By LESLIE COLLINS
Northeast News
November 28, 2012 

Northeast High School Vikings varsity football finally tackled the losing mentality that followed them around for years. Last year, they won one game and the year before that, zero.

This year, they proved they’re a team to be reckoned with and ended the season with a 7-4 record, the first winning season in years.

Their biggest feat this year, however, was winning the Interscholastic League Championship outright for the first time since 1952.

To honor the team for its accomplishment and those who lettered, Northeast High School’s N Club held a reception for the players at the NEHS gymnasium Nov. 15.

“We’re very excited, very proud and so happy for our coach and the varsity team,” said N Club Secretary Sue Anne Slavens Erb, who graduated from NEHS in 1963.

Founded in 1914, the N Club is comprised of those who lettered in sports at NEHS.

At least three of the N Club alumni members in attendance played football at Northeast and were part of the undefeated football teams from the 1940s. N Club President and member of the 1947 undefeated championship football team Jerry Slavens said he still remembers playing kick the can and sandlot football.

Following the presentation of the letters, Slavens said the players were now officially inducted into the N Club.

“You are among the elite. Everyone respects you for winning the championship,” Slavens told the players.

NEHS Assistant Football Coach Kevin Blair told Northeast News the team had a “tremendous season.”

“We won the (Interscholastic League) championship for the first time in 60 years; We just had a good group of kids and senior leaders this year that pushed the team to excel,” Blair said. “Coach (Terry) McCray is a phenomenal coach, a great leader and has great game plans.

“He was a huge reason that the kids had success.”