Although Dave Jakes was one of the finest high school football players in Midland
history, he was also prominent in youth sports activities for many
years. He is best known as one of the founders of the Midland Midget
Football League, in which he served as coach for many years. In that
capacity, Dave helped develop many
promising young players for Midland High’s football program. A
former amateur boxer, Dave organized Golden Gloves competitions in
Midland and was also active in organizing youth track teams for
Amateur Athletic Union meets. During his high school football career
at Midland in the late 1920s and early 1930s, he was a two way end
and also played halfback. His versatility and talent earned him All
County honors twice and Al WPIAL honors once. Dave was the star of
the outstanding 1931 Midland High football team that romped to nine
straight victories while outscoring their opponents 205 to 6.; the
highlight of that perfect season was a 14-6 upset of Aliquippa.
After high school, Dave played semipro football for the Midland
Merchants in the Greater Pittsburgh League during the 1933 and 1934
seasons and put his football knowledge to good use during World War
II as a training officer at the famous Great Lakes Naval Training
Station. Dave served as a Midland police officer for 30 years and
retained his interest in youth activities until his death in 1981 at
age 65.
Although Dave Jakes was one of the finest high school football players in Midland
history, he was also prominent in youth sports activities for many
years. He is best known as one of the founders of the Midland Midget
Football League, in which he served as coach for many years. In that
capacity, Dave helped develop many
promising young players for Midland High’s football program. A
former amateur boxer, Dave organized Golden Gloves competitions in
Midland and was also active in organizing youth track teams for
Amateur Athletic Union meets. During his high school football career
at Midland in the late 1920s and early 1930s, he was a two way end
and also played halfback. His versatility and talent earned him All
County honors twice and Al WPIAL honors once. Dave was the star of
the outstanding 1931 Midland High football team that romped to nine
straight victories while outscoring their opponents 205 to 6.; the
highlight of that perfect season was a 14-6 upset of Aliquippa.
After high school, Dave played semipro football for the Midland
Merchants in the Greater Pittsburgh League during the 1933 and 1934
seasons and put his football knowledge to good use during World War
II as a training officer at the famous Great Lakes Naval Training
Station. Dave served as a Midland police officer for 30 years and
retained his interest in youth activities until his death in 1981 at
age 65.