No wonder they call the place Skyvue. Perhaps, only John Deere High would be more appropriate.

Better pack a lunch and carry a compass if you’re driving into the far reaches of Monroe County to staff a Golden Hawks’ game as many a fledgling young reporter discovered through the years.

Speaking from experience, the good folks of Graysville, Lewisville and surrounding farming communities were never less than genuinely gracious when we arrived for duty.

I hadn’t been on the job very long in the early to mid 80s when tiny Skyvue High wrote one of the most amazing and inspiring chapters in Ohio Valley prep sports history.

And so it was recently when they celebrated the 25th anniversary of a truly unforgettable era.

An impressive contingent of former players, cheerleaders and administrators returned for a memorable reunion of two Golden Hawks’ teams which soared to incredible heights.

As current Monroe Central athletic director Junior Winland recalled during a Jan. 22 standing room only fete held prior to the Seminoles’ boys’ game against Shadyside, 1983 is generally recognized as the season that launched “Hawks Mania.”

Under the adept guidance of Coach Mark Huffman, Skyvue’s glorious run in baseball included not only four consecutive OVAC titles but a 1985 state baseball title.

Huffman’s ’85 Hawks thus became the first and only boys’ team in the Switzerland of Ohio School District to capture a state championship, compiling a 26-2 record.

The 1984 Golden Hawks had also advanced to state competition before falling short in the semifinals to cap a stellar 23-4 spring.

A year after earning the state crown, Huffman’s ’86 diamond dandies went 24-2 and just missed returning to Columbus.

All the while, Huffman was overseeing a similar experience on the hardwood where Skyvue advanced to consecutive state tournaments in Columbus.

During postseason action, Skyvue was continually confronted by opponents athletically superior.

But these Hawks were truly a breed apart, playing with confidence and exceptional team chemistry.

Huffman’s ’84 quint was given virtually no chance against the state’s No. 1 ranked Wellsville Tigers’ in a fabulous regional title game in Stark County.

But with hundreds of screaming Black and Gold-clad fans consuming the Canton Fieldhouse, Skyvue pulled off a shocker.

A year later, Huffman’s ’85 Hawks winged to Ohio University’s Convocation Center for a much-anticipated, heavily-hyped regional championship against perennial Holmes County power Hiland.

Not only did that Saturday afternoon clash exceed all expectations, Skyvue prevailed in a one-for-the-ages triple-overtime epic, earning their second consecutive trip to St. John Arena in Columbus.

Huffman fondly recalled the players responsible for the school’s ‘golden years’ of glory.

“I always considered myself the luckiest coach in the valley because of (the guys standing here in front of me,”) he told the Jan. 22 gathering.

Among those Winland introduced returning for the event were brothers Mitch and Mike Hannahs, Brad Bettinger, Mark Guiler, Dave Siers, Scott Christy, Bill Winland, Aaron Kilburn, Virgil Hamilton, Kevin Hartshorn, Greg Biedenbach, Tim Winland, John Williams, Brian Leasure, Vince Hogue, Darren Scott, Todd Hilverding, Mike Devetis, Frank Antill, Kris Pfalzgraf, Vince Kinney,Kevin Robertson, Shawn Conner, Larry McCloud, Todd Bettinger, Jeff Robinson and Terry Christman.

Longtime scorebook keeper Denny Easterling was also recognized for dedicated service as well as administrators Art Hehr, Steve Grimm, Larry Reich and secretary Darlene Winland.

Huffman’s staff included Joe Kristich, Dale Eddy and Don Bayes.

Cheerleaders returning for the fete included Joyce Winland, Jill Wells, Lee Truax, Kathy Burkhart, Nancy Hogue, Carla Burkhart, Tracey Harmon, Corrie Cappodona, Terri Conley, Vonrae Cline, Tammy Ruble and Tonya Christman.

Gibson may be reached at rgibson@timesleaderonline.com