ST. GEORGE — The Dixie High School Class of 1973 celebrated its 50th reunion the same way it celebrated its graduation year: with a big football win.
Several graduates of the 1973 class were on hand Friday night at Walt Brooks Stadium to watch Dixie win in a replay of its oldest gridiron rivalry and to commemorate its 50th class reunion.
Members of the state championship winning football team from 1973 brought out the game ball for Dixie’s Friday night matchup against Cedar.
“It feels amazing to be back,” Lynn Lewis told St. George News. Lewis was the all-state quarterback and co-MVP for the Flyers when they won the state championship that year.
“Dixie blue and white. The Flyers are the best,” Lewis said.
It was appropriate that the class of 73 chose to celebrate at the game versus Cedar. The Flyers and Reds have played a football rivalry said to be the second-oldest in Utah.
Friday night’s contest was the 95th edition of of the rivalry game, according to statistics compiled by St. George News / Cedar City News reporter Jeff Richards and noted sports guru George Felt.
After Dixie held on to beat Cedar 31-28 in a thrilling rivalry game, the Flyers improved to 61-34 lifetime in those matchups against their I-15 neighbors up north.
Lewis recalled what made the 73 state championship season stand out in his memory.
“We had a team that every player played for each other. We played for Coach Brooks,” Lewis said. “We just love the game and love the school. And love the community. We had the full support of the community so it made everything worth it. Every win was a win for everybody.”
The classmates from 73 are a closely knit group who like to get together for a reunion every five years or so. The 50th version of the gathering was extra special for many of them.
Several members of the class spoke with St. George News while mingling at a pre-game dinner at the high school.
“You know I was expecting a bunch of old people but they’re not too bad,” Kevin Leany said. “Now I see young people.”
Leany added that they had a close class that had a lot of fun. They formed lifelong friendships, he said.
“I think Dixie High School was the school that started everything here in Washington County,” Loren Webb said. “I think Dixie High School is what you consider to be the mother community for the other high schools.”
With less than 200 graduates in the class it was easy for everyone to know each other, he added.
“There really was a lot of camaraderie,” Webb said. “And as we get older we’re starting to lose some of them, people are starting to die. And so every year that we meet for a class reunion is precious.”
Debbie Frei Hafen recalled being a member of the school newspaper staff, The Flyer Splash.
“I still have all the editions, I’ve been going over them the past few days just trying to remember the good times at high school,” she said. “It was really, really awesome. Our high school class was great. And we had a lot of fun together.”
Frei Hafen pointed out that the most popular names in 1973 were “Debbie” (because of the popularity of Debbie Reynolds at the time) and “Kevin.” There are 12 Debbie’s and at least six Kevin’s in the Dixie class of 1973.
Her husband Lyman Hafen said that 120 of their classmates showed up for the reunion.
“And they’re here from all over the world,” Hafen said. “It was a very diverse group. We had everybody but we all coalesced and you can feel that 50 years later. We’re still connected.
Hafen said that the football championship the Flyers won in 1973 really brought the class together and brought them full-circle back to Friday night’s game against Cedar.
“And so we look at these guys and say, you know, in 50 years you’re still going to remember this,” he said. “You’re still going to treasure those memories. And it’s just really neat to be together.”
Photo Gallery
The Dixie High School class of 1973 celebrated its 50th reunion before a football game at Walt Brooks Stadium, St. George, Utah, Sept. 29, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Members of the 1973 state champion Dixie Flyers football team are honored before a game at Walt Brooks Stadium, St. George, Utah, Sept. 29, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
The Dixie High School class of 1973 celebrated its 50th reunion before a football game at Walt Brooks Stadium, St. George, Utah, Sept. 29, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
The Dixie High School class of 1973 celebrated its 50th reunion before a football game at Walt Brooks Stadium, St. George, Utah, Sept. 29, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
The Dixie High School class of 1973 celebrated its 50th reunion before a football game at Walt Brooks Stadium, St. George, Utah, Sept. 29, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
The Dixie High School class of 1973 celebrated its 50th reunion before a football game at Walt Brooks Stadium, St. George, Utah, Sept. 29, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
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