La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Game 1, September 16, 1956: La Salle 32 – West Catholic 6 by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
La Salle Wins 17th in Row since 1954 By Beating West Catholic in Opener Offensively, La Salle High appears to have the football tools to make the job of dethroning them as Catholic League and city champions a tough assignment, but the Little Explorers could stand a bit of perking up on defense. This was obvious at times yesterday as coach John ‘Tex” Flannery enjoyed a successful debut at head coach when his La Salle eleven romped over West Catholic, 32-6, in the 1956 opener at 20th St. and Olney Av. It was the 17th straight win for La Salle since the middle of the 1954 season, but there is still a hard road ahead to another title. La Salle bounced West back on its heels in the first period when Hugh Sheridan took a handoff from Paul Aita, 15-year old, 150-pound quarterback on the split-T play, and ran 79 yards for a touchdown. After this long gainer, La Salle was never behind and Aita kept its attack functioning in high gear. Before the opening period ended, La Salle put over another score. This time Aita pitched 22 yards to Lou Greco, who snared the ball on the West 20 and raced unmolested the rest of the way. West came back with its best show of ball-carrying by marching 71 yards for its lone tally. With Tony Gargulli, Tom Hughes, bill Craig and Larry Signora leading the drive, the Burrs moved to the La Salle 3. Craig smacked over for the touchdown. La Salle Defense Battered During this march, coach Carmen Falcone, of West, a heady signal caller while at Penn, took advantage of the new substitution rule. He shuttled Gargulli and Hughes in and out of action with plays and the Burrs battered La Salle’s defense. A few minutes later Aita and Greco clicked again through the air lanes. This time, Greco caught a 25 yard heave from Aita and raced 22 more into the end zone. La Salle was back in scoring position a few minutes later when Clark Hodgson recovered a fumble on the West eight. It took La Salle two plays to score, with Sheridan grabbing a wide pitchout from Aita and running three yards to cross the wide line. On the last play before the first half ended, Signora tossed a pass to Vince Leonetti, who ran 58 yards to cross the La Salle goal line, but a clipping penalty nullified the score. West held La Salle in check through the third period, but the champs marched 33 yards in the fourth, after Harry Eustace recovered a fumble, Ed Dever did the scoring bit with a one yard plunge. A 24-yard pass play, Aita to Bob Smith, set the stage. Greco placekicked two extra points for La Salle, but missed two other attempts. by Les Ribler, Inquirer
La Salle Wins 16th in Row As Loop Opens Halfback Hugh Sheridan burst off tackle for a 79-yard touchdown romp on La Salle High School’s first play from scrimmage yesterday and ignited the fuse as the Little Explorers began defense of their Catholic League football championship with an explosive 32-6 verdict over West. The triumph making John “Tex” Flannery’s head coaching debut a successful one, was La Salle’s 16th straight over a three- year span. 1
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
West Off Balance West never could recover from Sheridan’s dazzling run, although the Burrs did cross La Salle’s goal line. The Little Explorers were un-scored upon in their last eight 1955 encounters and had not been scored upon since West accomplished the feat in last season’s league opener. Sheridan, a 5’-8” sparkplug, and Lou Greco, a husky 170-pounder, flanking Sheridan at halfback, each scored a pair of touchdowns to lead the rout. Greco grabbed two touchdown passes from quarterback Paul Aita, 15-year old junior, and alto tabbed two extra points.
West Ends: Mylotte, Scully, Donovan. Tackles: McGuigan, Costigan, Leonard, Dougherty. Guards: Johnson, Anderson, Friel, George, Cunningham. Center: Ricapito. Backs: Signora, Leonetti, Merenda, Gargullo, Hughes, W. Craig, O’Connor, Burns, Melvin, Cavanaugh.
La Salle Ends: B. Monaghan, Franiak, Osborne, Smith, Weinmann. Tackles: Hodgson, Federspiel, Sharp, T. Monaghan, Sher. Guards: Yannessa, Higgins, Buben, Boyle, Eustace, Kilbride, McDonald. Centers: Clements, Tague. Backs: Aita, Dever, Greco, Sheridan, Herrera, Gallagher, Leese, Madden, Maxwell, Parrotto.
West 0 6 0 0 6 La Salle 12 14 0 6 32
West Scoring: Touchdown – W. Craig (3 plunge) La Salle Scoring: Touchdowns – Sheridan 2 (79, 2 runs); Greco 2 (22-yard pass from Aita, 20 run; 25- yard pass from Aita, 22 run); Dever (1, plunge). PAT – Greco 2 (placements).
Game 2, September 23, 1956: La Salle 21 – Roman Catholic 14 by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
La Salle Rallies To Beat Roman Eleven La Salle High School is still rolling along like champions in the Catholic League, but needed a fourth- period rally to hang up its 18th straight football victory yesterday, the second in a row in the current campaign. The 1955 kingpins cut loose with the same sort of “savvy” that carried them to their first title in 35 years last season. They jammed over three touchdowns, all by Lou Greco, in the final session to overcome a 14-0 deficit and beat Roman Catholic, 21-14, before a packed field at 29th and Clearfield Sts. Roman Takes Lead It was all Roman Catholic through the first three periods and coach Joe “Goldie” Graham’s boys racked up touchdowns in the second and third periods to gain a comfortable lead.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Lou Pannella gave a slick ball-carrying exhibition on the first touchdown drive that covered 46 yards and finally banged over from the one. Lou set the stage for his score with an 18-yard run. Jim Higgins kicked the extra point. Roman moved 60 yards for the second TD. Pannella was joined by Art Williams and Ed Annan in this assault. Williams accounted for the second touchdown when he broke loose on the 20 and raced over the wide line. Higgins again converted. Roman looked like a sure shot, but the charges of coach John “Tex” Flannery never gave up and literally exploded for touchdowns in the fourth period. Flannery threw the offensive book at Roman and his 15-year old midget quarterback, Paul Aita, sidelined with an injury in the first period, was the spearhead of an aerial attack that helped carry La Salle to victory. 41 Yards on Four Plays Aita hit Greco with a 22-yard toss and the latter raced ten yards into the end zone. Greco kicked the point. Later, another Aita to Greco pass clicked for 18 yards. This time Greco sped six yards to cross the goal line. With four minutes to play, Lou DiMaria recovered a fumble on the Roman 35. Ed Dever and John Herrera, the latter running 18 yards, carried the ball to the eight. Then Greco sped around end for his third touchdown and booted his third straight extra point to account for all of La Salle’s tallies. by Bill Shefski, Daily News
