ESCANABA — Standout athletes from five different eras will be enshrined in the Escanaba High School Wall of Fame Sept. 8.

Dick Allingham played football from 1960-62, Gregg Johnson from 1967-68, Jim Rogers from 1973-75, Jerry Rudden from 1980-82 and Jay Wiles from 2001-3. Joining those players will be Paul Kangas, who coached most of those players, from 1969-2008.

Inductees are selected by the committee based on their contribution to Eskymo football. There will be a picnic for the inductees and their families before the game, with a post-game reception at Escanaba Elks that is open to the public.

The Eskymos will face a first-time opponent in that 2:30 contest, hosting perennial power Detroit Loyola.

Allingham was among the first Eskymos to suit up for legendary skipper Jerry Cvengros, who was an assistant to Al Sigman during Allingham’s first two seasons and then became head coach in his senior season.

Allingham recalled that in his eighth grade season Esky scored just one touchdown and allowed 30-plus points in the six games. “It was a mystery to me why Jerry Cvengros continued coaching after that season,” Allingham said for the Wall of Fame news release. During his varsity career, EHS lost just two games.

Johnson had a passion for football and baseball and led the Eskymos to an unbeaten season and the Barber Trophy as U.P. Team of the Year in 1968, playing linebacker and quarterback. One of the founders of of the QB Club, Johnson shared MVP honors with past Wall of Fame inductee John Mileski. He later coached the Escanaba Cubs American Legion baseball team.

Rogers, one of five brothers, was a three-year starting lineman and earned All-U.P. Dream Team honors. He was also a two-time undefeated Upper Peninsula heavyweight champion wrestler, threw the shot put and discus in track and received the Gessner Award as the top graduating senior in 1976.

Four of Rogers’ sons played football for the Eskymos. He has also served as a wrestling referee.

Rudden played on the 1981 Class A state championship football team as linebacker and fullback. His three varsity years the Eskymos were 28-2. He played in the state All-Star Game.

After a four-year hitch in the U.S. Marine Corps, Rudden has served as a youth football coach in Marquette.

Wiles was a three-year starter for the Eskymos, serving at tailback, cornerback and linebacker, and was team MVP as a senior.

He was first-team Detroit Free Press in 2003 and set the rushing record at the state All-Star Game.

Kangas spent 40 years as an Esky coach, primarily freshman and jayvee football but also tennis and seventh grade basketball for short stints.

He was also a long-time men’s softball umpire.

“The young people of this area make football a great sport,” said Kangas, whose brother Tom is a past Wall of Fame inductee.