“Mr. Football,” “Maker of Champions,” “Molder of Men,” are a few of the titles bestowed upon the late John Henzes, Sr., who is best known as “Papa Bear” for his outstanding football record established by Blakely High School teams over 33 years.
“The boys must learn to take their bumps on the field which will be their guideline to the hard knocks of life ahead,” is the way Coach Henzes commented concerning the development of championship football teams at BHS.
In his 33 years as head coach of Blakely High School, Coach recorded 242 wins, 52 loses and 14 ties. He had 17 undefeated seasons and 37 championships.
During Coach Henzes tenure the Bears recorded a 49-game winning streak between 1961 and 1966. Sixty-five of Coach Henzes' players gained "All-Scholastic" honors.
Coach Henzes also directed Blakely High baseball teams to three Lackawanna League titles and four divisional crowns. His track teams won District 2 honors and participated in the Penn State Track Carnival. One of the girls' basketball teams he tutored also won a championship.
