Submissions will be listed by year of graduation. For now, we will list all of the submissions on this page. As the page grows, we will list each decade on a single page. Submissions should be approximately 600 words. If you submit an entry and later you decide you want to make changes, you can always resubmit your entry and it will be updated.

Click here to add your own Redskin Recollection.

Recent 'Redskin Recollections' submissions:
John Kurtz (1960)	Wayne (Inky) Schneider (1947)
Mike Episcopo (1984)	Fred Conger (1966)
Jack Stricker (1961)	Dale Puff (1957)

Joe (Mustang) Foster

    Coach: Joe Foster

    Year Submitted: 2005

    Years coaching: 9

    Coaching job: Game Day Coordinator

Joe's recollection:

I was given the nickname "Mustang" by John Troyano in 1965. One of my most cherished memories is meeting Coach John Petercuskie in 1995 and becoming a good friend of his. I still call him once a month. The greatest games I can recall being a part of are:

• 1965 - Beating Easton 34-27

• 1968 - Beating Allentown Dieruff 34-32

• 2001 - Beating C.B. west 21-19

I will also never forget coach Jack Swartz, who coached from 1968-1972, and Coach Pete Cordelli.

Duane Contento

    Player: Duane Contento

    Year graduated: 2004

    Number: 04

    Position played: Wide Receiver

Duane's recollection:

There is so much I remember about football. I probably have more memories of football than I have of the four years in the school. I remember squat day, track day, Coach Jones' speeches before the JV football games, the talent show (Why'd we stop that?), beating Pennsbury, losing to Pennsbury, being named Game Captain, winning the State Championship of course, I could go on and on. But a couple things stand out in my mind.

1) My senior year, we lost the homecoming game against CB East. We should have won that game. We really wanted that game for Coach Schmidt. We lost in OT, and I walked up the ramp and I started to cry. But this woman and her kid appeared. She introduced herself and told me that her boy was Coach French's nephew. She said that he loved to come and watch me play, and he wanted to be a wide receiver just like me. The kid looked speechless. He gave me one of those little footballs to sign for him. I did, and a huge grin came across his face. I shook his hand, and suddenly I wasn't sad anymore. That made that senior year worthwhile. Maybe I changed that kids life. Who knows? That an awesome thing to have in my mind.

2) The Cumberland Valley game, in Hershey. They were a good football team. I don't remember how exactly the game went, but their receiver or back broke loose and was going to put the game out of reach. Then Devon Swope makes the sweetest play I have ever seen. He just starts whacking away at the ball, knocks it loose, and Jamar fell on the ball. We ended up winning, and the rest as they say, is history! Hey and that whole 2001 season, wouldn't that make the sweetest movie?? Look at all the awesome moments. Mullins catch vs. CB West as the clock hits zero, Schmidt going for 2 against CB East, and getting it. The Cumberland Valley play. There's a lot more stuff that went on in that locker room. Forget "Friday Night Lights". We want Heartbreak Ridge.

3) Our 2nd scrimmage of Senior Year. This shows everyone how much Schmidt would do for his kids. We're playing a double scrimmage against Abington Heights and another team called Riverside. Georg Coleman gets drilled on the sideline - helmet to helmet by a guy from Riverside. It was the biggest cheap shot I ever saw. He's out cold. So our team erupts, and a brawl is about to break loose, when everything clears and all you see is Schmidt face to face w/ their whole team! He woulda taken them all on.

4) Last one, Chuck Koch's hit on the North Penn dude. When he woke up, he thought he was at his senior prom. Hah, classic hit.

Matthew Willits

    Player: Matthew Willits

    Year graduated: 2002

    Number: 70

    Position played: Offensive Line

Matthew's recollection:

The most ingrained memory I have of football has to be of all those summer camps. To me that memory is the most palpable, because there are days when I can wake up early and go outside and that smell of early morning practice just hits me hard. It makes me feel like I am on my way to camp for some "two a day" or "three a day" practices. Another reason why summer camp is such a deeply ingrained memory is because it is during those times that you bond with your team members and a lot of great memories are made. For example, the team talent show was a closed event and only players and coaches were allowed to attend. It was at these shows that some of the goofiest talents that people had came out.

Finally, while camp may have been tough, it showed me that I can push myself beyond what I think I can do. It showed me I can do things that I never dreamed I was capable of. I still carry this aspect of camp around with me because it was this part of being on the team that built my self-confidence, reliance, and helped me realize that I can take on any challenge and succeed. For this I would like to thank the coaches for pushing me and helping me to realize just how far I can go.

While camp may not be the most fun experience, it is my most valued experience because it helped me to build friendships and confidence.

As far as fun memories go, I remember that our star running back (Jammar) drank Pedialyte before every game to prevent dehydration. In 2000, one of our defensive lineman got a long running head start and hit the practice blocking dummy so hard that it snapped the metal arm right off. If it didn't see it happen, I wouldn't think it was possible.

"Sticker day" (for our helmets) was always a fun day.

In 2001, we were the underdogs against Woodland Hills, who we beat for the state championship. All of the papers talked about was how awesome Woodland Hills was. We were a little nervous and one day while we were watching game films, coach Waiter reminded us that "they all [put on their pants] the same way we do". After that, I knew we could beat Woodland Hills... and we did!

Joe Fonde

    Player: Joe Fonde

    Year graduated: 2000

    Number: 44

    Position played: Holder

Joe's recollection:

I graduated from Neshaminy in 2000 and I was part of that memorable game at Pennsbury. I can attest to "Shue's" story of sprinkling the sod onto Falcon Field (see story below by Joe Szymanek). Since graduation from Neshaminy, I haven't played competitive football. I joined the United States Marine Corps upon graduation and have been serving now for almost 7 years.

In my time in the Corps, I have told that story of Falcon Field to probably 1000 different people. I know that the discipline and work ethic I developed from being a Redskin, helped out a lot with my time spent overseas. It was one of the best experiences of my life to be part of that team. I didn't play much, except for my senior year when I was the Holder for Robbie. "Hey Rob, let's make up a fake kick play, where we finally get the glory."

When I go home on leave, I always try to go up and see a few of the coaches. In 7 years, even if practice is going full tilt, Coach Schmidt has always taken a moment to come and welcome me with a firm handshake and warm smile. I thank you for that Coach.

I'll never forget the days I spent as a Redskin.

Fonzarelly

Joe Szymanek

    Player: Joe Szymanek

    Year graduated: 2000

    Number: 23

    Position played: Cornerback & Safety

Joe's recollection:

I graduated from Neshaminy in 2000. After graduating I played college football at Western Maryland College where I captained my team and won two conference championships. However, to this day I look back at my days as a Redskin as my favorite football memories. During my senior year we had a pretty good run. We went 8-2, with our only loses coming to the #1 and #2 teams in the state. That was the year that ESPN followed the seasons of CB West and North Penn. That year we had a couple great wins.

One win that was especially significant for the entire Redskin nation was our win at Pennsbury. Before that victory, Neshaminy had not won at Pennsbury since 1964. In fact, our two previous contests with Pennsbury were games that slipped through our fingers. My sophomore year we lost to the Falcons, on Falcon Field, on a last second forth and long touch down. Pennsbury players and coaches splashed around in the mud and even made T-shirts to remember the game. The following year as a junior, we lost to Pennsbury on the Ridge in a triple over time thriller.

As a senior I remember that we were favored in the game but did not want to chance fate. As a good luck charm, we brought some of the Ridge to Falcon Field. Coach Schmidt and the staff brought chunks of the Ridge in five Gallon buckets. As we ran out for warm-ups each player grabbed a handful and we sprinkled the good stuff over every last inch of Falcon Field. We won the game and ended the season with the best record of any Neshaminy Team in the 90's. As proof that this occurred simply ask any player on that team. If you need something concrete you can even check the 99 Redskins high light tape or any game tape for that matter. Aside from Falcon Field looking the best if ever looked; if you look closely at Coach Schmidt and the sideline while the Neshaminy students rush the field you can see a player, (me) hand Coach Schmidt chunk of sod.

That 99 season was a great season all around. Going into that year no one thought we were going to accomplish much except Coach Schmidt and us players who had been working so hard for so long. I believe that the efforts of the 99 Redskins put Neshaminy back on the map, and got people in Bucks county thinking about the Redskins as contenders.

Always a Redskin,
joe shue
#23

Joe Gettis

    Player: Joe Gettis

    Year graduated: 1993

    Number: 04

    Position played: Halfback / Cornerback

I LOVED THOSE DAYS.....

I remember the excitement of those cool, crisp, damp fall evenings on the ridge just before the game. I always reminded myself of how lucky I was to be able to play the game. I remember how proud I was to wear the game jersey every Friday before the games.

I can still smell the grass and dirt on hot/humid August two-a-day practices. I remember how much fun it was stretching with team mates before practices. I remember being so exhausted and dehydrated that I couldn't even work up any spit. I remember staying in the gym strength training for 2 hours every night after practice. I always gave 100% for the team pushing myself every single play, of every single practice, of every single game.

I remember touchdown passes, touchdown runs, kickoff coverage, running kickoff returns for touchdowns. I remember big hits on defense where I knocked the opponent and myself out numerous times. I remember punt coverage, punt returns, extra points, big blocks that led to touchdowns.

I remember the first game of the season scoring my first touchdown as a sophomore starting varsity against Bishop Egan in ‘90. I couldn’t believe it. I was a sophomore starting at half back playing for the Neshaminy Redskins! The pride and enjoyment I felt when I played was tremendous up until my last game in ’92. There are so many memories, too many to list.

I remember hands, forearms, and shins covered in blood. I still have war scares on my knuckles. I know you all remember crawling out of bed the next morning feeling like you had been hit by a ton of bricks, barely being able to move, man that felt great!

It's humorous, it has been 14 years since I've played and I still get that fire and emotion in my gut to play the game from time to time, especially in the fall. I don't think I'll ever lose that desire. If there is one thing I would pass on to the players it would be to enjoy every second you are playing the game and have fun!

THE REDSKIN TRADITION LIVES ON!

Tony Rudy

    Player: Tony Rudy

    Year graduated: 1992

    Number: 58

    Position played: Center

Tony’s recollection:

I love this sport. As a kid my Dad would take me from the Penndel Wildcats practice and over to the “Ridge” to see the high school guys. We would go in and sit under the old black scoreboard up above the little hill. We’d watch the team warm-up and then pile in – ready for the game. Each week as my friends and I watched all we could think about was making it onto that field and wearing those jerseys in front of our parents. No doubt, watching those guys was like watching the pros to my friends and me.

Junior high came soon enough and then we’d sit in the far corner of the bleachers wearing our jerseys as we watched the ‘Skins play (and even though the Sandburg kids were there, we’d all get along for the night). It was a lot of fun as we picked out the guys playing “our” positions - all the while knowing our time was coming to show what we could do and to get our shot at that field.

