Portsmouth Abbey School - Raven Yearbook (Portsmouth, RI)

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FOOTBALL . . First row: Dembinski, Fitzgerald, Coyle, Taft, O'Neil, Lenihan, Jo, Williamson, Second rout' Mgr. Hammel, J. Ryan, O. Ryan, Spence, Capts. Howenstein and J. Sullivan, D. Sheehan, Galban, P. Kennedy, DeSpoelberch, Asst, Mgr. J. Hayes, Thin! row: Asst. Coach Allen, McManus, Switzer, D. Robinson, Cassedy, Godfrey, McCormick, Seymour, Ro- mano, Asst. Mgr. Sturges, Coach Hewitt, Fourth 1f0u.': Duffy, O'Sullivan, D. Childs, O'I-learn, Flanagan, Knoll, Hogan, McQueeney, L, Fisher, T. Flynn. The 1951 football season suffered three very serious setbacks last winter with the departure of Storey, Saer and Haag-three very capable and experienced players. Added to this was the news from the Office of Admissions that few, if any, new faces would be added to the upper forms. With this outlook the coaches decided to install the tricky, new split T-formation. It was a big gamble, but we felt it was worth the try with two fast breaking halfebacks in Switzer and Dembinski, and a hard hitting fullback in Howenstein. We had great hopes for Bizzozero as a quarterback, but they were dispelled after a few days, when Joe was forced to give up the game because of an old knee injury. Spence, Romano, and a newcomer, Hogan, were groomed for the spot and, considering the inexperience of this trio, I must say they did a very fine job. Our returning veterans on the forward wall, Sullivan, McManus, Galban, Adams, and Sheehan, did a very fine job. Along with the new men, they opened holes and did well on defense. We lost Adams after the first game when the pressure of the classroom became too much and Mike had to give up football. Cassedy in his first year of football more than lived up to expectations at center. From the Head Coach's point of view it was a very fine squad to work with, and I wish we could have had a few more victories for the record. I should like to thank Mr. Allen for his help in coaching. To Co-Captains Sullivan and I-Iowenstein, my thanks for the splendid spirit they showed. COACH HEWITT

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BASKETBALL . . . Fifi! rozzx' Suarez, Coyle, Second Vow: J, Bizzozero, P. Kennedy, Capt. Murphy, Spence, Taft, SlamZi1zg.' Coach Dom Bede, Fitzgerald, Hammel, O'Hearn, Mgr. D. Sullivan. When a team is composed entirely of lettermen playing for their second straight year, it is expected to do well in its games. This year's team fulfilled expectations. It swept through all others in its own class, and some that were out of its class, for a record of nine wins and four defeats. However, the lackadaisical play of some of the Regulars in many games kept the scores much closer than they should have been. The potential ability of the starting five flashed on and off, but was seldom sustained for a full game. The question was whether to use a combination with height and ability or one with less height and more hustle. The latter group definitely proved itself superior as the season wore on, as it pulled scores up where the big boys kept them close. The same process was repeated very often in practices when the hustlers outplayed the Regulars who took their positions for granted. It would have been difficult to award letters at the close of the season but the problem was solved 'by seven of the squad who eliminated themselves from the team by smoking. The Tabor game, the last of the season, was played with additional men brought up from the junior Varsity. The score was tied with a minute to go but Tabor won in the end by three points. jimmy Murphy, the captain, playing his third year of varsity ball, set an example of ability and hustle that his teammates failed to follow. He walked off for the second year with scoring honors on the offensive and was far and away the mainstay on defense. Joe Bizzozero and Walter O'Hearn exhibited persistency and competition that earned them the right to displace those with less spirit. Paddy Kennedy's performance was routine at the start but picked up greatly in the latter part of the season. At the close of the season the starting team was composed of Murphy, Kennedy, O'Hearn and Bizzozero, the fifth spot being shared by Fred Coyle and a couple of up-and-coming boys of the junior Varsity. COACH FATHER BEDE