The 1969 and 2008 Junction City Blue Jay state championship football teams will be honored at the senior high school on October 18.

Special activities are planned including a meal in the school cafeteria before the Junction City – Washburn Rural football game, special seating in the end zone, and a get-together with the Blue Jay coaches in the cafeteria after the game.

Cathy Bassett was 10 years old when the Blue Jays won the Class Four-A state championship in 1969, the first season that postseason playoffs were held in Kansas high school football. She has obtained memorabilia from Helen Simpler, the wife of the late Al Simpler, the Blue Jay head football coach in 1969. Bassett said she will display it at the event on the 18th.  One of the items was a Blue Jay newspaper from December 5, 1969.

Bassett read one of the lines from the story. “An estimated 45-hundred Junction City fans were among the 52-hundred people in attendance at KSU Stadium who witnessed the first ever grid championship final.”  Bassett added even back in 1969 the community supported the Blue Jays. “And always have, always will, and I think that’s a wonderful thing.”

The 1969 team went 10-1 with only a loss to Ponca City, Oklahoma.  They defeated Bishop Carroll in the state championship game .

The 2008 football team took a strong following to their state championship game which was played at Washburn University in Topeka. Their final record was 13-0. They defeated Lawrence Free State in the Class Six-A state championship game.

Special commemorative t-shirts for the event on Oct. 18 are being sold for $10 before and and during the first half of the Blue Jay homecoming football game against Highland Park this Friday Night ( October 4 ). You can also call Connie Gallentine at 717-4067 or email her at conniegallentine@usd475.org.