La Salle Wins On Gridiron Defending champion La Salle had to call on their “second wind” yesterday. They needed that little extra punch, which is found in winning elevens, to win Catholic League battles. La Salle’s 150-pound package of dynamite, Lou Greco, was responsible for a come-from-behind 21-14 victory over Roman. John “Tex” Flannery has done a fantastic job with La Salle, which now paces the circuit with a 2-0 record. Flannery had to rebuild anew after the entire La Salle 1955 city championship eleven graduated. The Little Explorers squeaked through to their 18th consecutive grid victory – 12th straight in the league. Roman held a 14-0 margin on touchdowns by Lou Pannella and Art Williams and two extra point by Jim Higgins going into the last period. Flannery’s “mighty mite” Greco exploded for three touchdowns and three extra points to pull La Salle through victorious. Greco, who now has five TD’s and six extra points in two games, caught two six-point passes from Paul Aita and ran seven yards for another marker. He hooked up with Aita on 20 and 18-yard aerial scored to climax 40 and 45-yard drives. by Les Ribler, Inquirer
La Salle Scores 21 in 4th, Wins, 21-14 After just two weeks of play in the now nine-team Catholic High School Football League, the list of unbeatens dwindled to three as defending league and city champion La Salle (2-0) administered the initial defeat to Roman (1-1). La Salle overcame a 14-point deficit with a devastating 21-point fourth quarter to down the stubborn Cahillites, 21-14, for consecutive victory No. 17.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Aita, Greco Star Junior quarterback Paul Aita and halfback Lou Greco, a 160-poind speedster, combined to lift La Salle from the brink of defeat. Greco scored all 21 points, giving him 35 in two games. Twice he scored on passes from Aita, who missed most of the first half after being shaken up early. The clincher stemmed from a Roman fumble on the kickoff following La Salle’s second touchdown, an 18-yard pass, Aita to Greco in the end zone. Lou DiMaria recovered for the Little Explorers on the Cahillites’ 35 and four plays later Greco slashed off right tackle eight yards for the deciding TD.
La Salle Ends: Backauskas, B. Monaghan, Osborne, Smith, Weinmann. Tackles: Federspiel, T. Monaghan, Eustace, Sharp. Guards: Higgins, Hodgson, Buben, Yannessa. Centers: Clements, Boyle, Kilbride. Backs: Aita, Greco, Sheridan, Dever, J. Gallagher, Herrera, Leese, Maxwell, Parrotto, Solecki, McDonald, DiMaria.
Roman Ends: Higgins, McGough, O’Mara. Tackles: May, Mehlmann, Seitz. Guards: Tarpe, Viola, Walsack. Centers: Fitzpatrick, Miffit. Backs: Pannella, Annan, Williams, Folis, Brennan, Dinan, Jaworowski, Kahana, McElroy, Zurawski, Bantum, T. Gallagher.
La Salle 0 0 0 21 21 Roman 7 0 7 0 14
La Salle Scoring: Touchdowns – Greco 3 (24, pass-run from Aita; 18, pass from Aita; 8, plunge). PAT – Greco 3 (placements). Roman Scoring: Touchdowns – Pannella (1, plunge); Williams (20, run). PAT – Higgins 2 (placements). by Bill Shefski, Daily News, September 25, 1956
Explorers Stun Catholic League Prior to the opening of the Catholic League football season, La Salle High’s new coach John “Tex” Flannery was in a nightmarish mood. All thought of the Little Explorers successfully defending their league and city titles was banished from the mentor’s mind. Instead, Tex was concerned with just fielding a capable eleven from the green players he had back. He was especially perplexed with the problem of facing West Catholic, always rough, in the circuit opener. Now, two weeks later, Tex has cheered up. His Little Explorers, though still a young, unfinished team, are atop the circuit, having toppled West and Roman in two starts. What’s the reason for the sudden upsurge by the Little Explorers? In this corner it looks like the spirit of last year’s team has been carried over by a few of the subs who played.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
There are a few other reasons. Aggressiveness is one. Also 15-year old quarterback Paul Aita and speedy, 150-poind scatback, Lou Greco should get some credit. Aita and Greco have collaborated in four scoring aerial plays in the two victories. The latter has tallies five touchdowns and five points after touchdowns to pace the league in scoring. The two have sparked the Little Explorers in their drive to keep their winning streak – 16 straight games – alive. It is the longest among city schools. The last time La Salle lost was to South Catholic (now Bishop Neumann) in the fourth game of the 1954 season. The Little Explorers also have a 12-game circuit streak going. A La Salle title repeat isn’t evident, especially with the league as balanced as it is. Two other teams – Bishop Neumann and North Catholic – haven’t been defeated yet. But, with teams like St. James, Monsignor Bonner and Roman around anything’s liable to happen. Another outlook on the 1956 Catholic League season is that the championship team may not have to go through its schedule unbeaten. In past seasons, the title eleven usually rolled over all league foes. It wouldn’t be surprising to see this year’s champ with a loss on its circuit record. by Bob Finucane, Chester Times, September 29, 1956
Bob Tales A new high school sports program was inaugurated on Channel 12 Thursday night. It’ll never bother Ed Sullivan – but it could develop into an interesting half-hour, in time. For some reason or other, the show – which is to be a weekly presentation – boasts three masters of ceremonies. Gene Kelly, who still won’t admit the Phillies are out of it, is one. Jack Ryan, a Bulletin sports writer, is another. Charlie Tomasco, the coach-author-teacher-wit, is the third. The first show concerned itself with St. James High and La Salle, who meet tomorrow in a crucial Philadelphia Catholic League game. Guests included the coaches – Tex Flannery, La Salle, and Francis “Bean” Brennan, St. James, and team representatives – Clark Hodgson, La Salle, and Ed Niedziejko, St. James. The camera crucified Mr. Brennan. The mechanical monster focused on Bean’s warm and friendly features and turned them into a mask straight out of a wax museum. Tomasco, who put one or two questions to Brennan, stood behind his guest and when Bean answered he tried to look at Charlie and the camera at the same time, a physical impossibility. Tomasco asked Niedziejko how he felt about the La Salle game and Ed replied: “We’re gonna win.” Charlie said, sure, you’re going to win and all that but how do you feel – how do your teammates REALLY feel - about this important game Sunday. “We’re gonna win, that’s all,” Niedziejko replied. Tomasco gave up. Charlie didn’t engage in much conversation with the St. James pair because hardly had he started when he noted “We’re running short on time.” Ryan also put a few questions to the two representing La Salle. Kelly kept breaking in to introduce the La Salle fight song, the St. James fight song and a young woman who played the accordion.