Then high school came and as a sophomore I found myself starting on special teams as the long snapper. It was my chance to get on the field! But I have to say, I was very nervous before the first game that season and, of all people, it was Coach Rosenblatt who calmed me down. I’m still amazed that he actually knew my name was Tony. He didn’t say “hey young man” or yell out any other names he’d sometimes use but, instead, it was just Tony.

Then my senior year came and I had the great honor of being nominated along with two of my teammates, Ross Gay and Jeremy Sweeney, to serve as one of the team’s co-captains. I couldn’t believe that I would have the opportunity of leading the Redskins out into battle each and every Friday night that season. I still recall the fire and intensity and the wave of emotion that would come over you those last few seconds before you’d hear “look to your left ….” When you think about all the guys before you and all the guys you used to watch, it was unbelievable! And even though I might not have been the kid with all the “As” in school, come Friday night when the lights were beaming with the grass was just a little wet (and we were suited up outside the gym all ready to charge on the field) – well, a bus could have hit me and it wouldn’t have slowed me down one bit.

Looking back on it all, and most importantly, the friendships I made through the program are still with me to this day. And if I could say anything to today’s young players coming up to play it would be this: never miss a rep, never miss a sprint, never miss a chance to learn, never miss a chance to battle for the ‘Skins. Remember, you’ll only get one chance on that field to play this game and nothing is guaranteed. So do those things and you’ll always be able to look back with the knowledge you gave it all you had – and that’s what counts.
 

Brian Fults

Player: Brian Fults

Year Graduated: 1985

Number: 51

Position Played: Linebacker

First, some personal accomplishments that I’m proud to recall include starting all three years that I was at Neshaminy (as a linebacker) while I also lead the team in tackles as both a junior and senior.  And I earned the 3D award as a junior while as a senior I was given the Mr. Defense trophy.  Of course, it’s a team sport and my teammates on the field made a lot of what I did possible.

 In 1984 - my senior year - we had a very good team and were the first squad to make a run for a championship in several seasons.  It feels great to be able to say we helped turn things around after a few years when the ‘Skins had struggled a bit.  

But that year wasn’t just handed to us.  It took some real work and effort.  And in my case, plenty of hard hitting featuring my technique of leading with my helmet (it helped make up for my smaller size).  Unfortunately, that caused me to suffer a few concussions while playing but one in 1984 actually worked in our favor.   

It was in the Trenton game that it happened.  As the defensive captain I called the formations and we were having a tough day as the score was tied 0-0 late in the game.   On one particular play I ended up getting my bell rung but I didn’t come out.  I probably should have as I really don’t remember much about that day and a little later I guess I misread the signal from coach and called the wrong scheme (I had our ends pinching in and crashing toward the quarterback).  Sean Duggan (one of our ends and my best friend) followed my instructions and hit the quarterback so hard he fumbled.  Sean then picked up the ball and ran 80 yards for a touchdown.  The final score ended up 7-6 and afterward coach never did quite figure out whether he wanted to kiss me or kill me.  

We had some great players while I was there and I’ll never forget them. I’ll also never forget all the wonderful people that supported us during the lean times as well as the good times.  I’m glad we were able to reward them in 1984 when we helped get the Redskins back on the map (looks like they’ve been playing some great ball since then too).

And of course, Coach Bedesem, who became our head coach my last year, meant a lot to all of us as well.  Although I’ve got plenty of great memories about him, one in particular stands out.  We were playing a home game and Joe King intercepted a pass.  In the confusion following a turnover like that I was trying to throw a block and with the noise and excitement, I didn’t hear the whistle.  I came in a little late on the hit (it was a terrific shot right in front of our bench and Coach Bedesem).  Although no flag was thrown, he still grabbed me and really chewed me out.  Later after he was told that I didn’t know the play had been whistled dead, he came over to me and gave me a big bear hug and told me I hit harder than anyone he had ever coached.  That one moment made the blood, sweat and tears of ten years of football worth it. 

 Now as I look back on the experience, even after a couple of joint replacements and a back that’s less than 100% (in part from giving 120% on the practice and game field), I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Finally, I have to thank one special coach who helped me become the person I am today – Rick Rosenblatt.  He did so much for me during my time in high school, both on the field and off, that I could never begin to repay him.  And most of all, I have to say thank you to my Mom and Dad who were with me the whole way and never missed a game.

 GO ‘SKINS!

Mike Episcopo

Player: Mike Episcopo

Year Graduated: 1984

Number: 31

Position Played: Linebacker

Our era was a bleak time for the Skins. If I'm not mistaken, I believe we were 3 - 17 for the years 1982 and 1983. I loved it though, a lot of us had played together in Penndel, Lower South and Queen. We always won as kids but never could put it together in high school. I still live close to the school to this day. It's tough going back to watch games, even at 42, because I still feel like playing. I know however, if I went out there today, I'd get killed by these guys.

One of the craziest moments I had as a Redskin was at a JV game against Pennsbury in my sophomore year. Coach Davis (Broadus Davis) Bless his Soul, pushed Bobby Jordan off the sidelines to stop a Pennsbury player from taking an interception back for a touchdown. That caused some problems.

Playing my last high school football game, while not a funny moment, was very sentimental for me. I grew up watching games and before I knew it, my time at Heartbreak Ridge was over. Our last game was at Pennsbury High School. My father's business is right behind their school so I used to go see the Skins vs. Falcons games all the time when I was little, it just went by way to fast.


Mike Episcopo

Randy Valone

    Player: Randy Valone

    Year graduated: 1979

    Number: 61

    Position played: Tailback

Randy's recollection:

Scoring a late TD against Bishop Eagan.

Having a kick return for a TD called back against Maple Point.

How I couldn't see over Tom Caulkins at full back. The Walsh, Fario, Valone backfield.

David Miguelez

    Player: David Miguelez

    Year graduated: 1977

    Number: 82

    Position played: Wide Receiver

David's recollection:

The Most Unlikely Unsung Hero

This is the story of the Neshaminy football team that was left behind. It was the 1976 team that remained after our class was split the year before. Maple Point was entering its second year of play and was back in the Lower Bucks’ league. The first year Maple Point had no seniors in the school and played a softer schedule. It was a difficult time for our class as we lost a lot of good friends and players to the other school. I have to admit, Maple Point did have the better players from the football team. I was a skinny 6 ft., 140 lb. receiver that had no football pedigree. I did play on the 10th grade team which was my first year of organized football. In retrospect, if the school was not split, I may not have played at all. I was the youngest boy from a working class family and we were farmers. Work first was how we were raised and playing football was not in my father’s plan for us. But I took the heat from my dad and joined the team anyway.

Neshaminy Langhorne (as we were called) had a new head coach that year, Charles Schmidt. Neshaminy Langhorne Class of ‘77 was the start of a new era. We were in constant competition with Maple Point for everything, but mostly football. Coach Schmidt was a hard nose coach. I had him in 10th grade gym class and I remember he would not take any goofing off in class. But he was a real son of a gun on the football field. I survived two a day camp and to the surprise of my classmates I made the roster when the school year started.

We had a good group of players returning from the previous year. Fred Calkins, Phil Ivins, Keith Benhayan, Steve O’Brien and Dean Mason to name a few, but we had less than 20 seniors on the team and coach Schmidt was looking at the junior class pretty closely. If he had two players in competition for a position, the junior would almost always get the starting job. We entered the season with high hopes but we had a hard time coming together as a team and with losses to Norristown, West Catholic, North Catholic, and Bensalem to start the season things were not looking so good. I was not getting any playing time other than special teams along with some of the other seniors, but I kept working hard at practice and knew that my time would come. We got our first win at Delhaas 21 to 0 and we were all looking forward to the next game on the schedule with Maple Point. The two schools made such a big deal of this first meeting that they called it “All Sports Day” with all of the fall sports teams playing that day. We suffered an embarrassing 40 to 6 defeat that day and the season started to look bleak. We won our next game against Trenton Central and I got my first real playing time.

The homecoming game against Wilson was the game that I will remember the rest of my life. I started the day working with my brothers at the farm. I remember leaving for the game and my father not being too happy about it. My mother was going to the game and not being involved as a booster or anything made it all very new to her. I got my first start as the wide receiver that day and I made the most of it. Wilson was the best team in our league that year and I was lining up against some of the better players on their team. I got a play called my way early and made the catch for a first down. Steve O’Brien was our quarterback and he just kept calling my number. I had 4 or 5 catches in the first half for first downs on every one of them. My teammates were all rallying around me and the coaches were in amazement that I was catching everything Steve was throwing my way. The second half was pretty much the same. I ended the day with 9 receptions for 120 yards. Coach Jim Weber still says it’s a Neshaminy single game record! As the game was ending someone sent me up to the press box and I won the Player of the Game award. I was being interviewed on the radio, but it was all happening so fast I don’t know what I said. As I left the press box, trophy in hand, I was met by Coach Pete Cordelli. He was my gym teacher that year and a former football coach back when Neshaminy was a powerhouse. He put his arm around me and had some kind words to say. As I was walking out of the stadium, I spotted my little sister with her friends. I handed her the trophy and we had a real Hallmark moment. My mother who had never been to a game before was so proud of me. She was the center of attention up in the bleachers during the game. That one day I was the best player on that field and I will remember that day as long as I live.

The rest of the season went on. I made a few more catches and got to be the big man on campus for a time. At the awards banquet after the season, my mother and father were in attendance. I received the Unsung Hero Award. All that was left to do was marry the head cheerleader and live happily ever after. Stephanie Baba was her name and that is exactly what I did. Now we are two cheerful Redskins fans. Stephanie is the principal at Albert Schweitzer Elementary School and we live blissfully in Langhorne.

Steve Cloak, Jr.

    Player: Steve Cloak, Jr.

    Year graduated: 1976

    Number: 51

    Positions played: OT/DT/DE/C

Steve's recollection:

I grew up in a household that had lots of NHS football history in it and I used to dream about playing before a sell-out crowd against Pennsbury or Bishop Egan. For me, the winning tradition was innate and was reinforced regularly - not explicitly- but through the constant absorption of the stories, meeting some of the ‘actors’, and playing on the NHS farm team (Penndel Wildcats). As a kid, meeting the coaches from the halcyon days (Franks, Swartz, Cordelli and Petercuskie) on the golf course at Langhorne Country Club was kind of like meeting deities!

I was a member of a highly performing team and I’ll treasure the experiences/memories forever; everyday I try to implement the teamwork and leadership lessons I learned as a youngster into my dual careers (as a both civilian and Officer) with the United States Navy.

