The Debut of 6-Man Football
at Coeymans High School [CHS] & Ravena High School [RHS]
Seasons 1938 - 1943
Prepared by:
Chuck Friday September 2008
Dedication
Claude B. Friday Coeymans High School Class of 1927
The Debut of 6-Man Football
Prologue
The introduction of high school football in this community began in 1934 when the Coeymans High School fielded an 11-man team. One year later, Ravena High School [less than 1 mile away from Coeymans High School] introduced its 11-man football squad. Both high schools continued to play 11-man football until the 1938 season. Beginning in 1938 both Coeymans and Ravena high schools converted to the 6-man football format. Each high school had an independent football squad and the rivalry between the two schools was intense. In 1944 Coeymans and Ravena merged their school districts and fielded a single 6-man football team. Local high school football continued using the 6-man format until the 1958 season, when 8-man football was introduced. In the 1963 season 11-man football was, once again, reinstated.
This paper attempts to capture some of the early history of 6-man football from the perspective of those years that Coeymans and Ravena competed against each other (i.e., the 1938-1943 seasons). The first three years of competition between these two schools (1938-1940) was captured by a young sports journalist named Fred (Doc) Martino. Shortly after the 1940 football season Fred left his journalist position and enlisted in the military. The last three seasons (1941-1943) that Coeymans and Ravena fielded separate teams are sparsely covered by the local newspaper.
The organization of this paper follows these early years of 6-man football by segregating each season into independent sections. For each section (season) articles have been transcribed (unedited) from the News Herald. Following the News Herald articles are the write-ups found in each school‟s yearbook for that season. Images of the football teams are also included. These team pictures were reproduced from the pages of the high school yearbooks. Unfortunately, the editors of the yearbooks elected not to include the names of the football players along with the photographs.
The content in the appendix to this paper is taken largely from the 1938 book written by the putative father of 6-man football – Stephen Epler. The photographs in the appendix are not pictures of any local players.
Chuck Friday September 2008
1 The Debut of 6-Man Football
1938 Season
2 The Debut of 6-Man Football
September 16, 1938 “Schedule For School Football League Announced”
The Central Hudson Valley Football League had unanimously adopted the newest form of football for the coming season. The league has approved the names of officials for the coming season and adopted a system for selecting the winner of the League. Two points will be given for a win, one point for a tie, and no points for a defeat. The team having the greatest number of points at the end of the season under this system will be declared the League Champions.
This is the very wide-spreading and popular 6-man brand of football. The game itself has been more extensively played in the West within the past few years and now many of the eastern high schools are following their example. The game is governed by Eleven Man Football Rules but for a few exceptions. The league this year has been enlarged to include Cambridge and Castleton.
These schedule released this week by F. R. Furlong of Coeymans, President of the League is as follows: SEPTEMBER 24 Ravena at Roeliff Jansen (Hillsdale) Cambridge at Coeymans Roessleville at Coxsackie
OCTOBER 1 Coeymans at Roessleville Castleton at Ravena Roeliff Jansen at Cambridge
OCTOBER 8 Coeymans at Roeliff Jansen Cambridge at Coxsackie Roessleville at Castleton
OCTOBER 15 Cambridge at Ravena Coxsackie at Coeymans Castleton at Roeliff Jansen
OCTOBER 22 Coeymans at Castleton Coxsackie at Ravena Roeliff Jansen at Roessleville
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OCTOBER 29 Ravena at Coeymans Coxsackie at Castleton Roessleville at Cambridge
NOVEMBER 5 Ravena at Roessleville Roeliff Jansen at Cambridge Castleton at Cambridge
September 16, 1938 “Coach Kunz Calls Practice for Gridders” By Fred Martino
“Git up,” Git up,” “Git up,” “Come on stop grunting,” etc, goes the voice of Coach Tommy Kunz of the Coeymans Orange and Maroon gridders.
Approximately 30 lads reported for an early practice on the first day of school to represent the Coeymans High School, which stands proudly on the banks of the Hudson, facing its great smiling waters.
The boys have been put through stiff exercises to [loosen] them up and put them in pink of condition.
“Skully” Kunz is working on the problem of making up for his last year‟s stars. He has lost Capt. John Romano, Center, Rudolph Frese, guard, Edward Mulligan, backfield, Elliott Vanderhyden, backfield, Joseph Tiberia, backfield, Dom Biscone, guard, Floyd McMillan, end.
Due to the fact that six man football has been organized, the line up will not be as greatly affected as if 11 man football still continued. Kunz has a fast, light and snappy team to depend on this year.
Younger brothers of former players to participate are: Eugene Mulligan, Carl Tiberia, Francis Lyons, Christopher Biscone, Vincent Lyons, George Romano. Last years players also are Eugene Leigh, Henry Johnson, Giles Wagoner and Walter Lyons.
September 16, 1938
Twenty-seven boys are participating under Coach Robert Kingsbury in preparation for the opening football game with Hillsdale [Roeliff Jansen] on Friday the twenty-third. The boys are fast mastering the fundamentals of the six-man [variety] of the game, and should go far in Central Hudson Valley competition. The following comprise the squad: Carmen Albano, Henry Blenis, Jerome Buckley, John Cary, Kenneth Cary, Harold Conrad, Robert Gallagher, Milo Houck, Walter Jackson, Kenneth Klenk, George Marcella, James Marcella, Louis Montelone, James Pebler, Theodore Pebler, Earl Phillips, Dale Setford,
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Carmen Sgroi, Robert Shutter, Barney Reynolds, Donald Richter, William Shutter, Kenneth Storr, George Swartz, Harold Wells, Elwood Van Alstyne.
September 23, 1938 “Six Man Football Gets Underway” By Fred Martino
The Central Judson Valley football league will give the local fans a glimpse of the newest form of football, six man team, this Saturday when Coeymans plays Cambridge.
Ravena, however, will have the opportunity to initiate the sport first. Saturday they will journey to Hillsdale [Roeliff Jansen]. Word comes from Hillsdale that the boys are in good condition and are anxious to play the first football game ever played for Hillsdale.
Coach Kingsbury, Ravena, has an exceptionally good lot to pick from. He had Red Van Alstyne, Jim Pebler and Carman Albano for his line, while in the backfield his choice of 3 men will be in Ken Carey, Carmen Sgroi, Jim Brandow, Robert Shutter, Barney Reynolds, George Swartz and Don Richter.
Tomorrow Coeymans will play the first game of six man football in this locality when they face the strong Cambridge Sextet.
Kunz has only a few of his last years‟ championship team and therefore centers his hopes around Eugene Mulligan, Carl Tiberia, Giles Wagoner, Walter Lyons, Rudolph Frese, Eugene Leigh, Vincent Lyons, Henry Johnson, Clem Rivers, Christopher Biscone.
Many fans were disappointed when it was rumored that six man football would be adopted. Since watching the local teams in scrimmage many have commented on it. The game is faster, interesting, open and becoming popular. It gives all athletes a chance as many substitutions must be made.
Get behind your favorite in town and cheer them into victory.
September 30, 1938 “Gridiron Punts” by Fred Martino
Coeymans‟ Orange and Maroon sextet nosed out Cambridge in the last quarter after 3 hard fought and scoreless quarters in a 6 man football game at Coeymans on Friday, Sept. 23rd.
Husky John Barber, left halfback, plowed through right end to gallop over the goal line for the one tally.
Outstanding highlights of the game were the 165 yards gained by Eugene Mulligan, Coeymans, and the blocking of Veski, of Cambridge.
Both teams played gallant football. From the opening kickoff to the last second of play, it was either schools game until a lone touchdown meant victory for Coeymans and defeat for Cambridge.
5 The Debut of 6-Man Football
TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN! Yelled the frenzied crowd of spectators, who were about to witness the first game of football to be played for Roeliff Jansen and touchdowns did the enthusiastic players give them. They won a first victory over Ravena 20-14.
A short stocky player, Hermans, who played left half, amazed fans with his beautiful blocking, tackling, alertness and broken field running. He scored 2 of three tallies. Sharretts, right half, carried over another tally as Dingman‟s conversion for 2 points was good. All this scoring was performed in the first half.
In the second half, however, a more inspired and determined Ravena sextet came on the field. This fighting spirit enabled them to score 2 touchdowns, 2 [extra] points and hold the Roe Jan sextet scoreless for this half.
Van Alstyne‟s 40 yard run around right end and Shutter‟s plunge through center accounted for the tallies as Marcella and Shutter both ran easily over for extra points.
Idealistic sport music was furnished by the Roe Jan High School Band.
Standing of League to date: W L Pts Coeymans 1 0 2 Roe Jan 1 0 2 Roessleville 1 0 2 Castleton 0 0 0 Cambridge 0 0 0 Coxsackie 0 0 0 Ravena 0 0 0
The players:
Coeymans POS Cambridge Leigh LE Blatchley Frese C Burch Wagoner RE Clark Mulligan QB Robinson Barber LH Veski Tiberia RH Severgon
Subs for Coeymans: L. Frangella, H. Johnson, W. Lyons
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Roe Jan POS Ravena High Van Tassel LE Van Alstyne Ambrose C Pebler Watson RE Albano Dingman QB Shutter Hermans LH Marcella Sharretts RH Cary
Subs for R.H.S. Sgroi, Setford
October 7, 1938 “Ravena Wins From Castleton” By Fred Martino
A series of touchdowns by Van Alstyne, Sgroi, and Shutter enabled the Ravena‟s Red and Black to crash through the Castleton Hilltop Sextet by a crushing score of 22 – 6.
Ravena scored 16 points in the early opening quarter when Van Alstyne ran 23 yards around left end and Shutter returned a punt for a spectacular 55 yard run up the mid-field. Van Alstyne dropped kicked after both scores.
Sgroi did the final scoring for Ravena when his 35 yard run thru the right side of the line proved successful.
Castleton‟s lone tally came in the closing minutes of the final quarter when left half back Johnny Koryn threw a 15 yard pass to Red Comstock who in turn ran 50 yards for a touchdown.
An outstanding feature of the game was the 8 out of 11 passes completed by Castleton.
Ravena POS Castleton
Van Alstyne LE Sultan J. Pebler C Andrews Albano RE Comstock Shutter QB Bolden Sgroi LH Koryn Cary RH Schroeder
Substitutes for Ravena: Marcella, J. Pebler, Richter, Klenk, Wells, Setford and Swartz Substitutes for Castleton: Mutter and Butts
October 7, 1938 “Coeymans Loses by One Point” By Fred Martino
Roessleville nosed out Coeymans by virtue of a single point 14 – 13 in a hard fought football game last Friday at Beveryck Park, Albany.
7 The Debut of 6-Man Football
Quarterback Red Hutton, of Roessleville plunged for the first score while his mate right halfback Diegley made a brilliant run of 93 yards for the second touchdown. Both scores and extra points were made in the first half – Roessleville 14, Coeymans 0.
