La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Game 1, September 18, 1955: La Salle 38 – St. Matthew’s 13
Conshohocken Recorder
St. Matthew’s injury-riddled football squad will hobble to Berwyn Twp. tomorrow night, hoping to get back on the victory trail against a highly-touted Conestoga eleven. The Mirrors are still nursing the bruises from Sunday’s game against La Salle College High School. The Explorers from Philadelphia drubbed St. Matthew’s, 38-13. The tussle put more than a half dozen Blue and White players on the injury list. Dick O’Connor, fullback, and Richard Phipps, center, are in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Norristown. O’Connor suffered a head concussion, Phipps a back injury. Also on the list of casualties are: Germain Gersbach, and Stan Birch, ends, both with left ankle injuries; Jim Eckert, guard, bruised hip; and Ed Moyer, center, broken arm. Quarterback Mike Marshall also is nursing aches from Sunday’s battle. The Mirrors played La Salle to a standstill in the first quarter. They were ahead, 7-6, thanks to a brilliant 62-yard touchdown run by Bob O’Connor and a place kick conversion by Stan Mulkiewicz, at the start of the second period. Then the roof caved in. La Salle, spearheaded by Bill Dick, tallied four touchdowns. Dick scored all four TD’s. St. Matthew’s second touchdown came on a two-yard plunge by Joe Piazza. A series of passes to John Whalen set up the score.
Wisterian
Explorers Open ’55 Season With 38-13 Win Over St. Matthew’s Opening their 1955 season, La Salle High School’s football team easily defeated St. Matthew’s High on Sunday, September 18, at Community Field, Conshohocken, by 38-13. La Salle kicked off to St. Matthew’s but because of good defense, the Explorers quickly got control of the ball. After making three first-downs in a row, Bill Dick, on a hand-off from Hugh Brolly, ran 58 yards for a touchdown. Tom Hopkins’ attempt at the extra point was blocked. After receiving the kickoff, St. Matt’s started a march downfield which was climaxed by Bob O’Connor running 61 yards for a TD. Stan Mulkiewicz converted for the extra point, giving St. Matt’s the lead, 7-6, at the end of the quarter. With St. Matthew’s controlling the ball at the start of the second quarter, La Salle’s defense again went into quick action. The Explorers received the ball on a punt and in subsequent plays marched to St. Matt’s 14-yard line where Hugh Brolly passed to Tom Heron in the end zone for another score. Hopkins failed to make the extra point, but Mr. Gallagher’s boys had the lead and were never again the underdog. When St. Matt’s again failed to gain much yardage, they were forced to kick. It was received by Dick, who ran 70 yards for the Explorers’ third touchdown. The extra point attempt was foiled. Interceptions accounted for the next two touchdowns by La Salle. Chuck Murray grabbed the pass thrown by Bob O’Connor for six points, and Mike Boland also got his hands on a pass attempt by St. Matt’s O’Connor for a TD. Both extra points were missed, but at the half-time intermission the Blue & Gold led, 30-7. In the third quarter, the ball changed hands several times without much progress, until Dick received a punt from St. Matt’s and ran 50 yards for a touchdown. For the sixth time in the game, La Salle failed to make the extra point. The third period ended with the Explorers still in front, 36-7. The victors failed to make a touchdown in the last quarter, but they did manage to catch St. Matt’s behind the goal for a two-point safety. In the final minutes of the game, Coach Miragluia’s boys pushed to the 3-
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955 yard line, where Bob O’Connor went over for a touchdown. The extra point was missed and the game ended with La Salle winning the first game of their season, 38-13.
Game 2, October 2, 1955: La Salle 19 – West Catholic 7
The Wisterian
The La Salle High varsity football squad opened their Catholic League season with a 19-7 victory over West Catholic on October 2. The Burrs took an early 7-0 lead, but the Explorers quickly gained revenge when Hugh Brolly ended a 65-yard march by passing to chuck Murray in the end zone. Murray also accounted for the next TD by intercepting a pass and running 25 yards to tally. Bill Dick added a security counter by galloping 60 yards to the two yard line and then plunging over for the final score. The Burrs’ lone TD came on a pass from Mulholland to Riehl.
Blue And Gold Yearbook
In their first league encounter the gridmen of La Salle High buried the Burrs with a 19 to 7 victory. The crowd saw West draw first blood, as they crossed the goal on a slick pass play. The unbeatable combination of Hugh Brolly to Chuck Murray accounted for the first La Salle score. An interception by Murray and a 60 yard run by Bill Dick clinched the game.
Game 3, October 9, 1955: La Salle 12 – St. James 0 by Bob Finucane, Chester Times
St. James High Drops First As La Salle Scores 12-0 Win; 6,000 See Jimmies Give Up 2 Early TD’s, Fail To Rally The vision of another Philadelphia Catholic League football title for St. James High was jarred considerably yesterday when the Jimmies were upset by La Salle High, 12-0, before a crowd of 6,000 at La Salle College field. The lifeless Bulldogs were easy prey for the Little Explorers, who scored twice in the first half on long and unspectacular drives against which St. James was helpless. The setback was the first for the Jimmies in four starts this season and their second defeat in 23 games over the past three campaigns. Playing their 15th straight game away from home, the Jimmies ran into a rugged La Salle eleven that rolled up 16 first downs to four for St. James while amassing a total of 290 yards net gained to 56 for the Jimmies. Nothing Clicks Fresh from a 44-0 decision over St. Thomas More, in a game in which everything worked perfectly, the Jims went up against La Salle and nothing worked at all. St. James drove from midfield to the La Salle 14 early in the first period but lost the ball on downs. La Salle took over and marched 86 yards for its first score. An offsides penalty against St. James aided the La Salle march. Faced with a fourth-and-four situation on their own 36, the Little Explorers were forced to kick. The Jims were offsides, however, giving La 2
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Salle a first down and from there the home team rolled for the touchdown, halfback Bill dick shooting nine yards through the middle for the score. When tom Hopkins’ kick for the extra point was blocked, St. James rooters felt better. But not for long. Second Score A La Salle pass interception, after St. James fumbled and regained possession via an interception, set La Salle’s second touchdown drive in motion. La Salle’s Joe Malizia picked off an Ed Zelinski pass near midfield and carried to the St. James 41. Four plays later, La Salle had a first down on the St. James 17. After holding La Salle to five yards for three plays, the Jims again were guilty of a costly offsides and La Salle was in business on the seven. From the six, bill Dick went through the middle for a TD without a St. James hand touching him. Again the extra point attempt was foiled and at halftime La Salle boasted a 12-0 lead. St. James had gained a net of 14 yards in the first half to 169 for La Salle. Break No Help St. James received a break early in the third period when a La Salle quick kick went out of bounds at midfield. The Jims couldn’t move, and had to kick. La Salle took possession on its own 11, fumbled on the second play and St. James recovered on the La Salle 22. A Zelinski-to-Ron Feinberg pass gained a first down on the 11 but the Jims could get no closer than the six and there lost the ball on downs. La Salle started marching out of its own territory as the third period ended. On the second play of the fourth period, St. James recovered another fumble, this time on the St. James 34. But again the Little Explorers thwarted a sustained drive and another St. James punt followed. It went like that the remainder of the game, almost. As the game ended, La Salle was on the St. James 16 after driving 50 yards. Hugh Brolly, a 6’-2”, 185-pound quarterback, called a beautiful game for La Salle yesterday. The Jims had expected a passing attack so Brolly stuck mostly to the ground and his ball carriers, while not flashy runners, chewed up the yardage in bites of three, six, four, five, etc. This possession of the ball by La Salle gave St. James little chance for retaliation. In the first half, La Salle had the ball for 42 running plays while the Jimmies got off only 21. For the game, La Salle ran 77 plays from scrimmage while St. James ran 56.
St. James La Salle Embon LE Murray Moran LT Osborne Sheridan LG Boland Broadhurst C Lavelle Niedziejko RG Brooks Smith RT Hodgson Greenday RE Heron Zelinski QB Brolly Feinberg LH Dick Linden RH Hopkins Mockler FB Frankson
La Salle 0 12 0 0 12 St. James 0 0 0 0 0
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Touchdowns – Dick 2. Substitutions – St. James: P. Greto, Forchetti, Troffo, Close, Glatts, Boreky, Mattus; La Salle: Greco, Malizia, Higgins, DeLuca, Rodia.
Game 4, October 16, 1955: La Salle 6 – North Catholic 0
The Wisterian
North Bows Before Explorer Squad, 6-0 On Sunday, October 16, the Explorer eleven won their eighth straight by defeating a strong defensive North Catholic football team 6-0 at McCarthy Stadium. After receiving the North Catholic kickoff, Bill Dick ran the ball smartly to the La Salle 29-yard line. The Explorer offense was able to make little headway, however, against North’s powerful line. The ball exchanged hands twice in the ensuing play with no appreciable gain for either side. The Blue and Gold began their touchdown march with a sweeping end run down the sidelines by Dick to the Falcon 31 stripe. After two unsuccessful pass attempts by Brolly, the Explorer offense finally got under way resulting in a first down for La Salle on North’s 13. On the next play, Brolly attempted a hand- off but was thrown for a yard loss. The Falcon line was unable to cope with a well-executed double reverse, however, and halfback Dick dashed across the goal line to put La Salle in the score column. The PAT was wide of the goal posts, so La Salle held a dangerously slim 6-0 margin over the Red and White, a lead which they were able to retain until the final gun. The closest North Catholic came to a score was at the end of the first quarter. The Falcons had La Salle on the Blue and Gold nine when a bad pass from center would have resulted in a safety, but an offsides penalty against North nullified the Explorer mishap.
Blue And Gold Yearbook
An improved North Catholic team had its eyes on a win, but the Explorers’ line presented a barricade which the Falcons with all their clawing could not dent. The winning score was tallied on a Double reverse brilliantly executed by Brolly, Frankson, and Dick, climaxing a 50-yard run into the end zone.
