FEATURED INDUCTEE:

The 1930 Derry Township Football Team stands as one of the greatest teams in the proud history of Derry football. Representing excellence, determination, discipline, and teamwork, this remarkable group of student-athletes established a championship legacy that continues to inspire generations.

The 1930 squad completed a perfect 12-0 season, becoming the only undefeated and untied team in more than 100 years of Derry Township, Derry Borough, and Derry Area football history. The team dominated its competition, outscoring opponents 318-40 while demonstrating the preparation, toughness, and unity of a true championship program.

The Golden Eagles opened the season with a dominant (44-0) victory over Nanty Glo.  They followed with wins over Lily (26-0), Franklin (18-12), and Youngwood (19-0). A narrow shutout (6-0) against Mount Pleasant began the second half of the season.  The Eagles would then go on to defeat Derry Borough (44-0), Greensburg (26-15), and Ligonier (31-7). They closed out the regular season with three straight shutouts beating Trafford (28-0), New Florence (37-0), and Hurst (20-0).

With no WPIAL championship contested during the 1930 season, the WPIAL committee awarded Derry Township the Class B championship trophy in recognition of its outstanding achievement. The team’s perfect season remains unmatched in program history.

The only other undefeated season in Derry football history came in 1939, when Derry Township finished 8-0-1. While that team achieved an outstanding unbeaten record, the 1930 squad remains the only team to complete a perfect undefeated and untied season.

Since that historic championship, two other Derry teams have advanced to the WPIAL Championship Game. The 1945 Derry Township team fell to Dormont (30-19), and the 2018 Derry Area team lost to Aliquippa (42-19), leaving the 1930 Derry Township team as the program’s only WPIAL Football Champion at the time of this induction.  

A notable member of the 1930 team was Harry “Sticks” Johnson. In 1934, while playing football for Saint Vincent College, he was named an Associated Press All American. In 1967, he was elected to the second Athletic Hall of Fame class at SVC. Mr. Johnson also held the Derry Area broad jump record for over 60 years.  

The 1930 Derry Township football team set the standard for generations to follow.