In the 20th century Lawrence High School in Kansas had a football program that was as dominant as it gets. The school enjoyed 31 undefeated seasons and between 1914 and 1995, and it won 28 state championships. The school’s most notable football alum was John Hadl, who went on quarterback the Chargers.
In 1960 Hadl was gone but Lawrence was still rolling over the competition when LIFE came to visit. Lawrence was on a 45-game winning streak, the longest in the country at the time, and LIFE thought it was a big enough of a deal that the magazine sent two photographers, Grey Villet and Francis Miller, to capture life in and around the team.
The team had been so good for so long that their coach wondered if they might stop listening to him. “I can’t scare them anymore,” coach Al Woolard told LIFE. “How do you preach fear to boys who have never lost a game?”
Judging from the photos, though, Woolard’s ship was plenty tight. Being a Chesty Lion—that was the school’s nickname—meant not only hitting the gridiron but attending regular Bible study meetings. And while the rock-and-roll look was taking root around the country, it had no place in the Lawrence locker room. The coach told his players, “You can wear a ducktail haircut or play football, but not both.”
Before games Woolard had his players lay down on mats in the gym and meditate: “I ask them to think deep down about what they can offer, and if they will pay the price.”
Whatever price they paid, they were rewarded for it. In 1960 Lawrence not only won the state title but was one of two schools that year recognized as a mythical national championship by the awarding organizations. The win streak would be broken the next season, but the Lions would bounce back with three consecutive state championships in 1962, ’63 and ’64.
Lawrence High School football, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
The Lawrence (Kan.) High School football team warmed up, 1960.
Francis Miller/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Lawrence High School football, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Lawrence High School football, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Members of the band and the pep squad at Lawrence (Kan.) High School ran back to the building after a practice, 1960.
Francis Miller/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Senior Carol Albers invited football star Chuck Bowen to a party, Lawrence, Kansas, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Bob Kimball, the second-leading scorer on the Lawrence (Kan.) High School football team, spoke with friend Janice Salisbury, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Lawrence (Kan.) High School cheerleaders, 1960.
Francis Miller/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Members of the Lawrence High football team at a Bible class, 1960.
Francis Miller/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
The Lawrence (Kan.) High School football team, on its way to an undefeated season and a state and national championship, meditated before a game, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Football coach Al Woolard addressed his team at Lawrence (Kan.) High, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Lawrence High School football, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Lawrence High School football, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Lawrence High School football, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Chuck Bowen, the leading scorer on the Lawrence (Kan.) High football team, watched his coach review plays during halftime of a game, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Lawrence High School football, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Fans watched the Lawrence (Kan.) High school football team, 1960.
Grey Villet/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Lawrence High School football, 1960.
Francis Miller/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
