1955

With a few returning letterman as a nucleus, the Mounties, under the able coaching of their mentors Clary Anderson and Butch Fortunato, developed into what might well have been the best football team in the state. The Mounties led in both the Saylor and Collition ratings. However, the Newark News awarded the State Championship to Memorial High School. After two easy wins (26-0 and 46-0) over weak Orange and Irvington teams, Montclair ran head-on into an inspired Kearny team which battled through the mud to hold the Mounties to a scoreless tie. It was in this game that the fans discovered Warren Rauhofer, whose powerful running carried the brunt of the Mountie offense. Undaunted, Montclair then met Nutley in a hard fought affair that saw sophomore sensation, Richie Haines, score both of Montclair’s touchdowns on the first and last plays of the game while the tough Mountie defense shackled the quick deceptive Nutley backfield to hold them to a single score (14-6). The Mounties suffered no letdown after this hard fought fracas, but went on to meet a powerful East Orange squad in a tense thriller. Fine offensive play by Richie Haines and glue-fingered Ken Russo led the Mounties to a 14-7 victory. Columbia, a supposed threat, was overwhelmed 47-0 and then the Bulldogs went on to swamp West Orange and Clifton by scores of 36-14 and 32-0, with Richie Haines, Lindel Peoples, Ken Russo, Ralph Galascione, and Ray Spivey excelling. The Mounties, with a sharp offense as a leading factor, invaded Foley Field in Bloomfield on Thanksgiving Day; but it was the defensive unit that stole the spotlight. Having successfully stymied Richie Haines and Ray Spivey, Bloomfield had a great deal of trouble stopping Warren “The Horse” Rauhofer, who tore up the Bengal’s line for three touchdowns. With fine quarterbacking by Alan Pond and Ray Festa, great pass catching by Ralph Galascione and Ken Russo, tremendous blocking by Ed Long and Lindel Peoples, and great defensive play by Rocky Cifalino and Alex Coccoziello, the Mounties defeated Bloomfield by a score of 18-0, thus ending an undefeated season.

Left: Ray Spivey flanks left end for a first down against Columbia. Center: Warren Rauhofer plunges for the first TD against the Bengals. Right: Ralph Calascione grabs TD pass in the Kearny game.

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