As I was reading the newspaper articles I was scanning for submission to this website, I realized that I forgot just how exciting our season was. Thirty years is a long time! Some of my fondest memories from the 1975 season:

	Riding home from practice in Mark Simpson’s old Chevy station wagon. Apparently some of the welds that held the body to the chassis had failed and whenever we turned a corner or drove around a bend, the body would shift and we’d be sort of hiked out as if on a catamaran!
	Body surfing in the football locker room showers after practice. Some of the guys used to clog the shower drains with toilet paper and we’d get about 3 inches of water in there and then go body surfing across the shower floor!
	Coaches Randy Kurzinski and Jim Weber. When Coach Weber started at NHS, I was a sophomore and I remember him taking off his hat and glasses and jumping in on a blocking drill and going one-on-one with us (we were in full gear!). Then and there I knew he was special; I had a lot of fun with him. Coach K was initially a scary dude but I would’ve walked through fire for him.
	Last will and testament night with the ‘N Club’. The guys who wrote the script didn’t warn me until the very last second and when mine was read, it stated that I was leaving my girlfriend (now my wife Maricarol) to whoever would wear the number 51 the next season.

Don Dripps

    Player: Don Dripps.

    Year graduated: 1973

    Number: 11

    Positions played: Defensive Back

Don's recollection:

I wish I could write memories of long touchdown runs, long passes or interceptions returned for touchdowns, but I can't. You’ll have to read about them in the ‘72 recollections of players like Joe Sroba, Bob Grupp or Bart Smith. My memories are minor compared to the accomplishments of some of the guys from the great 1970, 1971 and 1972 teams. But I feel fortunate to have played on those teams and will always remember those days.

And as to some of my memories, one is of a summer practice in 1970 when all of us backs were doing a drill where we would hurtle three tackling dummies stacked up and spaced a few yards apart. After a couple of guys fell, the coach was mad and told us that if one more guy went down, we were all running around the school. Well, shortly thereafter, I fell and we had to run around the school. Being only a sophomore, I’m sure the seniors weren’t happy with me. Another time that year a crack developed in one of the "lollypop" blocking sleds. Coach said that whoever broke it could sit out the next couple of drills. Well I remember all the big guys pounding away on that defective lollypop, widening the crack. I was probably all of 150 pounds back then, but when it was my turn it broke - my lucky day.

I also recall very vividly that during summer practice we got very little water. In fact, we were denied water for not working hard enough. Then after practice, it seemed like all we did was drink water, lots of it. I am not sure it made us play better or not, but I guess that was the way coaches thought in those days.

On the second team defense as a sophomore in 1970, I only got to play with the game still in doubt one time that year. It was a late September game against Easton. The temperature that Saturday afternoon was unusually hot, probably in the 80s. At one point in the game coach sent the second team defense in to give the first team a rest from the heat. Well I think that lasted about two plays, as the Easton halfback took off around the end for a big gain. Coach sent the first team back on the field, and we went back to the bench.

In the summer of 1971, I began the first day of practice playing defensive back, hoping to compete for a starting job. Things changed quickly, though, as starting quarterback Pete Cordelli was injured and Coach Swartz told me after practice that I was being moved to that position to be the back-up to Bob Grupp. Later Grupp was also slowed by an injury and I actually took snaps with the first team offense in one of the scrimmages. I was a little intimidated and my main concern was not fumbling the exchange from our All-State center, Chuck Lodge, who snapped the ball very forcefully to say the least. Fortunately, Cordelli recovered after a few days of rest and I was able to return to my primary focus of being a defensive back.

I also remember that a few nights before the 1971 Pennsbury game the coaches held a special meeting after practice for the first and second team defense. They had picked up a tendency of the Pennsbury fullback that tipped-off the play. The coaches showed us what they had found on the films, and then set up a special call to change the defense based on the read. I don't know if it was used during the game, but it showed the amount of work the coaches put into preparing the team for Pennsbury.

In my senior year of 1972, we lost the first game to Egan. We were expected to continue the winning ways of the 1971 championship team but I guess we just weren’t ready. On the first defensive series of the game Egan went without a huddle and moved down the field easily for the score. I don't think we ever recovered.

The second game of the season was against Pennridge, I was playing safety. On one play in the first half the quarterback dropped back to pass and I spent too much time watching him and not the receiver from my side of the field. When the quarterback threw the ball all I could do was follow that receiver into the end zone as he scored. I remember on my way back to the bench after the extra point, Coach Swartz met me at the center of the field and had a few words to say to me. I hardly ever remember talking to Coach Swartz my three years at Neshaminy, but I do remember that little chat with him in front of the whole stadium.

At half time we were behind in the game and Coach Swartz was so mad that he didn't even talk to us; we just sat there and ate our oranges. I was walking back to the field after the break, still thinking about my mistake, when Joe Sroba came up to me with some words of encouragement. You don't get many second chances in sports, but I did that day and I was able to take advantage of it. In the second half, the Pennridge quarterback tried the same pass play again that he had beaten me on in the first half. However this time I was ready. I cut in front of the receiver, intercepted the ball near mid-field and then returned it to around the twenty-five. A few plays later Len Barker took the ball in for a score and we were ahead for the first time in 1972. That seemed to be the turning point, as we went on to win the game by a final score of 25-14.

From then on out it was clear the team had found its stride as we won 9 straight and rolled through the season toward the final with a 10-0 Pennsbury. And if there was one play that year that the defense would like to have back, it was the first one of that game. Their halfback, Dale Delise, went off right tackle and then cut back toward the middle on his way to a touchdown. The coaches had changed the defense we had been playing all year just for that game, to try and stop their running game. Maybe that contributed to that touchdown, but I always thought that we were just a little too fired up and overran the play. We did come back after that, though, and made a good game of it. Big plays by Grupp, Sroba, Barker and Mark Donahue kept the game close down to the final play but we still came up short by two points. There’s no doubt that at the end of that game, at least half the stadium thought we should have won.

Joe Chamberlain

    Player: Joe Chamberlain

    Year graduated: 1972

    Number: 63

    Position played: Right Guard

Joe's recollection:

Neshaminy Vs. Allentown Dieruff

In 1971 when Neshaminy played Allentown Dieruff they were ranked ahead of us and picked to win. Pete Cordelli, our Quarterback, was only sacked twice that season. Unfortunately it was my man both times. In those days linemen would take an inside chop step forward and then a drop step back. You would then rocket your helmet facemask first into the chest of the rusher and punch with both hands upward, release and repeat the pass block. You would then chop block your man and get downfield.

Dieruff would move into a four man front on passing situations. The Defensive tackle playing opposite was big, strong and maybe the meanest person I ever met. He did not like our pass blocking technique and stomped on my chest to sack Pete. Pete became the second meanest person I ever met.

The next few pass plays I would punch up and hook his arm after he drilled me in the chin. He was complaining to the officials about my holding him. I was finally called for holding. I tried to explain to the Ref that I wasn’t holding because my hands were balled in fists and would never cheat. The Ref smiled and said it was still holding.

Dieruff's big ugly tackle, the Ref, Pete and I were standing there, I told the Ref and the Dieruff player I was Sorry. Pete says "SORRY H@$% YOU JUST KEEP THAT BIG SON OF A B@$#% OFF OF ME”. The last play in the first half Joey Scroba caught a pass and was streaking for the end zone. There were two defenders who had the angle to catch him. I was hustling downfield to cut them off, Joey was to my right and the Huskies to my left. We were on the ten yard line when I hit them. When the play was over we were all in a pile and Joe did not score. W.B.C.B was broadcasting the game and a friend of mine was listening back home. The Announcers claimed that I was responsible for Joe not scoring. Coach Swartz met me at mid field, both teams were on their way to the locker rooms. The Band was waiting to come on. Everyone in the stands were watching us. Coach took his hand and raised my head to look me in the eye. The radio announced that Coach Swartz was really chewing me out. I expected the worst. Coach Swartz said “that was good downfield hustling blocking and tackling”. My nose was bleeding badly. Coach says I think your nose is broken. I asked him how it looked? He said “don’t worry it’s an improvement,” get inside we've got a lot of work to do.

Pete Cordelli threw 21 Touchdown passes that year. The record still stands today as the most in Lower Bucks. Each football season I live in fear of someone breaking it by one.

In those days, the Big Seven league would provide dinner for the visiting team at the Cross Keys restaurant. It was a big deal and a great meal. I couldn’t eat a thing. I took everybody’s ice and put it in my Napkin. I had a body ache.

Bruce McHale

    Player: Bruce McHale

    Year graduated: 1972

    Number: 43

    Position played: C, TE, LB

Bruce's recollection:

There was nothing accidental about whatever success we had.

When I was in elementary school, activity busses came through our neighborhood taking students to games at Heartbreak Ridge. Because my older brothers were playing, I naturally went and watched the Petercuskie teams that constituted the core of the Streak in the ‘60’s. Later, I came to realize that other younger brothers who would be future teammates such as Charlie Conger had been doing the same thing. What elementary school kid didn’t want to play for Neshaminy?

My first encounters with many future teammates came from Little League and junior high sports. Dale Forchetti and Andy Koch were my teammates on Little League teams, and I remember playing against Mike Emanuel. They were clearly talented athletes. Coach Swartz used to come down and umpire games sometimes, and I’m sure that he was doing some scouting as well. Dale and I also played on the Penndel Wildcats. For the time period, youth sports in the Lower Bucks area were advanced.

In Junior High, I had Coach Allison for seventh grade health. He had already been a local coaching legend with Carl Sandburg football teams running off a winning streak of their own. I had no idea he’d be our future defensive coordinator. Bruce Traney, Danny Meir, Joe Chamberlain, John Swartz, Ricky Rosenblatt, and others were teammates at Sandburg in a variety of sports. The district boundaries were changed when I entered the ninth grade, and I was transferred to Neshaminy Junior High. Coaches Crozier and Thompson were extremely fun guys and high quality coaches. Later, I came to learn what respect the Poquessing guys held for Coach Romanowski. Just as at Sandburg, Neshaminy Junior’s system was the same as the high school’s, and the emphasis was on fundamentals. By the team we all made it to high school, no coaching time had to be spent teaching us to yell “BLOCK” and get in our stances when a quarterback said “REDSKINS.”

I met a lot of great guys at Neshaminy Junior High such as Rich McIntyre, Bobby Grupp and Bart Smith. The Poquessing guys were a bit of a mystery. I remember watching Dave Pyle run the 440 yard dash at a junior high track meet and thinking that he looked like a man among boys. I also recall Pete Cordelli exuding confidence as he walked into an orientation session at the start of 10th grade.

In short, by the time ’71 team’s seniors began high school, we had all been exposed to high quality coaching, knew our fundamentals, and were steeped in the Redskin tradition. And I’m sure that Coach Swartz knew the team was going to be loaded in a couple of years. Of course the ’69 team had good success, as did the ’70 team, and I was fortunate to be part of those teams. My best memories involve Phil Silas and Jim Seitz, two teammates from my neighborhood. Whether it was stopping for Gatorade after an August practice, or pushing each other in the weight room, I knew I could count on them. I know I could still call on them today if I needed to.

During my sophomore and junior years, Coach Bob Hart had a great influence on me. He would stand on the blocking sled at Tuesday night practices joking, kidding, challenging us, and coaching technique, technique, technique. We’d do our drills in the cold of the October and November nights, spinning and hitting the sled in unison in the partial light of the practice field. No fans were watching. No one was writing newspaper articles about those practices. But we came to appreciate making a quality effort for its own sake, even if it took place in the shadows and without celebration.