The second half saw a stubborn Coeymans sextet march upon the [field] and helped Eugene Mulligan, Quarterback, score 2 touchdowns and an extra point for a total of 13. Henry Johnson made the lone point.
Coeymans POS Roessleville
Leigh LE Debstist Frese C Brown Wagoner RE Winnie Mulligan QB Hutton Tiberia LH Prussier Barber RH Diegley
[CHS] Substitutes: Frangella, Johnson, Biscone and Lyons.
October 14, 1938 “Gridiron Punts” By Fred Martino
The Coeymans High School team lost to the Roeliff-Jansen High School team last week. The score was 14 – 7.
Ravena journeyed to Albany and crushed a Philip Schuyler High School six man football team by a score of 27 – 7 in Lincoln Park.
Passes from Kenneth Carey to Red Van Alstyne netted in three touchdowns while passes from Red to Kenneth were good for extra points. A touchdown by Sgroi added to the score but try for extra point failed.
Red‟s ability to get away from his man and snatch the passes from a decided spot was the cause of the big score. The linemen were fast and seemed to click better than in previous games.
Games this week will Coeymans – Coxsackie, here; Ravena – Cambridge.
October 21, 1938 “Coeymans Defeats Coxsackie Team” By Fred Martino
The Coeymans High School team took Coxsackie into camp last Friday when they trimmed the down the river boys in a football game 32 – 13.
Mulligan, Barber, Wagner and Tiberia accounted for all of Coeymans scores while Vincent carried lone honors for Coxsackie.
A 10 yard run around right end by Mulligan brought Coeymans their first score. Husky John Barber scored 2 touchdowns on line bucks to increase the lead. In the second and third quarter
8 The Debut of 6-Man Football
Vincent of Coxsackie made two spectacular runs of 50 and 55 yards to score Coxsackie‟s only touch down. He also plunged for extra point.
Wagoner intercepted a pass in the third quarter and ran 15 yards for Coeymans 4th tally. Tiberia on an end run, galloped 13 yards to conclude the scoring of touchdowns. Extra points were made by Barber and Mulligan.
Coeymans POS Coxsackie
Wagner LE Collier Frese C Panteleo Leigh RE Dixon Biscone RH Palmer Barber LH Helbert Mulligan QB Vatalaro
Subs for CHS: Tiberia, Frangella, W. Lyons, V. Lyons, Johnson, Jacomini [sic] and Rivers. Subs for Coxsackie: Vincent, Linsey.
October 21, 1938 “Ravena Wins Final Home Game – Coxsackie Subdued 26-7” By Forman
On October 12th, Ravena played its last home football game. The Ravena team returned to its best from of playing by setting Coxsackie back, giving the team its second league victory.
Starting line-ups:
Ravena POS Coxsackie
Van Alstyne LE Collier J. Pebler C Pantaleo Blenis RE Dixon Sgroi QB Palmer Cary HB Holbert Brandow FB Vatalaro
Ravena subs: Hotaling, Setford, T. Pebler, Shutter, Swartz, Richter and Klenk
Very early in the first period Brandow plunged through the line for Ravena‟s first score. The extra point was garnered by a pass from Van Alstyne to Cary. Shortly after this Cary intercepted a Coxsackie pass and ran 40 yards for the second touchdown. Van Alstyne‟s drop kick for extra point went wide of the goal post.
Coxsackie‟s lone touchdown was scored in the first quarter after the Ravena second team had been put in. Palmer threw a short pass to Collier who ran 50 yards for a touchdown. They scored the point after touchdown by a pass from Palmer to Panteleo.
9 The Debut of 6-Man Football
The Ravena High School team began its drive again in the last quarter using passes as their best offense. They scored two more touchdowns. The first was made on a 7 yard run by Sgroi around right end. In the closing minutes, Cary faded back and heaved a 50 yard pass over the goal line to Hotaling who caught it. The point after touchdown was given to Ravena because of off-sides by Coxsackie. -- Forman
October 28, 1938 “Local Sextets Clash Today” By Fred Martino
A large crowd is expected to witness the six-man football game between the local schools when they meet on the Coeymans field at 2 o‟clock today.
1935 Coeymans 24 Ravena 6 1936 Coeymans 0 Ravena 6 1936 Coeymans 0 Ravena 6 1937 Coeymans 19 Ravena 0 1937 Coeymans 23 Ravena 0 1938 Coeymans … Ravena …
Former ex-grid stars who participated in these clashes mentioned above are Art Mulligan, Anthony Pape, George Floyd, Dom Aluise, Dan Moore, Carmen De Matteo, George Martino, Henry Rauche, Jim Tiberia, Hank Stephany, Gene Frese, Joe Clouse, Dom Biscone, Henry Pritchard, John Romano, Jim Reynolds, Ed Mulligan and Elliott Vanderheyden for Coeymans. A glimpse at those who carried honors for Ravena we would say Jim Scalzo, Willard Jackson, Louis Amedio, Guy Persico, and Kenneth Cary.
Ravena and Coeymans had three coaches apiece, Mr. Murray, Mr. Smith and Mr. Kingsbury while Coeymans has had Mr. Furlong, Mr. Pitkin and Mr. Kunz. Kingsbury and Kunz are yet coaching the local squads.
Concerning today‟s game, there is not much to say except that my opinion of the game is this: the standing of the league shows Coeymans 3 wins, 2 losses, and Ravena 2 wins and 2 losses.
Coeymans was nosed out by Rossleville 14-13 and topped by Roe Jan 14-7 while they went on to beat Cambridge [6-0], crush Coxsackie 32-13 and swamp Castleton 25-0. Two teams failed to score on Coeymans.
Ravena was topped by Roe Jan 20-14 and swamped [by] Cambridge [?-?] but went on to punish Coxsackie 26-7 and Castleton 22-6. All 4 teams have scored points.
Very good music will be furnished by the school band.
November 4, 1938 “Coeymans Defeats Ravena High 21 – 6” By Fred Martino
A home day crowd of approximately 1000 spectators saw the Coeymans Orange and Maroon from downtown defeat the Ravena Red and Black from uptown by the score of 21 – 6 on the Coeymans gridiron last Friday afternoon. This annual clash was the 6th game played since 1935.
10 The Debut of 6-Man Football
Coeymans handled the ball mostly in the first quarter but Ravena evened up on yardage by better kicking. There was no score and both teams ended the quarter evenly.
Taking advantage of a Ravena fumble on the 4 yard line, John Barber, Coeymans left halfback, recovered and stepped across the line for a first score.
Extra point to bring the total to 7 was made by Carl Tiberia to Giles Wagoner.
Immediately after the kick-off John Barber scored again, this time he intercepted a Ravena lateral and easily galloped 35 yards for a second touchdown. He also plunged for extra point, bringing the total to 14. Something very extraordinary about these 14 points is this, they were scored in about 2 minutes.
Late in the second half Ravena retaliated with a first and only score on a 20 yard pass from Kenneth Cary to Carmen Albano. Van Alstyne‟s attempt to kick for extra point was blocked.
Ravena took to the air in the second half and made up for their losses of gain in the first two periods. Passes that went for yardage were thrown and caught by Cary to Albano, Brandow to Cary and Van Alstyne to Cary. The play that Ravena profited most by was a pass off of a fake kick.
Toward the latter part of the 3rd quarter husky John Barber added 6 more points to the Maroon‟s score by powerful twisting and averting tacklers and ran about 28 yards to step over the last white line. Eugene Mulligan plunged over for extra point.
Many comments of admiration were made on both sides of the field on the wonderful exhibition of kick-offs performed by Giles Wagoner. Every kick averaged at least 35 or 40 yards.
Rudolph Frese, Coeymans center, a veteran, played his last game of football for Coeymans. He displayed an act of a real bang up game. Every play saw him spilling [sic] and taking out interference.
The bands both clad in school colors, did what I think, displayed and played at their best. They took turns at marching across the field to salute and greet each other with ideal music.
Coeymans POS Ravena
Leigh LE Van Alstyne Frese C Pebler Wagoner RE Albano Mulligan QB Sgroi Tiberia LH Brandow Barber RH Cary
Subs for Coeymans: Frangella, Biscone, Johnson, Lyons
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Subs for Ravena: Setford, Shutter, Hotaling, Richter
First Downs: Coeymans 9 Ravena 5 Penalties: Coeymans 30 Ravena 15 Passes: Coeymans 5-9 Ravena 1-13
Referee: Frigolotto, Umpire: Rinkus Head Lineman: Ed Mulligan, Linesmen: Romano, Montalone
November 11, 1938 “Ravena Loses to Roesselville 25 – 13” By Fred Martino
The last game of the season, for 6 man football in the Central Hudson Valley League, was played last Friday on the Albany Soccer Field where Ravena lost to Roessleville by a score of 25-13.
Roessleville scored the first touchdown after Reg Diegal ran 35 yards and then Red Hutton threw a pass to John Brown, who took it over. A series of line plunges enabled Lefty Prevsseur, to add a second score. Brown shone again by scoring twice in succession and also adding an extra point.
Brandow and Hotaling both scored a touchdown for Ravena in the second and fourth quarter on short runs. Sgroi on a plunge, made the only extra point.
Roe Jan High of Hillsdale, under coaching of Mr. Thompson, are the winners of the trophy.
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COEYMANS HIGH SCHOOL 1938 Football Season Class of 1939 Yearbook [Echo]
Last fall the game of six-man football was inaugurated in the Central Hudson Valley League. This was necessary because the few boys who reported for practice were not sufficient for eleven-man football.
The Coeymans Sextette [sic], under the guidance of Coach Kunz, played an important role in this new game. Although we did not win the league, we won four out of the six league games and outscored our opponents one hundred four to forty-seven points.
We also gave the game a dramatic tinge of our open style of playing before enthusiastic and large crowds. Ideal weather and keen competition kept interest at a high pitch.
We wish to thank Mr. Kunz for his assistance and guidance.
Coeymans High School 6-Man Football Team 1938 Season
13 The Debut of 6-Man Football
RAVENA HIGH SCHOOL 1938 Football Season Class of 1939 Yearbook [Cap & Gown]
Six-man football, introduced into Ravena High School athletics this year, proved to be as exciting as the customary eleven-man game. Competing against Castleton, Cambridge, Coeymans, Coxsackie, Hillsdale [Roeliff Jansen], and Roessleville, the Ravena team, playing as good a game as was possible, had two [league] victories.
The season‟s team, under Coach Kingsbury, consisted of Carmen Albano, left end; James Marcella, fullback; Kenneth Cary, halfback; James Pebler, center; Carmen Sgroi, quarterback; and Captain Elwood (Red) Van Alstyne, right end.
It is with regret that the football men, past and present, relinquish Mr. Kingsbury to another school at the conclusion of this year.
