1974

Team Picture:
Back Row: Rick Pesta, Jerry Lindquist, Mike Nelson, Dave Johnson, Howard Behrns, De Peterson, Ken Tradcy, Daniel Lindquist
Middle Row: Coach Newkirk, Manager Dale Hall, Larry Swanson, Dave Swanson, Steve Bowman, Tom Warren, Randy DeBoise, R.J. Choponis, Jim Gydson, Manager Steve Marks, Head Coach Helmindski
Front Row: Mike Rees, Lee Syrewicze, Steve Anderson, Don Brown, O.J. McConnell, Dave Wheeler, Bren VanBuren, Wayne Seavey, Joe Nemeth.

The ’74 Bucks had “a lot more pride and enthusiasm” according to Coach Helmindski. It would take seven weeks for that to turn into a win however. The Bucks opened the season against Kalkaska with a 12-20 loss. The Bucks took a 6-0 lead into halftime thanks to a 2 yard TD run by fullback Floyd Williams. However, the Bucks couldn’t keep the lead even a score by way of a 65 yard half back option pass from Larry Swanson to Jerry Lindquist. The Bucks weren’t even close in a loss to Onekma the following week, but they came back with a strong showing against McBain on the 4th week of the season. Dave Johnson threw a 12 yard TD pass for the Bucks one touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as the Bucks lost on homecoming by a score of 6-9. Pine River lost to Manton the following week by the score of 22-28. Coach Helmindski must have expected a win as he was quoted as saying “I only have five or six boys who really want to play.” That quote may have inspired the Bucks because Coach Helmindski said that the Bucks put up their best defensive effort since he has been there the following week when they played Beal City. Tom Warren had a particularly good game as he racked up 24 tackles in a loss to the powerful Aggies. The Bucks lost a close game against Marion the following week despite some good passes between Dave Johnson and Dan Lindquist. Pine River was winning when the Eagles stole the lead and the game with 1:16 left. The final score was Pine River 12 and Marion 14. The Bucks would finish the season with 2 wins. The first win came with a 32-0 shoutout of Lake City. Don Brown and Floyd Williams each ran in 2 TDs. Steve Anderson led the team with 16 tackles while Tom Warren recorded 15. Coach Helmindski said “I got a shower after the game, and it’s been a long time coming.” Pine River finished the season with a 54 to 16 drubbing of Baldwin. Larry Swanson threw 3 TD passes to Jerry Lindquist and Floyd Williams also had another fine performance running in 2 TDs. The ’74 Bucks finished the season with a 2-6 record.