My senior year is a blur. Our success took on a life of its own. When Chucky Lodge joined us the summer before that senior season, he fit right in as a good guy with a good sense of humor. As a group, we enjoyed being together, whether at practices, at school, or socializing. I recall our defensive end Joe Neky getting into an argument with the school’s band director at one of the upstate games; Joe thought the band was playing too loudly and that they were interfering with Pete Cordelli’s play calling. We laughed at school that the band would run him over with a bass drum for revenge.

Perhaps my clearest memory of that year was of the Friday practice before the Pennsbury game. We practiced with just helmets, shorts and shirts. Pete Cordelli ran the offense through a two-minute drill, but it was all extremely casual. Coach Swartz set the tone. Leaning against a goal post, his hat askew, chewing on a blade of grass, he stared into the distance. His casualness was probably largely for our benefit, but I don’t think it was entirely so. The team’s performance the next day would be the result of not just his game plan for that week but because of over a decade of his and others’ efforts. As players, I think we accepted that, for a couple of hours the next day, we would be the stewards of a long tradition.

It’s nice to know that the tradition continues.

Bruce Traney

    Player: Bruce Traney

    Year graduated: 1972

    Number: 33

    Position played: Fullback

Bruce's recollection:

To be honest, a couple of volumes - or days - wouldn’t be enough; however, here are a few highlights (and in no particular order):

Coach Swartz. Watching the previous Friday’s game films on Monday nights at the N Club meetings. Riding to local games in the yellow school buses (wearing only cleats, pants and t-shirts). The smell of the freshly cut grass of the practice fields early in the morning. Practice under the lights on Tuesday nights. Leaving for school in the morning when it was dark. Getting home from school (after practice) when it was dark. All white home uniforms.

The heat and humidity of summer practices. Phil Silas. The cool, calming affect of lying on the gym floor just before a game. Tim Kelly. Putting on your game uniform for the first time. Getting hit by Mike Emanuel in practice. Bart Smith. The friendship of Dave Pyle and Joe Neky. Making varsity as a sophomore and “starting” on the special teams. The athletic skill of Dale Forchetti. Those practice days in August when you just knew it would be 95 degrees with 95% humidity. Bruce McHale’s unselfishness. The very first practice of the summer as a sophomore in 1969.

Our interior offensive line in 1971. Vance Forchetti. Joe Sroba’s speed, quickness and overall football skills. Our defense in 1970 and 1971 (151 points allowed in 22 contests - less than a touchdown a game over two full seasons). Coach Allison. Coach Swartz’ ball cap and its ability to rotate around his head during practice (as a sure-fire indicator of his mood). Bensalem and Council Rock games. The toughness of Chuck Lodge. Chartered bus rides to Bethlehem, Allentown and Easton. Ken Neufeld. Starting at fullback as a junior and senior. Hearing my Dad’s voice from the stands (or somewhere) yelling “blockers, blockers, blockers.” Reading the sports pages of the Courier-Times the day after a game.

Our offense in 1971. Our belief that we’d never lose a game. Frank Tyrol. My first touchdown at The Ridge. My last touchdown at The Ridge. Playing in the mud. Upcoming game posters in the school’s halls. Monday morning P.A. announcements about the weekend’s game results. Alex Wasilov. Each season’s end of two-a-days. Mark Strawbridge. Coach Swartz’ ability to punt a football so it looked liked a spiraling pass. Running tires. Lifting weights with the team. Rich McIntyre. The hip-pointer against Bensalem as a senior (ouch). Late season practices when cold and wet replaced heat and humidity as the enemy. Split lips and bloody foreheads that never healed. The shiny, stretchy fabric on the front of game pants.

Rashes from helmet pads. Pete Cordelli’s arm and, more importantly, competitiveness. Pile-ups with the Easton guys (and the face to face exchanges that ensued). Oranges at halftime. Scott Mason. The coaches making us believe we'd never lose a game. Homecoming. Rick Rosenblatt. The “legends” that filled the locker room, crowded the practice field and helped pack the stadium (always delivering the same message “you won’t lose”). Winning the LBC Section 1 and Big Seven conferences as seniors. The dirt and dust of the practice field by the end of August. Joe Chamberlain, Charlie Conger, Ben Watson and Jerry Coniglio. Standing in the showers after summer practices and gulping water down right out of the showerhead (uniform still on and who cared about rinsing off anyway).

The brilliant and menacing blue of Bishop Egan’s uniforms. Pete Schupakus (our unsung 6 foot, 3 inch, 210 pound left halfback). The surprisingly soaked Falcon Field in 1970 that slowed our small but fast offense perhaps just enough to result in a 7-7 tie (were their sprinklers really broken). The 15-14 Dieruff win in 1970. The 33-6 Bethlehem Liberty win in 1971. Steve Sroba. The 27-24 win over Egan in 1969. Gary Pento. No water during practice. Scoring 4 TDs against Allentown Allen as a senior. The 46-14 win over Pennridge at their field. How tough Woodrow Wilson could play you even though they rarely won. Every game during my senior year.

Playing Easton at Cottingham Stadium (that you’ll never forget). Blisters on heels that never went away (when a new set of cleats didn’t fit quite right). Chris Bahr. Painting a glue-like substance on your feet and then stepping into talcum powder before getting taped. The only loss of 1970 (on the road against Bethlehem Liberty) and the “phantom clip” that nullified Dale Forchetti’s kickoff return for a TD which might have turned the tide. Before the games - running down the hill and under the goalposts as the announcer boomed “look to your left, the Neshaminy Redskins.” The support and involvement of my family. Dinners out with the team when playing schools up North.

Coaches Hart, Levins and Watto. The band and the cheerleaders. Jay Sidman and Jeff Shenefelt. Lying in air conditioning - anywhere - between summer two-a-days. The whole team having to run around the school as “punishment” when we screwed something up at practice. Dick Dougherty, Ray DiLisio and Stacy Briggs of the Courier-Times. The students, the fans, and the community at large and the way they got behind us – 100%. Playing Dieruff or Allen in that “huge” stadium in Allentown. The absolute joy of a win and the dull feeling of the few losses we suffered. Swartz’ halftime speeches. Game days (and anything at all on a game day)! Andy Koch. Pep rallys. The thrill every time “your” play was called. The lights shining on a packed stadium on Friday nights.

A three year record of 27-5-1 including 20-1-1 as a junior and senior. Of course, finishing 11-0-0 our senior year. Johnny Swartz, Jr. Ed Romanowski. Rich Kautter. Mike Pannucci. Tony Fisher. Danny Meier. Steve Gale. Joey Carney. Jim Seitz. Lenny Barker. Bobby Grupp. In fact, all the guys who played on the teams during my three years as a Redskin.

One unforgettable Saturday afternoon football game at The Ridge in November of 1971 that ended with the score Neshaminy 21 and Pennsbury 17.

And a single, final word in summation: Fun.

Phil Silas

    Player: Phil Silas

    Year Graduated: 1971

    Number: 75

    Position(s) Played: Offensive tackle and PAT/FG "snapper".

Phil's recollection:

My earliest Redskins memory is of one hot mid-August afternoon when I was about 10 years old. I was playing in the backyard of a neighbor, Bruce McHale, when his brother Rich came home from football practice. He showed us his Neshaminy-issued spikes that were symbolic of having made the team and he handled them like they were made of gold.

There were 3 starters in ’65 from our little neighborhood of Juniper Hill (“JH”): Rich McHale, Gerald Barr and Peter Vosburgh. This was during “The Streak” and my Dad took me to see the 41-0 opening win over Bishop Egan and the see-saw 33-27 win over Easton that year. Naturally, all of us guys aspired to join the Redskins when our chance arose. In fact, Bruce McHale and I started lifting weights regularly with Jim Seitz at his house in JH to get ready.

Another great memory is our glorious opener in ’69 when we won 27-24 over Bishop Egan. And in ’70, my senior year, we did it again as we shut Bishop Egan out, 17-0, thanks to TDs from Bruce Traney and Andy Koch and a long interception return by Jim Seitz. Looking back on it, that whole year seemed like a dream as tough practices spent blocking Mike Emanuel, Alex Wasilov, Danny Meier and Tony Fisher made the games seem easy.

After Egan, we rolled over the next 3 opponents. In our 5th game, against Dieruff, we got ourselves in trouble and were behind in the 4th quarter. Johnny Swartz was great on a late drive as he took us into the end zone for 6 followed up by his clutch pass for 2 points and the win, 15-14.

In Bethlehem the next week, Liberty scored first. Dale Forchetti then returned the kickoff all the way for a score, but a late flag brought it back. I never saw Coach Swartz hotter than when the referee couldn’t give him a number of the Redskin who allegedly clipped. That game ended as our only loss of the year - and it was tough - but it softened over the years when Liberty’s stars, Tom Donchez and Mike Hartenstine, excelled at Penn State with Hartenstine then going on to play for the Chicago Bears.

We cruised over the next 4 opponents as Scott Mason, Bob Durland, Bruce McHale, Mike Dougherty and I did the inside blocking. Bill Buckley, our tight end, not only added another strong blocker to the mix but caught a number of touchdown passes. Defensively it’s hard to forget Rick Rosenblatt intercepting 3 passes against William Tennent to help with that win. And even though our season ended with a tie at waterlogged Falcon Field, 7-7, we still finished 9-1-1. Although just short of our goal of winning them all, it was a great year!

We sent several players on to play at the next level and it seemed the ’71 team would be in trouble without us. Thanks to great coaching (like moving Bruce McHale from center to both tight end and linebacker positions) and developing great players from top to bottom, they truly earned the “Team of the Century” designation. I cherish the memory of hitchhiking home from UVA to see their fantastic come-from-behind finale over a terrific Pennsbury team.

The experience of playing Redskins football at Neshaminy has helped me in life by showing me that if you find something worth doing, do it as well as you can and it will be immensely more fun and rewarding. Thanks to all the coaches, teammates, staff, families, band, cheerleaders, color guard, N club and all the folks that are keeping the Neshaminy Redskins experience alive today.

Chuck Gearhart

Player: Chuck "High Gear" Gearhart

Year Graduated: 1970

Number: 23

Position Played: Halfback

Chuck's recollection:

First, I’d like to thank my coaches from the Penndel Wildcat days – Jim Cummings, Bill Foster and Tom Porter. They began the process of turning me into a good football player by teaching me the fundamentals of the game as well as team work. Second, I want to thank my high school coaches for all they did for me – Pal Allison, Jack Swartz, Bob Hart, John Watto, Jerry Levans, Joe Greytok and especially Pete Cordelli. Coach Cordelli taught me about hard work and sacrificing for the team. He got me in the best shape of my life my sophomore year. He also taught me what life is about. To this day I’m still working hard in whatever I do because of him. THANK YOU Coach Cordelli.

My sophomore year we ran the other team’s offense to help get our defense prepared and to know what to expect from the upcoming opponent. We were called the Hamburger Squad because we got our butts kicked (as we were taught - anything for the team).

