Newton Football Timeline

1902 - Newton fielded its first football team. Reverend Chambers of the Presbyterian Church in Newton was the first coach.

1910-11: First paid Head Coach was W.O. Abrams.

1924 - Newton school board hired H. A. “Pop” Lynn as a teacher and coach.

1928 - H. A. “Pop” Lynn began his legendary career as principal of Newton High School. Following a St. Louis Cardinals’ baseball game with a group of students, Lynn suggested Newton should become the “Cardinals” instead of the “Lil Washers.” Faculty and students both voted to approve the idea.

1929-40: Head Coach is Art Rust

1940 - Construction began on the athletic field and stadium. It was completed in 1942.

1952 - Newton is 8-0, wins the CIC Championship and is voted the "mythical" State Football Champion.  Head Coach was W.L. "Ole" Eidahl who held that position from 1944-1956 who had a career record of 73-23-1..

1960-64: Head Coach is Paul Turner.

1966 - The athletic field was officially named H. A. Lynn Field.

1974 - Frank Gilson hired as Head Coach. Cardinals had a 3-6 record.

1975 - Cardinals have a winning record for the first time since 1966 with a 5-3 record.

1977 - Newton loses to Davenport West in State Championship Game. Season record was 9-3. Beat Marshalltown, and Sioux City Heelan in Playoffs.

1980 - Newton defeated Bettendorf to win the State 4A Football Championship. Defeated Dowling and Sioux City East in playoffs.  Season record 12-0.

1985 - Sep. 27, Head Coach Frank Gilson dies of heart failure at age 47, two hours after a tough 28-24 loss at Urbandale.  His record at Newton was 82-27. His career coaching record was 169-54-2.

1986 - John Jenkins is hired as head coach.

1988 - Cards go undefeated in regular season and win CIC Championship.  Led by All-State running back, Chad Guthrie, this team was known as one the most successful teams of all time as the 88' Seniors only lost two games ever.  Newton loses to Bettendorf in State Championship Game. 

1989 - Cards go undefeated in regular season and win CIC Championship.  Lose to Cedar Falls
in the opening round of the playoffs.  It's the last season for the CIC as they merge with the Metro
League to form the CIML.

1990 - Newton wins CIML conference.  Lose to Linn-Mar in State Championship Game.

1991 - Cardinals go 8-1 in regular season.  Lose to Waterloo West in the "Ice Bowl" in the second
round of the playoffs in what is referred to as the coldest game ever with snow and ice on the H.A. Lynn playing surface after a early winter storm comes through the state the day before.

1994 - “Pop” Lynn died in October at 93 years of age.

2000 - A new stadium locker room was constructed.

2003 - John Jenkins steps down after 17 seasons as Head Coach with a 143-41-1 record and Assistant Ed Ergenbright is promoted to Head Coach.

2008 - New artificial turf installed at H. A. Lynn Field