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Tomasco also diagrammed a play on the blackboard and then showed a film clip of the same play in an actual game. Near the end of the show, Pete Stevens, the Temple coach, was introduced and he presented an award to the Player of the Week, a young man from Neshaminy High, whose name we failed to catch. That was about it. The show ended with Kelly, who’s about 6’6”, standing in the middle of the stage, flanked by Ryan and Tomasco, who appeared to be on their knees, and somebody saying there’d be another show like it at the same time next week. Thirty minutes may be a long time to hold your breath or wait for a bus but for a television show it’s only a half-hour. And into 30 minutes, even on TV, you can pack just so much. If you’re going to try to please Phillies fans, football devotees, parents, school administrators, and music lovers, you’ll have to buy more than 30 minutes of television time. From at least one viewpoint, the most interesting part of the program was Tomasco’s blackboard bit and the accompanying motion picture of the chalk play. Tomasco, at the blackboard, explained how, in the La Salle-Northeast city championship game last fall, La Salle’s right guard pulled out to block the trapped enemy right guard, springing the ball carrier loosed for a considerable gain. Then came the movie clip of the identical play and it was easy to follow the right guard doing exactly what Charlie said he would do. More of this would be appreciated on future programs. Not just a snatch, understand, but 10 or 15 minutes of it. The show could be improved, too, by giving Tomasco his head in the field of sports humor. There isn’t a funnier guys alive than Tomasco and the first show, at least, was taken much too seriously by all concerned. Of the three masters of ceremonies, Tomasco, oddly enough, appeared the most relaxed. Kelly, too closely associated with the Phils, didn’t come across as a football personality. Ryan acted like a sports writer on television. He wasn’t bad and he wasn’t Eddie Fisher. But the strangest part of the entire show was that this new production on Channel 12 – The Wilmington station – should be televised from the top floor of the Suburban Station, in Philadelphia!
Chester Times – September 29, 1956 Jimmies Must Win Tomorrow – Or Else Chester – The “big one” is on tap for the St. James High football team tomorrow afternoon when the determined Bulldogs travel to 20th and Olney Ave. for a must meeting with defending Catholic League champion La Salle. Starting time is 2:15. Forced to do it the hard way after dropping its opener to Bishop Neumann, St. James simply has to win tomorrow to remain in contention for the crown. “La Salle is largely an inexperienced team,” said assistant coach Joe Logue, “but the players scrap hard and they still are rolling along on the momentum of last year’s title.” “Our boys know they can’t afford to lose again, and they’re in good shape for La Salle,” added Logue. One Change Coach Francis “Bean” Brennan had made only one change in the starting lineup that will face La Salle. He has replaced Fran Orobono at halfback with George Beasley, the speedy substitute who stole the show against West with touchdown runs of 72 and 35 yards. Beasley also had a touchdown run of 95 yards nullified by a penalty.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
For his spectacular play, Beasley has been selected co-captain for the La Salle game along with Ed Niedziejko, a bruising guard who has sparked the Jims’ defense in the first two games.
Teaming with Beasley in the backfield will be quarterback Fred Rullo, halfback Charlie Boreky and fullback Jim Graham. La Salle Unbeaten Up front, it will be Tom Wynne and Mike Greenday at the ends, Dick Calhoun and John Hegarty at tackles, Charles Rader and Niedziejko at guards and Harry Broomall at center. Expected to see plenty of action defensively are end Charlie O’Hara and linebacker Ron Rodgers, a pair of sophs. La Salle is unbeaten in two games and leads the league.
Game 3, September 30, 1956: La Salle 19 – St. James 19 (tie) by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
St. James Surprises La Salle, Gains Tie The La Salle High School football team ran into a roadblock in quest of its second straight Catholic League championship yesterday when it was held to a 19-19 deadlock by St. James of Chester, but the Little Explorers managed to stretch their unbeaten streak to 19 games to continue as the pacesetters in the Catholic League. Final Period Rally Before being held to a deadlock yesterday, La Salle had a winning streak of 18 straight in Catholic League play since 1954, but St. James rallied in the final period for two touchdowns to end the victory surge. La Salle struck for a touchdown in the opening period. With the ball on the St. James 37, Paul Aita aimed a pass at Lou Greco. Charley Boreky of St. James came up fast to break it up. Boreky batted the ball all right, but straight into the arms of Greco on the St. James 7, and the speedy La Salle back jogged over the goal line. Greco also kicked the point. Early in the second period Fred Rullo put La Salle in a hole with a nifty punt to the one-yard line. Ken Leese kicked out to the 31. Rullo passed to Mike Greenday for 15 yards to the 16. On two smashes at the line Boreky moved to the five. On third down Rullo passed to Greenday on the one and the St. James end stepped over the goal line. With a chance to tie the score, Ed Niedziejko’s placement was wide. Aita and Greco clicked again for a touchdown in the second period. This time the aerial play covered 17 yards. Greco made the catch on the St. James on and stepped over the wide line. It was the fifth straight time in two consecutive games that La Salle’s midget passing team – Aita and Greco – struck for touchdown and gave the latter a total of 34 points on five TD’s and four extra points. With the Jimmies down by six points in the fourth quarter, Greenday gave a last chance for St. James by recovering a fumble on the La Salle ten-yard line. St. James made the most of the opportunity as Rullo pitched to Greenday on the five and the big boy ran over to tie the score at 19-19. With a chance to snatch the decision for St. James, Niedziejko’s kick for the point was off the beam. by Les Ribler, Inquirer 7
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Tie Stalls La Salle High Title Drive La Salle High School’s bid for a second straight Catholic League football championship was momentarily interrupted yesterday as St. James came from behind to tie, 19-19, on two last-period touchdowns. The conclusion ended the 17-game winning streak of the Little Explorers who, nevertheless, remained in first place with a 2-0-1 record. St. James (1-1-1) dropped to fifth. Bishop Neumann and North, the former La Salle’s opponent next week, kept right on the heels of the Little Explorers with 2-0 records. Fumbles Set Up TD Two touchdowns by Lou Greco, the league’s leading scorer with 48 points, and another by Hugh Sheridan, had given La Salle a 19-6 edge entering the final quarter. St. James, however, it own mistakes costly earlier, turned two La Salle fumbles into touchdowns to earn the tie. St. James moved 18 yards after tackle Tom Nolan’s recovery to score on Jim Graham’s plunge from the one. With 2:40 remaining, the Jimmies gained the tying points on quarterback Fred Rullo’s TD pass to lanky Mike Greenday in the end zone. Greenday pounced on a loose ball at the eight to set up the all- important six-pointer. Prior to the last La Salle fumble, St. James marched 70 yards to La Salle’s one, only to lose possession when a fourth down jump pass failed. Big Ed Niedziejko, 198-pound guard, converted from the seven (set back five additional yards on a penalty) after the first TD of the period, but his potential winning boot was wide. A tie is always better than a defeat, so they say, but both teams were hurt by this one. by Bill Shefski, Daily News