I played with some great players. Guys like Steve Sroba, Ed Romanowski, Denny Armour, Tim Michaels, Doug Mason, Jim Ryder and Jim Riley. I also had the chance to watch Pete Cordelli, Jr. as he changed from being a good quarterback into a great one. He had a great work ethic and did everything right. He had a lot of class and a great attitude. And he got all of that from his parents, Coach and Mrs. Cordelli.

We only had 12 seniors my last year of 1969 yet we still had a good season as we finished 7-4 and were co-Big 7 Champions thanks to all the good sophomores and juniors we had including Vance Forchetti, Tim Kelly, Mike Emanuel, Phil Silas, Andy Koch, John Swartz, Jr., Scott Mason, Bruce Traney, Rosey, Dale Forchetti, Joe Chamberlain, Rick McIntyre (God rest his soul), Chris Bahr and more (if I forgot to name anyone, you know who you are).

That senior year will always be special to me. I wasn’t the best player but I was a team player. I was taught to do whatever it took for the team. I blocked, I caught passes, ran the ball - whatever it took.

I had a lot of good games that year but also one bad moment in the Pennsbury game. The score was 0-0 in the first quarter and we were driving all the way down the field. We were at the 2 yard line and going for the kill. I got the call to carry the ball and the play was L-23. I took the handoff and fumbled. Twelve plays and 98 yards later Pennsbury scored to take a 7-0 lead. We came back tied the game up, but we lost it in the second half by a score of 13- 7. That was a tough one to swallow. Plus it didn’t get any easier at school as it seemed that no one wanted me to forget what happened. It was rough. But my father had taught me to keep my head up and never give up, so that’s what I did. So for any young kids coming to play Neshaminy football (or any sport) just remember that if you have a bad game or make a mistake – forget about it and move on. Never quit.

The following week was our last game of the season on Thanksgiving Day against Bensalem. Sroba and Romanowski were both hurt so I moved over to left halfback while Andy Koch was at the fullback and Rick McIntyre was at the right halfback position. Everybody pulled together and worked hard. The blocking was great and big holes were opened at the line. Dale Edwards, Charlie Bean, Phil Silas – everybody did a great job and because of their effort that day, I scored three touchdowns and gained 241 yards on 26 carries and we won the game, 28-18. That was my great moment and I’ll never forget it. I got my chance to be the “star” – even receiving the MVP of the Week award (and a trophy) from Lower Bucks CableVision. And that’s why I said - never quit.

I’ll always remember the guys on the team and the people of Neshaminy - Brad Keppley, Mike Holmes, Denny Smith, Reed Madden, Wisneski, Mark Mattingly, Ken Johnston and all the players during my years.

Go Redskins! Always a Redskin!

Steve Sroba

Player: Steve Sroba

Year Graduated: 1970

Number: 32

Position Played: Halfback

Steve's recollection:

I grew up watching the Neshaminy Redskins play football – Bob Baxter, the Strickers, Jim Colbert and so many others. And at that time high school football in this area was king. There were no malls and no matter where you went, the games drew big crowds. There were the rivalry games with Bishop Egan and Pennsbury and the upstate battles of the Big 6 league with Easton and the Allentown and Bethlehem schools.

Most of all, there was the desire to be part of that great tradition. Finally, the day came to start 2-a-days in 1967 and Coach Cordelli laid out the challenge: Bring Neshaminy football back to its glory. Our class, the Neshaminy graduating class of 1970, was the first team charged with the responsibility to begin the rebirth of the Redskins.

It was a struggle for the season of 1967. We were small, there was no doubt about that as our backs were bigger than some of our linemen, but we had heart and played as a team. We battled week after week and set the tone for the years to come. Those days seem like just yesterday with the faces of the guys on that team still fresh in my mind’s eye (especially everyone sweating through summer practices when water breaks were considered “evil” and the practice jerseys seemed like heavy winter sweatshirts).

Now looking back I couldn’t be more proud, after all these years, to say that I was a member of the Neshaminy Redskins football teams during that era. Thank you Coach Cordelli and all of you guys on those teams -- you are the best!

Dennis Armour

    Player: Dennis Armour

    Year Graduated: 1969

    Number: 66

    Position(s) Played: Guard, Linebacker

Dennis' recollection:

Time will never dim my memories of the summer camp two-a-days: "August 18th"!!!

The first memory was being handed a leather helmet and then having to have a catch off to get a real plastic helmet.

I also have some game memories as do all players.

As a sophomore I played on all of the "bomb squads" so when we were playing in Easton and Sammy Spadaccino got hurt, Coach Cordelli grabbed me and said get in there. I remember thinking I better not screw up or I will be on the wrong side of Coach Cordelli.

I also remember the Neshaminy Dieruff game in 1968. Neshaminy won that game on a game saving tackle by a junior named Jack Walker who tackled Dieruff's all state Quarterback as the clock ran out.

I remember a scrimmage against Riverside NJ. They had a huge fullback which they were saying was going to be All STATE. I was playing linebacker. The fullback came up the middle and I tackled him but did not get up, I was out cold.

Last but not least, in my sophomore year I was a running back. The summer before my junior year Coach Cordelli came up to me and said "Denny, do you want to be a starter this year?" Of course I said yes. Coach Cordelli then said you are no longer a running back, you are now a pulling guard. In my junior year I shared the left guard position with Charlie Schmidt. We ran in the plays from Coach Cordelli. I cannot thank Coach Cordelli enough for his impact on my high school football career and my life to this day.

I will Always cherish the Three D award, for I knew that I did not have the talent or size of Tim Michaels, Our ALL STATE center, but I knew if I gave my all I could help our team get back to the NESHAMINY OF OLD.

LONG LIVE THE REDSKINS !!!!!!

Doug Mason

    Player: Doug Mason

    Year Graduated: 1969

    Number: 13

    Position Played: Quarterback, D-back

Doug's recollection:

In 1967 we were playing against Bishop Egan and Coach Cordelli called for a short pass to Bill Dentz over the middle.

It was supposed to be a simple play. Drop back, everybody go down field and just hit Bill with the ball. Just as I threw the ball a defensive lineman jumps up in front of me and the pass goes right into his facemask and sticks there!

Needless to say, I learned some new Italian lingo from the coach that I had not ever heard before!

There is another memorable moment for me that I will never forget. Once during a Tuesday practice held under the lights, Coach Cordelli became particularly upset when everything seemed to be going wrong. As he had done before (when he was angry like this time) he yelled: "Outta here!" And what we understood that to mean was a run around the whole school in full pads.

Of course, we took off immediately.

When we got back there were no coaches to be found. We had no idea what was going on until Coach Cordelli came out of the locker room screaming: "When I said 'Outta Here', I meant off Neshaminy's field."

He was upset that night, that's for sure.

In spite of the humorous stories we remember about our playing days, I have the highest admiration and respect for Coaches Swartz and Cordelli. I really learned to love and appreciate them for who they were and for what they did for us as young men.

Rick Ansbro

    Player: Rick Ansbro

    Year Graduated: 1967

    Number: bulls-eye

    Position Played: End

Rick's recollection:

When I came to Neshaminy from Bishop Egan (oh yea) it was something of an event.  Coach Petercuskie and Coach Cordelli introduced me to the team as “we have an Egan boy here … tackling practice, again!”  Oh yea – it was my butt.

But now we play golf in Myrtle Beach and shuck and grin and a great time is had by all.  Ernie, Chuck, Charlie, Rick, Freddie, Harry, Jack, B&B, Fish, and - remain in a seated position – Mustang (the eternal flame of Neshaminy lore). 

Coach Petercuskie – I hope all is well and I’m looking forward to seeing you in 2008.  Coach Cordelli – I have video.

For the record, it has been my honor to know you all and I look forward to many more golf outings.  And Harry, Big Chuck and Freddy – you boys may still be big but going on 59 (wow), I’m still the Roadrunner.  Beep-beep!

 Rick

Pete Cordelli Sr.

    Coach: Pete Cordelli Sr.

    Year Coached: 1967

    Position: Head Coach

Pete's recollection:

Time will Never Dim The Glory of The Neshaminy Redskins.

My family and I are very fortunate to have been a part of this awesome legacy.

When one analyzes the reasons for success, we must credit the value system of the time - parents and families of Old Langhorne - and see the basis for the instilled qualities of integrity, hard work and determination.

Each generation and class were committed to excel and continue the fierce pride of being the best.

Effort inspired results.

Coaching was a pleasure... we asked for action and they gave it! No one shirked practice, drills, or being fit. No excuses of excessive heat, rain, or any others were acceptable. THE TEAM WAS ALL. Individuals stood as one, unified by a single mindset and mission - to win football games!

Every member of the team applied the knowledge he learned. This was the substance of Neshaminy sportsmanship. The boys who became Neshaminy Football players were athletes who dreamed to live a championship season, and lived their dream as a part of the great proud football tradition. These champions were made from something deep inside of them - a desire, a dream, a vision, and the determination to achieve all of their goals.

It was an honor and privilege to work with these outstanding men of character.

Thanks for thinking of us and our Neshaminy memories.

God Bless One & All - The Cordellis

Fred Conger

    Player: Fred Conger

    Year Graduated: 1966

    Number: 45

    Position(s) Played: Guard and Linebacker

Fred's recollection:

My earliest memory of Redskin football is that of sneaking under the fence at the “Ridge” at about 12 years of age. My friends and I would squeeze into a spot along the fence around the field to watch the game. Everyone had a favorite player and mine was Jack Stricker who could shake and bake and run over defenders too if need be. And when we played pick up ball, I “became” Jack. Fast forward to my sophomore year to the time I was asked by ‘Cuskie what position I played. Of course, I replied: “I’m a runner!” He wasted no time in informing me that I was a guard and I could stand up on defense as well.

Getting equipment that sophomore year was just as interesting as “getting” a position. In fact, the way it looked, I feared that there would be nothing left for me and my buddy, Rich McHale. When it came to helmets, for instance, the only ones available were leather. But I was still glad to get one which included the old style plexi-glass facemask. I wore that head gear in every game through my senior year as I loved the thud it made on a good hit.

Looking back there are so many terrific memories: The pre-game college fight songs; Coach Swartz coming in and yelling “saddle up”; and the thought of the charge through the gates to the roar of what seemed like a million fans still gives me goose bumps.

Regarding “The Streak” – never losing was a double-edged sword; we were winners but the pressure was intense at times. I have many memories involving games too but the one that stands out is the ’65 Pennsbury match-up. We were ahead 7-0 with a few minutes left on the clock. Pennsbury had driven down to our 3 yard line and I was out of gas. With a 4th and goal, I had a feeling they would run to the wide side. Sure enough they faked left and bootlegged right leaving only me and their quarterback. I dove at him and was just able to get a hand on his foot and trip him up. We won the game and the championship while “The Streak” remained intact!

