The 1969 Troy (Ohio) Trojans were a high school team in the rebuilding stage. Lead by undersized sophomores, they were having a terrible season (2-7-1). This was their fourth straight losing season in the Western Ohio League (WOL).
On the last play, of the last game of the season, with the game tied 22-22 against powerful rival Dayton Wayne, a pass was received by 165-pound Randy Walker. He was tackled 18 inches from the end zone.
After the game coach, James "Jim" Conard, ordered the entire team to walk around with a piece of cloth that was 18 inches long, until the start of the 1970 season.
After the season, Walker gave up his first love baseball. He joined the track team to build up his speed and stamina, and started lifting weights-gaining 30 pounds. He reported to fall practice at 195 pounds.
The 18-inch strip of cloth motivated the team, as Conard and Walker did not lose another game the remaining two seasons, going 20-0, and winning back-to-back WOL titles.
In 1971 they outscored opponents, 406-54, out-gained opponents 3,711 yards to 1,267, and punting only 19 times all season. The team and the defense dominated opponents, forcing 31 turnovers, and posting five shutouts (including a 35-0 victory over Wayne).
Three backs would be selected to the All-Western Ohio League team, Gordon Bell, Walker, and Joe Allen. Bell, who rushed for 3,707 yards in three seasons, ran for 1,447 yards (on 198 carries) and scored 19 touchdowns in 1971. He was named first team All-Ohio back-to-back in 1970 and 1971.
Bell could have also been named "Ohio Back of the Year," had he not finish second, to Archie Griffin (Columbus Eastmoor), in both years.
Walker, whose main assignment was to block, rushed for 724 yards, and averaged 14.9 yards per carry. Allen rushed for 544 yards on 67 carries (8.1 YPC).
David Starkey, the heart of the defense was honored as an All-Ohio defensive lineman. Elmo Boyd, a track star who played football in his senior season (1971), finished with 12 catches for 374 yards (31.2 yards-per-catch average) and seven touchdowns.
In 2001, the 1971 team was selected by a panel of Dayton Daily News
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