La Salle, Jimmies in Grid Tie As the last period goes so does La Salle High’s football team. Two straight weeks now, the outcome of Little Explorers games have been decided by final quarter rallies. However, yesterday, the Little Explorers weren’t as fortunate as last week when they blazed from behind to down Roman. The defending Catholic League champions saw a potential victory collapse as St. James High came from behind to gain a 19-19 deadlock in the final minutes. The Little Explorers preserved their 17-game league undefeated streak. However, they lost ground to Bishop Neumann and North Catholic in the circuit race. Once again little Lou Greco saved the day for La Salle. The 150-poind halfback tallied two touchdowns and an extra point. Greco and quarterback Paul Aita combined on two scoring aerials to give La Salle a 13-6 first half margin. The first score, a 37-yard play, was weird. St. James’ Charles Boreky batted down Aita’s heave. The ball was grabbed toe-high by Greco who went across the goal line. A 16-yard pass production, Aita to Greco, gave the Explorers their halftime margin after St. James hit the point column on a five yard pass, Fred Rullo to Mike Greenday. La Salle moved to a 19-6 margin in the third period on a 13-yard run by Hugh Sheridan off the quarterback option play.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
This same option play hurt the Explorers. Aita fumbled on attempted pitchout and Tom Nolan recovered for St. James on the enemy 18-yard line in the fourth session. Four plays later, Jim Graham plunged over from the one. Ed Niedziejko converted to make the score, 19-13, in La Salle’s favor. The Jimmies moved to the La Salle two a few minutes later but were stalled. However, the Chesterites knotted the count after Greenday jumped on a fumble eight yeards from paydirt. Rullo flipped to Greenday for the final yards to cause the stalemate as Niedziejko’s placement was wide. by Bob Finucane, Chester Times
St. James Eleven Rallies to Tie La Salle, 19-19; Jimmies Trailed, 19-6, In Fourth Period; Extra Point Inches Wide Philadelphia – It was a discontented St. James High football squad yesterday that rode the bus back from its third consecutive game away from home. For in a game the Jimmies should have won, but couldn’t, and a game they should have lost, but wouldn’t, the final score was St. James 19, La Salle 19. A placekick in the dying moments of the game that missed the upright by 10 inches cost the Jimmies a fat win over the defending Philadelphia Catholic League and Philadelphia city champions at 20th & Olney. Trailing 19-6 in the fourth period, St. James exploded for two touchdowns and one extra point to tie. But Ed Niedziejko’s kick for the point that would have meant triumph was wide by less than a foot. Another Chance With only a minute remaining, the Jims got still another crack at victory when tackle Tom Nolan pounced on a La Salle fumble on the La Salle 39. But the Little Explorers, their streak of 17 straight triumphs at stake, stiffened and held St. James without a gain for four downs. The game ended seconds later. La Salle scored the game’s first TD late in the first period. Quarterback Paul Aita hurled a long pass downfield from the St. James 39. Charlie Boreky almost intercepted it with one hand at the five but it arched away from him into the outstretched arms of halfback Lou Greco, who took it and went across. Greco added the point. Check Champs Through most of the second period, St. James kept La Salle bottled up inside the 10. Then the Jims took possession of a La Salle punt on the enemy 32 and went for a TD in four plays, a five-yard aerial from Fred Rullo to end Mike Greenday scoring the six points. Niedziejko missed the kick and the Jims trailed, 7-6. Then, just before the half ended, La Salle drove 72 yards for its second touchdown, Aita clicking on a pass to Greco in the end zone. The kick for point was no good but La Salle led at intermission, 13-6. The third period opened with La Salle marching to the St. James two before Greenday spilled John Herrera for a four-yard loss on fourth down. Come Again But moments later, a St. James fumble found the Little Explorers coming back again. Halfback Hugh Sheridan went 12 yards around right end for the TD and another missed point left the score at 19-6. Late in the third stanza, St. James drove to the La Salle 10 before another fumble thwarted the march.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Early in the fourth period, however, a La Salle fumble was recovered by Nolan and Harry Broomall on the La Salle 18 and in five plays the Jims had a touchdown, fullback Jim Graham plowing across from the one. Niedziejko made the point and the Jims now trailed by only 19-13. Gamble No Good La Salle gambled on a fourth-and-two situation moments later, failed to make it, and St. James took possession on its own 30. In six plays, the Jims were on the La Salle 10 with a first down. Three cracks at the line moved the ball to the one. On fourth down, Rullo tried to hit end Tom Wynne with a jump pass but the ball rolled off his fingertips and it appeared the Jims were finished. The officials gave the four-minute signal as La Salle put the ball in play in the shadow of its own goal, but after Greco moved the ball out to the five, fullback Ed Dever fumbled and Greenday recovered for St. James on the La Salle eight. This time, the Jims scored, Rullo pitching into the end zone to Greenday for the TD that tied the score. Then Failure Then came the missed try for point that sent both teams home unhappy about the outcome. It was a savagely fought battle with frequent calls for time out by both clubs. St. James had the better of it in the first down department, 17 to 11.
ST. JAMES LA SALLE Greenday L.E. Backauskas Calhoun L.T. Federspiel Niedziejko L.G. Higgins Broomall C. Clements Rader R.G. Hodgson Hegarty R.T. T. Monaghan Wynne R.E. B. Monaghan Rullo Q.B. Aita Orobono L.H. Greco Boreky R.H. Sheridan Graham F.B. Dever
LA SALLE 7 6 6 0 19 ST. JAMES 0 6 0 13 19
La Salle Scoring: Touchdowns – Greco 2 (37, pass from Aita; 15, run; 16, pass from Aita); Sheridan (13, run-lateral). PAT – Greco (placement). St. James Scoring: Touchdowns – Greenday 2 (5, pass from Rullo; 2, run); Graham (1, plunge). PAT – Niedziejko (placement). Substitutes: La Salle: Osborne, Smith, Eustace, Sharp, Yannessa, Buben, Boyle, Tague, Gallagher, Herrera, Leese, McDonald, DiMaria, Madden. St. James: O’Hara, Beasley, Rodgers, Bargese, Nacrelli, Close, Nolan, Finigan, Dougherty, Lewandowski, Laxton, Sokolowski, Colantuono.
