SUPER TEAMS: Not only was 1959 an outstanding year for Bradford
High football, but the late 1950s were some of the best years ever
for Bradford football overall.
That’s the word from Tony Pascale who tells us that the Owls
1958 team was just as good and perhaps better than the ’59 squad:
“That team was undefeated going into the last game of the year but
was upset by an over-achieving Olean team that stunned the Parkway
Field crowd.”
“Across town, the other high school football team was enjoying a
great season as well. The 1958 St. Bernard team finished its year
as its school’s first undefeated and untied team in history.
“The Rambler team of ’58 was coached by Don Raabe who, this
being his third year, brought respectability to a program that was
to continue when the school consolidated into Bradford Central
Christian.”
The ’58 team only gave up 18 points in its seven games.
“SBHS’s 1958 team was actually too good that year and had
difficulty booking games. As I recall, we went into practice with
only six games booked, four in our Diocesan league and games with
Smethport and Coudersport, but no one else wanted anything to do
with us.
“It was only after a lot of persuading that Allegheny agreed to
play us up at Community Ballpark (our home field). During the
football season, we were still trying to get games and there was
talk about arranging for us to play St. Marys Public who were also
undefeated that year.
“They had a fullback by the name of Dan Connor who went on to
play for the University of Miami and then had a great career as
linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys.
“The game with St. Marys never happened and it is probably just
as well because over the years we could always argue that we were
the best because everyone was afraid to play us, whether it was
true or not.”
Along with Tony, that “other” Bradford team was comprised of
backs John Pionzio (former Limestone High principal for years),
Mike Vigliotti, Ted Viola, Dick Wegner (deceased), Al Pantuso;
lineman Fred Ruth, Joe Vecellio (was BCCHS’s basketball coach and
assistant head football coach for years), Larry Vecellio, Bill
McCormick (Bradford’s current fire chief), Pat Clifford, Hayes
Henton, Tim Donahue (deceased), Bill Manning, Louie Pecora, and
John DePetro.
More tomorrow.
