1931 Football Team
Undefeated Season
The 1931 Astoria High School football team completed an undefeated season with seven wins and two scoreless ties. Benson and Salem were the two teams not defeated by the John Warren coached team. After nine games and still undefeated Astoria negotiated with the other undefeated elevens of the state but failed in their efforts to play a post season game. The “31” football team was recognized as one of the top football teams in the state.
Astoria started the season with a scoreless tie with Benson Tech of Portland in the huge Multnomah Civic Stadium. Although the Astoria squad out played the Tech squad they could not put the ball in the end zone.
On the 3rd of October Warren’s men journeyed up the Columbia to defeat the Hodgen’s Indians by a small margin. Edward Makela’s field goal, with the aid of Tihila’s power on the defense, gave Astoria the margin of victory.
The Fighting Fishermen opened their home season by romping over Raymond for an easy win. Tihila was impressive with an 80 yard run. Caspell made his high school deput with a good performance.
In Astoria’s first night game of the school’s history, Hood River’s powerful eleven bowed to the never-stopping Astorians on the Multnomah field. Both teams entered the battle undefeated, but a team of deceptive plays bowed to a power team.
Playing the second team much of the game Astoria defeated Seaside by a three-touchdown margin for the victory.
In THE game of the season before a capacity crowd, Astoria was held to a scoreless tie by their rival, Salem. Astoria held the upper hand throughout, but was unable to score.
On a wet gridiron at Vancouver, Astoria had to be satisfied by a close victory over the Trappers. Vancouver was a strong squad but could not match Astoria. On their eighth appearance in nine weeks, the boys from on the hill took matters into their own hands and toyed with the smaller Cadets.
Astoria closed their season undefeated by setting back Tillamook on Turkey day by a four touchdown margin. The victory ended the playing careers of Makela, Bergstorm, Skyles, Paakkalo and Walo.
Astoria…..0 Benson……0
Astoria….28 Seaside…6
Astoria….14 The Dalles….13
Astoria…..6 Salem……..0
Astoria….24 Raymond…….0
Astoria…..19 Hill Military..0
Astoria….18 Hood River…0
Astoria….26 Tillamook….0
Total: Astoria 135 to 19