Finally, our coaches were incredible men; their integrity was powerful. They taught me lessons that have carried me through rough times in my life and my fondest memories are of them. I doubt they know how much they steered us to manhood. I am forever in their debt for what they gave us. And all of my team mates were just as awesome – I love you guys dearly.
 

Eric Hutchison

    Player: Eric Hutchison

    Year Graduated: 1965

    Number: 45

    Position(s) Played: Wingback, Safety, Special Team--Kick Returner

Eric's recollection:

So many memories, some funnier then others:

• Being in 7th grade at Carl Sandberg Jr. High School. Coach Petercuskie came to the school and brought game films to show during a special auditorium session. Afterwards, I (5ft.,100lbs, Reedman Wildcats guard) walked up to him and said that I would be playing for him in 3 years. He put his arm around my shoulders and said "I'll be waiting for you". I walked home feeling 10 ft. tall.

• Sitting in study hall in 10th grade with about 100 other students and Coach Petercuskie in charge. He sat down next to me and started diagramming a play. He said with a straight face, "I have a play for you when you make the varsity, what do you think of it, it's called Special One." As a JV wingback (one back), I didn't even think he knew me, and with 100 students staring a us, he made me feel like a special one !

• Aug.19, 1962. We were doing morning two a days - returning kicks with Bill Kaminski and Kasper Fittins, against the varsity in pads -100 degrees, 90% humidity, and 6"of dust on practice field. First Bob Baxter punted to me. It went a mile in the air, in the hazy sun, the varsity thundering towards me, I drop the ball. Coach Cordelli's whistle goes off. Silence could be heard. He screams unintelligible Italian sounds. He made me line up on the 30 yard line, and lines the entire varsity punt team on the 40. He throws me the ball and says, when I blow the whistle, run. Live drill. After 6 straight persecutions, he made Fittens do the same thing for laughing. Kaminski was hiding behind a blocking dummy, shaking.

• On Saturday mornings, after Friday night games, we were given the opportunity to make $5 for cleaning the stadium. We really did a great job and filled the metal trash cans by the refreshment stand to the brim. Bill Elswick and Bill Kaminski had the bright idea to burn the trash in the cans so we would have more room. The sight of the refreshment stand burning ablaze in the morning sky still makes me wet myself laughing.

• 26 years in the Army, 12 overseas missions, crazy situations, never were as bad as 2 a-day summer practices under Petercuskie, Cordelli, and Swartz. On our goods days, we prayed for quick death. See you guys at Myrtle Beach for the 'Jack Stricker Reunion Golf Tour'. Hoping for some payback.

• On Tuesday nights, we had live drills under the lights. Near the end of a very heated practice, Richie McHale and Dave Ivans had a fistfight, during which Dave Ivin's braces cut his lips causing a bloody mess. Coach Petercuskie, totally irate, blew his whistle, and screamed for the team to get off the field, go to the locker room. He was sick of us, practice was OVER. Always happy to be done with practice, we ran at full speed to the locker room, stripped off our smelly gear and started to shower (we showered in those days). The Coach walked into the shower room, told us to get on our girdle pads and meet on the dark practice field in 5 minutes. We did (except for Kaminski who skipped the shower and drove home). For the next 25 minutes, we did wind sprints, barefoot, in the dust, shirtless, shoeless, until we fell over puking (no water in those days). After 30 trips up and down the field we were tired of hearing that whistle. I don't ever remember a fight after that night.

• The 1963 season (9-0-1) was particularly challenging due to the high graduation rate of the year before. We started 7 juniors on the line, Clark, Troyano, Tregamen, Auckland, Tressell, Kissinger and Pyle; 2 juniors in the backfield Dunn and myself, and greats Bob Baxter and Bill Brundzo were the sole seniors. It was our first year in the Big East in addition to playing City Champ Bishop Egan ( Coach Bedesam), LaSalle (City runner-up), Central Dauphin (Central PA Champs), and a great Pennsbury team. Because of the brutal schedule, numerous injuries, and the winning streak, each week was a pressure cooker. There was very little humor in practice. We were putting in a new play, and we kept making mistake after mistake. We already had to run around the High School twice (one mile each) for minor infractions, nerves were frayed, and we were mentally exhausted and totally dehydrated (again, no water). We were lined up to try the play again. Jack Dunn yelled out REDSKINS, the rest of us yelled out BLOCK. I heard a loud ripping sound followed by more laughter then was heard all year. Coaches Cordelli, Swartz, Greytock, and Petercuskie, were doubled over. Brundzo and Baxter were looking away from the down linemen in front of them. Special Teams Captain Mike Trimmer was covering his eyes. I walked over from my wingback position and there was center Mike Clark, bent over in the hiking position, ball in his hands, with his pants split open at the butt, and wearing just an athletic supporter, not aware of the full moon that was now in view. It was moments like that which made it all worthwhile and memorable.

John Petercuskie

Billy Kaminski

Fred Tragemann

Mike Trimmer

Bill Schwartz

Bill Brundzo

Bob Barr

Jack Bodziak

Stanton Canter

William (Dobie) Doebler

Jack Stricker

Harry Schuh

John Kurtz

    Player: John Kurtz

    Year graduated: 1960

    Number: 24

    Position: Quarterback, Defense

John's recollection:

For me, Neshaminy football was anything but another high school athletic event. As a teenager, the unique experience was more like adding a critical foundation building block of my life. It was and still is an honor to be a part of a rich and enduring tradition of winning and sportsmanship.

We all have an innate competitive spirit, some more than others. Our football experience, however nurtured and propelled this spirit and taught us how to succeed, a characteristic I carry with me today. I suspect I’m not alone here.

Who’s responsible? During my time it was Coaches Franks, Petercuskie, Swartz, Cordelli and Allison. At the time we couldn’t appreciate how this group of fine men, acting as role models would do so much to help shape our lives. A strong statement. Perhaps. But these men stand head and shoulders above some of college coaches my son experienced during his college lacrosse years.

Young Coach Cuskie was especially important to me. In the fall when I was in seventh grade at Langhorne’s Cherry Street School, he asked me if I knew how to play basketball which I said I didn’t but wanted to learn. He encouraged me to attend Saturday morning sessions at the high school. So every Saturday at 7:00 am that fall and winter, I sat on his porch waiting for a ride. After two years of junior high and three years of grueling and successful high school football, the later of which under Coach Cuskie, he was more than Coach John Petercuskie to me.

On a lighter note, and yes there was the artful dance we all experienced on bus trips to away games. Coach Cordelli always sat in the front launching targeted tobacco spittle onto the bus steps. So to avoid getting your socks wet upon departure, considerable dexterity was required.

Coach Franks’s and Petercuskie’s combined reign of wins over 13 years was a phenomenal 91%. That’s gotta be some kind of record! Guess we were pretty good. Just how much I didn’t realize until 26 years later when I was walking off the first tee at a Mendham, NJ golf club as a new member, I heard a voice cry out “you are John Kurtz Neshaminy’s quarterback who played with Harry Schuh and Jack Stricker and beat everyone in sight.” I stopped dead, my jaw dropped open to my chest, was speechless, and met Dave Hoadley another member, who was a cub sports reporter in the late 50’s for the Trenton Times.

In 2010, I look forward to seeing once again old and cherished friends at the Class of 1960 50th Reunion in the fall and playing some golf at Myrtle Beach in the spring.

John
 

Pete Blodgett

    Player: Pete Blodgett

    Year graduated: 1959

    Number:

    Position: Defense, Nose Tackle

Pete's recollection:

I was a two year team member, playing in 1957 & 1958. The programs, coaches and players at Neshaminy prepared me to be a much better college player and also prepared me for success later in life. The experiences I had as a Neshaminy Redskin molded me into a better person later on in life, than I was in high school. Thanks to the Neshaminy Redskin family for the opportunity to be part of the team and a great learning process.

Peter G. Blodgett.
 

Harry E. Franks

    Coach: Harry E. Franks

    Last year coaching: 1959

    Position: Head Coach

Harry's recollection: (the following are excerpts from my interview with Harry in March of 2005)

I graduated from Wilson High School, west of Reading PA. They had no football team but I loved football. I had to quit school in 10th grade so I could start working [kids - it was a very different time], I started my own team with a bunch of neighborhood kids. I knew I needed help so I went to visit Dick Cassimer at Princeton University. I also spoke to their head coach, Charlie Caldwell, and I was allowed to study Charlie's play book. Our team was rag-tag, but good. We had no uniforms and we all had different helmets, but we played well against other sandlot teams. I used the "single Wing" play a lot because that's what Princeton ran. I often used the "Buck Series" single wing. That is a play where the ball is snapped through the quarterback's legs directly to the fullback.

I wanted to coach at my old high school [Wilson] but the job went to someone else. I saw an ad for a JV coaching position [at Neshaminy] and I took it.

One time I told our JV boys that if we beat Pennsbury by 50 points I would run an 11 man reverse in the next game. I didn't think it would happen, but it did so the next game, against Bensalem, I set it up. After the ball was snapped to Don Cameron, each guy went back, touched the ball and faked a run. The Bensalem team was so confused that we scored on the play.

Me: "Mr. Franks, did you ever run that play again"? Mr. Franks: [laughs] "are you kidding?... no, we never ran that play again".

At the end of the 1951 season, I applied for another coaching job. The head coach at Pennsbury quit suddenly, and they were looking for an immediate replacement. I applied, but I lost the job to Jim Egli, who was our athletic director. Jim left Neshaminy mid year [December]. After losing the coaching job at Pennsbury, I swore that I'd never lose a game to them as a coach... and you know what...I never did!

Harry finally got his head coaching job, and it was at Neshaminy in 1952. The departure of James Egli also left Harry is the unofficial athletic director of the High School. (Harry officially took over as Neshaminy's athletic director in 1960). When I took over the Redskins varsity squad in 1952 there were 19 players on the team and 65 seniors in the school. We went 9-1 that year and we were 9-1 the next year as well. In my 3rd year as head coach we were 10-0. In my first three years as head coach, we were 28-2-0.

In those days, we played over on Cherry Street (in Langhorne) and we paid $175.00 per game to have portable lights brought in for night games.

There was one game I remember in 1952. We played Bristol and beat them. We scored on the first 5 [defensive] plays. It was 35-0 and we had not put the ball into play. [Records indicate this may have been Council Rock or Southampton, not Bristol. It was 50 years ago and that's a long way back to remember].

That year, I designed some simple single wing plays. The ball carrier would take 4 steps left or right and then dig into the hole. The "inside", was our favorite play. We also used an outside single wing, and occasionally we'd use the pass.

The new school was built in 1954. Since the new stadium was not ready yet, I went over to Cherry Street and took the seats from that stadium and brought them over to the new school. The board decided on concrete stands [at the end of 1954] and approved the new stadium at a cost of $120,000. In 1955 I drove out to Ephrata and purchased stadium lights from a defunct baseball team for $2,200.00. Back then, that was a lot of money.

I remember one funny incident in 1954, in a game against Tennent. The game was getting close to start time and the opposing team wasn't there. I had forgotten it was the 1st day of hunting season. Suddenly, just before game time, the team came walking up the road, the players were still carrying their hunting rifles with them. I was a little scared!