Game 5, October 23, 1955: La Salle 6 – Bishop Neumann 0
The Wisterian
Explorers Beat Neumann 6-0 To Take First Place In League La Salle’s varsity football team experienced their most important league victory of the season on Sunday, October 23, when they upset highly-rated Bishop Neumann, the defending City champs, ending the Pirates’ fifteen game winning streak, while bringing their own list of straight victories to nine. The 6-0 thriller gave the Explorers an undisputed claim to first place in the Catholic League. In the first quarter the Explorers came near to scoring when they marched to Neumann’s five yard line, but the Pirate linemen, averaging 218 pounds, held La Salle in this spot. Charley Murray, however, intercepted two passes in the following period. The first of these accounted for the only score of the game. Joe Ferringo attempted a pass to Tony Squilla, but Murray grabbed the ball and ran 27 yards into the end zone. 4
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
In the second half, Neumann held the upper hand, making a net ground gain of 113 yards. But the La Salle line, averaging 183 lbs. per man, held the Pirates when they had their best scoring chance of the game. They were within the five yard stripe for four downs but were unable to make it across the Blue & Gold goal line. The Explorers then took possession of the ball and held on to it until the final gun ending the game.
Blue And Gold Yearbook
Little La Salle, outweighed but not outplayed, climbed into the driver’s seat in the Catholic League race with a hard fought victory over a previously unbeaten Neumann team. La Salle’s six points were the result of Chuck Murray’s second period interception of a Pirate pass, scooting twenty-seven yards into the end zone unmolested.
Game 6, October 30, 1955: La Salle 31 – St. Joseph’s Prep 0
Blue And Gold Yearbook
Easily maintaining their unbeaten streak, La Salle crushed St. Joseph’s, in the battle of the prep schools. After rolling it up 25 to 0 on touchdowns by Frankson and Dick, coach Gallagher sent in his reserves. Greco further safeguarded our victory by scoring on a pass from Paul Aita.
Game 7, November 6, 1955: La Salle 13 – Roman Catholic 0
Germantown Courier, November 10, 1955
Champion Explorers Face St. Thos More La Salle High School, with the Catholic League title all wrapped up, aims at the last target in the way of an undefeated season Sunday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium when the squad faces St. Thomas More, and its impotent 1-5 league record. The 11th in the Explorers current chain occurred Sunday afternoon at the stadium when Jimmy Gallagher’s champs, held scoreless throughout the first half, rallied to score two quick touchdowns and sweep a 13-0 win from rugged Roman Catholic. While accomplishing this neat piece of work all threats to the championship were dying an agonizing death as Bishop Neumann and St. James throttled each other with a scoreless tie. Both teams threatened early in the first half of Sunday’s fracas as the Explorers hit downfield 51 yards for a quick touchdown by Bill Dick, which was called back on offsides. The Cahillites then took over on their eight and, sparked by a 47 yard sprint by Paul Taylor, bashed 88 yards upfield where the Explorers dug in and stopped all further encroachment. In the second period the Explorers knocked at the door again, setting up a possible score with a 50 yard pass from Hugh Brolly to Tom Heron. Aerial Picked Off Inspired by this success, Brolly tried to go the distance, but his aerial was picked off by roman’s Stan Bialous for a touchback. In the third period the Explorers took possession on the Roman 42 from where Dick sprinted for a touchdown, only to be recalled again, this time in the cause of clipping. 5
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
The resilient Explorers bounced back this time, however, and pounded downfield on nine plays, Dick bashing over from the five for the touchdown. Brolly crashed for the extra point. Soon after, the Romans fumbled the ball away and the Explorers banged away again, plowing from the 33 to the 12, where they suddenly ran out of fuel. Again Roman took over, but got nowhere and punted out to their 37. Ray Frankson, Brolly and Dick pushed and pulled to the one and after seven plays Frankson plunged over from the one for the second score. Brolly again tried to run for the extra point, but this time he was smeared by a host of belatedly angry Romans. With few minutes remaining in the final period, Gallagher sent in his reserves to absorb some action and the bench proved itself worthy, springing little Johnny Herrera loose for a 35 yard scoring thrust, once again called back for offsides. Franklin Field in December now looms for the Explorers, champs for the first time in their football history.
The Lineups: La Salle Pos. Roman Murray LE Rolls Osborne LT Oscar Boland LG McCann Lavelle C Morris Brooks RG Tarpey Goodyear RT Carney Heron RE McGough Brolly QB Pannella Dick LHB Taylor Frankson RHB Williams Hopkins FB Bialous
Game 8, November 13, 1955: La Salle 22 – St. Thomas More 0 by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
Unbeaten La Salle Wins 12th In Row La Salle High School, newly crowned Catholic League champion, had little difficulty rolling to its 12th straight victory to keep its unbeaten record intact, but North and West Catholic stole the spotlight by checking in with surprising upsets yesterday. After being held scoreless in the opening period, La Salle ground out a 22-0 triumph over St. Thomas More. Thus the Little Explorers completed the league season, allowing only one touchdown in seven games. North came up with its finest performance and rocked Bishop Neumann, 27-6, while West ripped through Roman Catholic for a 20-7 decision. St. James Is Winner In the other league game, St. James, of Chester, romped over St. Joseph’s, 25-7. La Salle found the scrappy St. Thomas More line tough to budge in the first session and the champs were thwarted on almost every move. 6
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Bill Dick got things straightened out in the second session when he returned a punt 47 yards to the St. Thomas More 38. From here, La Salle banged over, with Tommy Hopkins doing the scoring job from the one. Hugh Brolly plunged for the point. A few minutes later, Ray Frankson recovered a fumble on the St. Thomas 47. Again La Salle moved in. This time Dick slashed over for the TD from the one. Brolly passed to Tom Heron for the conversion. Hopkins, who did little running in the last few weeks, was given his chance with the ball yesterday. The youngster turned in a nifty job and walked off with offensive honors by racing 21 yards for his second touchdown in the third period. Substitute Mike Fonte gave La Salle two points in the final period when he tackled Sam Torchia in the St. Thomas More end zone for a safety. by Les Ribler, Philadelphia Inquirer
La Salle Downs St. Thomas, 22-0 La Salle High School’s first Catholic League champions ended their league season undefeated and untied as they made St. Thomas More High their seventh victim, 22-0, before more than 2000 yesterday at 20th St. and Olney Ave. La Salle, which has an overall 8-0 record, still has two more non-league games. Coach Jim Gallagher’s Little Explorers meet Germantown High on Thanksgiving and play the still undetermined Public League champion for the City title Dec. 10 at Franklin Field. Scoreless First Period After being held off by the punting of St. Thomas More’s Gaspare Pellegrini in the first period, La Salle scored in each of the last three quarters. One-yard plunges by Tom Hopkins and Bill Dick accounted for touchdowns in the second quarter. Hopkins ran 21 yards in the third and right end Mike Fonte tackled Sam Torchia in the end zone for a safety in the last. St. Thomas More, 1-6 in the league, threatened twice on Pellegrini’s passing. But both advances died on interceptions. Hopkins made an end-zone grab in the second to stop a 31-yard march to La Salle’s 24, during which Pellegrini completed four of five tosses. Madden Intercepts In the third period Pellegrini made four of seven good as the Bears moved 64 yards to La Salle’s 22. Included was a 25-yard heave to Al DiCroce. But John Madden, La Salle sophomore guard, stopped the surge by intercepting. La Salle mounted its first scoring drive after Dick returned Pellegrini’s third punt 15 yards to the Bears’ 39. Ray Frankson made 11 yards in two rushes as the first period closed. On the first play of the second he took a delayed handoff from Quarterback Hugh Brolly and rounded left end for 17 to the 11. Dick plunged to the five and Hopkins to the one, before going off right tackle for the score. Brolly sneaked for the point. La Salle was on its way.
Germantown Courier
22-0 Victory Gives La Salle Its Finest Grid Season La Salle High School’s footballers painted a fitting conclusion to the finest grid season in La Salle history by trouncing St. Thomas More Sunday 22-0 in the league finale at McCarthy Stadium.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Thus, in their 12th consecutive win, the Little Explorers now need victories over Thanksgiving day rivals Germantown High and city-championship rivals Gratz or Northeast to make the season a complete, unblemished success. Prepared for their toughest game of the season, the Tommies seemed primed for a colossal upset in the first quarter, but the La Salle offensive machine began to grind as fullback Tom Hopkins, the heretofore forgotten man in the backfield, finally made the headlines with a one yard smack and a 21-yard bolt for touchdowns. Bill Dick, who seems destined for records of all kinds, plunged for the other touchdown, while the locals completed their scoring when sub Mike Fonte downed the Golden Bears’ Sam Torchia in the end zone for a safety. Hopkins Breaks Tie After a first half which was rugged going on both sides of the fence until midway in the quarter, the locals were never in serious trouble. Tommy quarterback Gaspare Pellegrini started to connect briefly with passes in the third quarter, but the rugged La Salle defense – scored on but once in league play – applied the pressure at the right times to thwart all scoring possibilities by the visitors. The whole La Salle bench got into the action during the second half after Hopkins salted the game with his second score and the youngsters played the same brand of football as their varsity counterparts, picking up the final two point on sophomore Fonte’s end zone tackle. The traditional Turkey Day battle with Germantown should serve as a good tuneup for the Little Explorers for their Dec. 10 meeting in Franklin Field, which – should form run true and the Catholic League prevail – will mean the first city championship in the school’s history.
