Plainville High School - Plainsman Yearbook (Mariemont, OH)

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1. DON FERNS 2. DUANE DeWEESE 3. GERRY STORCH 4. BEN FITE 5. GENE BAUER 6. STAN McCRACKEN DON GEIGER TOM MARX 9. JIM JORDAN 10. JOHN GILBERT H. JERRY ROBERTS 12. BILL STEIN

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?mtmg Plainvilleis first eleven-man football team surprised many followers by winning several of its games. Although the Blue Devils fought hard, they were somewhat overshadowed by more experienced Class A schools. The team was plagued throughout the season with iniuries, and was at full strength in only a few games, Stan McCracken, playing his fourth year of varsity ball, was again a standout defensive player. Because of his work for the past three years, he was elected coecaptain; and for his ability, he was voted on first-string position on the all Eastern Cincinnati team. Gerry Starch, co-captain of the Blue Devils, played quarterback and was the sparkplug of the team. Unfortunately he had a hard luck season. Iniured in the first game, he was out for four weeks. He is an excellent passer and a good runner. Gene Bauer played center on offense and tackle on defense. At 280 pounds, he used his weight to break up opponent's plays and inter- ference. On offense, he put a hole in the line for the backs. Ben Fite has played three years on the team. This year he played equally well on offense and defense. On offense, at his right end position he was an excellent blocker, and used his height and speed to bring down long passes. He was a solid wall on defense. Don Ferns, workhorse of the team, played every quarter. He guarded the left flank and was under most of the passes thrown by the backfield. Always alert, he blocked several kicks and scored by falling on one behind the' opponents' goal. Duane DeWeese won a starting position in his second year on the varsity. One of the roughest boys on the team, he broke up many plays by breaking through the line and setting 72 the opponent back five or ten yards. Dee also played in every quarter. The distinction of playing first string in his First full season goes to Tom Marx. A good passer, he threw two touchdown passes in the Oakwood game and scored one of the winning touchdowns against North College Hill. Tom played fullback and backed up the line. John Gilbert was a fighting guard. He started on the third team and by the mid-season had garnered a first string position. He was one of the best defensive players. Bill Stein did most of the panting and some passing. He was a hard charger, and was usually good for five or ten yards on an off tackle play. Bill, one of the eight seniors on the first team, played left half. Don Geiger alternated with Stein at left half and also filled in at quarterback. He was a good ball handler and did some passing. After the touchdowns, Don did all of the kicking for extra points. A junior, he will be back next year. Jim Jordan is probably the fastest man on the team. With his speed, he was able to skirt around the ends and picked up many first downs. He holds the city records in both punt and kickoff returns, 80 and 85 yards respectively. A hard worker, Jerry Roberts worked his way up from third team to the first team in our second game. Jerry was an excellent defensive player and plugged up the hole at left guard. The reserves this season show promise for a good season next year. Frank Summers, a center, is a good defensive mun. Yate Deer, guard, is a good lineman and will be in top form next season. Much will be seen of Bob Cakes, guard, and George Baker, quarterback. Bill Anthony, a senior, played his first year of football.

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The Blue Devils started the season with only three Iettermen. On the original first team, not a player exceeded the six-toot mark. Things begun to look bright, however, after the first few games. St. Bernard, always a tough team, was defeated by 13 points. Next came Ander- son, Withrow, and Greenhills, bringing our winning streak to four games. During the next few weeks the Plainsmen won from several Class A teams and lost to only two Class B teams in 11 games. The team 05 c1 whole played a scrapping, hard fighting game. Always will- lng to mix it up, they outscored many toiler, more experienced boys. The ball hawking of the forwards and the under-the-busket defense of the guards and center combined a formidable zone defense. During the fourth quarter the Devils sometimes employed the practice of switching to a man-to-man defense. En Doc Kusel's fastbreaking offense, the for- wurds made c1 large percentage of the points. However, When the defense was too good, the guards could be ceunted on for long shots. Sonny Tiberghein was captain and high scorer. He is cm all around team player. Al- though iust six feet tell he is an excellent re- bounder and makes many points by out- reboundlng the opponents under our basket. le is adept at stealing the ball from the guards and racing down the tioor to score two points. Gerry Storch, a senior, specializes in long- shots and is usually third or fourth highest Scorer in each game. A guard, he is fourth in team scoring and is one of the valuable links 74 in the zone defense. Next year's team will miss the aIl-uround play of this first stringer. Bill Stein gained c: first string position midway during our season because of his fighting spirit and excellent rebounding Biil never misses an opportunity to dive for the ball. The other high Scorer of the team was Don Geiger. He played forward, opposite Tiber- ghein, and was high-point man in more than half of our games. Besides being one of the youngest players on the team, Don is also the shortest, iust five feet, eight inches tall. Bob Summers is playing his first year at high school basketball. Although lacking experience, he learned quickly and was playing first string after the first few games. Bob used his six foot, three inch frame to take the rebounds and score the third highest number of points of the squad. Stan McCracken is the other letterman on the team. He played forward, and did c1 tine iob of replacing both Geiger and Tiberghein. George Baker is a good shot, and was always counted on for several points in every game. He is also a good ball handler and dribbler. The second team is composed mostly of juniors who will replace the seniors leaving this year. Jim Jordan, fast running guard, will fit into next year's team. Dick Frey, sure-shot for- ward, will also break into the lineup. Glen Horne and Bill Adkins, both seniors playing their first year, will be lost to the team next year. Bill Anthony, six foot center, came out after midseason but filled in well in our last few games.