Game 4, October 7, 1956: Bishop Neumann 20 – La Salle 6 by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Bishop Neumann Halts La Salle Streak La Salle High School is no longer the undefeated football ruler of the Catholic League. The defending champions had their streak halted at 18 games yesterday when a powerful Bishop Neumann eleven handed the Little Explorers their first setback since 1954 by a 20-6 score at 12th and Bigler Sts. It was the first reverse in league competition for La Salle since Neumann (then South Catholic) did the trick, 31-20, two years ago. The triumph sent Neumann into a tie for first place with three straight wins, the same as North Catholic, as the latter rolled to a lopsided, 46-0 decision over hapless St. Thomas More at 20th St. and Olney Av. Capitalize on Breaks The rugged Neumann boys took advantage of two “breaks” in the first eight minutes and with Bob Capone, Dick Mattioli and Pat Drass ripping big holes in the La Salle line, punched out two touchdowns. Neumann got its first chance when on fourth down, Ken Leese went back to punt from the La Salle 21. He bobbled the pass from center and was smothered before he could get the boot off and Neumann took over. From here, the Neumann attack struck with fury and it took just five plays to bang out a touchdown. Bob Capone did the bulk of the ball carrying on this march, but Mattioli picked up a big seven yards to the La Salle two. On the next play Capone drove over. Only four minutes had elapsed when Capone did his touchdown chore. Joe Jacovini’s kick for the point was blocked. Following the next kickoff, La Salle was forced to punt again from its 15. Curt Ciavardone blocked Leese’s kick and Pete Fausto recovered for Neumann on the La Salle 19. It was Capone and Mattioli who led this scoring march and this time the job was done on four plays. Capone did the honors for the second time on a smash from the one to score standing up. Jacovini kicked the extra point. Sheridan (ed. note – should be Lou Greco?) Scores for La Salle Early in the second period, La Salle began to move. Ed Dever did some nice running to help the Little Explorers reach midfield. On first down, Paul Aita caught the Neumann defense in close. He faded back from his T-quarterback spot and passed to Hugh Sheridan who was in the clear on the Neumann 20. Sheridan took the 30-yard heave in stride and raced over the goal line for a touchdown. Lou Greco’s placement for the point was messed up on a poor pass from center. In the fourth period Neumann broke through for its third touchdown. The advance started in the third session from Neumann’s 35. But by the time the fourth period opened, Neumann had reached the La Salle 35. On the first play of the period, Walt Klauder hit Mattioli with a pass good for 11 yards to the24, and the drive continued until Mattioli was able to lunge into the end zone from two yards out. Jacovini’s extra point finished the scoring for the day. by Les Ribler, Inquirer
Neumann Upsets La Salle, 20-6 Bishop Neumann High School’s keyed-up Pirates dealt defending champion La Salle its first defeat since Oct. 24, 1954, yesterday. Coach Paul Bartolomeo’s title-minded youngsters won, 20-6, and moved into a first-place tie with North, an overwhelming 46-0 victor over St. Thomas More, in the Catholic League football standings.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
The league’s only unbeatens, Neumann and North lead the pack with 3-0 records. La Salle (2-1-1) dropped from first to fourth. Southeast Catholic was the last team to defeat the Little Explorers, and the same institution, with a different name now, repeats. Tied last week by St. James, idle yesterday, La Salle, league and city champion, had gone through 17 games without a defeat. Bishop Neumann scored twice in the first six minutes, both by junior Bob Capone, a 193-pound fullback, and never trailed. A bad snap from center turned on the “green light”. Four Neumann linemen swarmed over punter Ken Leese, and La Salle, smeared for an 18-yard loss, lost possession at its 22. Five plays later, Capone sliced the final two on an off-tackle slant. A four-play series that Capone capped with a line smash from the one gave the Pirates another touchdown two minutes later. End Curt Civardone broke through to block a punt, and tackle Pete Fausto recovered on La Salle’s 19 to set up the second TD. La Salle made things close by clicking on a 50-yard scoring pass on the second play of the second quarter. Junior quarterback Paul Aita, connecting on his seventh TD pass of the season, tossed 25 yards to league-leading scorer Lou Greco, who got in behind the secondary and raced 25 into the end zone. La Salle could accomplish nothing thereafter, and, early in the third, Neumann scored again.
La Salle Ends: B. Monaghan, Backauskas, Smith. Tackles: Osborne, Sharp, Buben, Federspiel, T. Monaghan. Guards: Higgins, Hodgson, Yannessa. Centers – T. Boyle, Tague, Clements. Backs: Aita, Sheridan, Greco, Dever, Herrera, McDonald, Leese, DiMaria, Maxwell.
Bishop Neumann Ends: J. Boyle, Haggerty, Civardone, Terifay, Devine. Tackles: Villa, Gerace, Fausto, D. Burgese. Guards: Waszewski, E. Burgese, Trocoli, Orsatti. Center: Avicola. Backs – Klauder, Capone, Drass, Mattioli, Jacovini, Crispino.
La Salle 0 6 0 0 6 Neumann 13 0 0 7 20
La Salle Scoring: Touchdown – Greco (50, pass from Aita, 25 run). Neumann Scoring: Touchdowns – Capone 2 (2, plunge; 1, plunge); Mattioli (2, run). PAT – Jacovini 2 (placements). by Bill Shefski, Daily News
Neumann Rushes to Third Victory
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Forward passing isn’t a necessary weapon after all! At least not in the Catholic League. The high- powered use of the aerial has taken a back seat to the “rock ‘em, sock ‘em” ground assaults of Bishop Neumann this year. Neumann parlayed two La Salle errors and a land movement to hand the defending league champs a 20-6 defeat. Neumann’s win snapped a 17-game undefeated streak of the Little Explorers. Dick Mattioli, Pat Drass and bob Capone formed the Neumann line-crushing brigade. The trio ripped off over 200 yards and accounted for all three Pirate touchdowns. La Salle’s blunders gave Neumann a quick 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Ken Leese, La Salle punter, fumbled a pass from center and Neumann took over on the Little Explorer 21. Capone scored the first of his two TD’s six plays later from two yards out. La Salle was forced to punt again in the series following the kickoff. This time, Neumann end Curt Ciavardone blocked the punt and tackle Pete Fausto recovered the ball on La Salle’s 19. Capone hit paydirt again on a one-yard plunge. Joe Jacovini converted and Neumann led, 13-0. La Salle’s only score was a 50-yard pass play. Paul Aita tossed to Lou Greco for the six points. Greco and Aita have collaborated in eight scoring pass plays in four games. The winners tallied again in the fourth session with the help of a wind-blown punt. The Pirates started on the losers’ 36. Mattioli culminated the drive with a two-yard gain.