The first year of football was under the direction of Mr. Robert Murray and Mr. Bertrand Smith. In 1937 Mr. Kingsbury assumed charge and has since then earned the admiration of the men whom he has trained.
Letters were awarded at Moving Up Day on May 26 to those members of the football squad who were deserving of them.
Ravena High School 6-Man Football Team 1938 Season
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1938 Season Statistics
COEYMANS HIGH SCHOOL
Coeymans 6 Cambridge 0 Coeymans 13 Rossleville 14 Coeymans 7 Roeliff Jansen (Hillsdale) 14 Coeymans 32 Coxsackie 13 Coeymans 25 Castleton 0 Coeymans 21 Ravena 6
RAVENA HIGH SCHOOL
Ravena 14 Roeliff Jansen (Hillsdale) 20 Ravena 22 Castleton 6 Ravena 27 Philip Schuyler 7 (Nonleague) Ravena ?? Cambridge ?? Ravena 26 Coxsackie 7 Ravena 6 Coeymans 21 Ravena 13 Roessleville 25
Note: A letter of inquiry was sent to the Cambridge Historical Society requesting any information they might have regarding the game between Ravena and Cambridge. No response was ever received.
15 The Debut of 6-Man Football
1939 Season
16 The Debut of 6-Man Football
September 8, 1939, Gridiron Punts, Fred Martino
As all sport columnists say “Pig skins fill the air and football starts another successful year.” This year it is understood that the Central Hudson Valley Six Man Football League has added another school to its schedule and hopes for a better season than that of ‟38.
Ravena has a new grid-iron mentor this year. He hails from Cornell [sic]. Watch next week‟s column for more news abut him. Reliable Tom Kunz has returned to Coeymans to take over the coaching duties for the Orange and Maroon.
September 15, 1939, “Grid Iron Punts”, Fred Martino
The familiar sounds of grunts and groans have been heard all week in practice drills from the gridders who are out to do or die on the field.
Thirty contestants have answered the call of Tom Kunz and likewise 19 for Cliff Clinton, coaches of Coeymans and Ravena respectively.
While looking over the material that has reported for the hog skin call the same remark was made by different observers, not very enthusiastic spectators, on both fields referring to the size of players on the field. One said, “What can that coach do with those small kids, all this time wasted in trying to coach them.” Well, you guys who say that are just the ones who haven‟t the gumption enough to:
Grab your books when the last bell rings;
Rush to the locker rooms and put on things;
Jog to the field; Run about ½ mile for a warm-up;
Run through some drills;
Tackle, block, catch passes, hit the line, block the dummy, run through plays; get criticized for every little mistake, refrain from sweets, etc. Then have to go home and do chores and home work doing this same routine four and sometimes five days a week regardless of the weather is one who deserves a pat on the back. Please remember that football not only builds you up physically but also mentally. If referring to the size of them as being small, just realize that many a half-pint has turned out to be the most brittle [sic] and scrappy hero.
17 The Debut of 6-Man Football
Coach Clifford Clinton, Ravena hails from Colgate [sic]. Although he has never participated in football at college, he did play regular in basketball and baseball. A short, muscular and brawny little fellow, he has the following boys working with him: Backfield: Sgroi, Jim Brandow, Hotaling, Richter, Montelone, Klenk, Seeberger, Gombel and Jackson. Linemen: Storr, Bill and Bob Gallagher, Setford, Swartz, Thayer, Wells, Blenis and Pemberton. Carmen Albano, a last year veteran, has not as yet reported, as he is caring for brother‟s barber shop in Coxsackie. Manager Floyd Tompkins has the able assistance of Herbert Hamlin Jr., Buster Makely and Glen Townsend.
(See Coeymans page for Coeymans line-up of players.)
Football will probably get underway on Sept. 29th or 30th.
Sept 29th Roeliff Jansen vs. Ravena at home; Milne High vs. Coeymans at home (Pending).
September 15, 1939 “Twenty Five Boys Playing Football” [Coeymans Column]
The following twenty-five boys of Coeymans High School are playing football: Eugene Mulligan, Carl Tiberia, Anthony Biscone, Giles Wagoner, Robert Korn, Reno Giacomini, Louis Frangella, George Romano, Vincent Lyons, Robert McCabe, Burton Bruno, Joseph Dean, Bernard Mulligan, Charles Ray, Leonard Wagoner, Guy Hazelton, Henry Berence, Donald Wheat, James Ferraro, Everett Barber, Edward Stevens, Joseph Pape, William Griffin, Robert Wright, James Smith.
Below is the tentative football schedule:
Sept 29-30 Coeymans at Averill Park Oct 6-7 Roessleville at Coeymans Oct 12-13-14 Roeliff Jansen at Coeymans Oct 20-21 Coeymans at Coxsackie Oct 27-28 Castleton at Coeymans Nov 3-4 Coeymans at Ravena
September 22, 1939 “C.H.S. Notes” [Coeymans column]
The second season for six-man football at Coeymans High School has begun with 25 men answering Coach Thomas J. Kunz‟s call for practice. The absence of such stellar players at John Barber, Rudy Frese and Eugene Leigh is noted. This is the last year of service for Eugene Mulligan, Carl Tiberia and Giles Wagoner, all of whom have played Varsity football three years.
The football schedule is a week later because of the fact that Averill Park dropped from the league. The following is a tentative schedule of games.
Oct 6 – Roessleville at Coeymans Oct (12-13-14) Roeliff Jansen at Coeymans
18 The Debut of 6-Man Football
Oct 20 Coeymans at Coxsackie Oct 27 Castleton at Coeymans Nov (3-4) Coeymans at Ravena
September 22, 1939 [Sports Column]
Ravena‟s football sextet will clash with Roeliff Jansen of Hillsdale Friday afternoon on the local field. This will give us our first glimpse of gridiron action for the year. Let‟s have a good crowd to cheer our local boys on to victory.
The starting lineup is at yet doubtful due to the short time given for practice. However a good squad has reported to Coach Clinton and he should have a good starting line-up.
September 29, 1939 “Opening Football Game in Ravena This Afternoon”
The Ravena High School football team will entertain Roeliff Jansen Central School on Mosher Field this afternoon at 3:30. The visitors are defending champions of the Central Hudson Valley League and will bring a strong aggregation to Ravena.
It will be the opening contest for the locals in their quest for valley honors and will mark Clifford Clinton‟s debut as the Ravena mentor. The former Colgate [sic] athlete will field a team of veterans with the probable lineup featuring Gallagher, Setford, Storr, Swartz and Blenis with Albano and Klenk alternating at center. The backs will be chosen from Sgroi, Montelone, Marcella, Richter, Hotaling, Seeberger and Gombel.
September 29, 1939 “Coeymans High Seniors Sponsor Football Prom”
The annual drive for funds for the Senior Class has begun with a Football Prom scheduled for Oct 6th. This is the first time that such an event has been sponsored in the school.
According to the chairman Eugene Mulligan, the affair is semi-formal. The following have been appointed to assist: Audrey Tracey, chairman of decorations, Giles Wagoner heads the orchestra committee, while Donald Wheat is chairman of advertising.
It is expected that a Halloween dance will follow the Prom. The orchestra which will play at the October dance is Sammy Bruno‟s.
October 6, 1939 “Ravena Drubs Roe-Jan 34 – 0” Fred Martino
Six man football made its debut of the year to Ravena last Friday afternoon when the Ravena sextet drubbed Roeliff Jansen in a league tilt on a muddy field and in the rain by a shut out score of 34 – 0.
All the scores were piled in the first half of the game when the local Red and Black aggregation held on the pig skin practically the whole period.
19 The Debut of 6-Man Football
In the first quarter Louis Montelone ran about 30 yards from the left side to touchdown the leather for 6 points. Plunging Jim Brandow added an extra point.
Hardly had play started when Carmen Albano recovered a fumble behind the goal line for another score. Brandow again enlisted for a plunge and added another extra point, 14–0.
A few minutes before the first period was over Bob Gallagher made a neat recovery of a fumble behind the goal line for 6 points. Mel Hotaling added an extra point.
In the second quarter Carmen Sgroi ran 20 yards for one and 10 yards on another to score 2 touchdowns. He dropped kick for 2 extra points. Richter attempted for extra point but failed.
Kenneth Storr, who was captain for the game, initiated the game by catching the first kick-off and with good interference carried it near scoring territory.
Today Ravena journeys to Castleton and Coeymans will be the host to Roessleville on the Coeymans field.
P W L Ravena 1 1 0 Roessleville 1 1 0 Roe Jan 1 0 1 Coxsackie 1 0 1 Coeymans 0 0 0 Castleton 0 0 0
October 13, 1939 “Ravena, Coeymans Score Heavily on the Gridiron” Fred Martino
Before the season of football got underway, an article was sent in to yours truly requesting the banishment of the sports column because neither one of the local schools would be able to do any scoring or fit to write about. Well, fellow whoever you are, you didn‟t go to see what material either sextette [sic] had on the field, nor did you have any faith in your home school.
Ravena‟s Red and Black raiders tommy-hawked the Hill Castletonians [sic] by a scalloping total of 48 to 0. The game was called, no not because of rain, but merely because a rule states after a total of 45-0 the game is automatically stopped and naturally won.
On the other hand the Maroonians [sic] gave a 14-0 defeat to Roessleville and came back to trample a Roeliff Jansen representation of Hillsdale by a total of 40-0.
The spectacular incidents of the games are 75 and 70 yard runs for touchdowns by Gene Mulligan, C.H.S., and a touchdown safety and two placement kicks by Carmen Sgroi, R.H.S.
All nationalities celebrated as one unit for the following are responsible for scores: Richter, Marcella, Mulligan, Klenk, Sgroi, Gallagher, Tiberia, Hotaling and Lyons.
20 The Debut of 6-Man Football
The fact that how the scores made were sent in by two different individuals is appreciated very much. Fred Martino.
October 13, 1939 “R.H.S. Plays Roessleville Wed.”
Ravena High School‟s Red Raiders will oppose Roessleville on Wednesday afternoon in what may prove to be the decisive game for the Central Hudson Valley title. Neither team has lost a game.
The locals took their opener against Roeliff Jansen and went on to take Castleton last Friday, 47 to 0 in only 16 minutes of play. A rule in six-man football ends a contest when one team scores 45 points. Ravena held Castleton within its own 20 yard line while the R.H.S. backs ripped off consistent gains through the line and around the ends or passed for touchdowns.
Roessleville has defeated Coxsackie 18-6 and Coeymans 13-0 to bring to Mosher Field an untarnished record.
Coach Clifford Clinton will probably use Gallagher and Storr at ends with Albano as center. Montelone, Marcella, Richter or Sgroi make up the backfield.
Roessleville has met the stronger clubs of the circuit, while Ravena has met the weaker. It will be Ravena‟s acid test.