I was a strict coach. There was to be no monkey business. I used to [randomly] go to players homes in the evening to make sure they were in bed on time. Once, I even went to a players room because I wasn't sure if the mother was being truthful with me. The boy was not there and he received a warning from me.

In 1954 we had our 1st day of practice on August 18th This was the same group of kids who were 9-0 as a JV squad in my first year coaching at Neshaminy. After practice I told the players to shower and come back to the field and bring with them whatever they had from home that day. When they got back on the field I told them I was going to teach them to love that field. I was going to do this by having them all sleep out at midfield for the night. The offense was on the 20 yard line, the defense on the 30, and so on. I had the Notre Dame fight song being played continuously over the sound system. The lights went off and the music kept playing. I told them we would go to Greenwood Dairy for breakfast. At 3:00am I woke up being eaten alive by bugs. I looked around and everyone was gone. Coach Petercuskie and all of the players had gone into the gym because of the bugs. I stood there laughing at myself... I never tried that again.

Another funny incident occurred in 1954. Mr. Petercuskie and I went to spy on a Pennridge scrimmage at Royersford. We couldn't get close because they had cops blocking access to the field. Me and John went into a cornfield and dismantled a scarecrow so we could climb it and watch. While we were in the field watching, we could hear a pack of hunting dogs, and hunters, running toward us. We had to take off... we were afraid we'd get shot. We eventually climbed a tree and scouted from there. It was different than now. We didn't swap game tapes back then.

In 1955 I went to Philadelphia and convinced Errol Faunce to come and play for us. He had family living in Feasterville and he was able to stay there. We played a game in Pleasantville that had such bad fog that Errol got hit in the mouth by a player he couldn't see coming and had some teeth knocked out. My wife Joan took Errol and his girlfriend to the hospital. Joan was our seamstress, nurse and transportation. On game days, the guys would all come over to our house and Joan would cook dinner for all of them.

Me: "Mr Franks, how did you come up with that famous slogan: "Time will never dim the glory of the Neshaminy Redskins".

Harry: In 1954 I went to a football clinic [before the first game] in Baltimore. During a break I was walking around the stadium and I saw a [similar] slogan written on the wall. I liked it and I made a few changes to make it fit our school. In the next letter that I wrote to the players and coaches I used it for the first time.

I also started the first "gym night" in 1953. We had a 50th anniversary of gym night 2 years ago and it was a very special evening.

I also must thank Harry's lovely wife, Joan, for her help in putting this interview together. Many of the memories and facts are over 50 years old and Joan was often able to fill in areas where Harry wasn't sure.

Frank Conroy

    Player: Frank Conroy

    Number: 22

    Position played: Guard/Linebacker

Frank's recollection:

I was a two way player and excelled for one reason - we had great coaches.

I live in Minnesota but I will never forget for one minute, being a Neshaminy Redskin.

My best moment was being a sophomore, playing in tandem with Bill Fischer, going both ways with the ball.

It is true: "time will never dim the glory of the Neshaminy Redskins", as we who do not have much time left in our lives, leave our legacy to the young Redskins of today and tomorrow.

Bill Fischer

    Player: Bill Fischer

    Number: 82

    Position played: Defensive End / Offensive End

Bill's recollection:

In 1955 Frank Conroy (LB) and I started side by side as Sophomores on defense. We are the only pair of side-by-side sophomores to ever start for the varsity Redskins. To this day, there have not been a pair of sophomores to start defensively for the Skins. In those days, I played offensive end and defensive end, I played on both sides the whole game.

In 1956, as a junior, I led the Lower Bucks league with 30 pass receptions. In the single wing, Harry (Franks) wanted to direct snap to the tailback. He would then pass the ball. Of the three men in our backfield (Jack Reilly, Errol Faunce, and Al Gaskall), Jack Reilly threw the most accurate passes and helped me to reach that 30 reception plateau.

I was fortunate to play in the first game at Heartbreak Ridge in September of 1956. We played Hatboro-Horsham and we won 27-6. George Rumsey scored 3TD's and he also kicked 3 extra points. I had the only other score of that game - I scored a touchdown but we missed the extra point.

One day, when I was still in Junior High School, John (Petercuskie) came down to watch us practice. After watching me play for a while he called me over to the sideline. He said "did you ever think of playing on the left end? On the next series of downs, my coach moved me to the left end. That's where I stayed for the rest of my high school career. I never left the left end spot.

One time I made a big mistake on defense and to this day, I can't forget it. If I'm watching a game on TV and I see a guy lose his assignment, it brings back this memory. On defense, I was always supposed to trail the play - in case they ran a reverse. One time, I didn't trail, but I pursued the runner at a 45deg angle. The play was a reverse and I was caught in the middle. I was blindsided and knocked to the ground. I didn't feel too bad because the other team lost a yard on the play. Coach Petercuskie called me to the sideline. He grabbed me by the helmet and told me that I didn't trail the play like I was supposed to. He sat me for the first time ever. When the second series came and I was still on the bench, I thought I blew it for good. When the 3rd series came around, coach Petercuskie called me back into the game. After that, I never missed that assignment again.

In my three years of varsity football we were Champs-Champs-and Co-Champs. In my senior year we lost to Pennsbury, at the Ridge, 6-7 because we missed an extra point. That missed extra point dropped us to Co-champs. 

Dale Puff

    Player: Dale Puff

    Number: 78

    Position played: Offensive Guard, Defensive Guard, Linebacker

Dale's recollection:

The “biggest” memory is that our practices were harder than any game we ever played (‘Cuskie made sure of that). Another pretty cool one involved me and Charlie Orfe on defense. We blocked an extra point and I picked it up and ran about twenty yards with Charlie in front of me. Suddenly we looked at each other and said “oh ----“! That was one of the few times we all saw Coach Franks laugh. After that, every time I’d touch a ball at practice Coach Petercuskie would tell me to put it down as he reminded me of “what happened the last time you picked one up.” And last, all linemen remember “Bull In The Ring”. Great memories all.

Edwin Mayer

    Player: Edwin Mayer

    Number: 88

    Position played: Offense - all kick offs | Defense - middle guard

Erwin's recollection:

Erwin Mayer (known as "The Rock" or "Oatsy") was granted the honor, in 1956,  of being the first player ever to kick-off at the brand-new Neshaminy High School Stadium, later known as "Heartbreak Ridge" now known as 'Harry Franks Stadium".

Erwin Mayer was the Gym Night Color Captain of the Red team in his senior year. He was also chosen to represent the football team at the Newtown Rotary Club Banquet at the Temperance House. Upon his graduation he played three years of semi-pro football for the Feasterville Falcons.

In 1956, the Redskins had such a strong defense that opponents were only able to score 45 points against them thorough out the entire 10-game season.

The Redskins beat the Pennsbury High School (which was undefeated 30 games in a row) 20-6 on their own field. After winning such a big game, the coach (Harry Franks) treated the whole team at the Rt. 309 Custard Stand.

During practice one day, another player and I were clowning around and John Petercuskie said "I'll kick both your butts from here to Trevose".

The whole team went down to play against Pleasantville High School, NJ. We arrived to an empty stadium. They had called off the game due to a polio epidemic and nobody bothered to call to notify us.

Hank Adams

    Player: Hank Adams

    Number: 65

    Position played: Right Half Back

Hank's recollection:

I only played football in 9th and 10th grades. My football career was ended early. However, as short as my time as a Redskin was, I enjoyed playing for 'Cuskie and I still remain friends with him to this day.

When I played Half Back in 10th grade JV we were 10-0 for the season!

I'll never forget my 1st touchdown, the play called was Buck 38 and I scored behind the pulling guard Dale Puff!

Thank You Coach!

Fred Sangillo

    Player: Fred Sangillo

    Number: 77

    Position played: Fullback

Fred's recollection:

It was September, 1953, the first game of the football season. Neshaminy versus a big and powerful Pennsbury team. Pennsbury was the benefactor of a large increase in enrollment due to the creation of Fairless Hills. Neshaminy's class size in 1954 and 1955 were in the seventies. Needless to say, Pennsbury was expected to win.

It was third down and long as tailback Ken Kauffman, who was being rushed, faded back and threw a desperation pass across the middle of the field to the streaking wingback Don Cameron. The pass was high and behind Don, who proceeded to stop on a dime, leap in the air, reach back and catch the ball with one hand. He then spun around and raced to the goal line. It was an amazing catch by a most incredible player.

Neshaminy 24      Pennsbury 20

Steve Cloak Sr.

    Player: Steve Cloak Sr.

    Number: 91

    Position played: OC, MLB, Team Captain

Steve's recollection:

Coach Harry Franks' first year as head coach was my Senior year - l952. When the players came in for their pre-season physicals, he met them at the door, clip board in hand, and told each one what position they would be playing. A lot of guys weren't happy with that and turned around and left. At our first practice, seventeen players, from Sophomores to Seniors, showed up.

Coach Franks said this is our team and he would accept no one else. The Junior High team practiced with the varsity and suited up for every game to make the team look larger!

After a nine win - one loss season, he had a big turn out for football every year thereafter.

Harry was known to call player's at home in order to see if they were in bed getting the rest they needed. He called my house one evening to find me up doing homework - "You gotta get that done earlier, now get to bed" was his advice.

This was Harry's first year as head coach and one of the awards he started (that is awarded to this day) is the Mr. Redskin award. As a senior in 1953 I had the honor be being given the very first Mr. Redskin award.

Ernest F. Pietsch

    Player: Ernest F. Pietsch

    Number: 80

    Position played: Center and Middle Linebacker

Ernie's recollection:

I will always remember the games on Thanksgiving against Bensalem. They were hard fought games that sometimes had hard feelings to go with.

The Newtown High School games were horribly hard. They were always a fight to win.

Wayne 'Inky' Schneider

    Player: Wayne 'Inky' Schneider

    Number: 33

    Position played: Quarterback/Running Back/Defensive Back/Punter & Kicker

Inky's recollection:

I entered the hallowed halls of Playwicki in August 1943. That was the year head coach Charlie Beck left Langhorne and headed back to his former job as a coach and teacher at Bristol High. Thus, I never had the pleasure of playing for him. And without a coach for a while that summer, the future was a little uncertain for us because many schools had suspended football during that period of World War II. As it turned out, though, we were extremely lucky when a local citizen by the name of John Messics came forward and volunteered to coach us Redskins. He was there for three seasons – 1943, 1944 and 1945 – and he received no pay for his gallant effort.

Coach Messics had been an outstanding guard on Temple’s undefeated 1934 team which played Tulane in the first Sugar Bowl game on New Year’s Day 1935. He was 6 foot tall and weighed 240 pounds without an ounce of fat around the beltline. He was employed as a salesman and would pull into Playwicki Field every day at 3:30 for practice. As a coach he was easy to play for as he never seemed to get rattled while he had a tremendous rapport with the players too.