Game 5, October 21, 1956: La Salle 26 – Father Judge 0
Daily News
Little John Herrera’s two touchdowns led La Salle. Herrera traveled 18 and 28 yards for second period tallies. Lou Greco and Hugh Sheridan scored the other touchdowns for the defending champions.
Evening Bulletin
Speed merchant Johnny Herrera streaked 18 yards to paydirt on La Salle’s third play of the second period to start the Little Explorers off to a 13-0 halftime lead. The gem of the day was turned in by the sparkling passing combination of quarterback Paul Aita and Lou Greco. They clicked on a 72-yard pass- run play in the third quarter. Greco, the league’s top pointmaker, going the final 45.
Inquirer
Herrera Stars For La Salle After a scoreless first period, John Herrera got La Salle rolling down the victory trail with two touchdowns. He ran 18 yards for the first tally to end a 43-yard advance. A few minutes later, Herrera broke away for 28 yards for another TD. A pass, Paul Aita to Joey Maxwell, Jr., the latter, the son of the former Notre Dame star, set the stage for Herrera’s second tally. La Salle struck through the air in the third period. This time Aita pitched 27 yards to Lou Greco. Greco caught the ball on the Judge 45 and raced into the end zone. The pass and run covered 72 yards. John Osborne set up the fourth touchdown in the final period by recovering a fumble on the Judge 48. Three plays moved the ball to the 26, then Hugh Sheridan broke loose and ran the rest of the way to cross the wide line. 13
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
La Salle Ends: Backauskas, Smith, Weinmann, B. Monaghan, Cunningham. Tackles: Osborne, Sharp, Buben, Federspiel, T. Monaghan, Connor, Heckler. Guards: Higgins, Hodgson, Yannessa, Sharpe. Centers: Boyle, Tague, Clements. Backs: Aita, Greco, Sheridan, Dever, Herrera, McDonald, Maxwell, Leese, Kilbride, Madden, Woltemate, Solecki, McTear, Parrotto, Gallagher.
Father Judge 0 0 0 0 0 La Salle 0 13 7 6 26
La Salle Scoring: Touchdowns – Herrera 2 (18, run; 28, run); Greco (72, pass-run, from Aita); Sheridan (26, run). PAT – Greco 2 (placements).
Game 6, October 28, 1956: La Salle FFT over St. Thomas More
La Salle won this game by forfeit as St. Thomas More could not field a team for its final three games of the season due to many injuries.
Game 7, November 4, 1956: La Salle 26 – Monsignor Bonner 20 by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
North and La Salle Score Victories in Approach to ‘Showdown’ next Week North Catholic High School held its grip on first place in the Catholic League football face yesterday, but La Salle, defending champion, stayed right on the Falcons’ heels and now has an even chance of retaining the honors. North had little difficulty romping over West Catholic, 26-0, but La Salle had to turn in its best offensive exhibition of the season to outscore Monsignor Bonner, of Drexel Hill, 26-20. North and La Salle meet next week at 20th St. and Olney Av. A victory for North will decide matters. Should La Salle triumph, a tie is possible. St. James, of Chester, is the other contender with a loss and a tie on its slate. North holds the advantage with a 6-1-0 record. La Salle has 5-1-1 and St. James, 4-1-1. La Salle and Bonner did all the scoring in the first half (24 minutes) and between them produced seven touchdowns in a touch-and-go melee. La Salle’s John Herrera and Ed Dever and Bonner’s Willie Giallonardo had two touchdowns each. Nick DeAngelis tallied the other six-pointer for the Drexel Hill eleven on a 60-yard scamper from scrimmage. Bonner took the opening kickoff and surged 64 yards on ten plays. Giallonardo broke up the middle on a draw play and raced 25 yards for the first TD. It was fourth down and six to go for a first when Willie did this scoring bit. Dave Truitt converted. La Salle Strikes Back La Salle struck back by driving for a score after receiving the kickoff. Fullback Ed Dever was the workhorse on the drive, and plunged the last 5 yards for the touchdown. 14
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
The Friars moved back in front on a reverse play with DeAngelis going 60 yards for the score, but La Salle came right back on Herrera’s 38-yard run into the end zone. The Little Explorers took the lead on a 70-yard drive culminating in Ed Dever’s four yard touchdown. But Bonner got the lead back at 20-19 after a drive that saw Giallonardo going that last five into the end zone. Dave O’Donnell made the score possible with a 35-yard run to the La Salle 19. Truitt sent Bonner ahead with a placement conversion. Joe Maxwell, Jr., son of the former Notre Dame tackle, put La Salle back in business on the next kickoff when he returned it 37 yards to the Bonner 33. Paul Aita passed to Bob Smith on the 25. On the next play, Herrera sliced through the left side of the Bonner line and raced 25 yards for his second touchdown. Greco’s placement added the point. Bonner missed a chance to tie or win in the fourth period when La Salle put up a strong defensive stand to take the ball on its own four-yard line. With fourth and a couple of yards to go, Jim Holden missed a first down by inches and La Salle’s triumph was certain. by Les Ribler, Inquirer
N. Catholic, La Salle Win, Set Stage for “Big” Game The stage was set for Sunday’s all-important Catholic High League game between Northeast Catholic and La Salle’s defending champions as both teams won yesterday for a 1-2 standing in the championship race. La Salle (5-1-1) stymied Monsignor Bonner’s late scoring threat, after a wild first half, to win, 26-20. The North-La Salle meeting will be the league finale for both. North will win the title outright with a victory, but faces elimination with a loss. A triumph for La Salle would leave only the Little Explorers and St. James (4-1-1) in contention for the pennant. Miss By Inches Bonner’s late bid to pull the game out of the fire was the only scoring threat in the second half as the Friars and La Salle confined all their point-making to the first half. The Friars were halted inches short of a first down at the four by La Salle’s determined goal-line stand after driving 69 yards. La Salle twice came from behind in the free-scoring first half and then held on to keep their title chances alive. Little Johnny “The Cuban Flash” Herrera was the bright spot in the victory, although the running of fullback Ed Dever and the stellar line play also helped. Herrera racked up two touchdowns on runs of 30 and 25 yards and gained valuable yardage throughout the wild first half. Winning Margin His second touchdown proved the winning margin. It came in the waning moments of the second period after Joe Maxwell had returned the kickoff 47 yards to the Friars’ 33. Two plays later Herrera streaked across to erase Bonner’s 20-19 lead. by Bill Shefski, Daily News
