"The La Harpe/Northwestern
Coop started in 1992 when Tim Lafferty took over two rival programs
coming together as one. From 1992-1994 the program struggled going 3-6
the first 3 years the program existed. In 1995 the program turned into
a state football powerhouse going 10-2 that year. The communities
really came together as one. In 1996, the team ran through the playoffs
to the state title held in Bloomington (ISU) and lost the game to the
Chenoa Redbirds. After 3 more deep playoff runs from 1997-1999, the
team again ran to the state title game in 2000 held in Champaign (U of
I). They then faced off against a conference rival and perennial state
powerhouse team, the Carthage Blueboys. The Thunder defeated Carthage
in the regular season, ending a 31 game winning streak. The Blueboys
used their experience in state title games to defeat the Thunder 14-0
and win their 3rd straight state title. The Thunder had two more great
years going 11-1 in 2001 and 10-2 in 2002 before Northwestern and
Colchester formed West Prairie. The coop continued as the LaHarpe/West
Prairie Cyclones in 2003. This coop continued until 2006 and ended with
a disappointing 4-5 season. La Harpe then converged with Dallas City
and Carthage to form Illini West. West Prairie exists on its own now."