October 20, 1939 “Coxsackie Defeats Coeymans 20 – 19”
Coeymans scores on a pass. Tiberia to Mulligan on first few minutes of game. Later Coeymans scored again. Tiberia to Lyons. Coeymans scored on another pass to Lyons.
Coxsackie scored 70 yard run, kicked extra point, making score 19-8.
In the second half of the game and largely due to fumbles and poor ball handling, Coeymans offense bogged down. Coxsackie came through completely outplaying Coeymans in the second half. Game was played into total darkness. Carl Tiberia‟s excellent passing and Eugene Mulligan‟s distant runs were the outstanding features of the game. Coeymans line was completely outplayed. Coeymans was very over confident in the second half of the game. Coxsackie scored 20 points in all to Coeymans 19. Final score Coxsackie 20, Coeymans 19.
October 20, 1939 “Ravena Still Undefeated, Crushes Roessleville 49 – 20” Fred Martino
An undefeated Red and Black sic man football squad kept their slate clean by trouncing and smearing a representation from Roessleville by a top-notch total of 49-20.
No doubt the scoring that Ravena has done in their past few tussles is a lot more and almost the same as the total of all the other teams.
21 The Debut of 6-Man Football
The boys probably knew that no practice again until Monday would make piggy lonesome. You can [see] the effects of it on the pig skin. They pounced on it on the ground and over the goal post enough times to have made it look like a grunting speckled trout in a pickle jar.
Although he did score two touchdowns, galloping Bill Gallagher played the star role in Wednesday‟s contest. He ran, blocked and caught passes like a bird does mosquitos.
Co-captain Kenny Storr rallied for 3 touchdowns, Gallagher 2, Richter 1 and Hotaling the same.
Besides a touchdown Hotaling was credited with 4 extra points, Sgroi 2 and Montelone 1.
Penalties: Ravena 4, Roessleville 1 First downs: Ravena 9, Roessleville 4
November 3, 1939 “Ravena Ready for Grid Game with Coeymans”
Ravena High School‟s unbeaten Red Raiders will engage Coeymans High School‟s football team at Mosher Field this afternoon at two o‟clock. A victory will give Ravena the undisputed championship of the Central Hudson Valley league and will keep them in the unbeaten class. A loss will throw them into a tie with Roessleville for the title.
The locals will probably present the same lineup which Coach Clinton has used in previous games with Albano at center, and Gallagher and Storr at ends, making up the rest of the line. Montelone and Sgroi will call signals with Richter, Marcella and Hotaling comprising the rest of the backfield.
Ravena maintained its pace last Friday when it defeated Coxsackie 25-0 at Coxsackie. The Raiders scored all their points in the first half as a fine running attack coupled with Gallagher‟s pass snatching ability swept them to four touchdowns. Rain and darkness set in the second half to dull the game.
In this afternoon‟s contest, Coach Kunz brings a team which has been beaten by both Roessleville and Coxsackie, but which will be at its peak for this traditional game. The officials will be Milano and Frigoletti.
November 10, 1939 “RHS Football Champions”
The students and friends of the Ravena High School conducted the first snake dance in this village as the result of the clean record of the Ravena High School football team. The folks started on lower Main Street and snaked up to the school. The dance took place after the Ravena- Coeymans game when Ravena won the last of the games on their schedule with a 22 to 6 victory.
The game was witnessed by a large number of fans who kept warm over the contest until the sun went down and then they got chilly. The Coeymans team played a wonderful defensive game and
22 The Debut of 6-Man Football did their best to keep Ravena boys from scoring. During the middle of the game they put up a great fight to keep the Ravena lads out of their goal and were quite successful.
One goal was a gift when a fumble gave Gallagher a chance to lay on the ball for a touchdown. The Ravena boys all played the usual fine game and feel proud of the record made by the team this season.
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COEYMANS HIGH SCHOOL 1939 Football Season
The Coeymans High School Football Team, a member of the Hudson Valley League, played Roessleville, Hillsdale, Castleton, Coxsackie and Ravena this season. The team won two of their five games, defeating Hillsdale and Castleton, losing to Roessleville, Coxsackie and Ravena.
The team‟s lack of experience and the loss in the line affected them defensively. The inability of Giles Wagoner to play, because of an injury sustained at practice in the very beginning of the season, was also a great loss.
Those players who will graduate or will be unable to play next year are: Captain Eugene Mulligan, an outstanding player last season, Carl Tiberia, Louis Frangella, Anthony Biscone, Robert Korn, Donald Wheat, and Geno Giacomini.
Mr. Kunz is to be thanked for his guidance and assistance and the team is to be complimented for its sportsmanship shown during the entire season.
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RAVENA HIGH SCHOOL 1939 Football Season
Ravena‟s 1939 football season under the direction of Coach Clifford Clinton proved to be the most successful in its history. The squad was fast, alert, shifty and never showed signs of letting up. They overpowered all their opponents and ended the season with five victories and no defeats. The regular team consisted of Kenny Storr, right end; Bill Gallagher, left end; Carmen Albano, center; Louis Montelone, quarter back; James Marcella, full back; Carmen Sgroi, quarter back; Don Richter, half back, and Melvin Hotaling, half back.
Ravena had some excellent reserves in Henry Blenis, Louis Caracciolo, Robert Gallagher, John Gombel, John Ginter, Neil Hallenbeck, Kenny Klenk, George Marcella, Dale Setford, and Harold Wells.
The scores of the games were Ravena 35, Roeliff Jansen 0; Ravena 48, Castleton 0; Ravena 48, Roessleville 20; Ravena 25, Coxsackie 0; and Ravena 22, Coeymans 6.
Although the squad will lose a number of players by graduation and age, next year‟s team is expected to be as strong as this year‟s.
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1940 Season
26 The Debut of 6-Man Football
September 13, 1940 “R.H.S. Football Gets Underway”
The Red Raiders of Ravena High School, [defending] champions of the Central Hudson Valley League have begun practice at Mosher Park. Coach Clifford Clinton has had about 25 boys out only about six of whom saw regular service last year.
The local sextet opens against Roeliff Jansen at Hillsdale on September 27. The next week after is an open date. Oct. 11 finds them visiting Delmar, which is entering a team for the first time this year. On Oct. 18 the locals entertain Castleton at home. Roessleville plays here also the following week, Oct 25. Nov 1 will mark the close of the home stand when Coxsackie is to furnish the opposition. The season closes as Ravena visits Coeymans.
Practice this week found Bill Gallagher, veteran end back at his post with a running mate Kenny Klenk at center, Francis Shader and Harold Wells alternated at the other wing. Don Richter played a lot of backfield with John Gombel, Bob Gallagher, George Marcella and Walter Jackson also being used. Other boys who have practiced are Don Gombel, Neil Hallenbeck, Louis Caraciolla, Sam and Carmen Pomellito, Don Sgroi, Frank Nunziato.
September 20, 1940 “Ravena High School Football Schedule”
Sept. 27 – Roeliff Jansen at Hillsdale Oct. 12 – Bethlehem Central at Delmar Oct. 18 – Castleton at Ravena Oct. 25 – Roessleville at Ravena Nov. 1 – Coxsackie at Ravena Nov. – Ravena at Coeymans (date to be announced)
September 20, 1940 “Coach Kunz Reports Enthusiastic Group Out for His Squad” Doc Martino
Coach Tom Kunz did not behave like a doubting Thomas when asked about his material for the football team. Instead he gave a quick reply as to splendid cooperation of the boys. He stressed mainly that the moral [sic] and spirit of the squad is the best showed in years.
The loss of last years stars, Capt. Eugene Mulligan, Carl Tiberia and Louis Frangella are the only dents to be straightened out.
However the following gridders have reported for action: Achillo Dottino, Capt. Vincent Lyons, George Romano, Edward Stevens, Robert McCabe, Joseph Pape Jr., William
27 The Debut of 6-Man Football
Wolfe, Hoseph Dean, Henry Biernack, Lawrence Tiberia, Everett Barber, Joseph Biscone, Randall Winnie, Leonard Wagoner, Phillip Taylor, Lansing Syckles, Wm. Seers, Guy Hazelton, LeRoy Griffin, Peter Cahill and George W. Fiel.
September 27, 1940 “Ravena & Coeymans Open Grid Seasons This Afternoon” Doc Martino
After what has seemed to be an endless wait the audience of sport fans will finally see how the stage looks and its players act when the curtains rises on two hair raising performances this afternoon when the Ravena Red Raiders journey to Roeliff Jansen to attempt to conquer their pigskin guardsmen [sic] and Coeymans Lions to open up the gates of their cage to come out a group of about 25 against a strong organized train [sic] of sixty Delmar Tigers on the downtown field.
Coach Clinton of Ravena and Coach Kunz of Coeymans have no doubt by this time sorted out their starting players but since no definite comment has been made we would much rather let the audience be surprised as to who will be in the leading roles and also as to who will prompt the cues – S-I-G-N-A-L-S.
On the other hand Coeymans has prepared a very interesting gals [sic] affair to keep the spirit of the players and spectators up to the usual par.
Luciano Polverelli, Maroons Band Director has organized a Drum Corps a marching cheer leaders group and the usual well known members of the band players for this enthusiastic performance.
Many have asked what may be what – so here goes – after viewing 3 of 4 teams, Delmar over Coeymans; and a toss up of a close decision for Ravena over Roeliff Jansen.
October 4,1940 “R.H.S. Gridmen Win Opener 20 – 0”
Bill Gallagher gained the opening kickoff and ran 70 yards for a touchdown thus starting off the 1940 six man football season for Ravena High Friday afternoon at Hillsdale.
Like last year‟s opener against Roeliff Jansen most of the scoring was done early in the game. A few plays after the opening runback, Johnny Perrine took the ball around end for forty yards and six more points. Don Richter adding the extra points in both cases by clean drop kicks.
Ravena‟s final score which brought the total to 20, was made late in the second quarter when Bill Gallagher grabbed a Roeliff Jansen pass that had carromed [sic] off Wells‟ arm and stepped over for the score.
Like last year‟s opener against the mud on the local field with Ravena winning 34 to 0. If the 20 to 0 score of their opener this year is any indication the local six will have a tough season on their hands to come off with the championship. Coach Clinton has a good squad which has a lot of fight so we can look for some very excellent games during the coming fall days.
28 The Debut of 6-Man Football
The line sounds good when you hear that they held the Jansen boys for four downs within the five yard line. The punting showed up well with Gallagher doing most of the work in that department and the boys can handle the ball when you realize that only one fumble was reported in their opening game. In all, it looks like a good season ahead.
October 4, 1940 “Sports in the News – Football” Fred Martino
The Central Hudson Valley Six Man Football League was initiated last Friday afternoon and the following scores were recorded: Ravena 20 Roeliff Jansen 0, Coeymans 12 Delmar 12, Coxsackie 16 Roessleville 12.
In a no-league tilt Castleton outscored St. John‟s of Rensselaer by a triumphant score of 20 – 13.
