OWLS ’71: More today about the Owls’ undefeated 1971 team as
reported in The Era at the time of its season finale against Olean,
N.Y.:

“The reserves performed quite well, almost as well as the
regulars, and preserved the shutout, although Olean came on strong
with a deadly passing attack in the final moments. Leading the way
here were John Monti, Bill Herzog, Chuck McCreadie, Joe Tantalo,
Kevin Moyer, Mark McCoy and Doug Cobb.”

“…In the fourth quarter, the Owls’ workhorse (Tom) Mealy was the
one who carried the pigskin the final three yards. The conversion
attempt failed, but the lead had been stretched to 20-0.

“Now, with no other choice, the Huskies went to the air, but the
ballhawks of the Bradford secondary ended this drive quickly. The
next pass … was stolen by Mealy, his second theft … Five plays
later, (Bill) Bathrick put the Owls on the scoreboard again, making
it 28-0 in favor of the Owls.

“(Bill) Cline was a busy man as he put his toe to the ball for
the fifth time of the game. With seven minutes still remaining in
the game, the Bradford defensive unit wasn’t about to quit, and
Olean was forced to punt again. This punt was a short one and gave
the Owls good field position at their own 48-yard line. The
somewhat weary Huskies then watched Mealy rip away from several
tacklers on the first play and run 52 yards for this 18th touchdown
of the season.

“… Olean frantically trying to get on the board was stopped
twice by key interceptions, the first one by senior Kevin Moyer and
the second one by senior Mark McCoy. These last two interceptions
ruined Olean’s hopes for points, and the gun sounded with Coach
John Durham being carried off the field.”

VICTORY PARTY: A postscript to the Owls’ believable season in
the Era of Dec. 3, 1971: “A sellout crowd of over 600 people saw
Tom Mealy and Andy Zetts selected as the Most Valuable Back and
Most Valuable Lineman at the annual Bradford High School Football
Banquet held Thursday night at the Bradford High cafeteria.”

“… Head football coach John Durham was introduced, and he
received a standing ovation … Zetts, Mealy and Bob Moore then
presented Coach Durham and his two assistants, Bill Shesman and Ed
Pomroy, trophies in recognition of the undefeated football
season.”