Commonwealth Parkville School - Comet Yearbook (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

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Practice Practice, a word that drew every sort of dissension, from grunts and groans to excuses for not showing up. A necessary evil, composed of long grueling hours Linder a relentless sun that pushed the endurance of the strongest athletes, practice was made up of shouts, screams, push-ups, drills, races, exhaustion, fatigue. And that was just the beginning. Ioe Serralta drilled his defense re- lentlessly, until the players jumped to their positions at the defensive cap- tair1's calls without a moment's hesi- tation. Coach Furcolo went over a play fifteen, sixteen times with the offensive unit until the backs' timing was perfect: the cross blocks were executed without flaw. v , t , . But it was here that the football games were won or lost. On the field in the back of Commonwealth High, everyday from two to six, the Comets learned the hard way, the only way, how to play football. A half hour of exercise to strengthen arms, legs, neck, torsos, and passing drills was to assure pinpoint accuracy on the passers' part and to train the re- ceivers so that their timing became automatic. The mention of tackling and blocking brought shudders from the linemen, but a missed tackle could determine the outcome of a football game. It was a part of Commonwealth's first football season that few took notice of, but it was the most im- portant part, where bodies were tough- ened and techniques were learned. The dedication of the coaches, the willingness of the players and the co-operation of the school staff were factors which shaped successful prac- tices and a successful season.

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Commonwealth was given a limited schedule in its first season, playing each team once. In our trial season we played eight regular games and one post season game in St. Croix. We won four and lost four, finishing in a three way tie for fourth place in the middle of the league's standing. Our first game was against the Hermits from San Antonio Abad, who were favored to finish number one. Hochstein scored twice, once on a pass by Mike Gilbert, later on a roll-out pass by Norby, The defense played a good game, much closer than the 48-13 score indicated. Our second game was not one we like to remember. The Antilles Pirates were the hardest hitting team in the league and they proved it against us. Phil scored twice again but quarterback Mike Gilbert was out for the whole second half. The final score was 61-13. Morale was down after two losses when we went to Rosey Roads. The Panthers took advantage of this, winning 45-13. Bobby Pulliam scored once and our defense re- covered a fumble in their end zone for Commonwealth's second score. Would we ever break thirteen points?? American Mili- tary Academy's Bisons had won two out of their first three and were sure they were going to beat us. The Comets put together their best game of the season. Pulling the upset of the year, Phil, Lindsey, Norby, Zito and DeVires all scored to give Commonwealth its first win, 32-28! Games A ,