Many fans who had been reading the city papers were surprised to see a small courageous and highly spirited Coeymans sextet battle the Delmar Tigers, who were predicted an easy winner, to a deadlock score of 12 –12. It was the Coeymans squad that had the advantage of leading the score after tieing [sic] it up until the last few minutes of playing time.
The kick off was a long one by Bert Bruno of Coeymans and caught by Harry Moore of Delmar who after advancing from the 10 yd stripe up to the 35 was hit hard by Dottino and Lyons of Coeymans. From then on raged a battle that played back and forth with the ball passing from one side to the other enabling each sextet the opportunity to handle the pig skin.
Joe Dean, Coeymans and Jack Adams, Delmar, tallied one touchdown apiece to end the half with a tieing [sic] score of 6 – 6. Both conversions for extra points failed.
Coeymans scored again in the 3rd period when Husky Guy Hazelton plunged through the center of the line for another score.
In the last 4 minutes of the game Romano intercepted a pass but lost it on the next play by fumbling with Van Zandt, Delmar recovering. Bucking against a stubborn Coeymans wall, Harry Swarthout, Delmar‟s 200 lb. Tiger, pounded the line twice on the third try finally penetrated the defensive line for a tally.
Coeymans Pos Delmar
McCabe RE Moore Bernacki LE Erving Lyons C Young Dean QB Adams Bruno FB Swarthout Dottino HB Van Zandt
Hazelton, Barber, Wagoner, Grant, Lorace
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This Friday the Raiders have an open date while Coeymans journeys to Roessleville; Castleton to Coxsackie. Saturday; Roe Jan of Hillsdale comes up state to play Delmar at Delmar.
October 11, 1940 “Ravena – Delmar Meet To-Morrow” Doc Martino
In their first meet, on the gridiron, since the history of football, Ravena and Delmar will exhibit some of that old time rivalry that spectators used to witness in basketball games of the yesterdays, when the two clubs meet on Delmar‟s field to-morrow at 2 o‟clock.
Both squads are unbeaten and not far from being evenly matched. Neither team should be classed as the under-dog.
After reviewing from a spectators observation, both squads it seems that the local boys have much more hustle and bustle but the mood of seriousness is deeply expressed on the faces of the Delmarites [sic]. My choice is Ravena by 2 touch-downs.
The local boys have added strength with new players. Louie Montelone and Reid Carey.
Lou has been kept on the sidelines because of a tricky knee and he is a fast and cagey field runner. If Carey has the rush his brothers had he may be a valuable asset as a lineman.
On the other hand the Red Raiders have Chubby Klenk, Dooley Shader, Wheels Wells, Sparky Richter, Porky Brandow, Bill “Ed” Gallagher and a score of good substitutes.
These boys mentioned above have a stubborn group to contend with in the following Delmarites: Dick Lynch, Arnold Moore, Harry Swarthout, Ed Young, Bill Stewart, Ed Van Zandt and others.
There is no doubt that Ravena has a fast and smooth team but the fact remains that sideline spirit is also needed to mend their minds. To know that a home team cheering crowd is also fighting for you gives a team that extra push. Let‟s have the local sport followers attend the outside game also.
October 18, 1940 “Ravena’s Air Attack Raids Delmar 32 – 6” Fred Martino
Lou Montelone‟s zip passes and the timely playing of his team-mates enabled the Ravena Red Raiders to bombard a Delmar ground attack by a score of 32-6 at Delmar last Saturday before a crowd of about 500. Both teams ended the first half with a score of 6 – 6. An air attack steered by Lou Montelone, beautiful broken field running by John Perrine and an effective pass from “Sparky” Richter to “Dooley” Shader in the second half gave the Raiders 26 more points to crumble the hopes of the Delmarites [sic].
The first half was closely played in which both teams tried to outclass one another. Ravena scored first on a line plunge by Richter. A kick after touchdown by Montelone was good but an offside by one of his teammates nullified the extra points. In the second period Don McGuirk, Delmar ran 22 yards around his own left end with timely blocking by Sterwart and Dieter to tie the score. The kick for extra point was low. Although Ravena advanced by air, Delmar gained on
30 The Debut of 6-Man Football the ground with Husky Harry Swartout‟s line plunge through center on several continual line bucks but when too close to scoring territory Lanky Bill Gallagher was there to spill [sic] the interference.
Ravena looked like the “Undefeated Champs of 39-40” in the second half. Lou Montelone with his spitfire passes that fell where-ever his receivers were excelled for Ravena by passing twice more for scores to Bob Gallagher and “Chub” Klenk. John Perrine, who after being hit twice, pivoted his way for a third score. All kicks for extra points were low or wide. A 15 yard pass from “Sparky” Richter to “Smiling Jack” Shader and an added run of 12 yards accounted for the final tally. Richter kicked for the final points.
A spectacular run of 50 yards with snake hipping [sic] pivots and shaking off tacklers along the sideline was made by Lou Montelone in the second half that went for a touchdown but an illegal use of hands by one of his team mates nullified his chances for scoring once again.
Although Montelone along brilliantly in his passing as did Bill Gallagher in interference, we must give credit to the rest of the squad. A team must work in harmony as did these boys in the second half of the tilt. Those who also shared honors and did their part are: Richter, Shader, Wells, Klenk, Perrine, Marcella, Nunziato, Bob Gallagher, Carey and Jackson.
Passes attempted: Ravena 20, Delmar 11. Passes completed: Ravena 12, Delmar 4 Penalties: Ravena 35 yards, Delmar 43 yards. Time Outs: Ravena 8, Delmar 5 First Downs: Ravena 7, Delmar 5 Referee: Bill Jones Umpire: LeRoy Whiter, Head Linesman: Don Maybe
October 18, 1940 “Red Raiders Jr Varsity Triumph Over Castleton 27-7”
“Jackie” Jackson captained an unfed [sic] pack of Ravena Raiders to an easily earned victory, same as the varsity, over what was left of the Castleton Varsity by a triumphant score of 27-7.
Pomellitto scored in the first few minutes of the game on a 5 yard plunge after a sustained drive of about 45 yards. Jackie Jackson scored 3 touchdowns all end runs. One of the tallies was nullified because one of his team mates used his hand illegally in that particular play.
Sgroi and Carey were important factors in the winning of the game as well as Nunziato, Gombel and Bennett.
October 18, 1940 “Coxsackie Swamps Coeymans 32 – 0”
Led by Dardni and Smizen, the Coxsackie Sextet easily defeated the Coeymans Maroonians [sic] by a triumphant score of 32 – 0 last Friday afternoon on the Coeymans gridiron before a crowd of about 200 spectators. The school band and drum corps added a very colorful sight to the event.
31 The Debut of 6-Man Football
The game was mostly a one sided affair and Coxsackie handled the ball on most plays.
Dardni and Cary of Coxsackie both featured in the game with 40 yard runs. The formers run accounted for a touch down. Another team mate E. Steele, performed a sleeper that went for a score.
Although the Maroonians lost by a score of 32 – 0, they certainly must be praised on their “never to die” spirit and their display of interest in the game from start to finish.
Capt. Vincent Lyons and Henry Bernacki were the outstanding players of the Maroonians. The team is without the services of three of the regulars: Joseph Dean, Achillo Dottino and Guy Hazelton.
Coxsackie Pos Coeymans
Steele End Bernacki Dardni Center Lyons Smizen End McCabe Knox HB Wagoner Cary QB Mulligan Kellam Full Back Bruno
Subs: Sportman, Selmar, Quigley Subs: Wolfe, Barber, Romano, Feil and Cahill Referee: Bill Jones, Umpire: LeRoy Whiter
October 25, 1940 “Rockne Memorial”
“Knute Rockne your name will die when football is forgotten and that will never be.” Fred Martino.
Since the month of October has been set aside as “Knute Rockne” month, in honor of that grand man of football coach of Notre Dame who cam to an untimely death in an airplane crash, schools throughout the United States are dedicating one home game as a memorial to this great man so therefore Coeymans High School is also going to do its bit.
Under the guidance of Coach Tom Kunz, the Coeymans Maroonians [sic] will clash with St. John‟s of Rensselaer on the local field Saturday, October 26th at 2:30. The winning team will be awarded a Rockne Football Scroll.
Before the game there will be one minute of silence for Knute Rockne. The high school band will also play several Notre Dame songs. Let‟s all who admired this great phantom [sic] of the grid iron be on hand to pay respect due him by us.
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October 25, 1940 “Red Raiders Ready for Roessleville”
Ravena‟s Red Raiders are all prepared to stage a galloping tramping act over the Roessleville Huskies when they meet in a Valley League air-man [sic] football game this afternoon on the Ravena Park gridiron.
Regardless of the fact that the Raiders have thus far gone undefeated, it must also be remembered that Roessleville also has an enviable record. They lost a heartbreaker to Coxsackie 16-12, but whitewashed Delmar 49-0.
However, after balancing statistics in both hands the dials point to Montelone, Shader, Wm. Gallagher, Perrine, Richter, Nunziato, Klenk, G. Brandow, E. Brandow, R. Gallagher, Cary and a host of others. These boys have what it takes and should come out a winner by 2 or 3 touchdowns.
Since this is the first opportunity you local fans have to see the Raiders Varsity now is when they need your support.
November 1, 1940 “Coeymans Awarded “Rockne” Plaque in Victory over St John’s”
Coeymans won its first victory of the season in six man football by crushing St. John‟s of Rensselaer, 30-12 in a “Knute Rockne Memorial” contest on the downtown field last Saturday afternoon. The team was awarded a plaque with Jim Crowley‟s signature on it. Incidently [sic] Mr. Crowley is football coach at Fordham and at one time a member of the 4 horsemen of Notre Dame when Knute Rockne was football coach.
The team pulled many Rockne stunts out of no where and “Presto” won powerful plunges and end sweeps that lacked much power in previous contests. An excellent record of 15 out of 19 passes were completed that were vary advantageous to the honor [sic].
Little Douglas Barber, Coeymans just simply plowed and steered his way consistently for what ever yardage the team needed at any event. His runs netted him a total yardage of 171 yards. He also plunged twice for the first 2 tallies. A lateral from Mulligan to “Romy” Romano was the result of a third score. A basketball pass from “Romy” to Bob McCabe plus a run of 8 yards netted another tally. The most sensational score of the game was a 35 yard run by Achillo Dottino who practically toe danced on the side line marker pivoted and slashed his way when not on the marker, for the final touchdown. A drop kick by Romano and passes caught by Bernacki and McCabe accounted for the odd points after touchdowns.
A plunge by Pete Wiedeman and a 15 yard run by Jackie Ryan accounted for the scores recorded by St. John‟s of Rensselaer. Ryan threw some will aimed passes but there were never [any] receivers there to get them. When ever there were they were dropped. A triple [threat] man Ryan played and executed a lone hand [sic] throughout the entire contest.