The Lineups: La Salle Pos. St. Thos More Murray LE DiCroce Goodyear LT DiAmbrosio Brooks LG McGillan Lavelle C Kelly Hodgson RG Quinn Osborne RT Connolly Heron RE Benner Brolly QB Pellegrini Dick LHB Torchia Frankson RHB Mastripolito Hopkins FB DiSantis
La Salle: ENDS: Heron, Murray, Fonte, Monaghan, Henry. TACKLES: Goodyear, Osborne, Boland, Rodia, Sharp, Clements, Eustace. GUARDS: Brooks, Hodgson, Higgins, Yannessa, DeLuca, Madden. CENTERS: Lavelle, Tague, Boyle, John Osborne. BACKS: Brolly, Hopkins, Frankson, Dick, Greco, Sheridan, Dever, Malizia, Aita, Solecki, Herrera.
St. Thomas More:
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
ENDS: DiCroce, Snowden, Benner, Burns, Purcell. TACKLES: Milton, Buonadonna, Connolly, Meore, DiAmbrosio. GUARDS: McGillan, Quinn, Recke, Trotter. CENTERS: Kelly, Ford. BACKS: Pellegrini, Torchia, Mastripolito, McKeon, DiSantis.
St. T. More 0 0 0 0 0 La Salle 0 14 6 2 22
L – Hopkins 1 plunge (Brolly run) L – Dick 1 plunge (Heron pass from Brolly) L – Hopkins 21 run (run failed) L – Fonte safety, tackle in end zone
Germantown Courier, November 24, 1955
La Salle Favored In Today’s Annual Germantown Tilt As Germantown High and La Salle High square off in their traditional Thanksgiving Day set-to this morning at McCarthy Stadium, the newly-crowned Catholic League champs with be top-heavy favorites. Rested and confident after a week’s layoff, their season relatively uncomplicated by injury to key players, the Little Explorers have every card in their deck, while the Bears, who started the season well enough, are in dismal shape. Ends Bob Conley and Russ LaGreca sat out last Thursday’s defeat by Roxborough and may still be lost to the team. Tackles Charles Janerette and Roger Warmerdam are in equally sad shape, having aggravated early- season injuries, while defensive halfback Emanuel Johnson and sub Charles Focht are also out of action. Practically everyone else on the squad is nursing some sort of bruise or other, so some of the ambulatory casualties may see action against the rugged Explorers. The Bears bottled up a good Roxborough attack for three period last Thursday, but ran out of stem in the last quarter as the Indians pushed over two tallies.
Starting Lineups: La Salle Pos. St. Thos More Murray LE Palmer Osborne LT Larson Boland LG Curcio Lavelle C Holloway Brooks RG Mayfield Goodyear RT Chantry Heron RE Sherrod Brolly QB DiNatale Dick LHB Dixon Frankson RHB Williams Hopkins FB Winston
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Game 9, November 24, 1955: La Salle 33 – Germantown 0 (Thanksgiving)
Germantown Courier
Undefeated La Salle Beats Gtn. High, 33-0 La Salle High School, Catholic League champions, scored 27 points in the first quarter to capture its 14th straight victory, ninth of the season, and trounce Germantown High (4-5), 33-0, at McCarthy Stadium, 20th St. and Olney Ave. yesterday. A crowd of approximately 6000 saw the Little Explorers extend their shutout string to seven games in a tune-up for the city title game Dec. 10. Tom Hopkins led the bulldozer-like ground attack by scoring twice and setting up two more. Hopkins started the scoring spree by shedding three tacklers in a ten-yard tackle slant early in the first quarter. Joe DiNatale’s punt that went nowhere gave the victors the ball on the Germantown 10, following a La Salle drive that stalled on the losers’ six. Hopkins Nabs Pass Hopkins intercepted an enemy aerial, returning it 43 yards midway in the quarter, for the other TD. Guard Bill Brooks set up the second TD, recovering a fumble on the losers’ 25 two plays after the first score. Hopkins again crashed through tackle, this time for 18, and a first down on the seven. Bill Dick hit the wide stripe after carrying for gains of six and one. The final first period score, closing the period, was a 72-yard four-play march, with Paul Aita passing to Lou Greco for the last 32. The pass was La Salle first in the game. A 36-yard smash through center by reserve half John Herrera highlighted the drive. Frankson Goes Over Ray Frankson ended the scoring with a nine-yard scamper around left end, climaxing a seven-play 82- yard drive. Hopkins set the scoring stage with a 49-yard slash through tackle. The score followed Germantown’s deepest penetration, losing the ball on downs on the victors’ 18. Germantown was minus the services of its starting ends, Bob Conley and Russ LaGreca. Conley has a broken ankle, La Greca a cold. La Salle’s quarterback, Hugh Brolly, played only half the game to rest a Charley Horse.
Evening Bulletin
La Salle Rips Germantown To Remain Unbeaten, 33-0 La Salle High School, the 1955 Catholic League champion, completed its first regular undefeated football season in history today when it romped over Germantown High, 33-0, for its 14th in a row in their annual Thanksgiving Day game before 6,000 at 20th St., and Olney Ave. La Salle will now await the outcome of the playoff between Northeast and Simon Gratz for the Public League title, to see which it meets in the city championship game for the Bulletin Cup December 10 on Franklin Field. Poor Punt Sets Stage Tom Hopkins led the La Salle scoring assault with two touchdowns. Bill dick, Ray Frankson and reserve back Lou Greco each accounted for one six pointer.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
The first march, in the opening period, covered only ten yards after La Salle got possession of the ball when Joe DiNatale punted from his one yard line. On the first play, Hopkins swept off tackle and raced over for a touchdown. A plunge for the point failed. Bill Brooks recovered a fumble on the Germantown 25 a few minutes later. La Salle moved in quickly. Hopkins ran 18 yards to the seven. Dick smacked to the one. On the next play, Dick drove over for a touchdown. Dick also ran for the point. Following the next kickoff, Hopkins intercepted a Germantown pass and raced 43 yards for his second six-pointer. Frankson ran for the point. 32-Yd. Pass Play Scores La Salle worked a 32-yard pass-and-run play for its fourth touchdown. Paul Aita tossed 32 yards at Greco, who ran over the six. This drive covered 72 yards on four plays. Ed Dever plunged for the point. The final scoring assault covered 82 yards after La Salle stopped Germantown’s only threat on the 18. Hopkins set the stage with a nifty 49 yard run to the Germantown 18. Hopkins picked up nine, then Frankson raced around left end for a touchdown. The run for the point was smothered.
Germantown: ENDS: Palmer, Borian, Thomas, Baxter. TACKLES: Janerette, Chantry, Schwartz, Larson. GUARDS: Curcio, Mayfield, Barr, McGrath, Hopkinson. CENTERS – Holloway, Alcorn. BACKS – DiNatale, Dixon, Williams, Winston, Boisburn, Donovan, Focht, Fox, Chappelle, Katz, Tucker, Wilcox.
La Salle: ENDS: Heron, Murray, Garoppo, Fonte, Monaghan, Franiak, Henry. TACKLES: Osborne, Goodyear, Sharp, Clements, Eustace. GUARDS: Brooks, Boland, Higgins, Yannessa, Hodgson, Rodia. CENTERS: Lavelle, Tague, Boyle, John Osborne. BACKS: Brolly, Hopkins, Frankson, Dick, Greco, Sheridan, Dever, Malizia, Aita, Solecki, Herrera.
