Ivory starred as passer, kicker
This is the sixth in a series of articles profiling the 2021 inductees into the Knoch High School Sports Hall of Fame
JEFFERSON TWP — Before he played organized football, John Ivory received a rather nasty taste of the sport.
“I didn't begin playing organized ball until eighth grade,” the 1987 Knoch graduate said. “Before that season even started, I was playing some backyard football and tried tackling a buddy of mine.
“Basically, he ran over my face.”
Ivory suffered jaw fractures on both sides of his face.
He wound up playing for the junior high team wearing a protective face shield as part of his helmet.
But he was able to play.
“I learned how to kick just because I wanted to do anything I could to get on the field,” Ivory recalled. “I don't know how it was arranged, but (former Pittsburgh Steeler kicker) Roy Gerela came to camp and taught me to kick soccer-style.
“I went on to a decent career that way.”
Ivory became a stellar quarterback as well and still ranks among the Knights' all-time best statistically. His football exploits have earned him induction into the Knoch High School Sports Hall of Fame.He will be one of seven inducted during a ceremony Sept. 3 at Knoch's home football game against Freeport.“I was excited to play and I could always throw a football,” Ivory said. “I guess that's how I wound up at quarterback.”He was the Knights' signal-caller in 1985 and 1986. Knoch finished 7-4 and 9-3 in those years, reaching the WPIAL playoffs both times.The 1986 team dropped a 14-12 decision to Mount Pleasant in the semifinal round. An Ivory field goal attempt in that game was ruled to sail barely wide right.He disputes that call to this day.“That kick was good,” Ivory insists. “I kicked the ball pretty high and high school goalposts don't go up very high. I don't think the official could get the proper angle on that ball.“I know it got inside that post. They ruled it was wide. It wasn't a last-second kick or anything, but when we wound up losing by two points, it hurt.”Ivory ranks second on Knoch's all-time list with 1,429 yards passing in a season, third in career passing yards with 2,429. He is second in touchdown passes in a season with 14, third in TD passes for a career with 20.He also ranks third on Knoch's career list with 10 field goals and 75 kicking points.Ivory earned eight varsity letters in high school, also playing basketball and participating in track and field.“I was a forward in basketball and got a lot of rebounds,” he said. “My best javelin throw was 207 feet. I did the triple jump and high jump, too.”Ivory went on to play college football at Washington & Jefferson, primarily as a kicker. He was going to be quarterback of the Presidents his junior year, but suffered a shoulder injury.“I could barely throw the ball after that,” he said.But he could still kick it.He booted two game-winning field goals in W&J's undefeated 1987 season — including one in his first collegiate game — the program's first unbeaten year since 1922. He also booted a pair of 51-yard field goals that freshman season, the distance remaining a W&J record.“We had some great years at W&J. Those were fun years,” Ivory said.A financial advisor today, Ivory's son, Andrew, owns the breaststroke record as a swimmer at W&J. His daughter, Emily, is a freshman tennis player at Grove City College. Both are Mars graduates.As for his own Hall of Fame induction?“I'm going in with one of my favorite people in this world, (his high school football coach) Larry Kunselman,” Ivory said. “That means the world to me.”
