STORIES FROM THE PAST
50 years ago
The powerful Holtville Vikings finished the regular season as the only undefeated team in the Imperial Valley. In doing so, the Vikings led the Valley in scoring, defense and had the top individual scorer.
Speedy halfback George Hoyt paced the individuals with 137 points. Hoyt scored more points than the entire teams of Calexico, Palo Verde and San Pasqual. George led in touchdowns with 18 and extra points with 29.
His closest competition came from Imperial’s Troy Stephens. Troy scored 11 touchdowns, kicked eight extra points and two field goals for a total of 80. Third was El Centro’s pass-catching end Gerald Richardson with 11 touchdown catches and four extra points for a total of 70. The Vikings were far and away the highest-scoring team with 364 points this season, almost double that of second place Calipatria’s total of 184. Defensively, Holtville had another commanding lead by only allowing 54 points.
Brawley’s Wildcats were second in defense with a total of 92 points allowed. Helping the Vikings score at a record pace is fullback David Hilfiker. David has nine touchdowns for 54 points. Clifford Strahm has added 38 points and Mike Sudduth and Joe Silva each have 30 points for the Vikings.
40 years ago
City planner Simon Eisner warned the El Centro Planning Commission to keep a close eye on development south of Interstate 8.
Eisner, who completed the city’s proposed-updated general plan, urged the commission Tuesday to create a “zone overlay” for any building south of the freeway. The overlay would give the commission the power to approve the architecture of any structures.
“There is a chance for really doing big things here if it is done well,” said Eisner.
“But if it is done on a piecemeal basis and a bunch of scroungy uses go in, it could be a big mess.” Eisner presented his views about development south of the freeway Tuesday at a work-study session of the commission, which was making its first review of the proposed update of the general plan before it goes to a public hearing in February. In the meantime, more work-study sessions are scheduled.
30 years ago
Four Imperial Valley distance runners have advanced to the national finals of the Junior Olympics cross country competition.
The runners are part of the De Anza Junior High School team in Calexico.
In the 11- to 12-year-old bracket — the Midget Division — Hector Ortega of De Anza finished the 3-kilometer race in 11:48, good enough for seventh place in the regional competition. Harvey Ramos of Pine School finished 14th in 12:00.