Germantown 0 0 0 0 0 La Salle 27 0 6 0 33
L – Hopkins 10 run (run failed) L – Dick 1 plunge (Dick plunge) L – Hopkins 43 interception return (Frankson plunge) L – Greco 32 pass from Aita (Dever plunge) L – Frankson 9 run (run failed) by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
La Salle’s Goodyear Out of City Game; 205 Lb. Tackle Dislocates Shoulder Gloom shrouded the La Salle High School campus yesterday when it was learned that Jim Goodyear, 205-pound All-Catholic tackle, would be unable to play when the Little Explorers meet Northeast Saturday for the city football championship and The Bulletin Cup on Franklin Field at 1:30 o’clock.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Coach Jimmy Gallagher made the announcement when X-ray pictures disclosed that Goodyear suffered a dislocated left shoulder during a recent practice session. While the loss of Goodyear is somewhat of a blow to the La Salle eleven, all is not lost. Gallagher has a top replacement in Clark Hodgson, 170-pound youngster who did a bang-up job during the regular season. This is the second time that Hodgson has been called upon to replace Goodyear. Hodgson played the first four games for La Salle when Goodyear was sidelined with a sprained ankle. His play was sensational and it helped the Little Explorers maintain their great defensive record of yielding only three touchdowns in nine games. No Other Changes “Naturally, we’ll miss Goodyear, but Hodgson knows all the defense at that position and had played in every game,” Gallagher said. “He went the entire 48 minutes against Bishop Neumann, and that was a tough ball game. But he did a great job.” Otherwise, La Salle is in the best possible physical shape. All the bumps and bruises are gone and the boys are anxious and ready to go. With the exception of Hodgson in Goodyear’s place, there will be no other changes in the La Salle line. Charley Murray and Tom Heron will open the game at end. Jimmy Osborne, Jr., son of the well-known basketball official, will be Hodgson’s running mate. Bill Brooks and Mike Boland, a nephew of Joe Boland, former Notre Dame star, will be the guards, with John Lavelle at center. When Gallagher began talking about his backfield there was a trace of satisfaction in every word. The La Salle mentor singled out Hugh Brolly, who is playing his first year of football. “Brolly’s improvement during the season was amazing,” he said. “He really did a terrific job and made our split-T plays click. His passing has been up to standard and we are counting on him to play his usual steady game.” La Salle’s Scoring Trio Most fans in the area have heard of Ray Frankson, Bill Dick and Tom Hopkins, the boys who have taken charge of the bulk of the scoring for La Salle. This trio tallied 17 touchdowns. Dick, shifty 165-pound speedster and slick breakaway runner, led the parade with eight six-pointers. Frankson hit the end zone five times, with Hopkins getting four. Gallagher is confident his backs will hold up and be able to run against Northeast. But he is not too sure about checking the Northeast offense, despite his team’s remarkable defensive record. “Northeast has the best bunch of backs I have seen this year,” he said. “It looks like the entire Public League championship track team. I never saw so many boys on one team who can move so fast.” Gallagher, and his assistants, Tex Flannery and Dick Bedesem, have carefully scouted Northeast. “We have seen Northeast play five times and know pretty much what to expect,” Gallagher pointed out. “Of course, Charley Martin (Northeast coach) will probably come up with something new. However, we have defenses we expect to use and feel that we can make any necessary adjustments quickly.” La Salle which captured the Catholic League title for the first time in 35 years, is making its initial bid in the annual inter-league classic and Gallagher is confident his boys are ready for their top performance of the season. by Les Ribler, Philadelphia Inquirer, December 7, 1955
School Grads Pilot City Grid Title Foes
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
If the athletic staff of the two contestants in the City high school football championship game – Northeast and La Salle Saturday on Franklin Field – seem to be doing a little more cheering than most observers on Saturday, there’s good reason: each and every man, from the athletic director right down to the last assistant, is a graduate of his respective school. La Salle’s coaching staff of Little Explorer grads is headed by Jim Gallagher, who started his coaching career at his alma mater as a backfield coach in 1946. He became head coach in 1952. Ably assisting him are John “Tex” Flannery, who tutors the line, and Dick Bedesem, who coaches the backs and the freshmen. Director of Athletics Brother F. Joseph, F.S.C., graduated in the Class of 1933, and, after serving as coach of rifle, moderator of basketball and football, was appointed to his present position in 1951. He is secretary of the Catholic League and a member of the Interleague Athletic commission, which is sponsoring the city title game for the 18th straight year. Brother D. Edward, F.S.C., is Moderator of Football for the third season. The alumni on the Northeast staff are headed by Harold “Gus” Geiges, who served as head coach of the Archives for 27 years prior to giving over to the present coach, Charley Martin. Gus is athletic director and chairman of the Public Conference. While a coach he led four teams into the interleague classic. Head coach Martin has guided the Archives to their second title in three years under his wing. His teams have compiled 21 victories, three losses and a tie – the tie being against St. James (20-20) in the 1953 title game. Martin has an assistant, George Schmidt, who, like Martin, was a tackle under Geiges in high school. Schmidt coaches the line. by Ed Delaney, Daily News
Title Coaches Bring Glory to Alma Maters The football spotlight belongs to the young men who comprise the playing personnel of Northeast and La Salle Highs. They’ll be the focus of attention come Saturday at Penn’s Franklin Field. That’s the way their respective coaches, Charley Martin of the Archives and Jimmy Gallagher of the Little Explorers, want it. Charley and Jimmy will tell you the success they’ve gained as gridiron mentors has been the handiwork of their charges. Both could be quoted in unison as saying, “The boys have cooperated with us to the fullest extent,” Sincere tributes to the youngsters, themselves. Yet no matter how great the athlete, the individual needs a competent teacher. Both Northeast and La Salle, who’ll be meeting for the city scholastic championship in their charity title game, are quite fortunate in this respect. Martin is a graduate of the school where he’s now head football coach. The same is true of Gallagher. Charley played tackle under Harold “Gus” Geiges. Jimmy was a backfield standout in his scholastic days. The two were learned students of the game. They’re proving this point as coaches. Martin’s three year record as the Archives’ coach is 22 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie. The deadlock was with St. James of the Catholic League in the 1953 city championship game. Gallagher took over La Salle’s head coaching job in 1952. His teams haven’t the overall record of Martin’s. The Little Explorers have a 21-15-1 mark in Jimmy’s four year span. Truly, Martin and Gallagher are perfect examples of talented athletes being successful mentors. They’ve put into practice with their charges what they learned from their tutors. The pair are a credit to the men who handled them as schoolboy performers.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Martin’s coaching philosophy has changed from “possession play” to “total offense”. He and assistant George Schmidt have built a championship Public League team from a squad that’s dominated with juniors. The two Archive mentors have developed a potent “hit and run” offense that is a pleasure to watch. It’s not amiss to place Martin’s coaching rival, Gallagher, in a similar category. Jimmy, too, has fast, breakaway runners. He’ll play a wide open game if the occasion calls for this standard of football combat. Of course, the La Salles are more noted as defensive gems. They had only one touchdown scored against them in the regular Catholic League season. Often, they needed just the one score to preserve wins. The forward wall handled all other situations. Thus, the setup in this year’s city scholastic championship game is ideal. Two undefeated teams will battle it out for the title. Two of the area’s most talented coaches will match gridiron wits in quest for a coveted triumph. Here’s a game that deserves the patronage of football fandom. There’s no reason why Franklin Field shouldn’t be just about taxed to capacity. Certainly, the Interleague Commission, which handles these games annually, has a “gridiron natural” to offer. A classic made possible by Two men – Charley Martin and Jimmy Gallagher. They’ve proven themselves as scholastic mentors who can attribute their success to the youngsters who comprise the personnel of Northeast and La Salle Highs. But youth needs inspiring leaders. The Archives and Little Explorers have two such personages in Martin and Gallagher. by Bill Shefski, Daily News, December 9, 1955
Best Offense, Defense Clash For School Title Northeast High rates as the city’s top offensive football team whereas La Salle’s Catholic League championship eleven can lay claim to top defensive team honors. Records show the Archives were invincible because of their overpowering ground and air attack. La Salle was the stingiest scholastic team in the area in dishing out TD’s to the foe. Charlie Martin’s Northeasters, with Herb Adderly and Angie Coia ripping Public League lines, compiled 290 points. On the other hand, Jim Gallagher’s defensive dandies of La Salle held league opposition to a meager 7 points. Supposedly, the Archives have a weak defense and the Little Explorers aren’t too explosive when it comes to moving the pigskin. But tomorrow’s 18th Annual City Charity Championship game at Franklin Field may prove these views wrong. When past performances are checked thoroughly you find that both squads’ weaknesses aren’t bad at all. The ease with which six points came to the Archives tended to make them let up a little on defense. However, only four Public League teams scored more than once against Northeast. They were Southern, Roxborough, Overbrook and Simon Gratz. Each team possessed talented offensive elevens. There wasn’t a better all-around back in the loop than the Rams’ Bob Raucci. Roxborough’s Jack Bottinger found some running room against the Archives as did Gratz’ George Miller. But what did they do to the rest of the Loop? Northeast’s defensive forward wall of Don Jones, Mel Wible, Bob “Tiny” Davis, Howard Roberts, Carl Keehfus and don Hutchins along with backer-ups Marv Sloms and Joe Ford and back Cliff Hubbard,
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Johnny Johnson and Dan Iacovelli did a bang up job all season. And when you have an offensive that scores 290 points, 80 to the opponent don’t mean much. Gallagher drilled his team to perfection on defense. He knew that a six-point margin could carry him through. Look at the North Catholic and bishop Neumann games. La Salle won both, 6-0. They spent most of the game on defense. Gallagher points that his team averaged 20 points a game. He also says that his first string offensive backfield – Hugh Brolly, Bill Dick, Ray Frankson and Tom Hopkins – may have rolled up larger scores had he not substituted for them in runaway games. The Little Explorers mentor also expects fullback Hopkins, a defensive gem all year, to burst into a real running threat tomorrow. Add to these facts, the importance of the game and the prestige that goes with the city crown and two more evenly matched scholastic grid machines would be hard to find. Both coaches report their teams are fired up to fever pitch. They sent them through drills yesterday. The Archives ran offensive plays and pass patterns, the Little Explorers took advantage of their day off from school to hold a lengthy drill. The student bodies of both schools will put their respective schools in the right frame of mind with pep rallies today. by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