33 The Debut of 6-Man Football
November 1, 1940 “Roessleville Fails to Avert Red Drive”
The Roessleville sextet on Friday last tried hard but unsuccessfully to stop the Red Raiders and were the victims in Ravena‟s fourth straight triumph by a score of 34-26.
The Roessleville boys were off at the starting gun and broke the ice with an early score. This margin was not enough however as before the first quarter had ended Bill Gallagher took one of Montelone‟s passes and scored. Montelone then booted the extra points and Ravena led 8 – 6. From that moment Ravena stayed in front until the end of the game although Roessleville pushed them all the way.
Another Montelone to Gallagher pass resulted in the second score and Richter recovered a Roessleville bobble and ran twenty yards for another sixer [sic]. Walls carried the fourth six pointer across as another pass clicked. Richter repeated his earlier feat when he recovered another fumble and went over for number five. Montelone booted another one between the uprights for two points bringing the total to thirty four.
Roessleville was [in the] game all the way through and scoring two touchdowns in the last five minutes they came close to hanging the Red Raider‟s scalp to the door.
Roessleville‟s hard running attack clicked splendidly registering long gains through the middle of the line and around end. Their passing attack however was not effective as Ravena intercepted or knocked down most of their passes.
Ravena featured a passing attack which was mostly short, fast passes and moved along the ground fairly well after becoming accustomed to Roessleville's defensive set up.
November 1, 1940 “Coxsackie Here Today”
On Friday, November 1, the Red Raiders of Ravena High School will take the field at Mosher Park against the Indians of Coxsackie High and both teams will be seeking their fifth straight win. The victor of Friday‟s battle will very possibly become the Central Hudson Valley League football champions for the 1940 season.
Coxsackie boasts victories over Roessleville, Coeymans, Castleton and Roeliff Jansen. Ravena holds victories over all of these except Coeymans but is credited with an impressive 32 – 6 victory over Bethlehem the remain[ing] team on Coxsackie‟s schedule. On the other hand, Coxsackie can show its impressive 32 – 0 victory over the Coeymans sextet who will meet Ravena in their final game. Both teams hold victories over their nearest competitor Roessleville. Coxsackie defeated Roessleville 18-12 in their opening game and last Friday Ravena took the same team into camp 34-26.
There is not much to compare the two teams on except these scores for nothing much has come out of the Indians camp as to their offensive and defensive strengths. One rumor has it that the Blues [sic] have a good running attack but nothing further has been gained from the camp.
34 The Debut of 6-Man Football
Ravena will have its aerial attack which showed well in both the Roessleville and Bethlehem games plus its ground attack which has also proved to be a good point. Defensively the Raider are a good pass defense team and can usually control a ground attack.
The game with Coxsackie starts at 2:45 p.m. A victory for the local team will assure them a tie and make possible the winning of the championship if they defeated Coeymans also the following week.
November 8, 1940 “Raiders Trounce Coxsackie 36 -14” Fred Martino
A determined and rough aggregation representing Coxsackie were amazed at the attacks [led] up by the Ravena Raiders that gave them a severe trouncing by a score of 36 – 14. This game practically clinched the Six Man Football Honors for the local Sextet.
The calm and cool Raiders scored again and again to win.
[A] pass from “Zip” Montelone to Bill Gallagher and a 60 yard run gave the Raiders their first tally a few seconds after the first kick off.
[Hellam] of Coxsackie averaged the first score and raced 18 yards to tie it. A drop kick by Quigley gave them the lead 8 – 6.
Two very nice exhibitions of field running by “Sparky” Richter gave the Raiders a head on lead that kept them ahead throughout the rest of the game. Richter not only ran these two tallies but his display of blocking and tackling was something remarked upon by many.
A 42 yard pass by Montelone to Bob Gallagher in the end zone was such a fast one that three of the opponents were amazed. They stayed in the Raiders backfield waiting for a fake lateral or end run.
John Perrine scored an easy one on a “Doubtful Thomas Play” for the Raiders. Coxsackie has been trying to call it an ineligible score but time will heal this wound.
Lou Montelone drop kicked 3 times out of 5 to add 6 extra points to the 5 tallies.
Don Corbin of Coxsackie interrupted [sic] a pass from the Raiders J.V. [sic] and raced 55 yards without any interference for Coxsackie‟s second tally.
November 8, 1940 “Local Sextets Clash Today with Seniors” Fred Martino
Local rivalry will resolve this afternoon to initiate the 1940-41 sports schedule when the Ravena Raiders and the Coeymans Maroonians [sic] clash on the downtown gridiron.
Seniors will see action for the last time for football and will endeavor to do all they can for deal old “Alma Mater.”
35 The Debut of 6-Man Football
From uptown comes word that Bill Gallagher may not see action. Bill injured his right arm and shoulder in the Coxsackie game. Bill was indeed an aggressive player and was a very fast runner and pass snatcher.
Don “Sparky” Richter, flashy little all around man has exhibited quite a few exciting moments in his long runs and blocking and tackling.
Ken “Chubby” Klenk, the center who is never dry [sic], certainly played a sparkling game of the spark plug.
John Perrine may be ineligible next year but he certainly left a [blazing] trail of broken field running and tackling for the team.
On the other hand from Coeymans we find that Vinnie Lyons is going to play his last game. Vinnie is rated on the two best centers in the league and certainly is the whole team. Vinnie is a veteran and showed a lot of interest in both eleven and six man football.
Barber, Dottino and Romano a trio of go-getters will certainly be missed from the squad next year. “Dougie” Barber and Dottino are the plow gainers [sic] while Romano advances thru the air.
The game will no doubt be an unforgetable remembrance so don‟t forget to be there.
November 15, 1940 “Ravena Undefeated Champions Again” Fred Martino
Coeymans imbued with a surprising surge of spirit that [carried] them to the top, tied Ravena last Friday afternoon by a tying score of 14 – 14 before a crowd of frozen spectators on the Maroonians gridiron.
The game maybe literally summed up in the following: Ravena did little but fumble the ball for the first quarter, and Coeymans out-played them for all but e minutes of the game in which Ravena scored 14 points. This spectacular display of football was performed by the champions and they tied the score 14-14 as a result. The tie saved their undefeated record in any sport for 2 years and the tie enabled them to become the Champions.
[A] 32 yard kick off by Romano of Coeymans started the game. It was caught by Richter and was tackled by Lyons and Bernacki after advancing it to the 27. Richter ran the first play for 3 yards. Ravena lost 13 yards on the next play on a lateral from Montelone to Richter as McCabe fumbled a pass from Wells but Perrine recovered. Wells kicked 35 yards for a punt out of danger. Coeymans ball – Dottino plunged 7 yards. Dottino plunged 6 yards. Romano passed to Bernacki and then Romano kicked a 30 yard punt. Richter caught it and carried it back 15 yards. Montelone passed to Richter incomplete. Montelone passed to Klenk – caught and fumbled. Montelone passed to Klenk – caught and fumbled. It was in this same manner that the game was played. The above plays are in the original order from the kickoff.
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“Ike” Dottino‟s line plunging, Romano‟s 9 out of 14 passes to Bernacki and the amazing power of the line was very consistent throughout the contest.
Lou “Zip” Montelone‟s passes were as accurate as they have been all season but although passed in the hands of receivers only 7 out of 15 were completed in 35 minutes of playing time. It may have been over confidence because Klenk dropped 7 of them. This lad generally hangs on to them. In their last 5 minutes of playing time Lou passed beautiful completed passes to Richter and [Bob] Gallagher and 5 others to Klenk. Seven out of 9 passes tell the whole story of Ravena‟s amazing comeback to tie a score and win [the] championship.
Coeymans capitalized on a fumble in the first quarter on a fake kick and run, by Romano‟s downing the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. A pass over center from Romano to Bernacki totaled the score Coeymans 7 -- Ravena 0.
Montelone passed to Klenk, 6 points. Montelone passed to Richter, 6 points. Montelone passed to [Bob] Gallagher, 1 point. Montelone passed to Klenk, 1 point.
The game was a spectacular one for a few minutes. As eight boys walked off the field many thoughts ran thru their minds and it certainly will be a long time before they ever become participants of a more enthusiastic [contest]. Bill Gallagher could not play because of an injury.
The players who graduate or will be ineligible are:
Coeymans: Vincent Lyons. Achillo Dottino, Everett Barber, George Romano and Henry Bernacki.
Ravena: Bill Gallagher, Don Richter, Ken Klenk and John Perrine.
Ravena Pos Coeymans
Nunziato LE McCabe Klenk C Lyons Wells RE Bernacki Montelone FB [sic] Romano Perrine LH Barber Richter RH Dottino
Ravena: Hallenbeck, Cary and Bob Gallagher Coeymans: Bruno, Mulligan
November 22, 1940 “Happy Thanksgiving Fans!” Fred Martino
I‟ve often times considered just what constitutes a justified training table of rules. After looking over a set of training laws set up by different coaches, it sort of struck me funny that even though
37 The Debut of 6-Man Football several coaches turn out wonderful teams, one method, of training were jestingly [sic] contradicted by his players. The same can be said jokingly, about the undefeated Red Raiders of Ravena.
So from listening in on several corner discussions, I learned many many new things.
Ravena‟s Romeos (Don „Juan‟ Richter and Ken „Lopez‟ Klenk) have a habit of walking several miles after supper. The trip is made on foot both ways. Their reason – well, to get exercise and keep in shape. But this exercise has a cause … they must see ??? tonight, for tomorrow we need inspiration to fight.
Ralph “Wheels” Wells had his nose in the conversation also in different games, as he will tell you and said, “I gain my confidence by being nosey. My method is to smell the foe and go after the enemy like a real American.”
I‟ve heard Bill Gallagher, but in all instances he was singing. Did you say singing? I most certainly did. The song – well, it hardly seems fair to mention the name, because Richter had a monopoly on it. The name is “How I Love To Be Near You.” We don‟t know whether he means a football or a lady.
John “Dog” Perrine had his chance to bark, so he howled out the following: “I keep my spirits up by practicing with the trumpet. Yep, they say at school I‟m the King of Swing. Well, that‟s the way I feel on the football field, too. I‟m the daddy of “Sugar Blues” and I like to bowl them over.”
Our last hero is the only modest one of the group. As yet I haven‟t been able to find any queer characteristics about Lou “Zip” Montelone. Can it be his leadership in school clubs? No? I know. It‟s that tricky knee of his. Naturally. The blood around his knee must have caught up with his grey matter and has become contagious in his brain. That would no doubt be the reason for his cool headedness in tight spots.
We will know after Thanksgiving how many have broken training for it they stuff themselves like that turkey on the table, they certainly won‟t feel spry for a week or so.
Note: Next week Court Glimpses will take the place of football. Both schools have called the roll for basketeers [sic] but let‟s let the coaches not be bothered until after Thanksgiving.
