South River High School - Oriflamme Yearbook (South River, NJ)

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When the 1967 football season was starting in that first week of September, there was much talk by the town's people about the ’67 team. Could the)- possibly be as great as the undefeated team of 1966? What could South River do without All-State Quarterback Joe Theisman? Many people had little faith in the Rams, but after witnessing the team's skills in that first game against Franklin Township, the team proved that the '67 season was going to be just as thrilling as the ’66 season. Going into many of their games as the underdog, the Rams, in most instances, battled their way to a victory such as the upset over East Brunswick. With a combination of eleven aggressive men and a powerfully spirited student body, the Rams were able to beat the Bears 25-13. In this game as in the Franklin game quarterback Drew Pearson showed how effectively he could lead his attack. Attempting 25 passes, he completed 17 for 284 yards. He threw two touchdown passes, one to Junior, Ralph Carbone and one to John Scotty Skarzynski. Skarzynski, who was nominated Group 3 All-State end, was on the receiving end of Pearson's passes many times. These two worked together to form a great combo. But another great asset to this game was the superb running of Senior half-back, Frank Wagonblast. Although he carried the ball for only 46 yards on 24 carries, he was doing his best when he was most needed. He crashed through the Bear defense to score two touchdowns. Statistically, South River beat their opponents in every major field. The Rams offensively rolled up 196 points, which is a 22 point per game average, allowing their opponents 105 points, a 12 point per game average. The hard and fine running of backs Wagonblast, John Kaczorowski, Drew Pearson, and Lenny Kolakowski compiled a total of 1275 rushing yards (468 yards more than last year’s team). The accurate passing of Pearson to ends John Skarzynski, Ron Grygo and Tom Csartari compiled a total of 1494 yards (one yard more than the ’66 team). Defensively, the Rams intercepted 11 passes and returned them for 125 yards which is an average of 11.4 yards per interception. Many of these interceptions were caused by the rush of the superb line and by the heads up” playing of Drew Pearson. In the Piscataway game alone, Pearson intercepted 3 passes. For the year the defensive unit allowance only 66.7 passing yards average per game and 141.6 rushing yards per game. A lineman who sparkled on defense was Big Ed Biernacki. Biernacki had to play defense and offense all year and put all his effort into both units. It is no wonder he was elected All-County First and All-State tackle second team. Another lineman who proved aggressive was John Holod, Toward mid season John had to be moved from center to tackle in place of Tom Gizicki. Gizicki was moved to guard as a result of an injury' to Wayne Bartholemew. Holod too had to play defense and offense. He spent more time in the opponents back-field than some of the opponents’ own players. Junior Pete Christiano filled in Holod's place at center and did quite a job. This year's team did prove to be great, but this greatness couldn't have been accomplished without the great coaching of Ronald Wojcicki. Mr. Wojcicki instills a competitive feeling in a young man. He makes a man say to himself If they hit me, that is more the reason for me to hit them back twice as hard. An unbeatable combination of devoted coach and determined, aggressive players always make a winning team, and that is iust what South River had Coach Salerno discovers a weakness in the opponent’s defense. Coach Wojcicki discusses the situation with Drew. East Brunswick's Coach Gonier loses again. 161

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First row: Coach H. Walsh, Coach J. Bellissimo, Coach R. Wojeicki, J. Skarzynski, D. Pearson, E. Biemacki, L. Kolakowski, T. Gizicki, J. Holod, R. Larkin, J. Kaczorowski, R. Grygo, W. Bartholomew, R. Carbone, M. Polifka, T. Lawnik, J. Mate, R. Hansen, D. Infusino, R. Golaszcwski, Trainer W. Balabas. Second row: Coach D. Salerno, Coach W. Csatari, C. Sposato, W. Kaczorowski, Coach W. Koziatek, R. Willis, R. Gallagher, A. Steimling, T. Casey, P. Christiano, W. Rossi, C. Heluk, J. Barkalow, G. Cyhan, J. Lepucki, R. Balog, B. Pro-low, J. Bosko, W. Dragan, V. Hatala, C. Chando, R. Alton, R. Billerman. Third Row: B. Ranaldi, D. Quinlan, G. Malinofsky, T. Nielsen, A. Miller, T. Csatari, J. Dullea, M. Hoey, G. Sienkiewicz, R. Negron, M. Dustal, J. Budzin, W. Ruszck, R. Mastermarino, E. Cicchi, W. Bodnar, L. Romeo, R. Engleman.

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J. Skarzynski, J. Holod, T. Gizicki, P. Christiano, R. Larkin, E. Biernacki, T. Cstari, R. Carbone, D. Pearson, J. Kaczorowski F. Wagenblast. Offensive Unit Kaz gives Drew Protection against an Owl lineman Scotty proves a double threat in pass receiving and punting against East Brunswick.