NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players: No. 50 - Mike Strasser, Hononegah

The 50th player on our list was one of the key "Mikes" who led Hononegah to what remains its only appearance in an IHSA championship game.

Mike Strasser finished fourth in the NIC-10 in rushing as a fullback with 539 yards in eight published games for the 1984 Indians, who finished in a three-way tie for first in the NIC-10. A Rockford teachers strike wiped out several games and not all boxscores were published.

Strasser added 698 yards on 120 carries in 1985 as the No. 3 option in Hononegah's rushing attack. Darryl Graverson led the Indians with 919 yards and Mike Larson - the other Mike - added 702.

Strasser actually stood out more on defense, being named first team All-NIC-10 as a defensive back. The 1985 Indians went 6-3 in the NIC-10, tying for third. But Hononegah caught fire in the 4A playoffs, advancing to the championship game before falling to Washington, 28-12.

Interestingly, Mike Larson, who was the bigger offensive star in high school, would go on to play safety at the University of Indiana (Larson is the No. 59 player on our list). Strasser, the all-conference defensive back, would go to Northern Illinois University where the Huskies would use him as a running back.

Strasser was never a star at NIU, but he was a solid contributer. He earned four letters (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990) and started games in three seasons. He ended up playing in 42 games over five seasons - he redshirted in 1988 after playing in four games - rushing 156 times for 797 yards and eight touchdowns and adding 282 yards receiving and two TDs on 19 receptions.

This was a solid era for NIU under coach Jerry Pettibone. The Huskies went 29-27 over Strasser's five years.

Strasser earned his degree from NIU then went to the Illinois College of Optometry. Today, Strasser is an optician in Huntley.

No. 50 - Mike Strasser, Hononegah
Year	Level	School	Accomplishments	Points
1984	High School	Hononegah	Winning Team	1
			Conference Champion	1
1985	High School	Hononegah	First Team All-Conference	2
			Playoff Team	1
			Final Four	1
1986	College	Northern Illinois	Letter Winner in NCAA Div. 1A	3.5
1987	College	Northern Illinois	Letter Winner in NCAA Div. 1A	3.5
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
1989	College	Northern Illinois	Letter Winner in NCAA Div. 1A	3.5
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
1990	College	Northern Illinois	Letter Winner in NCAA Div. 1A	3.5
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
Total				26

NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players