Bulkeley High School - Class Yearbook (Hartford, CT)

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FOOTBALL 68 1.47 ABS- ar THE TEAM SCORES Bulkeley 0 Norwich . 0 19 East Hartford .13 6 Hartford . 7 14 New London.12 6 Wilbur Cross .13 20 Weaver .12 21 Hall . 7 20 New Britain .13 106 77 5—2—1 Although the 1954-1955 Bulldogs fell short of many pre-season predictions and their State Championships dream of destiny, Babe ' s boys nevertheless provided their peers with many an action packed Saturday afternoon besides presenting their alma mater with a 5-2-1 winning season. The return of eleven lettermen, (linemen: Caffegan, G. Carbone, Cables, Bordonaro, Beebe, and Guglielmo; Backs: Vartenigian, Kokinis, Vendetti, Cristalli and R. Carbone) plus a line average of 195 lbs. helped nourish the belief that Bulkeley would be a definite contender for the State’s top spot. A vast underdog, Norwich Free Academy dampened the Allenmen’s debut by holding them to a scoreless tie at Municipal Stadium on October 2. The lack lustre contest featured frequent fumbles and many frustrating aerial attempts. October 9th saw the Maroon men jump into an early season lead in the newly established Capital District Con¬ ference by virtue of a 19-13 victory over the Hornets of East Hartford. Hitting paydirt ..for the Southenders were Koke and Vartenigian while Nick Carbone added the extra point rushing. Nevertheless, it was Bulkeley’s Joe Cristalli and swivel hipped Hornet Stu Parker who brought the Muni Stadium occupants to their feet with flashy runs of 81 and 69 yards respectively. The hex that has hung over the Southend for the past four yea rs prevailed once again as Bulkeley, a two touch¬ down favorite, dropped a 7 to 6 decision to the Owl men of HPHS. Two 15 yard penalties and a fumble set up BHS ' lone touchdown early in the second half and fleet footed Harvey Dorman raced eight yards for the Maroon score. Statistically, it was the Bulldogs ' game. They racked up 11 first downs to 5 for Hartford and outrushed the victors 136 yards to 56 but the Allenmen failed to cash in on many a golden opportunity. While threatening for another score, Pete Kokinis reinjured his ankle and had to be helped off the gridiron. Bulkeley never threatened again while HPHS’ minute red head, Tommy Claffey filled the Saturday Hero’s role. On Saturday, October 23 at Muni Stadium, George Vartenigian carved out a fairy tale victory for the Southend 91 Hall halts George

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Seated: Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Mackimmie. Standing: Mr. Ivanowsky, Mr. Cook, Mr, Bazzano, Mr. Allen, Mr. Atlin. Joe outpaddles Beavers

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The QB for a TD against NB history books. Trailing 12 to 0 with four minutes remain¬ ing, Bulkeley brought the ball to the New London six by three quarterback sneaks and the aid of a penalty. Cristalli scored on an end run and Vartenigian annexed the extra point. The stage was then set for George’s history making run. With seven seconds remaining, Vartenigian grabbed the Whaler’s punt on his right and started his whirlwind trek to glory. Although the clock ran out while George was wending his way to paydirt, he continued tight rope racing up the sidelines to sure victory. Guy Carbone and Ed Caffegan aided the cause by throwing two key blocks. Joe Testa crashed through for the extra point winding up a 14-12 win for BHS. A scrappy Bulldog eleven battled its way bravely dur¬ ing wind and rain only to be outlasted 13 to 6 by Wilbur Cross ' powerful combine at New Haven on October 30. Bulkeley, once again, failed to cash in on the “breaks” and went scoreless in the first half, George Vartenigian accounted for the Maroon’s six points while Vendetti’s place kick fell short. Inspired by Chopper Korisky’s halftime oration, Bulkeley’s “Sleeping Giants” smashed Weaver’s all winning record. Flashing pre season promise for the first time, the weighty Bulldogs finally jelled and walloped the Weaver Beavers 20-12. The loss was the third straight for Weaver at the hands of Bulkeley. Two years ago, the Maroons upset another undefeated Northend eleven without even scoring a first down. Penalties erased two successive touchdowns before Cables scored legally on a smart pass from Vartenigian. George added the extra point. The Greens tallied and the halftime score stood 7-6. From there on, thanks to Mr. Korisky and “Little Kim” (the baby of the year), the - Bulldogs blossomed into the Giant Killers” they had been predicted to be. Weaver’s ground game which netted 37 yards, showed a net loss of 24 yards in the second half. Big Ed Caffegan personally headed the unstopable surge of the Maroon forwards. All told, Eddy crashed through the Beaver’s line ten times to nail Quarterback Borden for big losses. The Coleman brothers contributed both touchdowns for the Greenshirts lost cause. The alert Allenmen capital¬ ized on a fumble recovery and a blocked kick, both by Dick Beebe to score the last two markers. The hustling Dick Beebe Co-Captain Dreadnaught” escorts Maroon Destroyer. Ed Caffegan Co-Captain Kobe’s TD beats New Britain 92