This is the first in a weekly series looking at the history of our area teams.

The Belvidere Bucs are the last team from the Northern Illinois Conference to capture a state championship, winning back-to-back titles in 1993 and 1994.

In fact, the Bucs are the most successful program in the Northern Illinois Conference – which has seen several forms including the Big 6, the Big 8, the NIC-9 and the NIC-10. The Bucs have 11 conference crowns, including eight solo and three shared. And they are No. 1 in the conference in playoff appearances (22), playoff wins (34) and tied with East and West for most state championships (2).

Here is a look at Belvidere football history. Stats are based on Rockford Register Star research and includes information beginning when Belvidere joined the conference. Statistics and records before the 1963-1964 season (Belvidere’s first in the conference) are not included.

Conference titles
1972: 7-1 (tied with Guilford)
1983: 8-1
1986: 8-1
1987: 8-1 (tied with Hononegah)
1988: 8-1
1989: 7-0
1990: 7-1
1992: 7-1 (tied with Boylan)
1993: 8-0
I998: 7-1
2005: 8-0

Playoff record
22 years in the playoffs
34-20 all-time playoff record
5A state champ in 1993
4A state champ in 1994

Top Five All-Time Single Season Rushers
Player (Year)                   G            Att           Yds        Avg.       TDs
Rob Dal Santo (1989)       12           266         1922       7.2          27
Patrick O’Brien (2007)       12           255         1700       6.7          27
Rob Dal Santo (1988)       14           265         1523       5.7          18
Doug Simms (1991)          10           226         1394       6.2          15
Miguel Martinez (1993)     14           273         1240       4.5          14

Top Five All-Time Single Season Passers
Player (Year)                     G            Att         Cmp        Yds         Int         TDs
Brian Pottinger (1986)       11          159         65           1279       NA          11
Rob Tobin (1987)               13          153         71           1230       NA          10
Kyle Tevebaugh (2007)      12          148         74           1145       10           6
Mike Barr (1969)                 9           191         85           1048       16           5

Top Five All-Time Single Season Receivers (Yards)
Player (Year)                                  G             Rec         Yds         Avg        TDs
Charles Chatman (2007)                12           46           877         19.1        8
Robb Chamberlin (1988)                14           55           856         15.6        7
Dave Guse (1983)                         11           45           800        17.8        9
Paul Jacobson (1986)                     11           35           710         20.3        7
Matt Bankord (1985)                      11           38           574         15.1        8
 

Top Single Game Performances
Passing: 1. Brian Pottinger (1986) 240 yards vs. Hononegah
               2. Greg Wallace (1983) 201 yards vs. Glenbard West

Rushing: 1. Rob Dal Santo (1989) 303 yards vs. Hononegah
               2. Patrick O’Brien (2007) 292 yards vs. Chicago Robeson

Receiving: 1. Dave Guse (1983) 196 yards vs. Glenbard West
                  2. Troy Stoudermire (1978) 163 yards vs. East
 
 

Other History Lessons
Freeport
Guilford
East
Hononegah
Belvidere
Jefferson
Auburn
Harlem
Boylan