PART 2: We left our readers hanging yesterday amid the final few
minutes of the 1959 season opener between St. Bernard Ramblers and
the Smethport Hubbers, a classic in schoolboy athletics.

The Ramblers, coming off an unbeaten season, had rallied in the
second half only to become the Hubbers first victim in a season
which saw them win all but one contest under Coach Jim Donovan.

As we concluded Tuesday’s column, the Ramblers had just scored
the tying touchdown. The extra point try was successful giving the
Ramblers a 14-13 lead with only 45 seconds remaining in the
game.

We go back to the Era game story written by sports writer Jim
Evans:

“Big Bill McCormack kicked off strongly to the Smethport 20.
Jack Larson, Hubber reserve back, made a scintillating return to
his 44-yard line. (Jim) Ludwig broke through to the Rambler 45 on
an 11-yard gallop.

“There’s no clock at Community Park, but this writer learned
later that only 27 seconds remained when Smethport set up its
game-winning strategy.

“St. Bernard was deployed in pass defense. Smethport quarterback
Chuck Higgins handed off to Ludwig in a basic dive play. Ludwig hit
hard over his right tackle, but back past the line of scrimmage and
tore down the left side for the touchdown. The play caught the
Rambler backs rotating. The local defense additionally was confused
by a red flag indicating an offside by the Bernies – a penalty
naturally declined by Smethport.

“Ludwig added the extra point at the line, but time almost had
run out for the Bernies anyway. Frigo returned the Hubber kickoff
to the Rambler 40. The game ended as a desperation pass, Viola to
Miller, failed.

” ‘St. Bernard was really an inspired team in the second half,’
” said Coach Jim Donovan of Smethport. “Don Raabe has done a
wonderful job with green material. If we hadn’t got our two early
touchdowns, we’d have been cooked.’

“Raabe was heartened by his team’s remarkable second half
performance after a dismal early showing. The Bernies had a minus
two yards on the ground and but 56 in the air in the first half. In
the last two quarters, they gained 132 running and 102 passing for
a game output of 280 yards compared with the Hubbers’ 216, all
earned overland.”

Must have been quite a game.