1985

Showing Spirit and Resolve the Jaguars Fight On

In George Wilson's second and final year as the head coach of Thomas Jefferson, the Jaguars did not give up despite a string of losses. The team had 55 players come up out this year, demonstrating the interest in playing football at TJ was there. The team was lead by by captains Mike Van Bibber, Daryl Unrath, Joe Guddenburr, and Eric Holzworth. Their was also some junior standouts that shined on the gridiron with Jeff Hannon and Ryan Wilson. The Jaguars would finish the season at 1-9.

The Jaguars only win came against Keystone Oaks during week four of the season. The season was as tough a season as any during the history of Thomas Jefferson football.

Defensively the team surrendered on average 24.4 points per game. While offensively they scored on average 5.0 points per game.

Head coach George Wilson would resign following the season, but only to surface five years later as a defensive coordinator with head coach Jack Garrity in 1990.

The season cannot be measure in wins, but the true determination of the individual players themselves. Players like Jeff Hannon who played most of the season with a blood clot in his abdomen, and would not quit until the doctors disallowed him from participating. The heart and desire of undersized running back Mike Van Bibber. The ascension of Eric Holzworth into one of the better players in the WPIAL.

**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com

Season:

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TJ 0 vs. Mount Pleasant 22: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 6 vs. Ringold 14: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 0 vs. Elizabeth Forward 30: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 9 vs. Keystone Oaks 6: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 13 vs. West Mifflin 42: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 7 vs. Uniontown 21: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 7 vs. Seton LaSalle 27: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 0 vs. Steel Valley 28: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 8 vs. Peters 21: (Pictures, articles, video)