Boonton High School - Echoes Yearbook (Boonton, NJ)

Page 25 text:

Dover to a 6 to 0 halftime score and finished the game with a 33-7 outstandingly played defeat. In 1955's coming season, the Boontonites will see Bob Mariani, a rugged unrelenting performer who gave all he had in every game. Despite a lining season, he earned himself the nomination of an outstanding guard on the All Lakeland Conference Football Team. Next year's team will miss the presence of such players as Ronnie Venturing who nailed down a halfback slot on the 1954 All Lakeland Conference and also honorable mention on the Morris County Eleven; Bill Applegate who scored the most touchdowns and was awarded a spot on the All Lakeland Conference Second Team; and Frank Gambelli who was always out there playing to the best of his ability. Coach Shriner gives word of advice.

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. . . anJ nesfecteJ t ie winning team. Stop that Man!” Emerging at the end of the season after the Turkey Day grid scramble with the Butler Bulldogs, one of the worst football seasons in the history of Boonton High School became a matter of record. It was the second time in the annals of Boonton High that the Red and Black Gridsters failed to win at least one game. The other occasion was in 1952 when the Boontonites lost nine out of nine. It was a losing season but, like every dark cloud, Boonton High School flashed some glimpses of a silver lining. The biggest strike occurred when we tied Wayne High School in the closing minutes of the game. The play of Captain Ronnie Venturini, who never learned the meaning of the word quit , was a revelation to observe. Ronnie always played the game to the hilt no matter what the scoreboard read, and his unquenchable spirit was evident whether he was bulling his way through the opponent's line or making a jarring tackle from his defensive halfback slot. Sophomore Leigh Gorman proved to be a fine operator also, both on offense and defense. His fine quarterbacking and ball handling had a big hand in the turn of events. Another exciting moment on the gridiron this year was the impressive game played with Dover. After losing to the Dover Tigers 47 to 0 last year, the Boonton Bombers held VARSITY FOOTBALL—front Row (Left to Right): Line Coach Herb Palmer; N. Kolokira; J. Rug-gier; A. Scozzafava; A. Goodwin; J. Steinhauser; D. Perrine; J. Gardner; C. Yukna; Coach K. Shriner, Headcoach. Second Row: R. Vitaletti, Backfield Coach; J. Jorgensen; A. Olsen; R. Gifford; R. Venturini; L. Gorman; M. Macaluso; T. Glancey; J. Bolcar; J. Smith; R. Amari, manager. Third Row: W. Pfost; W. Applegate; R. Luckenbach; B. Rush; A. Johnson; L. HclmJingcr; C. AHicri; R. Longo; R. Cerchione. fourth Row: J. Cox; J. Corcoran; G. Light; R. Brown; H. Ustupski; J. Trizzula; R. Mitchell; R. Mariani.

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Coach Bill Potter has inspired the players to develop effective team work. fjfe inJm counts Setting a new school record for the highest number of points scored in a single game, Boonton romped over Pompton Lakes in the sixth game of the season with a victory of 87-75. In this game also, Leigh Gorman came within 3 points of breaking his own record for the highest individual score of the season. The combined efforts of the players resulted in a fine display of spirited action and coordinated teamwork throughout the game. More triumphs such as this would have favored the Bombers total record, but this was not the case. The season opened with a run of losses, and, without the strength of Steve Avallone, the Passaic Valley game was lost 57-29 and Boonton was eliminated from the Lakeland Conference Jamboree. Boonton concluded the season with 10 defeats and 6 victories, 5 of which were won on the home court. Coach Potter is to be commended for inspiring the boys to play hard and to practice good sportsmanship. Vitality and vigorous play were in evidence throughout as the players refused to accept defeat before the final scores were in. In both games with Mt. Lakes, the Boontonites made strong last-minute drives to win but fell short of their goals by slim margins. VARSITY BASKETBALL—Front Rou I Left to Right): R. Spotts; R. Block; R. Ven-turini; C. Yukna; J. Smith. Second Rou R Brauc; S. Avallone; L. Gorman; F. Gambelli. Third Rou: Coach Potter; W. Cantrell; C. Starkey; G. Cook; R. Longo; B. Rawlings, manager. Bob Braue, Frank Gambelli and Dick Spotts scrap for a Frank Gambelli nets one rebound with two Morris from the outside. Regional Knights. Steve Avallone executes a jump shot. Richie Block drives through the opponent's defense for a two-pointer.