Top Defensive Record Bolsters La Salle For City Title Game With Northeast When La Salle High School faces Northeast in the 18th annual game for the city schoolboy football championship and The Bulletin Cup next Saturday on Franklin Field, the Little Explorers will field a team with the best defensive record in the Greater Philadelphia area. Northeast qualified for the title classic with a 39-12 triumph over Simon Gratz in their playoff for the Public league title last Saturday. In nine games, La Salle had had only 20 points scored against it. Only two teams, one in the Catholic League, managed to register points against the Little Explorers. St. Matthew’s, of Conshohocken, tallied 13 as La Salle won 38-13 and West scored a touchdown and extra point while being defeated 19-7. Coach Is Surprised This tremendous record was a bit surprising to coach Jimmy Gallagher, who piloted La Salle to the top for the first time in their 35-year gridiron history, and he did it in his fourth season at the helm. “At the start of the season we were worried about defense,” Gallagher pointed out. “We felt that our attack would be all right, so we (Tex Flannery and Dick Bedesem, his assistants) worked hard with the boys on defense. It certainly paid off as the records prove.” All this was done without the aid of spring practice. La Salle was the only team in the league that didn’t hold spring practice, yet even without these drills the Little Explorers outclassed every team in the league to win the title. From a defensive standpoint, the line was the important unit. The all-around play of Bill Brooks, 185- pound guard, was noticeable in every game, but the others in the forward wall, including Charley Murray, James Osborne, Mike Boland, John Lavelle, Jim Goodyear and Tom Heron, did a fine job, too. Makes Offense Click Although the line was a mighty important factor, Hugh Brolly, the 6-2 quarterback in La Salle’s split-T formation was the boy who made the offense click. There were time when the 187-pound youngster had trouble, but for the most part he ran the team in brilliant fashion. A superb passer, Brolly showed
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955 remarkable improvement on the “give or keep” play and during the latter part of the season his calls kept the opposition defense loose at all times. Consequently, Bill Dick, Ray Frankson and Tom Hopkins, a fast moving ball-toting trio, broke away for many long runs. Few backs in the area can match Dick when it comes to all-around backfield “savvy”. Seven on All-Star Teams Gallagher knows that his charges face a big job against the Public League champion and he is making his defensive and offensive plans accordingly. Never before has La Salle placed so many boys on the Catholic League all-star team. Seven players were named on the two elevens by the league coaches. Four were voted first team berths and three second team place. All of them – Murray, Goodyear, Brooks and Dick (first team), Osborne, Frankson and Heron (second team) are starter, and, unless forced out with injuries, do a two-way job the full 48 minutes in every game. by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin, December 9, 1955
La Salle-Northeast Game Seen a Tossup In Battle of Defense Against Offense Two evenly matched football teams, both undefeated, are girded for the game of the schoolboy season tomorrow when they meet in the 18th annual city championship tilt for the Bulletin Cup on Franklin Field at 1:30 PM. One of the closest games in the history of the series, which started in 1938, is likely when Northeast, the Public League champion, and La Salle, Catholic League titleholder, tangle in the interleague classic. It will be strictly a battle between a good offensive team and an exceptionally strong defensive outfit. Northeast is rated the superior offensive combination, while La Salle, which allowed the opposition only 20 points in nine games, has the big edge defensively. The Public League champions have speed to burn, with striking power from any part of the field. With backs like Angelo Coia, Herb Adderly, Mike Cooper, Marvin Sloms, Floyd Williams, Dick Allen and Bob Brown operating out of a tight “T”-formation, the Archives rolled up 290 points in eight games. Coia, Adderly Key Men Coia and Adderly have been the key men in the ground assault, but Williams, a master ball-handler, has been deadly with his passing. Cooper demonstrated his running ability against Simon Gratz in the league playoff last Saturday with a 76-yard touchdown dash to help Northeast win, 39-12. Then, there are Sloms, Allen and Brown, the latter 100-yard sprint champion of the Public League. All of these youngsters have been consistent ground gainers, so no matter whom coach Charley Martin has in action, Northeast’s attack will not suffer. But the Northeast offensive unit will be facing the best line it has met thus far. The La Salle defense suffered somewhat of a blow when Jim Goodyear, 205-pound All-Catholic tackle, sustained a dislocated left shoulder in practice and was forced out of action. But even with the talented Goodyear on the bench, the Little Explorers line does not show any decided weakness. Clark Hodgson, his replacement, has experienced the rigors of tough ball games. In fact, Hodgson played in Goodyear’s spot in the first four games and was a standout against Bishop Neumann. Charley Murray and Tom heron will be the defensive ends. Jim Osborne is Hodgson’s running mate. Bill Brooks, All-Catholic guard, will pair with Mike Boland, while John Lavelle is the center.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Coaches and fans who have watched La Salle play throughout the season admit that these boys form a formidable defensive unit. While agreeing that Northeast’s backs are “good”, many feel the Little Explorers will be able to hold them in check. While much has been made of the line, Northeast can’t afford to overlook the La Salle backs. Bill Dick and Ray Frankson compare favorably with any two from Northeast. Both are good runners and fast starters out of the split-T formation. Tom Hopkins is a hard charging fullback, capable of picking up that much needed short yardage. Coach Jimmy Gallagher has high praise for Hugh Brolly, his quarterback. His First Season This youngster is playing his first season of football and his progress has been amazing. Brolly has lost all of the jitteriness which was so evident early in the season. Now he runs the give-or-keep plays with decided improvement and his passing has perked up to a tempo that makes La Salle’s aerial game more than just a threat. Weight is not expected to have much bearing on the game. There is only a pound difference between the two elevens, with La Salle outweighing Northeast 178 to 177. The biggest boy in action will be Northeast’s Bob “Tiny” Davis, a 255-pound tackle, who plays only on defense, while Lavelle will be La Salle’s giant. He tips the beam at 198. by Les Ribler, Philadelphia Inquirer, December 10, 1955
Northeast, La Salle in 18th Title Test The 18th edition of one of the country’s greatest high school grid spectacles – the City of Philadelphia Championship – will be unveiled on Franklin Field today when defensive-minded La Salle and powerhouse Northeast, both unbeaten, meet in the Public – Parochial Interleague classic. A crowd in the neighborhood of 45,000 is expected for the game which will be broadcast on radio by WCAU at 1:25 o’clock. There will be no telecast. The weather forecast last night was “cloudy and colder”. La Salle, which won its first Catholic League title this season, will be making its initial appearance in the classic, sponsored since its inception in 1938 by the Interleague Athletic Commission. The Little Explorers won nine games – seven in league play – and carry a 14-game winning streak into the game. Northeast is no stranger to city title competition. The Public Conference champs (via a playoff with Gratz) are on the bill for the sixth time. They own two titles (1942 and ’46), ran second-best twice (1939 and ’43), and in their last appearance (1953) they tied St. James, 20-20. The Archives defeated eight foes this season. La Salle Uses Split-T Because of Northeast’s powerful offense, I lean toward the Archives, but La Salle’s defensive play cannot be overlooked in picking a winner. The all-around strength of the squads appear to be balanced. La Salle operates from a split-T formation, and works spread plays on defense. The Little Explorers were not scored upon their last seven games. Only West Catholic was able to dent the La Salle goal line. The Little Explorers ran up their highest scoring total of the year in their opening 38-13 victory over St. Matthews. Then, after defeating West, 19-7, in their first league game, La Salle held all other opposition scoreless. Those victims were: St. James, 12-0; North, 6-0; Bishop Neumann, 6-0; St. Joseph’s, 31-0; Roman, 13-0; St. Thomas More, 22-0, and Germantown, 33-0, on Thanksgiving Day. Truly a remarkable record.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Tally 44 TD’s, 290 Points Northeast’s tight-T offense has been murder to the opposition. The Archives scored 44 touchdowns and rolled over all teams but one – traditional rival Central. The Archives totaled 290 points, but it will be interesting to note, they found it a little rough against Central, which features a stout defense just as La Salle does. The Archives games were all against conference teams. Overbrook was the first victim, 39-13, then Southern, 35-25; Franklin, 47-0; Roxborough, 31-14; Mastbaum, 33-0; Dobbins, 53-7; Central, 13-9, and Gratz, in the playoff title-clincher, 39-12. A real potent offense. Two Changes Each coach – Jim Gallagher, La Salle, and Charley Martin, Northeast – has had to make one change in his starting lineup, but neither will affect the teams to a great degree. Gallagher, like Martin, a graduated of his school, will use Clark Hodgson at tackle in place of Jim Goodyear, who dislocated his left shoulder in preparation for the big game. Goodyear weighed 205; Hodgson, 170, but Hodgson has seen considerable action as substitute for Goodyear, who missed the first four games because of injuries. Martin will start Mike Cooper at right halfback in place of herb Adderly, who, although recovered from a swollen ankle suffered in the Gratz game, will see slightly less action. The free substitution rule will be in effect and both coaches will probably use an abundance of subs. Northeast has worked with a two-platoon setup, but La Salle played in a league where the college’s limited sub rule was in force. Trophies At Stake The game’s outstanding player, as selected by a panel of local college coaches, will be the recipient of the ninth annual Inquirer award, won last year by South Catholic’s (now Bishop Neumann) Jim Grazione who now is at Villanova University. The Bulletin and Daily News will present trophies to the winning teams and the winner will also gain the Pennsylvania Cup, symbolic of the city title, for one year. Northeast has two legs on the Bulletin Trophy, which will be retained permanently by any team winning it three years. Twenty-three high school bands will parade starting at 12:30 PM, and later will mass for the playing of the National Anthem.
Title Game On Despite Storm The city title game between Northeast and La Salle will be played today regardless of weather conditions. The field has been covered by a tarpaulin since the middle of the week and it will not be removed until shortly before game time. Ticket sales have been reported as “good” and, for late customers, tickets may be purchased today at Franklin Field, site of the game, at $2, $1.50 and the general admission price of $1.
