It appears the years are playing tricks on me. I thought we beat Monsignor Bonner, our senior year. As I recall, the game was played at Villanova Stadium. Bob Kahana '60, bobbled the opening kick off, picked it up and sprinted about 80 yards for the TD. Or as they say now, "he took it to the house". Our yearbook does not show that game. And I know we won that game. If any of you can refresh my memory it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any other comments about our senior year FB team, feel free to add those. I would like to know what some of these guys are doing now.
4 comments:
Jake, that game occurred in our Junior year and the kick was returned by Jimmy Bantum.The other notable event that day was that John Hoban broke his leg and was out for the rest of the season.Two great classmates who are no longer with us.We lost to Bonner in our senior year at Cahill Field in a 7-0 game--we had trouble scoring all year. Bonner had a terrific lineman on that team named Al Atkinson who had a great career at Villanova and the NY Jets.
Jake, it was a great game and I remember seeing all the guys on Monday and talking about the game. Jimmy's kickoff return set the tone for the rest of the game. Even though Hobie broke his leg, he was smiling ear to ear talking about the win. Larry, I played with Al Atkinson in 1965, my only year with the Jets.
Chalie #26
I pretty much remember Larry’s story and also remember Joe Gallagher having a magnificent game. He ran over Bonner tacklers all day. Tom Kearney (‘58) also has memories of that game because he replaced John Hoban at center and hopefully he will share his memories
Hey...........YO!!!!!!!!!!! '59
I feel like I am the Judge Advocate on the Bonner game - Sept 1957. What a great day for '58, but we would not have won without the '59 & '60 contribution. QB John Dinan did not practice all week due to illness and Kahana was chosen by Goldie to move from halfback to quarterback. I believe John Hoban & Bruce Merriman both started due to other '58 injuries -Bob Barker (C) & Dick Simpson (RE) - while Joe Gallagher started because Kahana moved to QB. My recollection is that Bonner took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field and scored in about five plays but missed the extra point. Their kick off after that went to Jimmy and he roared back with a coast to coast TD. They were on the ropes.
We held them on downs after our kick off and they punted to us. On or about the third play of our next possession Hobe went down around our forty yard line. I was on the bench having moved up to second string. Goldie says to John H. - Who's down? John H says Johnny. Goldie - Who do we have? John H. - Kearney. Goldie - JESUS!! (What a morale booster). Goldie calls me over - Do you know your plays? Yes, I say - I could run them in my sleep............... Goldie - Quiet!!.............go ahead in.
I ran past Johnny who was being treated on the field. As I approached the huddle 10 gloomy faces stared at me. In an instant I asked..........Hey! Is this where you catch the A bus for practice? Everybody laughed. Bobby called a huddle and called a dive play over me and Walsack. Gallagher goes 17 yards over my block on All Catholic middle guard Freddie Cappella and Phil Walsack's annihilation of his man. Returning to the huddle Bobby says - WE GOTTEM!!
We went right down the field and scored again. Bonner never recoverd. We flat out beat them. The final score was 27 - 6. What a great day for '59 to play such a great game. Johnny's injury was later revealed as a fracture of the patella (knee cap). He never left the sidelines - refusing to go to the hospital until the game was over. I think his cousin drove him to Roxborough Hosp.
Dinan started the game in the defensive secondary and I believe had an interception and played well even though he was very sick. He missed the following Sunday against Tommie More. Frank G. is right - Joe Gal was cooking. He just pummeled them.
Keep up the great work '59.............I love your blog.
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