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COEYMANS HIGH SCHOOL 1940 Football Season
After a rather unsuccessful season, due chiefly to injuries to veterans of the squad, an inspired team rose to new heights and completely outplayed and out classed the highly touted, league champions, undefeated Ravena team. Having a 7 to 0 lead at end of the first half, Coeymans quickly pushed over a touchdown at [the] beginning of the third quarter to lead 14 to 0 only to see hard earned victory fade into a tie by a desperate aerial attack in the closing minutes.
Season‟s Record
Coeymans 12 Bethlehem Central 12 Coeymans 0 Coxsackie 32 Coeymans 7 Castleton 0 Coeymans 38 St. John‟s 12 Coeymans 0 Roeliff Jansen 21 Coeymans 14 Ravena 14 Coeymans 0 Roessleville 32
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RAVENA HIGH SCHOOL 1940 Football Season
Blockin‟ and tacklin‟ … The Red Raiders … Central Hudson Valley League football champs … Won four, lost none, tied one … “Copped” opener from Hillsdale, 21 – 0 … Topped Bethlehem, 32 – 6 in Saturday show … stopped Roessleville rally to win, 34 – 26 … Beat second place Coxsackie, 36 – 14 … And then barely eked out 14 – 14 tie with Coeymans, supposedly weak, to clinch title … the band playing “Notre Dame Victory March” … Long, cold nights of practice … the new sweaters … bus trip to Hillsdale … luncheon at Coeymans after the Coeymans game … “Sparky” Richter running wild, one eye on game, other on Jeanie … “Zip” Montelone, slingin‟ passes … “Bill” Gallagher‟s gazelle-like gallops … “Bronco” Klenk, workin‟ the pivot slot … “Rollin‟ “ Wells, stellar defensive and … “Johnnie” Perrine, the gallopin‟ ghost … “Bosh” Brandow, hard hitting back … “Crusher” Shader, the utility man … Coach Clinton askin‟ “Sparky” and “Bronco” to get in from “South of the Border” early … dog tired but gotta keep pluggin‟ … Coach Clinton and new “coat” under shower after Coxsackie game … the last three minutes of the Coeymans game … the “movie story” finish that saved the day and the title.
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1941 Season
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September 12, 1941 “Football Season Opens Next Friday”
The Red Raiders of Ravena High School, 1940 football champions of the Central Hudson Valley League are hard at work in preparation for the 1941 campaign. A large squad reported to Coach Clifford Clinton with several letter men available.
The Raiders open against Roeliff Jansen Central school of Hillsdale at Mosher Park next Friday afternoon at three o‟clock. The remainder of the schedule is as follows: Sept. 26 Ravena at Averill Park; Oct 3 Bethlehem Central at Ravena; Oct. 10 Ravena at Castleton; Oct 15 Ravena at Roessleville; Oct 24 Ravena at Coxsackie; Oct 31 Coeymans at Ravena, two o‟clock. The time of all games except the Coeymans contest is three o‟clock.
The starting lineup for the opener will be chosen from the following squad: Dick Bennet, Louis Caracciola, Richard Cole, Chris Diacetis, Bob Gallagher, Don Gombel, Herb Hamlin, Jackie Jackson, Ed Marcella, George Marcella, Lou Montelone, Frank Nunziato, Sam Pomellitto, Grancis Shader, Harold Wells, Ray Wilsey, Bill Yager, Sam Zolner, Lynn Arcenaux, Bill Furst, Charles Schirmer, Perry Picarazzi, [Don] Hotaling.
September 19, 1941 “PEP Fest & Dance at RHS”
As a prelude to the Roeliff Jansen contest, which will open the football season today, Ravena High School students last night gathered in the gym for a pep rally and dance. The affair was sponsored by the Student Council and guests were welcomed by its president Louis Montelone. President Montelone then introduced Miss Eleanor Chase, who coaches the cheerleaders.
Miss Chase‟s squad of Audrey Fiescher, Josephine Shader, Frances Wilsey, Ruth Klenk, and Sophie Kalla then conducted cheers. The program continued with the following student and faculty members giving pep talks, Bob Gallagher, Miss Phylis Arnold, Frank Nunziato, Miss Virginia Mitchell, Bob Ruxton, William Hopke, Chris Diacetis, George Marcella, Mr. Clifford Clinton and Mr. John Deisseroth.
The party concluded with dancing to the music of the Stardust Serenaders.
Although the relative strength of the team cannot be determined at this early date, the Raiders will be weakened by the loss of Bill Gallagher, Don Richter, John Perrine and Ken Dlenk of last year‟s championship team, and Lou Montelone, who will see little or no action due to a knee injury, and will have to “go” to beat the Hillsdale team. Ravena will look for a victory from
42 The Debut of 6-Man Football veterans Nunziato, Wells, Bob Gallagher, Shader, George Marcella aided by newcomers Chris Diacetis, Don Gombel and Ed Marcella.
September 26, 1941 “Local Teams Win & Lose in Football”
The local high schools opened their six man football season last week with Ravena taking the measure of the Hillsdale team in a thrilling last two minute finish with the score 14 to 12. The ability to make the points after touch down gave Ravena their victory.
The Coeymans team did not fare so well against Bethlehem Central high school on the Bethlehem field. They lost 24 to 0.
This week end Ravena will go to Averill Park to play the team from that school and Roesselville will come to Coeymans field to play C.H.S.
October 3, 1941 “Both Local High School Teams Win”
The Coeymans High School football team took the measure of the Roesselville team last Saturday afternoon on the local field defeating them 12 to eight. Coeymans took the lead in the first quarter and held it throught (sic) the game. The Ravena team easily defeated the Averill Park school getting the limit of scoring of 45 points in about half the game.
October 10, 1941 Hillsdale plays Coeymans on Friday. After the game the C.H.S. boys are planning a reception for the Hillsdale boys. The football game with Averill Park scheduled for October 10 has been indefinitely postponed because the school is closed on account of an infantile paralysis scare.
November 7, 1941 The final game of C.H.S. football will be played Friday, November 7, with Averill Park.
November 14, 1941
The league football season wound up with a tie between Ravena and Roeliff Jansen. Winner of the football sportsmanship trophy will be determined at the league meeting when referee votes are opened and tabulated.
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COEYMANS HIGH SCHOOL 1941 Football Season
The 1941 football season marked Coach Guner‟s debut as a coach and the boys rewarded him with a fairly successful season. The season ended with four victories and four defeats.
Next year‟s team will be handicapped by the loss of four regulars. Captain Joe Pape, Bob McCabe, Alfonso Marcelle and Randall Carhart, but even so, the team will have that “Old Coeymans Spirit” once again.
Season‟s Record
Opponents We They
Bethlehem Central 0 24 Roessleville 14 7 Coxsackie 6 40 Roeliff-Jansen 13 60 St John‟s 34 6 Castleton 49 6 Ravena 13 44 Averill Park 20 13
Totals 149 200
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RAVENA HIGH SCHOOL 1941 Football Season
Passing and kicking the pigskin … co-champions of Central Hudson Valley League … won seven, lost one … third straight championship for Coach Clinton … trimmed Hillsdale 16 – 14 in opener … swamped newly admitted Averill Park 45 – 0 … topped Bethlehem 32 – 6 … beat Roessleville by forfeit … lost to Coxsackie 16 – 31 in thriller … stopped Coeymans 44 – 13 in traditional game … the band playing between halves … the long cold nights of practice and a cold supper again … “Zip” Montelone, slinging and kicking the pigskin … “Bosh” Marcella, hard hitting back … “Chris” Diacetis, sweeping the ends and running wild … “Dooley” Shader, bucking the line … “Frank” Nunziato, stellar defense man … “Lover” Gombel, playing center and end … “Bob” Gallagher, bruising line man … “Reid” Cary, protecting the end … “Lynn” Arceneaux, blocking back … learning the new formation … Coach Clinton getting his coat wet for the second year in a row … thinking you‟re dog tired and then running the length of the field … hard practice final victory and league champs.
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1942 Season
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September 25, 1942
The Coeymans High School squad will open its season against Bethlehem Central High today, Friday the 25th at Coeymans. The school is showing a fine spirit and they predict that this will be their first victory. The only other definite scheduled games are Coxsackie and then Ravena, both at Coeymans.
The Ravena High School football team will not open its season until a week from today, Friday, October 2, when it will meet Averill Park at Ravena.
October 9, 1942 “RHS Football Team Wins Opening Game”
Ravena High School Football team won its opening game last Friday afternoon by the score of 25 to 0. The game was played at the local park against Averill Park. The team showed up very good and it looks as if the local team is headed for a very successful season.
They travel to Delmar this Saturday afternoon to take on Bethlehem Central six. Any persons who are planning to attend and who have room in their car are requested to call the school as transportation is needed for some of the players.
October 16, 1942 “Ravena Defeats Delmar 13 to 12”
In a story book finish with the final touchdown being scored in the last minute of play, Ravena High School six man football team kept their record clean by defeating a strong Bethlehem Central six at Delmar on Saturday afternoon 13 to 12.
This was a very hard fought game with Ravena scoring on a pass in the last sixty seconds of play.
The local six play their third game this afternoon.
October 30, 1942 Ravena High School‟s undefeated six-man football team takes on one of its strongest opponents on the local gridiron this afternoon when Coxsackie High comes to town.
November 6, 1942. Ravena plays Coeymans at Coeymans in football Friday afternoon.
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November 13, 1942. “RHS Football Team Remains Undefeated”
By virtue of their win over Coeymans High School on the CHS gridiron last Friday afternoon, Ravena‟s sixman football team kept their slate clean and tucked another championship into the trophy case.
The dame was disrupted by penalties, several touchdowns being called back, but the final score gave Ravena more than a 25 point margin.
December 4, 1942. “Student Council Honors Champs”
The victorious Ravena High School football team was honored at a luncheon given by the Student Council in the High School Auditorium on Thursday noon with Coach Emmet J. Dowling of Albany High as the principal speaker.
The luncheon consisting of cream chicken, sweet potatoes, buttered beets, corn, cinnamon apples and milk was prepared by the homemaking department under the supervision of Miss Marie Jabaut and was served by that department.
The program was opened by the invocation given by Rev. George M. Murray. Songs were then sung led by Miss Irene Sherrock, head of the music department, both before and after the luncheon.
Principal John Deisseroth introduced Mr. Dowling who spoke briefly to the group. Samuel Zolner, team Captain then spoke briefly and he was followed by Coach Ernest Ascherman who also commented on the very successful season. The benediction was then given by Rev. G. A. Cole.
Students of the seventh and eighth grades as well as the high school attended the luncheon while classes continued as usual for the rest of the school.
Very attractive programs were made by the Commercial department consisting of a football placed in the top of a letter "V”.
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COEYMANS HIGH SCHOOL 1942 Football Season
Since football originated in Coeymans High, a great effort has been made to develop fair play and good sportsmanship.
