Richmond High School - Shield Yearbook (Richmond, CA)

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Putkey played a smashing game at guard and liked it best when the going was tough. John Odisio, at end, | COACH RIBBLE improved steadily with each game, developing into a jarring tackler and hard blocker. “Harmless Hornets” Lose Coach Ribbel leveled this battery of big guns at the Alameda eleven that opposed the Oilers in the first league contest. The Hornets wilted before the barrage 31-0. A favored Berkeley eleven was the next to fall. The Oilers left the field on the long end of a 19-0 score after playing one of their best games of the season. , LAZZERETTI Albany Cougars Tamed 19 points in the first eight minutes of play! This remarkable feat was turned in by the regulars of the squad. Oiler substitutes finished the massacre of a hapless Albany Cougar. Score: Richmond 31, Albany 0. The Farmers of Hayward joined the ranks of the vanquished, taking a 33-6 drubbing from an Oiler team that had its eyes on the “big game” ahead. A win over Richmond was the last hope of Pied- mont for a tie for first place in A.C.A.L. standings. The clan boasted of a tough line and a set of fast- stepping backs. A great battle loomed between two hard-charging lines and two flashy backfields. Piedmont 6; Richmond 6 In a chill drizzle the two teams lined up before packed stands, and additional fans, who stood through the whole game. Richmond shattered the Clan defenses, via the air in the first half on a pass from Ken Speer to Jack Myers. Speer’s conversion was blocked, as was f a field goal attempt a few minutes later. A hard-fighting Highland outfit returned to score on ? a pass in the third quarter and tie up the score 6-6. When the gun sounded this was still the score, and Richmond left the field champions of the A.C.A.L. A.C.A.L. Selections Three Oilers were chosen as members of the all A.C.A.L. team. Bob Crane was picked as fullback, Joe Vargas, as left half, and Walt Batchelder at one of the guard positions.

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SITTING, left to right: Charles Baldinger, Ed Spaulding, John Mewha, Joe Vargas, Richard Chin, Jack Myers, Bob Gragg, Do Hinkley, Dominic Scalise, Bernardo Fernandez. KNEELING, left to right: John Putkey, Carlo Biagini, Steve Kocolas, Brun Banducci, Jack Rogocci, Kenny Speer, Bob Crane, Bob Peterson, Dante Lazzeretti, Hubert Transue, James Lowrie. STANDING left to right: Coach Bob Pascoe, Ed Horn, Lester Putnam, John O’Donohoe, Tak Katayanagi, Neil Ewing, Owen Henson, Joh Odisio, Ivan Goyak, Walt Batchelder, Melvin Lehmkuhl, Emilio Biagini, James McAfee, Coach Frank Ribbel.’ VARSITY SEASON Ee Resting upon the head of the Richmond Oilers is the crown of the Alameda County Athletic League football supremacy. The story of the Red and Blue powerhouse is a long one. It begins on a dusty field at Concord where an under-dog squad of Red Devils held the Oilers to a 0-0 deadlock. Maybe it wasn’t such a great beginning—but listen. The next week across the bay at San Rafael, the boys in Red and Blue slaughtered a strong Bulldog outfit, 32-6, to raise Richmond’s hopes to a new high. Field Goal Brings Victory Pittsburg came to Richmond favored to win. They fell before a smooth-running attack and a twenty-five yard field goal by tackle Owen Henson. The following Friday a high-powered Oiler team swamped Alhambra 27-0. Joe Vargas uncorked his longest run of the season——a sweep around end that netted sixty- five yards and a touchdown. Backfield Looks Good Four practice games had uncovered a quartet of fine Oiler backs. In Bob Crane, Richmond had an exceptional punter, a hard plunger, a good passer, and a smart field general. Joe Vargas provided the speed in the backfield. He was the fast, shifty, breakaway threat whose touchdown dashes thrilled the crowds. Ken Speer seldom carried the ball except on short plunges over the middle. A smart defensive player, a good blocker and passer, he was an important cog of the Oiler machine. Les Putnam : held down the blocking back position. He was a dependable ball handler, the kind of ‘ back necessary to make those deceptive and complicated plays click. Hard Charging Line In the line were the unsung heroes—the boys on the bottom of the pile. Seven harder charging line-men never wore the Red and Blue. Jack Meyers, at end, and 4 Walt Batchelder at guard had proven outstanding with their consistent play. Dante | ¢g Lazzeretti stood out as a great defensive center. Bruno Banducci and Owen Henson were two bruising tackles who opened up wide holes for off-tackle smashes. John ’

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A.C.A.L. Standings Team We Go fied Fis. PO LIIONIE 405.5 sof 42 een es: 5 0 Pat Berkeley (esx. te ts i) ] 0-7-7490 PAHOUOUE! 4 a8 ke 4. ] ] 8 lated: ee ood, So A 2 4, 0 4, PR NET ky Wee ec ak fates ] ) 0 2 Des eee Bae Wee ha ee 0 COACH PASCOE —Courtesy of OAKLAND TRIBUNE. COACH CAIN OILERS IN ACTION The picture on the left snapped at the Piedmont game shows Bob Crane (13), Oiler fullback, crashing off Piedmont’s tackle for 11 yards. Coming in behind Crane is Ham- lin, Clan end. Dante Lazzeretti can be seen between Hamlin and Crane. Peeking around Crane’s arm is Ken Speer. John Odisio is sprawled on the ground. Charging in at the right is Witter (with nose guard) who made the stop on Crane. John Putkey is down at Witter’s feet. Three All-A.C.A.L. men are featured in this picture—Crane, Witter, and Hamlin. 7 Right: Owen Henson (34), Richmond tackle, charges in at the left on an attempt to 4 block a punt in the Berkeley game. Walt Batchelder’s head is shown between Henson’s knee and elbow. Coming in beside Batchelder is John Putkey. Ken Speer (21) crashes in, while Reid, Berkeley halfback, blocks out Bruno Banducci. Going in to block Henson is Kenward, Berkeley quarterback. On this play Vallejo just barely got his punt away.