Game 10, December 10, 1955: La Salle 26 – Northeast 0 (City Title) by Bill Shefski, Daily News
La Salle Jars Northeast, 26-0 It takes good coaching and talented, hard-working players to make a champion. That’s the composure of La Salle High’s eleven which reigns as city scholastic football champions today.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Both the brain trust – head coach Jim Gallagher, line coach John “Tex” Flannery and freshman mentor Dick Bedesem – and the brawn trust – polled their efforts to enable the Little Explorers to soundly defeat powerful Northeast High, 26-0, in the 18th annual City Charity championship game at Franklin Field. The coaches had the formula for eventual triumph a week in advance of Saturday’s kickoff time for the big game. All Northeast had to do was fall in line and use a certain defense. The defense is called, in football terms, an “eight gap.” This, the Archives used on the very first play from scrimmage with La Salle lined up on its own 33 yard line. Gallagher had instructed quarterback Hugh Brolly, the game’s most valuable player, on what plays to call if Northeast came out in the defensive setup. This is where the players come into the picture. Brolly promptly calls the “28”, quick buck. This was Gallagher’s first command. Right halfback Ray Frankson ripped off right guard on a quick handoff. All-Catholic guard Bill Brooks, recipient of the Notre Dame Football Club’s Catholic League Player of the Year Award, put a neat trap block on a rushing Archive lineman. This sprung Frankson clear and the 160-pound senior scampered 59 yards to the loser’s eight. This run not only set up the first score for La Salle but stunned the Archives and gave the Little Explorers the needed spirit to win their first city title and accomplish their first undefeated season. The Archives never recovered from the blow of Frankson’s run. Four plays later, fullback Tom Hopkins plunged two yards for the first of four La Salle touchdowns. Gallagher and his whole contingent of scouts saw a weakness in the Archives’ “right gap” defense in the latter’s win over Simon Gratz in the Public League title game. Although the “28” play started La Salle on the victory trail the feared quarterback optional play took the spotlight. Brolly was a master at running the play out of the La Salle split “T” attack. The play was used seven times and was run with such perfection that it accounted for 90 yards and three touchdowns. Brolly’s deception and the swift running of Bill Dick and Frankson had Northeast’s ends helpless on the play. George Terlep, Penn backfield coach, said in the dressing room after the game “Brolly looked as good as most any collegiate field general on the optional.” Another peculiarity which the La Salle team had all year was its lack of passing. Gallagher feels that if you don’t pass a great bit, there’s less harm of losing the ball. It worked for La Salle which wound up the season with a 10-0 record. by Les Ribler, Philadelphia Inquirer
La Salle Jars Northeast To Annex City Title; Explorers Drive 67 Yards Twice; Brolly Runs 45 Coupling its expected defensive play with an unexpected running attack that produced touchdowns in every period, stout-hearted La Salle won its first City High School Football Championship yesterday by conquering Northeast, 26-0, on Franklin Field. Hugh Brolly, La Salle quarterback, was named recipient of The Inquirer Most Valuable Player Award for the way he handled the team in completely outclassing Northeast, which, after running over all Public Conference foes, could not muster a single TD against the first-time Catholic League champs. Two 67-Yard Drives Two 67-yard touchdown drives featured the first half of play, Tom Hopkins going over from the one in the first period and Ray Frankson turning end for three in the second. Brolly furnished a scoring thrill in the third when he scampered 45 yards to tally and round out a 62-yard advance. Bill Dick’s nine-yard dash around end in the fourth period, culminating an 88-yard drive, ended
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955 the scoring. Despite the snow and rain on the eve of the contest, the 18th annual to be sponsored by the Interleague Athletic Commission – the playing field was in good condition. A tarpaulin had covered the field since Wednesday and was not removed until shortly before game time. Game Streak La Salle (10-0) was making its first appearance in the classic after having won its first title since entering the Catholic League, as it is now organized, in 1934. The Little Explorers of Coach Jim Gallagher, a La Salle grad, carried a 14-game winning streak into the contest and had not been scored upon in its last seven games. Northeast (8-1) won the Public Conference championship, via a playoff with Gratz after both had tied for the leadership, and was in City title competition for the sixth time. The Archives of Coach Charley Martin, a former Northeast tackle, won two city crowns (1942 and ’46), ran second-best twice (’39 and ’43), and in their last outing (’53) tied St. James, 20-20. La Salle Scores At 2:22 La Salle won the toss and elected to receive. Northeast kicked off and Ray Frankson returned 13 to the La Salle 33. Frankson electrified the crowd on the first play from scrimmage when he broke through left tackle for 59 yards before he was brought down from behind on the Northeast 8. Tom Hopkins picked up a yard, Frankson six on two tries, stopped the second time, and on fourth down Hopkins crashed the final yard into the end zone. The time was 2:22. Hugh Brolly was stopped on the point attempt and La Salle had a 6-0 lead. Northeast took the kickoff short on its own 41 but was stopped and forced to punt to the La Salle 17. La Salle ground out first downs on the 27 and 44 and then tried a fourth-down play for a third on the Northeast 45. Northeast held and the punt rolled back to give the Archives possession on their own 34. Mike Cooper galloped for 15 and a first on the 49. Angelo Coia lost 11 yards, but Cooper picked up six as the period ended with La Salle leading 6-0. Frankson Gets TD La Salle held and took the punt on its own 33 with Hopkins breaking loose for 12 to the La Salle 45. Four plays netted another first on the Northeast 43 and La Salle kept going for first downs on the 30, 19, and 2. From this point Frankson took a pitchout to score around left end standing up at 5:33 to culminate a 67-yard drive. Hopkins plunged for the point and La Salle led, 13-0. Northeast fumbled the kickoff and had possession on its 6. The Archives ground out a first on the 11 and then, on a daring fourth-down play, Williams made another first on the Northeast 32. Northeast fumbled and tom Heron recovered for La Salle on the 33, but the Explorers fumbled right back and Bill Kramer got it on the Northeast 33. There was another fourth down crash by Williams and Northeast had a first down on its own 46. Northeast pounded to the La Salle 33, but time was running out. Herb Adderly came in and tossed to Cooper for a first on the La Salle 6 as the half ended with La Salle still in front, 13-0. Brolly Goes 45 To TD La Salle kicked off short to the Northeast 37 and the Archives got a first down on their own 49 before Hopkins recovered a fumble for La Salle on the Explorers’ 38. Frankson crashed for a first on the La Salle 49 and Hopkins picked up six more. Brolly hit the middle, shook off three tackles, broke loose and raced 45 yards for a TD at 4:04 as the game seemed to turn into a rout. Hopkins’ plunge failed and La Salle led 19-0. Cooper Injured
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Northeast fumbled in the kickoff and Vince Higgins recovered on the Archive 26 but La Salle fumbled back as don Hones got the ball at the same spot. Cooper was hurt on the next play and carried off the field on a stretcher. Again Williams crashed on fourth down to make the necessary yardage to the Northeast 44. On third down Coia broke loose on a 19-yard run to the La Salle 34. The Archives pounded to the La Salle 23 and then to the 11. La Salle held and took over at the 12. On the first play Dick took a pitchout and raced around right end 32 yards to the La Salle 43 as the period ended. Dick Runs 10 To Tally La Salle was still showing decided superiority on the offense and advanced in three plays to the Northeast 42 as the final quarter started. The Explorers drove relentlessly on for the first downs on the 30 and 16. Hopkins picked up six yards before Dick circled right end for 10 yards to the end zone. Frankson hit left tackle for the point as the La Salle rout mounted to 26-0. The time was 3:43. Northeast took a short kickoff on its own 33. The Archives got a first down on the 50 before La Salle held and Dick returned 20 yards to the La Salle 49. The Explorers sent in most of its second team. Suffers First Loss The subs pounded through to a first down on the Northeast 40. On the second play from this point sub Ed Dever was thrown for a loss. It was La Salle’s 50th play and the first loss of yardage in the game for the Explorers. Northeast held and took the kick on its own 16. Phil Betz, Northeast center, was hurt and also carried off on a stretcher. La Salle held but running into the kicker was called and Northeast had a first down on its own 30. This was the first penalty in the game. Williams made five yards as the game ended with La Salle gaining a well earned triumph in the underdog role at 26-0. The La Salle varsity had carried for 45 plays without suffering loss of yardage, had stopped the touted Northeast speedy backs and no penalty had been called. by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
La Salle Beats Northeast In City Title Classic, 26-0; Victory Crowns Perfect Season For Explorers; Quarterback Brolly Named Outstanding Player in Contest La Salle High School climaxed its greatest football season by winning the Philadelphia schoolboy championship and the Bulletin Cup yesterday on its first try in the annual inter-league classic on Franklin Field. The Little Explorers, winners of the Catholic League title for the first time in 35 years, parlayed an impregnable defense with an amazing ground attach to roll over Northeast, 26-0, in the 18th annual city title playoff before 20,000 shivering fans. In racking up its well-deserved victory, La Salle completely outplayed its Public League rivals and finished a perfect season with a string of ten straight victories. Moreover, the Little Explorers lived up to their reputation as a defensive team by blanking Northeast, thus making it eight straight games in which its opposition failed to score. It was the first setback for Northeast after eight wins in a row. First Year in Football Hugh Brolly, 6-foot-2 quarterback playing his first year of football, directed the La Salle split-T attack like a veteran. The 185-pound youngster called a magnificent game and scored one touchdown on a sensational 45-yard run in the third period.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
