Victor Starcher, Jay Swisher, Lonnie Tustin, Donnie Evans.
Bucky Stewart — himself a player on the 1960 squad — took over as head coach and closed the decade with a winning record, including a dominant 49-14 victory over Valley in the season finale.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| at Williamstown | 22 | 24 | L 0-1 |
| Tyler County | 6 | 0 | W 1-1 |
| Parkersburg Cath. | 14 | 0 | W 2-1 |
| Wirt County | 36 | 6 | W 3-1 |
| Paden City | 6 | 20 | L 3-2 |
| Pennsboro | 0 | 14 | L 3-3 |
| at Harrisville | 24 | 12 | W 4-3 |
| at St. Marys | 8 | 12 | L 4-4 |
| at Fairview | 22 | 16 | W 5-4 |
| at Valley | 49 | 14 | W 6-4 |
Players: Steve McGee, Bill Metz, Jon Bolen, John Wright, Randy Rutherford, Chris Carse, Dale Cline, Paul Howlett, Wesley Smith, Nelson Travis, Lewis Vandergrift, Kent Watkins, Mike Wilson, Chris Deaton, Frank Haines, Jim Haines, John Mace, Denver Starcher, Victor Starcher, Jay Swisher, Lonnie Tustin, Dana Johnson, Gary Hisam, Don Evans.
A decade of coaching changes, controversy, and a second state championship.
1966 — 8-1-1 under Coach Cuppett; only loss to undefeated Class A champion Wirt County (11-0)
1961 — 1-8-1, McGinnis’s final year; outscored 274-94 with a lone win at Harrisville
1964 — State Class A Champions under Dale Evans; shut out 9-0 Fairview 27-0 at New Martinsville
McGinnis (1960–61) | Evans (1962–64) | Cuppett (1965–68) | Stewart (1969)