Stoneham High School - Wildlife Yearbook (Stoneham, MA)

Page 16 text:

THE MAKING OF A SEASON I It should have been apparent to everyone from the very beginning. On a warm Indian summer Sunday in Wil- mington a matter of inches forced a scoreless tie instead of victory. Seven tries inside the three and empty-handed. This opening game futility was a virtual microcosm of a season that was not to be. After hard fought losses to two of the league's best squads tWatertown and Winchesterj there followed a pair of uninspired rollovers to Burlington and Lexington. Two horrendous afternoons that made the seasons of seemingly inferior squads. These fiascos coupled with probably the seasons most frustrating afternoon Qagainst Melroseb created a season that resembled a roller coaster ride from high optimism to utter disappointment. Why is the obvious question. Several reasons appear to stand out. Maybe hopes were too high from the start. The league experts and opposing coaches mainly talked of Stoneham's exceptional size and statue as a dark horse, while placing them no higher than the third or fourth spot. The top spots were reserved mainly for Watertown, Winchester, and Melrose. For once the experts were fairly accurate but what might have been still troubles the minds of the Spar- tans. The major problem all season seemed to be depth, sev- eral players went both ways which over 40 minutes be- comes more difficult to do. The offense which was adequate at best totally collapsed to the point of complete ineptitude. Three shutouts and the production of only nine touchdowns during an eight game span are not what cham- pionships are made of. On the other hand the defense re- mained solid throughout most of the year. Their main prob- lem as the season progressed was how to-play at the same level of efficiency when forced to be on the field more and more as a result of an offense that was plagued by inconsis- tency. Injuries provided the final crushing blow. Victor Pizzotti by general consensus the league's finest 'all around per- former was lost for the season in the Winchester game. Unsurprisingly this game was the beginning of the end. Bill McLaughlin a solid two way starter and tri captain was also forced out of action for a time. A final crushing blow was the late season injury suffered by standout back Carmine Frongillo. Frongillo who was the offense during the team's early success faded out of the ball carrying picture somewhat as the season developed but still remained to provide 40 minutes of fine all around play from week to week. All that's left now is the traditional date with Reading on Thanksgiving. There is no Super Bowl berth at stake but something more impor- tant: a matter of pride and respect for a team that received basically one kind of breaks - bad. Here's hoping the season's final 40 minutes will be fruitful and that some of that bitter taste that accompanies defeat will be washed away. It just may make a season that appeared to be broken.

Page 15 text:

The arms of victory are raised by Judy Marshall as she successfully mounts the pyramid. Tony Auterio proudly advertises his favorite beverage, but Dennis Bain is too busy studying to notice. The familiar question is still being asked about the twins: Who's on top, Linda or Laura? . Wa. .. , f, 1 l H3 Q i nm 4 s 15- ,ii M:.5g,2'v:'f1:'J W, as-.J .t.-agp .,,L,,,.'x gage-, Mmm xv' fr: w sg? z Ae ggi 'QNX .

Page 17 text:

I ' 1 '- I 'iw ,5 ., ,I 34 vw' 'U '1 '2 THE MAKING OF A SEASON II With the decline of one Spartan team came the emergence of another. As the much heralded football team continued to disappoint, the incon- spicuous girls, volleyball team continued to impress as they played on, seemingly unbeatable. No one knew what to expect from this first year varsity sport. For many years, an uncoached co-ed volleyball program has been run in the spring, but this was the only opportunity for players to gain experience. Call it beginners' luck or natural talent, but whatever it is, the Stoneham High volleyball team had it. Coached by Glenda Layne, the hardworking squad earned an 8-1 record, yet was denied an invitation to the state tournament due to a shortage of games in their schedule. Had they played just one more match, the team would have been statebound. The team efforts were greatly boosted by the efforts of Brazilian exchange students Marta Siquiera and Valeria Correl. Both girls had playing experience, adding a veteran's touch to a rookie squad. The girls' tremend- ous talent was exceeded only by their en- couragement and enthusiasm for the rest of the team. Marta, along with Paula Doherty, co-captained the team. Why did this young, inexperienced team fare so much better than Stoneham teams who worked together all summer? The differ- ence is obvious - the volleyball team did not play in the Middlesex League. The accomplishments of the 1977 volleyball team may have a greater bearing on the Stoneham sports program than was ever an- ticipated. Matching their record against that of most other Spartan teams may prove to the athletic director that Stoneham really could be out of its league . E9