For his all-around brilliance, Brolly was chosen the outstanding player on the field by three college coaches – Frank Reagan, Villanova; Steve Sebo, Penn, and Pete Stevens, Temple – and was presented with the Inquirer award. Joining Brolly in the award department was Frank D’Agostino, All-American tackle from Auburn. D’Agostino, who played in the city title games in 1949 and 1950 for North Catholic, was presented a certificate of merit by the Inter-League Commission between the halves. Only One Penalty It was a well-played game and only one penalty was inflicted during the 48 minutes of action. This came on the next-to-last play, when the La Salle subs were in action and one of them ran into Floyd Williams while he was getting off a punt. The game was clean and hard fought, but the hard hitting La Salle line shook up two Northeast players – Mike Cooper and Phil Betz – both of whom were carried off the field. Cooper suffered an injury to his right knee and Betz a head blow. Both were taken to the University Hospital, where Betz was held for 24-hour observation. Cooper was discharged at once and came back to the stadium. In notching the ninth victory of the series for the Catholic League since 1938 (the Public League won six times, with three games ending in ties) La Salle rolled up a total of 338 years and yielded only 179. Northeast’s talented backfield, with the speedy Angelo Coia, couldn’t dent the La Salle line as Bill Brooks, Jim Osborne, Clark Hodgson, John Lavelle and Tom Heron broke through to nail the ball-carriers before they could make much headway. Staggering Blow at Start The La Salle split T plays befuddled Northeast, facing this type of offense for the first time. The Little Explorers spaced their touchdowns over the four periods, with Tom Hopkins, Ray Frankson, Brolly and Bill Dick scoring in that order. The play that knocked Northeast out of the ball game came on the first scrimmage after Ray Frankson returned Herb Adderly’s opening kickoff 17 yards to the La Salle 33. Frankson took a handoff from Brolly. A big hole opened at Northeast’s right guard and the La Salle speedster broke into the clear. He quickly passed the Northeast secondary and ran 59 yards to the Northeast 8, where Mel Wible pulled him down. This brilliant run stunned Northeast’s defense and it never seemed to recover. La Salle’s attack kept driving as tom Hopkins gained a yard. Frankson then reached the 1, where he was tackled by Don Hutchins. Another play failed to gain, but on fourth down and a yard to go, Hopkins smacked off his own right tackle into the end zone. Brolly’s run for the point was smeared. It took La Salle a mere five plays to go 67 yards on the initial scoring sortie. Another 67-Yard Drive La Salle struck again in the second period after Williams punted to the Explorer 33. Hopkins got this 67-yard advance going with a 12-yard run to the 45. After Brolly’s pass intended for Heron grounded, Hopkins picked up five more. Frankson added four and Brolly made a first down on the Northeast 43. Hopkins, Brolly and Dick rapped out 13 yards in three plays. Dick took a pitchout from Brolly and scooted six yards. On the next play, Hopkins reached the Northeast 19 for a first down. From there, Hopkins ripped off seven yards to the 12. Frankson, with a pitchout from Brolly, reached the 3. The next play, identically the same, caught Northeast napping. Frankson swept around his own left end for the touchdown. This time Hopkins drove over his own left tackle for the extra point. Clock Stops Best Effort
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Northeast put on its best offensive of the game after the next kickoff and drove 61 yards, but the first half ended as Cooper caught a 28-yard pass from Herb Adderly at the La Salle 6. Before the Northeast team could line up for another play, time ran out. Hopkins set up La Salle’s third touchdown chance early in the third period when he recovered a fumble on his own 38. On the first play, Frankson darted up the middle for 11. Then Hopkins picked up six at right tackle to the Northeast 45. Brolly, running to his left on a “give-or-keep play”, found a hole at Northeast’s right tackle. He kept the ball and broke to the 42, where he appeared to be trapped by Northeast tacklers. The lanky quarterback spun out of their grasp and got into the clear, then cut to his right and continued for a touchdown. It was a brilliant exploit – the longest scoring run Brolly made throughout the season. Hopkins was stopped on a plunge for the point. It took La Salle only three plays to negotiate this six pointer. Explorers Repulse Threat Following the next kickoff, Northeast got another march under way after Don Jones recovered a fumble on his own 26. Cooper was tackled for no gain by Osborne and was hurt on this play. Ken Kuriger replaced him and picked up a yard. Marvin Sloms belted out eight and Williams repeated to give Northeast a first down on the 44. The drive continued to the La Salle 11, where Northeast had a first down, but here the Little Explorers put on a brilliant stand. Coia picked up two yards on the first play and Williams put the ball on the 7. Sloms was tackled by Brooks for a yard loss to the 8. On fourth down, Coia tried to run around La Salle’s left end, but Heron tossed him back for a four-yard loss and La Salle took over on downs on the 12. On The Way Again The La Salle offense got under way in a jiffy as Dick took a pitchout from Brolly and raced 31 yards as the third period ended. Hopkins, Brolly, Dick and Frankson continued to rip the Northeast line and in 11 plays covered 88 yards for the final touchdown. The big gains in this march were 16 yards by Frankson and ten by Brolly, who put the ball on the Northeast 10. The score then came on a brilliantly executed option play. Brolly, running to his right, flipped the ball to Dick, who never broke stride as he sped ten yards for the six-pointer. Frankson smacked over for the extra point. 14-Year Old In Action After the next kickoff, coach Jimmy Gallagher cleared the La Salle bench and sent in his reserves. Among them were Paul Aita and Bill Clements, 14-year-old sophomores. Aita played quarterback and Clements went in at tackle. Both gave a good account of themselves in the short time they were in action. Frankson took the ground-gaining honors for La Salle with a total of 123 yards in 14 carries. Hopkins picked up 81 in 16 tries, Dick 67 in 12 and Brolly ran the ball only four times for 56 yards. The victory was a well-deserved reward for Gallagher, who piloted La Salle to the top of the schoolboy heap in his fourth season as head coach.
Evening Bulletin
MVP Award to Brolly; Good Choice, Coach Says
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
There wasn’t much that needed to be said after La Salle’s convincing 26-0 romp over Northeast for the city scholastic football championship. So activity in the La Salle locker room consisted mostly of the usual hand-shaking and back-slapping. Off in a corner, Quarterback Hugh Brolly, picked by a panel of local coaches as the game’s Most Valuable Player, posed for pictures while his teammates shouted their approval. Standing next to Brolly, the Little Explorers’ coach, Jim Gallagher, looked on and received congratulations from visitors. Court Experience Helped “I think that Brolly was a good choice for the award,” Gallagher said. “This was his first season of football, you know, but he had plenty of poise from his basketball experience,” Brolly has played varsity basketball for two seasons. “Our whole team was outstanding,” Gallagher continued, “and we knew almost from the beginning that we had them. I think Hoppy (Tom Hopkins) played a good game, and Ray Frankson was our most dependable player on both offense and defense.” Speaking of Northeast, Gallagher thought that center Phil Betz, injured late in the game, was “tremendous.” He thought the line did a good job bottling up Angelo Coia, “We who know is a god runner – I think the best on their tea.” And, he observed, “I think that Adderly being hurt definitely hurt Northeast.” Gallagher praised the find condition of the field, which was kept covered during yesterday’s snowfall, and gave credit to his scouts. “We knew what to expect from Northeast, thanks to their fine reports.” A well-wisher stopped to congratulate Gallagher, and he summed up the prevailing sentiment by saying, “We’re up on Cloud Eleven right now.” Brolly, meanwhile, modestly accepted his award, but said he thought that Frankson or Bill Brooks, a guard, really deserved the honor more than himself. Line Coach Happy La Salle line coach John “Tex” Flannery was beaming at the play of the Explorer stalwarts. “We made them play our way. They’re an outside team, and we made them run to the inside. Jack Lavelle in particular was all over the field, but the whole line played well and I couldn’t really single out anyone.” Across the way, Northeast coach Charley Martin minced no words to describe his team’s disappointing showing. “We have no alibis,” Martin said, “the team we played today was superior. It just wasn’t our day. We made too many mistakes, as the game showed. We muffed every opportunity we had.” Martin explained the limited role that Herb Adderly, stellar halfback, played for the Archives. “We thought he’d be all right before the game,” Martin said, “but during pre-game practice we saw that his leg was not okay. No game is worth risking a serious injury to a boy. So that’s why Adderly was only in for one offensive play and why Bob Brown wasn’t in at all. “Our defensive line didn’t hold up at all, and as for our passing? – well, we didn’t do anything right, anyhow. Of our boys, I thought Williams and Cooper looked good, and Brolly deserved the award for La Salle,” Martin concluded.
Germantown Courier, December 15, 1955
La Salle Whitewashes NE High To Capture City Grid Title A long modern-day pilgrimage finally came to an end Saturday afternoon within the awesome confines of the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field as La Salle College High School’s all-winning 1955 footballers rode roughshod over Northeast High to wrap up the 1955 city championship.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Playing with the precision and ease of a well-drilled college level team, Jim Gallagher’s talented operatives scored once in every period to chalk up their 26-0 win, while holding the Archives completely at bay, the fate of seven previous opponents this season. The first few plays of the game belonged to Explorer Co-Captain Ray Frankson. The pile-driving senior halfback took Herb Adderly’s opening kickoff to his own 33 before being dropped by Mike Cooper. On the first play from scrimmage the die was cast as Frankson took a handoff from quarterback Hugh Brolly from a shifted straight-T formation, galloped into the clear through a huge hole in the right side of the Northeast line, cut obliquely to the left and was stopped only by desperation tackling by the Northeast pursuers on the Archives’ eight. To One Foot On three succeeding plays Frankson packed to the one-foot line, from where fullback Tom Hopkins lugged over for the winning score at 2:22 of the first period. That, as far as the Public league contenders were concerned, was the ball game. It was an afternoon of utter frustration for Chuck Martin’s footballers, conquerors of the best the Public League could offer this season. Only twice hereafter did they threaten at all, while vainly trying to contain the hopped-up La Salle ground attack. Following the kickoff after the La Salle score the Northeast forces picked up but six yards and were forced to punt from their own 46. Floyd Williams’ boot rolled dead on the La Salle 18. From this point the Explorers began to roll again and Brolly began the performance that was to gain him “outstanding player” recognition for the afternoon. Mixing plays with uncanny skill, Brolly marshaled the Explorer ground attack through the desperate Northeast eight-man line with power smashes and sneaks through the center and over guard to crowd the defenders’ middle, then cut loose with the afternoon’s most devastating offensive weapon, the quarterback-option around both flanks. This particular play requires exceptional poise to handle with perfection and with this the tall Brolly is amply endowed. The Catholic League’s machine rolled downfield under four first downs before being halted at the Northeast 34. At this point Floyd Williams, standout Archive quarterback, sprung Mike Cooper loose for 15 after a clever fake to Angelo Coia had the center of the Explorer line on the ground. But on the next play Frankson and Tom Heron stopped the forward advance as they chased Angelo Coia off the field 11 yards back as he attempted the right end. A punt to the La Salle 33 followed and the Explorers were back in business as the second quarter began. Hopkins charged over right tackle to the 44 for a first down before being derricked by John Johnson. The day’s first attempted pass was knocked down. Hopkins packed to the 50 and Frankson hit to the 44 ¾ mark to give the locals fourth down and six inches. Brolly won the aged gamble by looping the left guard on a keeper and the drive steamed downfield. With the ball on the Archive 30 the option to Hopkins around the left side got to the 24., after which the young fullback took two straight handoffs to the 12. Option Again Again the option, this time to Bill Dick on the left side, as Brolly flipped while being tackled, to move to the three. On the next play the option went to Frankson, who dove over in the left corner for the second score. Hopkins edged across for the extra point.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
