Illinois high school varsity football game between the Union H.S. Yankees from Biggsville and the Wildcats of Galva H.S., in Galva, Illinois on Oct. 25, 2002. This was the final game of the regular season and was a non-conference match up pitting two teams that were both winless on the season with their final chance to get a victory. Galva would go on to win 45-0 and finish its season 1-8. The Wildcats had been close to victory several times that season, losing by 8 points or less in all but four of their games. Two of which were 9 10 points losses. Offensively they managed to score over 8 points only one other time before this game. With exception to a 41-8 trouncing by Stark County, the Wildcats were competitive in most games. Including a 22-8 loss to 2001 1A state champs Wethersfield, who finished 11-2 this season, a game away from returning to the state championship game in class 1A. Union on the other had had only scored in two games the entire season and had its best defensive game when it gave up just 36 points to 2-7 Westmer. On the season Union gave up 47.4 points a game. Not surprising for a school of Union's size, they consolidated in 2004-05 school year with other area schools and became known as West Central High School, but were still based in Biggsville. They had won just 4 games in the previous 5 seasons. Galva, while still operating as Galva H.S. no longer has its own football team and now its players are part of a co op called Mid-County anchored around ROWVA in nearby Oneida, but still have home games in Galva on accassion. In a strange twist of fate, Biggsville would eventually get a victory as Whetersfield ran into a bit of controversy when the school's booster club helped purchase championships rings for the 2001 team. This was against IHSA's rules, the state's governing athletic body, which included a stipulation that athletes cannot receive something of more than $20 in value. Since a number of juniors from the 2001 team received rings, Whethersfield had to forfeit their entire 2002 season, helping Union avoid an winless season, at least in the record books. Galva would also pick up a win, finishing 2-7 on the season. Photo copyright of Vincent David Johnson. http://www.VincentDavidJohnson.com