BARNESVILLE — Bill Clinton had just been elected President and the Dream Team had won a gold medal in Barcelona just a few months prior.

As it pertained to local news and sports in 1992, Barnesville was at the epicenter.

That’s because the Shamrocks’ football team went on a ride that’s never been duplicated — or forgotten — in the 25 years since.

“It’s certainly hard to believe it’s been 25 years already,” then Shamrocks football coach Dave Kovalick said.

With Kovalick combining with good coaches and good players, the Shamrocks put forth a 10-0 season, won the regional championship and advanced to the Division IV state semifinals where they fell to the now defunct Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education (CAPE).

“We were really solid all the way across the board,” Kovalick said. “There were no weak links. Whether it was the coaching staff, the players or the support from the community and parents. We had no weak links.”

The stories are guaranteed to be running rampant Friday evening when the team gets back together to celebrate its 25-year anniversary prior to the Shamrocks taking on River View at 7 p.m.

“I told my wife, I am hoping the guys are wearing name tags because after 25 years, I may struggle with the faces,” Kovalick said. “It’s going to be great to see all those guys again. A lot don’t live in the community, but from what I’ve heard a large group is expected to come back for it.”

Kovalick, who spent six years at the helm of the Shamrocks, entered that 1992 season with high expectations. But, not even he was willing to predict the state semifinals.

“We had a mostly junior-laden team that finished 6-4 (in 1991), so we thought we could have a good team,” Kovalick said. “I felt going in that if we didn’t win seven, it would be disappointing. We had an outstanding senior class, good juniors and some outstanding sophomores, so barring injuries, we felt really good about the season.”

Though they were definitely one of the area’s premier teams that season, things didn’t always come easily for Barnesville. The Shamrocks found themselves in many tight games during the regular season. Included were John Glenn (12-7), Meadowbrook (20-14), Martins Ferry (14-10) and Union Local (12-8).

“The number of close games we played really sticks out to me,” Kovalick recalled. “We were on the ropes against John Glenn, Meadowbrook, Woodsfield, Cadiz and Martins Ferry was a nail biter, too.”

In an era when the OHSAA took only four teams to the postseason, the Shamrocks were the third seed. The state also paired the tournament teams according to geography and not seeds at that time, which is why the Shamrocks met up with top-seeded Wheelersburg in the opening round.

“I remember it snowed that night and it was literally a defensive battle,” Kovalick said.

The Shamrocks’ offensive staff dug into its bag of tricks late in that game. Offensive coordinator Al Treherne, who had a stint as the head coach, and offensive assistant Sam Shuman called for a hook and lateral. But, they didn’t execute it like normal.

“Instead of using a flanker and a back, we used a tight end,” Kovalick said. “That play allowed us to pick up a key first down.”

The Shamrocks eventually scored on that drive to tie the game at seven and then after another defensive stand got the ball back. They drove into field goal range and senior Jason Marks connected on the game winner for a 10-7 reading.

The following week, the Shamrocks met Coal Grove Dawson Bryant, which had ousted Columbus Academy in the first round, for the regional title at Lancaster.

“They were a big, strong, buckle your chin strap kind of team that just ran right at you,” Kovalick said. “We worked all week on spread formations, using some three and four wide receiver sets. It turned out to be our most prolific offensive game of the year. We looked like a championship team in every way in that contest.”

The end result spelled that out, too. Barnesville advanced to its first ‘Final Four’ with a 49-18 victory.

Then came an entirely different challenge in the form of CAPE at Gahanna Lincoln.

“CAPE was loaded up with some really skilled athletes,” Kovalick said. “We decided, during the week, that it would be in our best interest to try to do a lot of running. And we were fairly successful, but they shut us down on a few big plays, blocked a field goal and they hit some big plays.”

Add all of that up and it equated to a 17-0 loss to a team that went on to win the state title, 17-16, over Warren JFK.

“There was a lot of heartache for the kids,” Kovalick said. “Obviously, you look back now and you’re happy for your achievements. But, we believed we were good enough to get to the final and believed we could have won the whole thing. It was a tough pill to swallow.”

Whether the games were close or not, the key ingredient was that the Shamrocks found a way. And that was one of those innate traits that, according to Kovalick, separated this Shamrocks team from the others he coached.

“These kids had a strong desire to win,” Kovalick said. “They showed great perseverance and they played confidently when we might have been up against it. They just really hung in there and that’s what sticks out and impresses me.”

Much of that stemmed from tremendous senior leadership. Actually, there were only 12 seniors on the team, but they were in crucial positions. Quarterback Jason Huntsman was at the controls of the offense and had a spectacular senior campaign.

Other senior standouts included Aaron Smith, Matt Mann, Jason Plumly, Jason Marks, Brian Jefferis and Tim Kovacs.

The balance of the senior class included: Jay Strous, Dustin Reed, Gabe Wells, Brad McManus and Bill Holloway.

Sophomore running back Jayson Stephen, who is now the Shamrocks’ wrestling coach, was a key cog, as were juniors Shawn Starr and Josh Marks.

The coaching staff consisted of John Marks, Darrel Davis, Andy Marovich, Shuman and Treherene. Nick Saffield and Luke Johnson were junior high coaches. Dr. Arch Edwards also received high praise from Kovalick for his work with the players.

“The kids were coachable and were willing to discipline themselves,” Kovalick said. “Not one person — player or parent — ever questioned any of the coaches or anything we did. Our team unity was very good.”

Though the Shamrocks didn’t win the state title in 1992, they certainly were champions in Belmont County.

REUNION NOTES

A REUNION with some light refreshments will be held for the returning players, coaches, cheerleaders and support staff behind the Veterans Memorial Trees at Shamrock Stadium, starting at 5:30 p.m. At 6:20 p.m., the formal introduction will take place.

EACH OF the reunion attendees will receive a t-shirt.

Staskey can be reached via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com or at twitter.com/TLSportsSeth