How's Your Football Memory
By FRANK KARSHIS
How's your football memory dating back to the year of '32 when Norwood High played some interesting opponents that season. Norwood was coached by the late Bennie Murray, and his elevens played against teams from six different schools far removed from any local participation since then.
Norwood first played against Watertown winning 2-0 on a blocked kick. Russell "Buddy" Hauck slipped through the Watertown line to block the kick which gave Norwood enough to win over Coach Ward's team. Ward was a Norwood Jr. High mentor just the year before.
Norwood then blasted Wakefield 33-0. Capt. Anthony O'Donnell played one of the most spectacular games ever seen on this field.
Gardner tripped Norwood 13-0. This loss came after Framingham dumped the locals 8-0. Norwood lost two very capable players through ineligibility, Pete Thornton and Johnny Stanton. They're absence was a severe blow to Norwood football hopes. Norwood then tied big Quincy 6-6 and it was George Bader who shined in that game. Norwood missed the extra point, and could have won it. The highly regarded passing Quincy team poured on the heat but Norwood didn't wither.
Then came Punchard High, Norwood won 6-0. Frankie Bartucca, Felix Dixon, Abraham Boulis, and John Lfnnehan gave an exhibition of real ball carrying. Fairhaven was next but Norwood lost 6-0. At Fairhaven the weather was the worst of the season. Rain, rain and mud and then the day turned very cold. Johnny Howard and Clem McCormack were targets for Frank Bartucca but the QB couldn't connect.
These teams hardly represent the present-day Bay State League. Times have changed, and so have the names of players. Today, living here in Norwood, fellows like George Bader, John Howard, Clement McCormack, Anthony O'Donnell, Bennie Dulkis, John Linnchan, Jack Connolly, and Abraham Boulis who made up those teams, remember those days. Not as active in football as In the seasons gone by, they nevertheless have a high interest in schoolboy football. Which also speaks for the other teams graduated on the roll of honor from Norwood High.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)
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