The class of 1988...the last graduating class of all girls from Sacred Heart and all boys from Griffin High.  We were the end of an era.  It started out strong and ended strong.  

     As we all know, Griffin is known for it's football.  Fall of 1987 the Cyclones took the field once again with the dream of an undefeated State championship season.  After many hours of difficult training, the Division 4A Cyclones were ranked number one by all associated polls before the season had begun.  The Juniors and Seniors had never lost one regular season game since they began playing together at Griffin.  They had a quest to keep this streak going with the third undefeated varsity season, and the state record of 12 straight playoff appearances.  They also strove to keep the winning streak for the whole football program of over 70 wins without a loss.  All this went along with the thought of being Griffin's last football team.  

     After starting off on a good foot by posting victories over Rock Island and Alton, the team kept on improving.  They broke a state record for total offense gained.  Then they faced the big boys from East St. Louis.  After blowing by them, they defeated Jacksonville, Edwardsville, and Granite City.  The next trip was up North where the Cyclones were expected to fall short to Marion Catholic.  The Chicago Tribune game of the week was just what it was made up to be, "The most exciting high school game that I ever saw."  The good guys came out with the most memorable victory of all.  They then returned home to defeat to the Lanphier Lions.

     The Cyclones Entered the playoffs with a 9-0 record.  They got by Mt. Zion and now faced the game that will be hard for everyone to forget.  The Cyclones fell short to Rantoul 15-17.  We all know that this team truly had the potential to be the State Champions (Bruce Sommer's words).

     Moving to the other side of Washington Avenue, we know that the Blazer volleyball spirit never dies.  The 1987 Blazers began the season with their sights set on a state title.  They were impressive in the prestigious Reebok Tournament in Chicago where they finished second only to Muncie Burris, the Indiana State Champs.  With seven returning seniors, including Alisande Cavanagh, Cynthia Hall, Cheryl Garvin, Susan Wisnosky, Chris Talbert, Missy Beveridge and Kathy Robinson, this experienced team achieved a record of 33-6.  Led by co-captains Alisande and Chris and coached by Mrs. Helen Dulle, the Blazers successfully breezed through regionals and sectionals and again joined the elite eight at State.  Unfortunately, the Blazers were defeated by Oak Park River Forest in the first round of the state tournament (words of Alisande Cavanagh's).

     The class of 1988 were competitive but they also had their share of fun.  Homecoming 1987 was an event in Griffin and Sacred Heart's history to be remembered.  Not only did the Purple Crush stomp Alton 43-0, the dance itself left the high schools 7 students short the following week.  Something about a get together at a Petersburg home before the dance.  Then there was SKI TRIP.  Two buses of 80 treked up to Baraboo, Wisconsin to ski the slopes in scotch guarded jeans and oversized flannel shirts.  After a busy day of skiing, the Baraboo Inn was lucky enough to put us up in it's wood paneled, vibrating bed rooms.  Then there was the confiscated duffle bags that gave the Baraboo police enough information to call Sr. Diana.  I guess the four 21 year old chaperones were not acceptable???  We sure did like to get together all the time.  As Lisa Mizeur puts it in her last words "Swim to the pond, walk to the pit, climb to the hill, it's worth the trip".  Thanks for all the great memories....