But even with our new coach in place another crisis hit the team that year of 1943. For after we had practiced just a few days it looked like the season might be cancelled completely. One of our players, Jerry Good, was struck with a bad case of polio (it turned out he was the only person in Lower Bucks who contracted that terrible disease). He was a tremendous athlete and I’m positive he would have ranked up with the best of the ‘Skins including the likes of Baxter, Schuh, Cameron and Stricker. The rest of us were given the standard precaution of the time (a sugar cube with some medicine on it) and later practice resumed after the administration and medical personnel decided it would be safe. Jerry never did get out of his wheelchair in the years to come and we certainly lost a great one much too early.

Looking back on my football career at Langhorne, I have to say it didn’t start off quite as I thought it might. Playing the George School at their field in our opener my freshman year, I was one of the deep receivers as they kicked off to start the game. Watching the ball travel through the air straight toward me (I can still see it anytime I drive by the school on Route 413), Joe Lukens, who was to my right, yelled to me to follow him after I caught it. Taking off furiously after the catch, I couldn’t have gone more than 4 or 5 yards before it was “lights out”. After regaining consciousness, I still recall my first thought being “if this is the way this game is all the time, I’m outta here!” Later I learned that as I was going down after being tackled, I was accidentally kicked in the head. Accident or not, I’d have to say that was the hardest hit I ever took on the field. And as to the season, it was as forgettable as that first kickoff return of mine as we finished 0-3-1.

My sophomore year of 1944 things were a little different and we were much improved as a team, finishing with a 5-2-0 record. Our two losses were against our perennial enemies, Bristol and Morrisville. As I recall, they were much bigger back then and it seemed that they beat up on us physically, mentally and spiritually (in other words, pretty much all the ways you could). Still, it gives me peace of mind knowing we always played our best and couldn’t have given more out on the field when we took on either of those schools.

In 1945 we turned in a respectable record of 4-4-0 but two of the losses were still to Bristol and Morrisville. And even though we were playing pretty well, that season wasn’t quite as “good” as we had expected. It also turned out to be coach Messics last and we were sorry to see him go. Still, despite that season being kind of “so-so”, one game was pretty memorable. It was a home game and what made it special was that it was under the lights (and I believe it may have been the first ever at Playwicki Field). Portable lamps were brought in and attached to step ladders. The lighting wasn’t really that effective, though, and high passes and kicks would disappear and then suddenly reappear. It was comical as several players were bonked in the head or face when the ball seemingly dropped out of nowhere as they were looking up into the darkness waiting for the football to come back into view.

Finally, when my last head coach at Langhorne, Mike DeRisi, took his place as our leader, there was a noticeable feeling of change in the air. In fact, the “success” we would enjoy quickly became evident as Coach DeRisi brought a spark to our squad. He went right to work as he modified our primary offensive formation, put in new plays and shifted some main “roles” around as well. As a result, the 1946 campaign developed into the best during my four years as a Redskin. The two main games I remember were, of course, Bristol and Morrisville. And I’m happy to report that we finally took care of the Bunnies and the Bulldogs! We were sure “up” for those two contests and the wins in both games made the preceding three years of playing them a lot easier to swallow.

That senior season really was fun and the results showed on the field as we were 7-1-1 heading into our last game of the year. Unfortunately, we got a little ahead of ourselves for that final game with Bensalem on Thanksgiving Day and they beat us, 13-7. Although not an excuse, we were pretty “flat” that Thursday and nothing much went right as the Owls played better than we did – it’s as simple as that. Even so, we still won the school’s first Lower Bucks League championship as Bensalem was not in the conference that year.

All in all, I’m very glad to have attended Langhorne-Middletown High School for many, many reasons. And while it’s true we had no cafeteria and no gym, you don’t miss much if you’ve never had it to begin with. Plus I’m proud of all of our guys too as they always did their best even if the odds were great and the outcome at times seemed dim. At the end of it all the experience was terrific and I’m happy to say I’m another former player that has adopted Harry Franks’ very true adage that “time will never dim the Redskins’ glory”.

Edgar C. Seely, Jr.

    Player: Edgar Seely Jr.

    Number: ?

    Position played: Center/Backfield

Edgar's recollection:

I remember

thanksgiving day in 1941. I played most of the game with a broken, and bleeding, nose. I played the whole game and when it was over, I went to the doctor to get my nose fixed.

Leroy Slater

    Number: 1

    Position played: (many)

Leroy's recollection:

I remember a game we were playing in 1940 against Mt. Holly. We were overmatched and we were losing 30-0. I was playing guard and coach Beck told me to move to the end while we were on offense. I wasn't very tall and I thought you had to be much taller to play at that position. I got off the line and managed to get free down field. I caught a pass and scored a touchdown and it was very exciting. The game ended 40-6 and my TD turned out to be the only points we scored in that game.

In another game in 1940 I broke my nose in practice and I was taken to Abington Hospital. I was wearing my LM sweater and word got around at the hospital that there was a football player from Lower Merion in the building.

Coach Charlie Beck used to get upset when a ball went out of bounds. It was the job of the ball boy to get the ball as soon as it went out. We only had (2) balls for the team so we could not afford to lose one of them.

In 2002 I was inducted into the Redskins Hall of fame and I received my Hall of Fame plaque, that was a very special moment for me and one that I will never forget.

Edward (Bud) Black

Bud's recollection: The following is an interview of Edward (Bud) Black football team captain in 1933 class of 1934. The interview was conducted by Charles Lauble at the July monthly Ageless Club meeting.

Charles: How many players were on the team when you played in the old pictures it looks like 14?
Bud: 18 my senior year.
Charles: Did you play with Jesse Daugherty?
Bud: Yes, we both played for four years. We both substituted as freshmen.
Charles: What year were you captain of the team?
Bud: 1933, that’s like seventy years ago.
Charles: Charlie Beck was the coach right?
Bud: Yeh, Mr. Beck he was there.
Charles: What type of a person was he like, great guy?
Bud: For our times he was great. Now he might be an assistant to an assistant coach, for our times he was great.
Charles: Now, the first year you played regularly was 1930, was Playwicki field there then?
Bud: I think it was the fourth team they had when I started playing regularly. It was like one big family then. We played behind the school.
Charles: Back then you didn’t substitute, you had to play both ways, right?
Bud: We played both ways.
Charles: What did you play?
Bud: Everything, as long as you were standing and able to play, you played. Played guard, quarterback, center, tackle, we played everything because if someone was hurt or couldn’t play a down or something you needed to fill in for them.
Charles: In other words you could go from a back to a lineman because you didn’t have that many replacements back then?
Bud: You didn’t have any restrictions back then, the only restriction was the quarter you went out you needed to wait till the next quarter to go back in. I believe that’s what it was. Jesse and I both went out in 30, 31, 32 , 33 and played that way.
Charles: Bunny Brunner was on your team wasn’t he?
Bud: Yes, Bunny was the year before us, he played 31, 32. He graduated the year before us. We graduated 34, he graduated 33.
Clara VanSant: Who coached baseball?
Bud: Mr. Beck
Charles: Charlie Beck coached baseball too, you didn’t have any basketball team back then did you?
Bud: Yes we did.
Charles: Well, where did you play your games?
Bud: Practiced sometimes in Stradling’s barn and played games at the dance hall in Parkland.
Charles: You played your games at the dance hall in Parkland?
Bud: The dance hall was in Lower Parkland behind the tavern there, on the right side of Mount Misery. I think but I’m not sure, the basketball team in 32 won the league championship in our league then. George Adams, Skinzy Davis, Vincent Mather, Boscal Rice’s brother Steve played on it, we were the champs.
Charles: At Historic Langhorne we have lots of information on Parkland when it was a resort and the tavern, dance hall and pavilions were there. Where did you practice most?
Bud: There, you’d walk all over then.
Charles: You walked to Parkland to practice basketball?
Bud: Unless somebody had a car and you would all pile into that. The same way with football, you’d practice till dark and then you’d walk home.
Charles: You’d practice till dark in Langhorne and then walk home all the way to Hulmeville?
Bud: No, I walked to Parkland, it was the same way with everyone. They’d walk to Hulmeville, Woodbourne, South Langhorne unless you were fortunate enough to get a hop in someone’s car. If you were lucky somebody might pick you up, take you home, otherwise you walked.
Charles: That’s amazing, I can’t imagine the kids today walking home.
Bud: What was the name of the school on the corner there in Langhorne?
Charles: The Pine Street School.
Bud: The one they tore down, that’s where we used to change our cloths in the basement. We used to change our cloths there, we had one shower, we’d leave the field, run across to the school and down the steps, change our cloths and walk home.
Charles: Do you mean Pine Street or Cherry Street, as I thought they had a locker room and shower in the old Langhorne Middletown High School.
Bud: Now your talking of over seventy years ago, they might have later on. We’re not talking of fifty or sixty years ago, we’re talking over seventy.
Charles: Over seventy years ago, that’s amazing. Seventy one years ago you graduated.
Bud: Finish practice, run over to the school, down the basement and change there in the boiler room.
Charles: There wasn’t any locker room?
Bud: You threw your cloths on the floor, pick em up the next day and put them on. After practice we would change, walk home to Parkland, Hulmeville, Woodbourne, South Langhorne
Charles: I Can’t visualize today’s kids changing in a boiler room of the school with one shower.
Bud: Most of the boys didn’t shower.
Mrs. Black: The girls never showered. Did Mr. Stompler help coach then?
Bud: Oh yeah he helped. We had fun oh man, laughing, kicking, jump up and down, we had no problems
Charles: Now did they have the big pep rallies with the bonfires on the school grounds when you played in the thirties?
Bud: Only before we played Newtown on Thanksgiving day.
Charles: Many injuries back then?
Bud: So you got a bump or a bruise on your leg at practice, so to work it out you just put your cloths on and walked home and by the time you're home, the bump was out of your leg.
Charles: Amazing, whereabouts in Parkland did you live?
Bud: All the way to the number one lot in Parkand. Do you know where the Bird place is now on Highland Ave. next to Weeks’ old farm, right there on the corner as you come around the bend.?
Charles: Yeah I know where Weeks’ old farm was.
Bud: I didn’t know anybody remembered where Weeks’ farm was.
Charles: Now Dick Hastings was after you guys right, about the time of WWII?
Bud: Yes, everybody was after us, he was about 1940.
Charles: He was an elementary student when you were playing football.
Bud: Yeah, we left the school in June of 34. Jesse and I are still around, saw him last year.
Charles: How old are you?
Bud: 89 I’ll be 90 in September. Now there are some freshman and sophomores who played football that I’ve lost contact with that still might be living. But my group, besides Jesse and I, I don’t know who is living.
Charles: I’ll have to pick your mug out of the football team picture.
Bud: Well Chet Castor and I are holding the ball in the middle of the picture. Before they took the picture I told Chet to hold it with me, in those days everybody was everybody and nobody was better than anybody else. Jesse is standing up in back of us.
Charles: Thanks for the talk and all I’ve learned from you.