John Helmick coached football for 36 years in Illinois, with nine of his finest years coming at MTHS. From 1974 through 1982, John continued the development of MTHS into a football dynasty. During his nine years, Metamora compiled a record of 81-17-1, including appearing in three straight state championship games from 1975-1977.
Coach Helmick’s football teams won seven straight league titles at Metamora from 1975 through 1981. Four of those teams finished the regular season 9-0, including all three teams that reached the state finals. His ‘75 team, the first state championship group in school history, racked up a perfect 13-0 record, defeating Geneva, 25-7, in the state title contest. The ’76 and ’77 teams both finished 12-1, losing championship games in each season to Geneseo.
His 1974, 1975, and 1976 teams each had a hand in establishing a 30-game winning streak at MTHS, a record that still stands.
Individually, his awards are also plentiful. He was a five-time Southern Illinois Coaches Association Coach of the Year as well as a three-time Greater Peoria Area Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year. John was inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008.