Mount Saint Marys College - Eagle Yearbook (Orchard Lake, MI)

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HIIJTB LL 1955 Suburban Catholic League Champions The powerful edition of the 1955 Eaglets smashed through eight con- consecutive wins this year to become the finest football squad ever at St. Mary's. Playing hard and heads-up ball from start to finish under their new coach, Father John Rakoczy, the Eaglets compiled the first perfect record at St. Mary's and also brought the long-awaited Suburban Catholic League crown to Orchard Lake for the first time. The season started off on September 25 at the Lake against St. James of Ferndale. Although the Eaglet front wall did not function properly in the opener, halfback Paul Franckowiak and quarterback Ted Kopacki were just too much for the opponents to handle as they paced SMOL to a 25 to 7 victory. Franckowiak hit pay dirt twice and Kopacki threw two touch- down passes: to left end, Pete Madelans and to right end, Stan Majewski. A week later, October 2, the Shamrocks of St. Michael's High hosted the title-bound Eaglets at Pontiac's Wisner Stadium but the visitors trounced them, 25-0. Gerry Leszczynski, 188 pound fullback, scored two 'times on a 6 yard plunge and 25 yard run. Half Lenny Mallat also figured in the scoring with a 5 yard run off tackle and dynamic Ted Kopacki raced 63 yards for the final tally. On October 9, the Fighting Eaglets travelled to Hazel Park where they feasted themselves on the Vikings of St. Ritais, taking the contest easily, 31-6. Leszczynski opened the party with a three yard crack for the first score and Madelans converted. Kopacki, in the second period, uncorked a 50 yard pass to Stan Majewski in the end zone for TD number 2. After the intermission, Paul Franckowiak threw 28 yards to Madelans for another score, employing the faithful McAdoo Special. Len Mallat from 'two yards out and tackle Denis Mutrynowski with his 31 yard runback of a fumble completed the hectic day to give SMOL their third win. When Sunday, October 16, rolled around, so did the rain. But this didn't stop the determined Eaglets as they fought rain, mud, and the stub- born opposition of St. Clement's. With four minutes remaining in the first half and the Crusaders out in front, 6-0, Ted Kopacki swept his left end, outraced his interference, eluded several would-be tacklers and crossed the goal line 51 yards later. Leszczynski ran for the point. After the kickoff, Pete Madelans picked up a fumble on the first scrimmage play and ran 31 yards for a second score. One minute later, Leszczynski intercepted a pass and raced 37 yards down the sidelines unmolested for the third TD. Kopacki passed to Majewski for the extra point, the 20th St. Mary's had scored in Fu. JOHN Rncoczv Head Coach E- ' .ax . . ' ' ' lk.. 4 M. Maras, Asst. Coach, Fr. J. Rakoczy, Head Coach, and Rev. Mr. E. Wisniewski, Asst. Coach.

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Bob Goclowski, Prep cheer-leader, gets the home crowd going with a good and loud cheer during a close basketball tilt. Lenny Mallet runs interference for hard--charging fullback Gerry Leszczynski as he skirts around right end and heads for another touchdown. 0 ,f'ii11.f',aLi.j,-rf ' ' , ' 1---f' gf,,Q:L-'i-9 1 'jga Wi,?'I'L:f'j gj'Q'f.f14g,.,. f2iff?'7i.if:g.'gv'3Ivff'C5i 'f -9:m'Z 'i? naw.. 5 1-L f - Hs.. '-' t-. ,,..g.1'1?f1'-?P:if'5'- J' fo g g - U1-Lgwk 1 '-1.1 ....f'Ue,..- 3 '72f, 1 f' ,I fi?-QfL'2'V Z, MQEFPQ' t .J,,.,--1-.,',,.f-qv 1 Y-egvt.f..-,,..,o. . , 1-,sign z -'V wrvie gr'f:'a.wfff:v..1f 'fm-'1ife:'. A .:1ff:.-L 'eff iff' 'sifiii-Am e , ' gift '-' 5. '.f,-,,' A Yin. 'N 51 - '-1 ,Q- V- ' Wiki ', , -..-4, gflagrf' p '. l- k ' A, .ul-v -1 'J' 5, 'Jr xfgklgr,-4.,gff.1 PA A 4:2 if-an '-:nL.,f .. -M o -ha. . .sa-v 1.N.s:,wP A. ., -f. ,,,'4-M, ,. t V . -,,,g . . .arf 1 , JVNAQ gnf e zz . .M ,. i , if 5,4 ' Vince Pernicki watches for a good one to knock out of the playing field in the championship game against St. Andrew's. SPUHT5

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