SIDELINED because of a broken arm suffered in the Scituate game last Saturday, Ronald Venterosa, regular left end on the Norwood High eleven, talks over with Assistant Coach "Dick ' Murphy the possibilities of a Blue and White triumph over the Dedham powerhouse on Thanksgiving Day (Surette Photo)
This is not a Thanksgiving Day story. Rather a football tale of a game played long ago when the principals mentioned were young— very young But the memory of it all centers around the fact that the game—and it was a great game indeed—took place on that famous New England day of Thanksgiving, and the setting was a typical New England town not far distant from Norwood.
The home town team, my High School team, was taking a terrific laving at the hands of a band of hired mercenaries from an adjoining town team. In those days there were no firm scholastic rules regarding eligibility to represent a school.
A team would be picked up from the sand lots of industrial plants— and become the XY high school varsity in less than half an hour.
Our school was small, but regular. The boys played good football and straight. Speed McGlaughlin was a great halfback—and a lad who could vover a hundred yards in eleven seconds on a dirt track— and on the gridiron it was said he could still do it with football cleats and shin guards.
"STOP SPEED MCGLAUGHLIN
But on that Turkey Day. "Speed" made only one great run—60 yards for a touchdown, when the opposing team sizing op the situation, concentrated on him alone anil boxed him so that he was stopped dead in his tracks on every play handed him.
"Stop Speed McGlaughlin" was the word passed to his players by the coach of the visiting team And stop him they did But there was in this case, as there always is among any group of school boys, a strategist of high caliber and ingenuity "Bill" Boland was not a football player—but he knew more about the game than many who did play.
Leaving the group of spectators where he had been observing the carnage taking place in the ranks of his school team, he quickly made his way to the players' bench and getting the car of the school teacher coach outlined a plan—a plan to end all plans, a plan to not only with the game—but a plan which would revolutionize the game of football,
A plan so simple that no rehearsal was necessary—no signals to learn, a plan which had just originated in his own brain "What is there to lose?—Why not try it; he argued.
There wasn't a thing to lose, that was true, and as the period ended the coach called the team together and outlined the plan—Bill's plan which was the next thing to the hidden ball trick, which only the previous year the famed Carlisle Indians had used to win over Harvard and which resulted in new rules and regulations destined to change the entire game of football as played in those days.
SOMETHING WAS WRONG
When the game started again our school had the ball and suddenly . seemed to go to pieces. Signals? called the right end The quarter repeated "Signals?" called the left end The quarter repeated and again came the query, "Signals?
Something was wrong Someone had blundered The quarterback walked over to the right end and one of the halfbacks strolled over also. They talked seriously with the youngster who didn't understand. The entire team rested. Two or three players stepped, out of position. The visiting team relaxed "These dumbbells don't even know their own plays"—was their opinion apparently of what was going on.
'Speed" McGIaughlin looked bored He looked listlessly on the group of players and on the opposing team — now almost getting ready to sit down He strolled slowly and apparently halt-hcart-cdly toward the side lines, then changing his mind turned — and galloped past the center, who had handed him the ball, and dashed around the left end past the unprepared and relaxed visiting team, the entire length of the field for a touchdown.
"A sneak play"—call ifwhat you will, it won the game, because it so .thoroughly demoralized the visitors that they couldn't get underway again before before "Speed' had galloped up and down that field for three more touchdowns.
Such was Bill Boland's great plan. And it needed only a "Speed" McGIaughlin to make it workable —and Speed did it.
Yeah. "Speed" was destined to carry the ball—in more ways than on the gridiron.
Made last brave run
He was one of that group of American Marines who died at Boileau Wood in 1918.
You will remember I said this all happened long, long ago. And Bill Boland9 Well that master mind, the strategist who. while no football player, did the thinking for the players not only on the field— but often in classroom and during examination periods—is still following the ball.
He is Clerk of Courts in a County which is not Norfolk.
And when I called on him recently he was out—but his secretary told me if it was an auto violation fix I wanted to just leave my nemo—and that Will would figure out the answer.
It was more than three years later, after the war. that "Speed" came home. A flag-draped coffin containing all that was left of the mortal remains of the lad who had died in France, the lad who ran so well and bravely, was carried to the quiet churchyard in our town And a little group of people from long ago. are perhaps the only ones today who remember him — and when he came home to stay.