North Catholic Rolls On, But La Salle High Eleven Isn’t Giving Up La Salle High’s football team is set to defend its championship until all hope is lost. The defending Catholic League Kings do not believe in quitting. This quality was brought out yesterday when the Little Explorers outlasted tough Monsignor Bonner High, 26-20, in a see-saw game at 20th St. and Olney Av.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
A successful defense of the title was far from the question after the Little Explorers lost to bishop Neumann and tied St. James. But a group of hard-bitten senior players have put new life into the drive for a second crown. North Catholic, the team La Salle has to overtake, scored an easy, 26-0, victory over West Catholic yesterday. All the Falcons have to do is win their final league contest next Sunday and they’ll be the new champion. But, the Falcons will have to accomplish this feat against the Little Explorers. The teams will meet at 20th St. and Olney Ave. A win or tie for North would eliminate La Salle. St. James of Chester, which also has a chance at the crown, would be eliminated by a North victory over La Salle. La Salle and Bonner confined all scoring to the first half. Bonner took the opening kickoff and marched 64 yards for a touchdown. Willie Giallonardo went the final 25 yards on a draw play. Dave Truitt converted for a 7-0 lead. La Salle moved 65 yards with the ensuing kickoff as senior Eddie Dever sparked the drive. He ran 33 yards to set up the score which he also accounted for on a five-yard plunge. Bonner moved ahead via a 60-yard six-point jaunt by Nick DeAngelis on a reverse play. La Salle retaliated by toting the ball 59-yards. John Herrera culminated the drive with a 36-yard sprint into paydirt. La Salle broke the deadlock in the second quarter. Dever gained his second touchdown by going four yards after a 70-yard drive. Bonner went ahead 20-19 on a five-yard run by Giallonardo and Truitt’s conversion in the second session. La Salle’s Joe Maxwell took the kickoff and traveled 47 yards to Bonner’s 33. Herrera put the Little Explorers ahead to stay with a 22-yard touchdown scamper. A gallant goal line stand saved the victory for La Salle in the last period. Bonner drove to the La Salle four but a fourth-down big for a first down by quarterback Jim Holden was thwarted inches short.
Chester Times
Bonner Bows To La Salle, 26-20 Philadelphia – La Salle (5-1-1) stymied Monsignor Bonner’s late scoring threat after a wild and wooly first half to nose out the Drexel Hillers, 26-20, in a Catholic Football League game played yesterday afternoon on the winners’ field, here.
Monsignor Bonner Ends: Truitt, Closkey, DiGiandomenico. Tackles: Connelly, Reilly, Cappello. Guards: Cardamone, Radana, Mueller, DiGregorio. Center: Ruane. Backs: Holden, Belfie, O’Donnell, DeAngelis, Giallonardo, DeJesse, Raynor.
La Salle Ends: Backauskas, Smith, Weinmann, B. Monaghan, Franiak. Tackles: Osborne, Sharp, Buben, Federspiel, T. Monaghan. Guards: Higgins, Hodgson, Yannessa. Centers: Boyle, Tague, Clements.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Backs: Aita, Greco, Sheridan, Dever, Herrera, McDonald, Maxwell, Leese, Kilbride, Parrotto, Gallagher, Woltemate.
Msgr Bonner 13 7 0 0 20 La Salle 13 13 0 0 26
Monsignor Bonner Scoring – Touchdowns: Giallonardo 2 (25, run; 5, run); DeAngelis (60, run). PAT: Truitt 2. La Salle Scoring – Touchdowns: Dever 2, (5, run; 4, run); Herrera 2 (30, run; 25, run). PAT: Sheridan (pass from Greco), Greco.
Game 8, November 11, 1956: North Catholic 34 – La Salle 12 by Les Ribler, Inquirer
North Routs La Salle, 34-12, To Win Catholic Loop Title The year 1956 will long be remembered by those who follow the athletic achievements of North Catholic High School. First came the basketball title, then the baseball crown, and yesterday, before an overflow crowd of close to 15,000 at McCarthy Stadium, North stripped La Salle’s defending champions of the Catholic League football championship with a rousing 34-12 victory. It was the first football crown for the once-beaten Falcons (7-1) since 1952 and they will meet the Public Conference champion – still undecided – at Franklin Field Dec. 8 for the City title. They are City champs in both basketball and baseball. St. James Bows La Salle’s Homecoming Day fans saw the Little Explorers (5-2-1) go down to their most one-sided defeat in many years. They could have retained the championship with a victory, as it turned out, for roman kayoed St. James, the only other team in contention, 13-7. North, whose coach, John Gillespie, was a tackle on North’s first championship team in 1934, had a superior line, and that ultimately decided the battle. Huge holes in La Salle’s forward wall were opened. Fullback Marty Qualtieri smashed for two scores and Andy Lavin another on the ground. Quarterback Don Rankin plunged for one and passed for two others. North never trailed. It was close only in the first quarter when the Falcons clung to a 7-6 lead. They had the edge in first downs, 18-9. Four came on penalties, which plagued La Salle (particularly on offsides); 13 on rushing and one via the air lanes. They threw only seven passed, and were forced to punt only once. Recover Fumble On 12 End John Kazmierczak’s fumble recovery on La Salle’s 12, just two plays after the opening kickoff, set up Lavin’s nine-yard turn of right end. Kicking specialist Tom Scanlon, whose job heretofore had been confined to kickoffs and field goal attempts, place-kicked the first of his four extra points and the Falcons were in front to stay. They mustered drives of 71, 73, 43, and 61 yards over the next three periods to pour it on the Little Explorers. Qualtieri powered through the line, Lavin circled the ends and occasionally went inside, Rankin ran excellently when needed, and Walt Sroka and Greg Puckett also got into the act before the reserves finished out the game.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
Rankin completed three of seven passes for 44 yards, and tossed both scoring aerials. End Larry Vogelman grabbed one for a 26-yard score on the end of a 71-yard drive and Qualtieri picked a short three-yarder out of the air with an over-the-shoulder catch to cap a 73-yard assault. Both came in the second quarter. 86-Yard Kick Return Rankin and Qualtieri added the finishing touches with one-yard plunges in the second half. La Salle’s scoring was equally divided over the two halves. The Little Explorers caught North flat-footed when junior halfback Johnny Herrera passed 26 yards to end Brian Monaghan for the first-period score and sophomore halfback Joe Maxwell raced 86 yarrds with a kickoff in the third. by Jack Ryan, Evening Bulletin
