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:
Wayne (Inky) Schneider (1947)	Fred Conger (1966)
Mike Episcopo (1984)	Dale Puff (1957)
Jack Stricker (1961)	Steve Sroba (1970)

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.

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