After a rather unsuccessful season the team was awarded the sportsmanship cup, which was well deserved.
We regret to say that Captain Joe Biscone, Joe Pape, John Pape and Bill Wolfe will not return next year.
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RAVENA HIGH SCHOOL 1942 Football Season
Wet, muddy scrimmages pay dividends … Raiders go unbeaten in six contests … give them fourth consecutive football cups … first for new coach, Ernie Ascherman … the season‟s climax game came early with the eking out of a 13 – 12 score over Delmar … Captain Zolner‟s touchdown and extra-point pass in the game‟s closing thirty seconds culminates bitter “blood- battle” with the powerful B.C.H.S. squad … 35 – 6 win over determined Coeyman‟s sextet and eighteen-point last quarter rally to take Coxsackie and the title are other highlights … “Guernsey” Cary, Frank Nunziato, “Crusher” Shader compose one of the best “forward walls” of the league … break through time and again to throw opponents for large losses … downfield blockers … Chris streaking into the clear, outguessing the safety man … “Rush” booting and heaving the pigskin, calling the right play at the right time … “Lover” hitting the line … “Arce” intercepting a toss, setting out for “pay-dirt” …. pads … tape … oranges … car trips … the good, old “X” play coming through again … a refreshing shower … the locker-room full of bedlam or heavy silence … eating doughnuts and “dunking” the Coach.
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1943 Season
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November 12, 1943 “CHS To Play In Championship Game”
The Coeymans High School football team will play Roessleville High School this Friday, Nov. 12 at 2:30 p.m. on the Bethlehem Central field at Delmar. This game will determine the champion of the Central Hudson Valley League. Both teams are strong and the game should be a good one.
The local team is winner of the Southern Division of the league having won three of its four league games. In addition, it has beaten Voorheesville, a Northern division team, twice. Neil Sutton captain, Al Schermerhorn and Anthony Martino have been the regulars in the line with Ray Throne and Mitchell Stevens substituting. The line has been backed up by John Morell, Richard Slater and Dick Schermerhorn with Roger Gallup finding frequent action. Other backfield substitutes are Peter Clouse, LeRoy Van Alstyne and Ben Ferriere. The team has been coached by Jimmy Marcella.
A resume of the Coeymans games follows:
Coeymans 31, Voorheesville 6 Coeymans 44, Ravena 29 Coeymans 46, Coxsackie 0 Coeymans 47, Voorheesville 0 Coeymans 16, Ravena 19 Coeymans 40, Coxsackie 6
December 10, 1943. “Football Dinner at Coeymans High School”
In recognition of the most successful football season in some years, a public dinner will be tendered the members of the squad and the coach of the Coeymans High School football team. The team this year won the district championship.
The dinner will be in the high school auditorium on Tuesday evening, Dec. 14th at 6:30 o‟clock. The players and coach will be guests. Student tickets will be 75 cents and adults $1.00. Frangella‟s Hotel will be the caterers.
The speaker of the evening will be J. Emmett Dowling, Athletic Director at Albany High School and widely known coach and official for football and basketball. During his school days, Mr. Dowling popularly known as “Flip” played on the Cohoes team of the State Basketball League, at that time the fastest professional league in the country. The awards to the players will
52 The Debut of 6-Man Football be made by the Principal of the school, Mr. Donald S. Ray and a member of the Board of Education. Mr. Clements, President of the Board, will preside. Music will be furnished through the courtesy of Mrs. Edwin Slater.
It is hoped that a large public response will be had in honor of these young men.
December 17, 1943. A banquet was tendered to the championship foot ball team of Coeymans High School in the School auditorium on Tuesday evening, December 14th. A delicious spaghetti and meat ball super was served, which the team as well as others present enjoyed very much. Mr. A. J. Clements, president of the Board of Education acted as toastmaster and introduced the fitting remarks, the speaker of the evening, Mr. Emmet Dowling, Assistant Physical Director and Coach of Football at Albany High School. Mr. Dowling in an interesting way described the history of the game known as football and held the close attention of all during his remarks. Community singing was enjoyed by the gathering, with the cheerleaders of the team taking part both by song and action. Mrs. Edwin R. Slater presided at the piano and added pep to the songs: “White Christmas”, “Pigskin Heroes”, “Anchors Aweigh”, “Marine Hymn”, and “Army Air Corps”. Mr. Clements announced that through voluntary contributions of friends of the school and those interested in the sport, enough money had been raised to present a trophy to the team and give to each player a gold football, beside leaving a balance on hand. He made the presentations. After the singing of the National Anthem, a very enjoyable evening came to an end.
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COEYMANS HIGH SCHOOL 1943 Football Season
The Coeymans football team this year won the championship of the Southern division with three victories and only one defeat. Their only loss was a 19 –16 defeat at the hands of Ravena. The team also won two non-league games from Voorheesville by a large margin.
In the play-off with Roessleville, the Northern division champions, our team lost by a score of 16 – 12 in a very hard-fought battle. However, they received the Southern division trophy, and each of the boys got his sweater and gold football. It was a very satisfying season, and the boys deserve sincere gratitude.
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RAVENA HIGH SCHOOL 1943 Football Season
First practice … not weather …Coach Gallagher on job … losing close one to Coxsackie in opener … making it two in a row by losing to Coeymans … swamp Coxsackie for first win … nights getting colder … practice in rain … bruises … Arceneaux and Gombel, co-captains … Rosato, on of hardest fighters on team … Speed Hummer left R.H.S. at end of season … Mert Travis, center, future star … biggest thriller of year beating Coeymans … tenacity and fighting spirit of boys held Coeymans at one-yard line to prevent scoring … victorious with 18 – 16 tally … Spoor and Wilbur substituting for each other in games … second place … two wins, two losses.
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Acknowledgement
Fred “Doc” Martino [1918-1994]
For all practical purposes this paper would not have been undertaken if it were not for the enthusiastic writing of Fred “Doc” Martino (Coeymans High School, Class of 1938). Fred‟s unique and descriptive style provides a level of entertainment that is largely missing from the reporting of local high school sports for this period.
For the final years that Coeymans High School and Ravena High School banged heads on the gridiron, little is left that documents this intense rivalry. The absence of Fred‟s column from the sports page of the News Herald for the 1941, 1942 and 1943 football seasons leaves a vacuum that will probably never be recaptured.
Thanks Fred for providing a vivid and colorful look into local history with your rare flair for sports journalism.
One of Fred’s Logos from his News Herald sports column
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Resource Media
Barber, A. (Director), Six-Man, Texas, 2008 (Film)
Coeymans High School, Yearbooks 1939-1944
Duncan, R.O., Six-Man Football, 1940
Epler, S.E., Six-Man Football, 1938
News Herald, September-November, 1938-1943 (Microfilm)
Ravena High School, Yearbooks 1939-1944
Riedl, H.C. (Director), The Seventh Man, 2003 (Film)
Smith, A. & A. Smith (Directors), The Slaughter Rule, 2002 (Film)
Stowers, C., Where Dreams Die Hard, 2005
Underwood, C.H., Six-Man Football, 2005
Wilson, L., Grit & Glory – Six-Man Football, 2003
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Appendix
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The First 6-Man Football Game
The world‟s first organized game of six-man football was played under the lights of Hebron College (Hebron, Nebraska) field the evening of September 26, 1934. Of course, six-man teams as well as every size from two-man teams to ten-man teams had been used before on the sand lot and the practice field. This time, however, it was not just a makeshift arrangement to use until an eleven-man team could be found; it was a distinct and separate game with rules of its own.
Two six-man games were played at Hebron on September 26, 1934. One of the games was played by two teams composed of boys from four small Nebraska high schools. The Belvidere and Alexandria schools combined to make the “Belalex” team, while Hardy and Chester amalgamated to form the “Hardchests.” The teams were evenly matched and the lead switched back and forth. With about five minutes of the last half to play and the Hardchests leading 19 to 13, Jack Sloey of the Belalexes dodged, wiggled, and wove his way through the Hardchests to the goal line some forty yards away to tie the score and complete the scoring for the evening. Twelve inexperienced farm boys, playing their first game of football, had given the world a convincing demonstration that football, the real thing, with blocking and tackling, could be played as an organized, official game with only six players to a team.
Another game that received little notice in most of the accounts that have been written about the beginnings of six-man football was played on the field by two other schools the same evening. This was the game between Hebron Academy, the high school division of Hebron College, and the reserve team from Beatrice High School. These teams played only a short game between halves of the feature game. This abbreviated game ended in a scoreless tie. The Hebron-Beatrice game was finished, however, before the other game and thus the Hebron and Beatrice players had the distinction of completing first the world‟s initial game of six-man football.
The success of these demonstration games which gave six-man football such a good start was due to the cooperative efforts of the superintendents, coaches, and students from the schools involved. Coach William H. Roselius of Hebrun College made the game possible by lending suits and equipment to the players from the four high schools and providing the field and lights for the game. The coaches accomplished the almost impossible task of molding teams out of boys who had never played football before, some of whom had never even seen a game.
The coaches were also handicapped by not having football suits and equipment for the players. The game was at that time an untried experiment. Six-man football might work and it might not. None of the schools had football equipment and none could afford to pay several hundred dollars just to experiment. Since the players had to practice in overalls and old clothes without protective equipment, few bodily contact drills could be used. Four days before the game the players came to Hebron College for a joint practice session and put on football equipment for the first time. Getting into the equipment was a novel experience for the boys: Here was Paul wearing a hemet and struggling to pull a jersey over it; Jay had his shoulder pads inside his jersey and backwards; Carl was clutching a pair of hip pads and wondering what the contraption was for; while Bill thought he had solved it when he put his hip pads outside his pants. Jack put on his basketball shoes before slipping on his pants (canvas shoes with soft rubber soles were required) and was desperately struggling to get his number ten shoes through the narrow opening of the leg.
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Fortunately the coaches remembered how they used to put on equipment in college, and by helping each boy individually they got them ready for practice. The coaches had to devise their own formations and plays since none existed for six-man football. The boys took to football like ducks to water and began to look like football players at the end of the practice session.
For their willingness to try the untried, these schools and their personnel deserve the highest praise. They launched the game that was to give thousands of boys the opportunity to play football.
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The Drop Kick
1. Making the drop kick. The kicker has released the ball but is watching it closely. He has bent forward to drop the ball.
2. Now the ball has reached the ground. The kicker still watches it closely. The ball is directly in front of the right foot and even with the toe of the left foot.
3. The ball has just left the drop kicker‟s foot but the eyes are still focused on the ball. The kicker is standing almost straight as the foot contacts the ball.
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Sample Offensive Playbook
Note: While Epler‟s book illustrates over 90 offensive plays, he states: “the number of plays should be kept at a minimum. Ten plays are enough for even an experienced team. It is better to have ten well-learned plays than forty half-learned.”
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Defensive Alignments
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