Golden Helmet scrapbook recalls Ed Harvey’s farewell and more Week 9 memories

ESSEXVILLE, MI – Chris Kokaly calls it his “Al Bundy moment.”

But it was inspired by a real-life football legend.

The 1990 football season didn’t go as planned for Kokaly and the Essexville Garber football team, but it would have an unforgettable finish as 25-year coach Ed Harvey announced Week 9 would be his final game.

“He was a great coach and a great guy and I love him to death,” Kokaly said. “So that gave me and the whole team another game that meant something. We were going to make sure we sent him out as a winner.”

The 5-foot-10, 165-pound receiver certainly did his part to make it memorable, catching seven passes for 186 yards and scoring four touchdowns – matching the performance Al Bundy always raved about on “Married with Children.”

Kokaly would go on to play college baseball at the University of Kansas and San Jose State University. But he still enjoys reminding friends that he could play football as well – and has the Golden Helmet to prove it.

“I always wanted a Golden Helmet,” said Kokaly, who set a Garber record with 40 receptions as a senior. “I grew up with three brothers who played and going to the games with my dad since I was old enough to walk. I wanted to win for Coach Harvey and, deep down, I wanted to win a Golden Helmet. It happened to be in my last game. It was one of my proudest achievements.”

Throughout this season, MLive is taking a stroll down memory lane by revisiting the weekly Golden Helmet winners from 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago. And it was 30 years ago this week that Kokaly won the prestigious plaque.

1970: WEEK 9

A local legend was born on the final week of the 1970 season, when a backup receiver with one catch all year emerged as the stunning star of the Handy-Central rivalry.

Harold Greenleaf caught eight passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns in Handy’s stunning 18-16 victory, including the game-winner with six seconds on the clock. When Bay City Times sports writer Bill Siel asked an obvious question, the “Harold Who?” phenomenon began.

Buttons were sold at the school carrying the famous phrase and that 1970 contest has forever been known as the “Harold Who?” game. Greenleaf’s spectacular moment was commemorated with the Week 9 awarding of the Golden Helmet.

Essexville Garber’s Gary Asel, Ogemaw’s Stan Kartes and Bay City West Catholic’s Randy Koczenasz also garnered Golden Helmet honors that week.

1980: WEEK 9

Steve Kowalkoski converted from quarterback to end for his final season, but the 6-4, 235 senior never lost his QB skills.

Called back under center in an emergency when the starter got injured, Kowalkoski directed Bay City Central to a 15-6 victory over archrival T.L. Handy. He loomed even larger at his usual role of linebacker, where he intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles in the big game.

He was joined in earning Golden Helmet honors by Oscoda’s Tom Green, Unionville-Sebewaing’s Carl Strieter, Lincoln Alcona’s Wes Rockett and Johnannesburg-Lewiston’s Gary Payne.

1990: WEEK 9

Every offense that lined up against Bay City Central in the 1990 season knew it would have to contend with Big John Davis.

The 6-2, 265 defensive end was a force in the trenches all season, and he went out with his finest game of all. Davis registered 10 tackles and hauled down three ballcarriers behind the line of scrimmage in a 42-6 victory over Bay City Western.

With Davis at the point, the Central defense only allowed 65 yards of total offense in the rout.

He was joined by Essexville Garber’s Chris Kokaly, Grayling’s Matt Branch and Akron-Fairgrove’s Pete Volk in accepting the Golden Helmet plaque that week.

2000: WEEK 9

It was a history-making season for Beaverton football. And Adam Richardson was at the heart of it all.

The tough-to-tackle running back ran wild all season, leading the Beavers to their first playoff berth in program history. He rolled up 216 yards and scored four touchdowns in a 41-17 win over Farwell that clinched the deal.

Richardson rushed for more than 200 yards three times that year in earning MLive Bay City Dream Team honors to go with his Week 9 Golden Helmet. Bay City Western’s Cory Rokosz, Beaverton’s Adam Richardson, Whittemore-Prescott’s Clint Miller and Hale’s Brett Hunt also earned the honor that week.

2010: WEEK 9

In one of the most storied performances in Central-Western lore, Brett Leppek emerged as the unlikely hero in the highest-scoring game in Western history.

Coming off the bench in the second quarter to relieve injured starter Austin Pichiotino at quarterback, Leppek ran wild in a head-spinning 60-21 victory. The junior went for 296 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries in the win.

“We put the game in his hands and he came through when we needed him most,” coach Bruce Mann said.

Adding a twist to the story, Leppek transferred to Central for his senior year and delivered another sensational performance in the big game as the Wolves rallied but fell short 40-37.

Whittemore-Prescott’s Dominick Phillips, Clare’s Travis Smith and Houghton Lake’s Matt Webster also garnered the Golden Helmet during Week 9 of 2010.

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