At this point the locals had picked up 179 rushing yards and nine first downs to Northeast’s 17 yards and one first down. After the kickoff the Archives perked up enough to launch one of their two threatening drives, moving from their own 11 to the La Salle six before halftime stopped the proceedings. Crucial in the drive was the faking of Williams, feeding fullback Marv Sloms and halfbacks Angie Coia and Mike Cooper with a neat series of cross-bucks and keep-spinners that worked to the La Salle 34 with 10 seconds remaining. Instructions from the bench bought out a special play to try for the touchdown. Line up with crippled halfback herb Adderly at fullback and Cooper flanked wide to the right, Williams took the snap, faked Coia through the center and flipped back to Adderly, who uncorked a long aerial to Cooper, far downfield. Defender Bill Dick went high with Cooper on the six and intercepted, but Cooper wrestled the ball away as the pair fell to the turf. Time ran out as the Archives tried to run off another play. In the third stanza after the Archives had marched to the La Salle 41, Hopkins pounced on Sloms’ fumble as the fullback was crashing to the 38 and the third La Salle score, the most amazing play of the afternoon, was in the wind. Frankson cut over tackle to the 49 and Hopkins pounded to the 45 to set things up. Then came the topper. Brolly pulled out to the left and headed wide on the option. The Northeast defenders floated back. However, end Don Hutchins covered the trailing halfback. Instead of flipping to the guarded halfback, Brolly cut inside Hutchins, where he met linebacker Mel Wible. Brolly put his head down and bulled into Wible, who clutched at his shoulder pads and tried to throw him down. Brolly flipped around, popped out of Wible’s grasp, lurched backward for two steps, righted himself and was off to the races at 4:04 of the quarter. Again the Archives stormed back into action, with their finest offensive performance of the afternoon. To Explorer 34 After a fumble exchange following the kickoff and with sub Ken Kuriger in the backfield following Cooper’s injury on a pretty open-field tackle by Osborne, Williams, Sloms, Coia and Kuriger churned painfully downfield against the begrudging Explorer line, the key dash a 19 yarder by Coia, who traveled to the Explorer 34 before being upended by Dick. With first and 10 on the La Salle 12 the Explorers put on the brakes. Guard Bill Brooks upended Coia on the 10, then stopped Williams on the quarterback sneak attempt. Tom Heron and Jack Lavelle crushed Coia on the eight and a rush on Heron’s side on fourth down stopped the Archives on the four yard line. That was the end for the archives and the Explorers’ Bill Dick ran down the right sideline for 31 yards on the first play to start the ball rolling. As the locals slugged down the field they picked up yardage. In covering the last three plays: Frankson on an option from Brolly, Hopkins through the line to the nine and Dick around the right side on yet another option for the score. Frankson swept the end for the PAT. Gallagher’s bench would infiltrate at this point with the score 26-0 and they faced a completely demoralized crew. The game ended with 14-year old Paul Aita guiding the fortunes of the La Salle offense.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
The only penalty in the exceptionally clean game occurred on the next-to-last play of the game when a La Salle scrub roughed Williams who punted from deep in Archive territory. by Joe Novetsky, Germantown Courier
La Salle Started on Road To Championship in 1952 When Jimmy Gallagher took over the coaching job at La Salle four seasons ago he set his sights on the City football championship. Last Saturday at Franklin Field he watched his dream materialize as his Little Explorers defeated Northeast Public for the schoolboy crown. La Salle’s climb up the ladder started four years ago. Gallagher’s 1952 club won only one league game, but he had a crop of good freshmen coming up. The following season La Salle won three, lost two and tied two to finish in a tie for third place with North Catholic. Last year, after a slow start, the Olney Ave. gridders won four and lost three to again take third place. It was also their best pigskin season in 10 years. La Salle started ’55 off with a victory over St. Matthew’s, Conshohocken. West, St. James, North, Bishop Neumann, St. Joseph’s, Roman and St. Thomas More fell in order. On Thanksgiving Day, the Little Explorers rolled over Germantown, 33-0, for the ninth win of the year. Two minutes after the City title game started La Salle scored. All-Catholic halfback Ray Frankson, who hails from St. Leo’s parish, raced 59 yards as soon as La Salle gained possession of the ball to Northeast’s eight. Three plays later Tom Hopkins went over for the first of four La Salle touchdowns. For his superb performance on the field, quarterback Hugh Brolly was named by a board of coaches as the Most Valuable Player. His stellar play all afternoon was a deciding factor in La Salle’s win. Every La Salle player deserved high praise. The victory was a real team effort.
Evening Bulletin
Game Conditions Ideal, Rival Coaches Agree A University of Pennsylvania slogan, “Alert and Aggressive,” hanging in the dressing room under Franklin Field’s south stand, describe perfectly the line of La Salle High School football players that streamed in to the room after smashing out a 26-0 victory against Northeast High School yesterday. Once inside, the victory cheers went up as did coach Jim Gallagher. Gallagher was boosted to the shoulders of La Salle’s first championship football team in a display of victory. One Explorer tackle, Harry Eustace, displayed his souvenir of victory, a piece of Franklin Field turf clutched in his hand. Desire To Win Gallagher credited his team’s shutout victory to a desire to win, good scouting reports and team play. He said, however, that he thought Northeast would score. Across the field the Northeast team filed off to the north stand dressing room with shoulders hunched in despair and tears flowing. Helmets crashed to the floor as the Public Conference champions admonished themselves for a “bad day”. Archive coach Charles Martin said, “La Salle worked beautifully as a team and we didn’t. This game is a team game and therefore they won.” Ideal Conditions Both coaches thought the weather and field conditions were ideal for the game and commended the grounds keepers for the excellent dry turf. Gallagher added that he thought a wet field would have been to Northeast’s advantage.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
“We couldn’t do anything right. Our defense didn’t hold up at all,” said Martin. “We thought we could move on the ground and our blocking never opened up enough to allow us to start a passing game.” Comparing the Northeast team of 1953 that tied St. James, 20-20, in the championship game with the team fielded yesterday, Martin said the only comparison was that the 1953 team held and this one didn’t. Praises Flannery “The La Salle line play beat us into the ground. They had a line and we didn’t for this game. It was a case of their line and our ineptitude,” said Martin. Gallagher gave credit for the superior line play to assistant coach John “Tex” Flannery, and in turn pointed to Northeast’s Philip Betz at center as an outstanding lineman also. He said that Betz was “putting the blocks on the way a good lineman should.” Discussing the Northeast backfield, Gallagher said, “”We were more afraid of Angelo Coia than of Herbert Adderly or Mike Cooper.” Adderly saw limited action due to a leg injury suffered in last week’s playoff with Simon Gratz High School and Cooper was knocked out of the game in the third period. Asked about the reason for Northeast’s injuries – Betz and Cooper were both taken to the University Hospital for treatment – Martin said, “When you are losing you always have injuries and when you make mistakes you always have injuries. We were doing both.”
La Salle: ENDS: Heron, Murray, Garoppo, Fonte, Monaghan, Franiak, Henry. TACKLES: Osborne, Hodgson, Rodia, Sharp, Clements, Eustace. GUARDS: Brooks, Boland, Higgins, Yannessa, DeLuca, Madden. CENTERS: Lavelle, Tague, Boyle, John Osborne. BACKS: Brolly, Hopkins, Frankson, Dick, Greco, Sheridan, Dever, Malizia, Aita, Solecki, Herrera.
Northeast: ENDS: Jones, Hutchins, Green. TACKLES: Wible, Kramer, Roberts, Davis. GUARDS: Groch, Dianno. CENTERS: Betz, Ford. BACKS: Williams, Cooper, Coia, Sloms, Adderly, Iacovelli, Kuriger, Johnson, Hubbard, Gritz, Allen.
Northeast 0 0 0 0 0 La Salle 6 7 6 7 26
L – Hopkins 1 plunge (run failed) L – Frankson 3 plunge (Hopkins plunge) L – Brolly 45 run (run failed) L – Dick 10 run (Frankson run)
Officials: Referee – Bill Reynolds; umpire – George Becker; linesman – John Keenan; field judge – Bob Dallas.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
Northeast La Salle First Downs 13 15 Rushing Yards 199 339 Passes/Completed 5/1 3/0 Passing Yards 27 0 Punts/Avg Yards 3/29.3 2/14 Fumbles/Lost 5/3 2/2 Penalties/Yards 0/0 1/15
Rushing Northeast: Coia – 12 for 45; Sloms 14 for 58; Williams 16 for 56; Cooper 7 for 36; Kuriger 2 for 4. La Salle: Brolly 4 for 56, TD; Dick 12 for 67, TD; Frankson 14 for 123, TD; Hopkins 16 for 81, TD; Herrera 1 for 4; Dever 4 for 8.
Passing Northeast: Williams 0 for 4, 0 yards; Adderly 1 for 1, 27 yards. La Salle: Brolly 0 for 2, 0 yards; Aita 0 for 1, 0 yards.
Receiving Northeast: Cooper 1 for 27 yards.
Bill Brooks Gets Catholic Trophy Bill Brooks, All-Catholic guard from La Salle High School’s city championship eleven, was selected as the outstanding player in the Catholic League and presented the Notre Dame Club of Philadelphia trophy at the club’s seventh annual Communion breakfast in the Barclay Hotel yesterday. Bill Fisher, line coach at Notre Dame, and William G. Burns, club president, made the presentation. Fisher said that after watching Saturday’s 26-0 victory over Northeast High, Brooks, who weighs 187, must have “a heart that weighs 180.” Picked By Captains Brooks was selected by a poll of the most valuable players of the eight league teams who also attended. Catholic League coaches and athletic directors were also present. Football players from the league’s team were, besides Brooks, John Carney, Roman; Ray Dietrich, Northeast; Jim McLaughlin, West; Leo Broadhurst, St. James; Henry Rigler, St. Joseph’s; Gaspare Pellegrini, St. Thomas More; and Jim Joyce, Bishop Neumann. The Rev. Stephen Landherr, C.SS.R., director of the Catholic Guild to Aid the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, was guest speaker. Previous winners were Ernie Miller, North; John Lavin, southeast (now Bishop Neumann); Charles Pastorius, West; Bobby Glascott, Roman; Dick Christy, St. James, and Jim Grazione, South.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1955
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