Clifton Heights High School - Log Yearbook (Clifton Heights, PA)

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Getting Down To Earth I 1 First Row, left to right: Mr. Libertore,W.Edwards, L. Lizut, K. Rice, J. Finn, J. Traband, B. Kanuika, W. Saichuk, Mr. Tomasco. Second Row: B. Menge, E. DiFranks, V. Martinicchio, J. DiPoalo, D. Ferguson, P. DiPangrazio, J. DiPrinzio, J. Gosnay, J. Battista. Fourth Row: J. Cinaglia, D. Barrett, A. Toracchio, J. Kruetzfeldt, I. Snader, A. DePietro, A. Serafine, A. Froy. The Rams' '51 football season was anything but successful in the won and lost columns, the grid log reading 1-7 for the year. Yet, with the exception of the Eddystone game, which Clifton dropped 37-13, Coach Tomasco's charges actually held a statistical edge in first downs and total yardage in all contests. ' Unfortunately, the entire Rams' schedule is played under the 'old rule in which only final scores, not statistics, determine the victors, hence the poor season. Both Mr. Libertore and Mr. Tomasco believe this year's squad was capable of handling more than half the county schools. Says Coach Tomasco, There was nothing wrong with this year's squad that a good break in the scheduling wouldn't cure. lt was just unfortunate that six of the seven teams that toppled the Rams' footballers this past season ranked at the top of the listings in county scholastic circles for the '51 campaign. Perhaps the most glaring lack on the '51 football squad was that of experienced backs. Only joe DiPrinzio, fullback, and Anthony Serafine, quarterback, remained to form a nucleus for the back- field that was topheavy with newcomers from the freshman and sophomore classes. Up front, jack Traband, Len Lizut, Keith Rice, and Bill Kanuika gave the Rams a formidable array from tackle to tackle. At ends, Wasyl Saichuk and Pokey Edwards lent a capable hand, with Albert Froy and james Finn, next year's captain elect, sharing pivot duties in a steady manner. The tip-off on inexperience made itself manifest in the first set-to, which Clifton lost to Glen- Nor, 8-0, after yielding a minus total of 56 overall to the Indians. The '51 squad, however, garnered its share of glory when it tackled the vaunted Ridley Township Raiders in the first night game in the Rams' history. Playing before the largest crowd of the year, Clifton's linemen more than rose to the occasion by holding Ridley's offensive team, which averaged 40 points or better per game, to a single touchdown, and this only in the waning minutes of the contest. 64

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Sports

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Yes, these boys etched their names in the school's grid annals by their performance that night. DiPrinzio's efforts were so outstanding that on the basis of his performance in this game alone, he was selected 'back of the week' by the Delaware County Coaches' Association. Clifton's love win was a 19-13 triumph over its neighbors from Springfield. In addition to the Glen-Nor, Ridley Toumship, and Eddystone games, the Rams yielded to Prospect Park, Upper Chi- chester, Collingdale, and Darby. Both Mr. Libertore and Mr. Tomasco feel that any squad that loses such standouts as the gradu- ating players is bound to feel the jarring effects next campaign. However, the past year brought out some new talent that won't approach this past year's squad in size, but has the traditional old Clifton fight. Outstanding among the new faces are Lou Lombardo, joe DeLalla, Paul DiPangrazio, Henry Kwiatkowski, john Snader, jim Martinick, Gene Toracchio, Hassel Hill, Al DePietro, Bill Bat- tista, and Ed DiFranks. john Gosnay, a late starter, could be a dark horse next season, The Rams' coaching staff is not looking for miracles, but do expect the '52 squad to make itself felt. The coaches are not despairing over the lack of size so long as that Clifton determina- tion to win sticks for the coming campaign. To the graduating members of the '51 squad both Mr. Tomasco and Mr. Libertore extend their thanks for the cooperation they have received and express their best wishes for the gridders' success in the future. Football Schedule Sept. Glen-Nor ..... Away Sept. Prospect Park . . . Away Oct. Ridley Twp. . . . Home Oct. Upper Chichester Away Oct. Eddystone ..... Home Oct, Springfield .... Home Nov. Collingdalc .... Home Nov. Darby .... . . Away