I know this must be so because a few years ago I visited the old school — and the football squad were donning their equipment Some of it was old and worn. "Look" a youngster pointed out to me. "this helmet must have been in use when McKinley was president—see it's got some guy's name in it—"
"Must have belonged to some guy a long time ago," said the kid— "I wonder where he is now?"
And I wondered afterwards why I was so sharp with the youngster when I SNATCHED the old helmet from him and carried it to the headmaster with a demand that it be placed in the Trophy Room.
"Snapshots" Of The Team
Left end will be held down by John "Butch" Collins who is a 140-pound senior with the speed of light. "Butch" didn't play football his first two years because of lack of weight but is making up for those two years now. Collins is a good defensive end and stands high in the ranks of pass receivers. We will hear more from "Butch" when hockey and baseball roll along. "Butch" is out to win this game for Benny and the boys in the service and is going in the Marines upon graduation.
Leo Dolaher, a converted end. will take care of the tackle duties on the left side of the line. Leo is six feet and weighs 170 pounds and his long reach enables him to make many shoestring tackles. Leo is a senior and plans to enlist in the Navy when he graduates. Leo is going to try and win this game for Coach Murphy in his first year.
Co-Captain Eddie "Augie" Butters will donate his weight and power to the left guard position. "Augie" weighs 190 pounds. "Augie" started the season at the tackle position but was moved to guard In order to build up the center of the Une. "Augie is out to win this game for his brothers in the service. Ed. plans to enlist in the army after school is over.
The all-important center post is held down by Kenny "Archabus" Cavanaugh who is a 175-pound senior. Ken is playing his first year of football but gives a super performance in every game. Ken was moved to center because of his powerful charge. "Archabus" is going to enter the Marines upon graduation. Ken is out to win this game for Coach Murphy who brought him the game.
The running guard position is capably filled by Tim Curtin better known as "T.J " Tim is a 150-pound senior who plans to enter the Marines, upon graduation. Tim has waited three years to play against Dedham and we know he will give a good account of himself. "T.J " is out to try and win this game for his brother Ted who is in the Navy and for Bob Coyne who is in the Army.
Bill "Buddy" Kendrick Is a novice at the game of football but has gained experience with each game. Kendrick is a 175-pound senior who holds down right tackle. Buddy plans to enter the Navy. His reason for winning this game arc for all the boys "over there" and for Coaches Murray and Murphy.
At right end will be Joe Conti. Joe is a 140-pound junior. He is not only the smallest boy on the team but also the best pass receiver Joe will come back to school next year and may become captain We will hear more of Joe during basketball and baseball seasons. He Is out to win this game for Mike Campasino and all the All-Stars in the service.
The brains of the football team is Jimmy "Huyey" Long who is a 165 pound senior. Jimmy has been the main reason for the success of Norwood's "T" formation. Jimmy is going to enlist in the Marines after graduation His father is his inspiration for winning the game.
At left halfback is Ken "Weed" MacDonald who is the triple-threat star of the team. Ken docs all the kicking and most of the passing from the single-wing formation. Ken is a 175-pound Senior who plans to fight for the Marines when he graduates. He wants to beat Dedham for his brother who is In the Air Corps and stationed in France.
At right wing will be found Bernard "Ben" Sykes who is the only Sophomore on the varsity team. Ben is a 150-pound lad who has the ability to leap high into the air and snare passes. He wants to capture a victory for all the Seniors on the team who will be in the service next year.
Jack Breen, also known as the "Brim," does all the line bucking and is very good on pass defense. Jack is a 160-pound Junior who Is out to win this game for Coaches Murray and Murphy, and also for the "Club."
Pete "Flash0 Carchcdi will be on hand to show his heels to a few Dedham backs. Pete is a 140-pound Junior and is the fastest man on the team. Pete is going to win this game for his brother Tom who is overseas.
Co-capt. Frank "Buzzey" Jordano. who lias been laid up for the last three weeks, will be in condition for this game and even if he doesn't start he will see plenty of action and his entrance Into the game may boost the morale of the team. Frank is a 170-pound Senior who plans to enter the army Frank is going to win this game for all his friends in the service.
Capable line replacements such as Bob "Buckets" Chandler. 150-pound Senior at guard. Paul Fulton. 145-pound Senior at end and Mitch Thomas who is a 170-pound Junior operating at the center spot, will be available for duty.
Backfield replacements. Teddy "Professor" Tomm Joe Grasso. Don Hall and Andy Y'elapi will be on hand.
By"BUDDY"CARKER
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)
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