Victory Over La Salle Seals North’s 4th Title Since 1948 North Catholic High School has earned the right to represent the Catholic League in the 1956 city championship football game December 8 on Franklin Field. The Falcons took care of this business yesterday when they turned loose all their power to rout La Salle, the defending title-holder, 34-12, to wrap up the league honors before 12,000 at 20th St. and Olney Av. It marked the fourth time since 1948, the year Jack Gillespie took over as coach, that North won the title. Superior blocking and brilliant defensive work by the North line proved a deadly combination that was too much for the undermanned La Salle eleven. This was evident early when North moved 12 yards for a touchdown on three plays after John Kazmierczak recovered a fumble. The Falcon forwards literally knocked La Salle back on its heels, with Andy Lavin sprinting eight yards around his own right end to score. Tom Scanlon kicked his first of four extra points. Vince Higgins put La Salle in a scoring position by recovering a fumble on his 46 after the next kickoff. Paul Aita and Ed Dever moved the ball to North’s 25. Aita tossed a pitchout to John Herrera who whipped a pass to Brian Monaghan in the end zone. Lou Greco’s kick was wide. North rolled to a pair of touchdowns in the second period. Marty Qualtieri and Walt Sroka led the running attack to the La Salle 27. Rankin then caught La Salle napping and chucked a 20-yard pass to Larry Vogelman, who ran seven more over the goal line. The third North scoring advance covered 73 yards. With less than 20 seconds to play and the ball on the La Salle 2, Rankin pitched to Qualtieri, who made a diving catch in the end zone. Qualtieri scored again in the final period on a one-yard drive to end a 39-yard advance. But in the third period Rankin did the touchdown chore on a one-yard quarterback sneak, after Qualtieri set the stage with a 27-yard run to the La Salle 16. In between these two scores, La Salle put over its second tally when Joey Maxwell, Jr., son of the former Notre Dame star, caught a kickoff on his own 13 and raced 87 yards. by Bill Shefski, Daily News
Falcons Win Title On Strong Attack The Catholic League football championship changed hands yesterday at 20th St. and Olney Ave. North Catholic High’s hepped-up grid troupe relieved defending champion La Salle High of the coveted laurel before a crowd of 10,000.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
The Falcons, utilizing a strong ground attack and two surprising aerial maneuvers, romped over a penalty-bogged La Salle eleven, 34-12. It was the fourth circuit title for Jack Gillespie in his eight-year coaching spell at North. The Falcons are the first league champion in a decade to have their record marred by a loss. North dropped a 14-13 decision to St. James for its only setback in eight games. The 1946 West eleven was the last Catholic kingpin to carry a blemished record into the city title game. North (7-1) will make its fourth appearance in the Inter-League Classic Dec. 8 at Franklin Field against the Public Conference champion which as yet hasn’t been decided. The smart quarterbacking of Don Rankin, the running of Walt Sroka, Andy Lavin and Marty Qualtieri and strong blocking by the Falcon line led the way to the victory. John Kazmierczak, an end, started North on the victory trail early in the first period by recovering a fumble on the La Salle 12. Three plays later, Lavin turned right end to score standing up from the nine. Soccer player Tom Scanlon, wearing a soccer shoe, converted the first of a string of four extra points, and North led, 7-0. The Little Explorers, who surprised the league under first-year mentor Tex Flannery, countered with a 54- yard touchdown drive after Vince Higgins gained possession of a fumble. This drive was culminated by a 25-yard aerial play. Paul Aita pitched out to John Herrera who passed to end Brian Monaghan for the score. Lou Greco missed the placement. North broke the game wide open with a pair of long scoring marches in the second quarter. Rankin tossed 26 yards to Larry Vogelman to climax a 71-yard drive. North drove 73 yards to score prior to the intermission. Rankin, with La Salle set for a running play on its own three, hurled a short strike to fullback Qualtieri over the wide stripe. The Falcons upped the lead to 27-6 in the third period. Rankin cracked across from the two after a 27- yard run by Qualtieri set up the score. La Salle’s final touchdown was an 86-yard kickoff return by sophomore Joe Maxwell. After this, North’s strong line and penalties thwarted La Salle. The Little Explorers were penalized 11 times for a total of 75 yards. Qualtieri tallied the last Falcon TD on a one-yard plunge which ended a 62-yard fourth period assault.
North Ends: Vogelman, Golden, Kazmierczak, McCaffrey, Korczynski, Kuczborski. Tackles: Anderson, Doyle, Danz, John, Campbell, Gamils. Guards: Wenclawiak, Koreck, Simoncini, Visco. Centers: McCauley, Proud. Backs: Rankin, McGrady, Lavin, Qualtieri, Sroka, Scanlan, Schroeder, Puckett, Delaney, Casey, Peters, Lifstead.
La Salle Ends: Backauskas, Smith, Weinmann, B. Monaghan, Franiak. Tackles: Osborne, Sharp, Buben, Federspiel, T. Monaghan, Heckler, Eustace. Guards: Higgins, Hodgson, Yannessa, Sharpe. Centers: Boyle, Tague, Clements. Backs: Aita, Greco, Sheridan, Dever, Herrera, Maxwell, Leese Kilbride, Madden, Woltemate, Parrotto, Gallagher.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1956
North 7 14 6 7 32 La Salle 6 0 6 0 12
North Scoring: Touchdowns – Lavin (9, run); Vogelman (26, pass-run from Rankin); Qualtieri 2 (3, pass from Rankin; 1, plunge); Rankin (1, plunge). PAT – Scanlon 4. La Salle Scoring: Touchdowns – B. Monaghan (25, pass-run from Herrera); Maxwell (86, kickoff return).
Game 9, November 22, 1956: La Salle 32 – Germantown 13 (Thanksgiving) from the Yearbook
The traditional Thanksgiving Day tussle with Germantown High saw the Explorers roll to a 32-13 triumph. Touchdowns by Dever and Sheridan highlighted the victory, the latter having the distinction of having scored the first and the last of the season’s touchdowns. While the valiant Explorer team missed gaining the much-desired title by a single game, pride could be had in the fact that a squad given little chance to show in pre-season ratings exhibited such fighting spirit in every game.
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