Newton to honor 1988 Cardinal football team

Remember the fall of 1988 as Newton High’s Cardinal football team was steamrolling to the Iowa Class 4A championship game? The Cardinals lost that title game between to unbeaten teams to Bettendorf (13-0), 28-12, and finished with a 12-1 mark.

Newton High will honor the 1988 Cardinal football team on the 30th anniversary of that march to the UNI Dome on Oct 5. The 2018 Cardinals take on Grinnell in a Class 3A District 7 contest that night at H.A. Lynn Stadium.

Members of the 1988 football team planning to attend the reunion should contact NHS Athletic Director Ryan Rump at rumpr@newton.k12.ia.us or call the high school. Former players also can contact NHS assistant football coach Tom Weeks at weekst@newton.k12.ia.us.

Under the direction of head coach John Jenkins, Newton won the first of its back-to-back CIC football championships in 1988. The Cardinals were known for their ground-and-pound, ball possession offense led by senior running back Chad Guthrie.

More on the 1988 Newton football team will appear in the Newton Daily News closer to the Oct. 5 reunion.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com