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54 °F 5 Day Forecast Friday, November 28, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend September 19, 2003 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Jack Peters Grants Pass High, 1973 By TIM TROWER Mail Tribune The central figure in one of the most controversial episodes in Rogue Valley high school sports history, Jack Peters is alive and well and thriving with his own construction business just north of Spokane, Wash. In addition to building homes from Seattle to Idaho, his company specializes in retrofitting and stabilizing buildings that have deteriorated or are threatened by the elements. Advertisement "It’s kind of a unique thing," says the 49-year-old. "It keeps us running pretty good." Peters, too, has a unique place in prep lore. A 5-foot-11, 175-pound star linebacker for Medford High in August 1972, Peters, in a dispute with a coach he declines to name, left the team during summer drills, moved with his father to a hotel room in Grants Pass and joined the Cavemen. Medford principal Bob Williams, citing residency violations, took the case to the Oregon School Activities Association, and in early November, the OSAA ordered Grants Pass to forfeit all of its wins, including 10-0 over Medford a couple of weeks earlier. At the time, the Cavemen were 9-0 and ranked No. 1. The ruling put Southern Oregon Conference runner-up Medford in the state playoffs the following Friday at Astoria. However, Grants Pass sought a court injunction, and the OSAA’s edict was overturned. Medford, in Astoria, was ordered home. As it pulled out of the hotel parking lot, Grants Pass pulled in. The Cavemen lost, 31-23. Peters now characterizes his move to Grants Pass as "somewhat immature" and, if he had it to do again, would "probably have stayed in Medford." "It was a big episode," he says. "There was a lot of pressure back then. To be honest, in hindsight, I was a bit of a prima donna. One of the coaches and I didn’t get along. "There certainly was no animosity toward the school or my friends. I grew up in Medford and played football from the fourth grade on up. My sights were always set on playing for Medford High. That was a big thing. Things just happened." One of the dramatic moments Peters vividly remembers is the game against Medford. Court action was threatened, he says, if he played. He’d had an outstanding game the week before against Crater, but no one knew if he’d suit up against Medford. "I’ll never forget busting through that big Caveman banner," he says, recalling the looks on the faces of the Medford coaches and players. "They were all watching. It was a pretty intense thing. The emotions were running high." Peters graduated from Grants Pass but hasn’t attended any of its reunions. He did go to Medford’s 20-year reunion and telephoned when he couldn’t make his class’ recent 30-year shindig. "My friends and home are still in Medford. It always has been and always will be," says Peters, whose former wife, Becky, and their two kids, Nathanael and Natasha, live in Jacksonville. He has two daughters, Lorelei and Harley, in Washington. "That (Grants Pass) was one little diversion that added a little excitement." Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times