For the Keystone football squad, 1971 was a year of firsts.  The team put together its first Inland Conference Championship in the school's history and was state-rated for the first time in any sport, ranked 9th in the final AP Class A Poll.  All of these accomplishments took place under head coach Dennis Plas, voted Inland Conference "Coach of the Year" during his first year as head mentor.  A "hurry-up" offense utilizing the Wishbone-T was used for the first time.  Not only did this offense develop quickness, it also caught many defenses off-guard.  Plas also scheduled all pre-season scrimmages away from home to get his squad ready for key road games.

All these things contributed in some way to the team's success, but Plas would be the first to give credit where it is most due, to the players.  The group  of seniors were 6-0 as seventh graders under coach Plas and then went 6-0 again the next year under coach Jim Dotson, Plas' assistant during the '71 season along with Doug Howdishell.  As freshman, they finished 7-0.   As seniors they  they were undefeated in varsity competition.

The team started the string out with two independent victories over Black River (24-6) and Brookside (31-8), on the way to its Inland Conference opener with South Amherst.  The Cavaliers were easily defeated (40-6) and the next week Highland fell victim to the Wildcats (36-18).  This was Highland's first home conference loss since joining the league.  Avon proved to be no match the following week, falling 14 to 6.  Lutheran West came within two points of the champions (16-14) and Firelands fought valiantly before falling 18-12.  The team closed its perfect season with an easy (54-14) victory over Columbia. 

The 9-0 record, set many offensive and defensive records that still stand today.  The school's only football conference championship make the 1971 football team a very special part of LaGrange and Keystone sports history.