’67 RAMBLERS: Patrick McVay of Hingham, Mich., has been
following our columns about the St. Bernard football program of the
late 1950s.
“As a young boy, I attended St. Bernards Elementary School and
remember the majority of those players who participated in these
memorable games at the old Community ball park coached by the late
Don Raabe,” he writes us.
He has his own story to share about a game he played his junior
year at Bradford Central Christian in 1967 against cross-county
rival Smethport.
He goes on: “That year we had a lot of returning lettermen but,
naturally, we were not sure what kind of team we would have. We
opened the season with the Smethport Hubbers on the road at McCoy
Stadium. They also had a lot of returning lettermen and two very
good running backs in fullback Mike Petruzzi and halfback Gary
Cunningham.
“They ran a wishbone option offense and did it very well. But
that night was all BCCHS/St. Bernard’s as we ran all over them to
the tune of 33 to 0!
“It was a great evening and a wonderful bus ride back over the
hill to Bradford that night. If I am not mistaken, Smethport didn’t
lose another game that season.
“The starting lineup for the Ramblers that night: Pat McVay and
Captain, the late Mike Colligan, at the ends; Vince Cicarelli and
Captain Joe Farrell at the tackles; the late Jeff Smith and Joe
Sturm at the guards; Kevin Costello at center.
“In the backfield as quarterback Chris Crowley; Ed Konwinski at
fullback; Steve Grillo at halfback and Mike Viola at wingback. The
majority of those players went both ways. Also on defense a great
sophomore linebacker Dave Roney; the late Bobbie Gleason; Bish Hook
and John Camas, Joe DePetro, Gerry Pedine, Don Taylor.
“I am sure I have missed a few and I apologize. We lost two
games that season, both on the road to an undefeated Ridgway team
and Bishop Walsh of Olean in Bradner Stadium (who I think was
undefeated that year as well).”
“One of the big disappointments of my high school years was that
I only got to play under coach Don Raabe my freshman year. In 1967,
Don Raabe moved on to coach Erie Cathedral Prep and the end of the
Don Raabe era was over.”
