Elk Creek Antlers history

The Johnson County schools had a variety of sports successes right up to the end.

Elk Creek High never won a state championship, but the Antlers had outstanding seasons in every sport in which they competed. The school was always among the state’s smallest and closed in 1984, with the district's land being split between Tecumseh, Pawnee City, and Lewiston.

The Letter Girls cheer on the Antlers during the school’s final basketball season, 1984.

The Antlers’ most outstanding football season was their 1971 Homesteader Conference title run. All-state back Joel Dunekacke (1972) led the way with 1,265 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also dominated on the defensive side from his middle guard spot. Coach Gene Finke’s boys lost an early game to defending league champ Odell but fought back to not lose again in a 7-1-1 season and a #10 8-man rating.

The 1979 Antlers made the eight-team state football 8-man-2 playoff bracket with a 5-4 record. They were the only team with a winning record in their district and were shut out by Wheatland in the opener. End Steve Schaardt (1980) earned the school’s last all-state honor that year.