Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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record for interceptions in a season with six. Linebacker Joe Phelan, heading the team with 92 tackles, was voted leading tackier. Defensive Lineman of the year, Jim Hackendorf and offensive lineman Ron Ranauro performed consistently throughout the season. Seven graduating seniors will be missing from the team ' s line up next year. Defensive lineback Paul Dagle skillfully filled the shoes of the injured Mike Krampetz early in the season and his support will be missed. John Sansoucy ' s skills at defensive end and John Scoville ' s speed as nosegurard will also be a noticeable loss.

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The 1981 edition of WPI ' s football team will go down in the sports annuals as one of the most successful teams in the school ' s history (6-2) and one of the most exciting. Just six points separated the Engineers from an undefeated season. Nevertheless, the six wins equalled WPI ' s all time record for wins in a season. Along the way, WPI earned the respect of football people in New England and the Northeast. At one point during the season the Engineers had been ranked No. 1 in New England, No. 5 in the Northeast and had received votes for the Top Ten in the nation. When the season finished, the team was able to boast a number of Division III New England achievements, including a first place in defense scoring, and second places in total offense and offensive scoring along with the second best record. The Engineers opened up with a 17-7 victory over Norwich, the first time in 19 consecutive years that WPI had beaten the Cadets. And after wins over Coast Guard (14-0), Colby (24-14) and Hofstra (36-6), football fans all over the east began to take notice of the upstart team from Worcester, which had been a doormat for years. Unfortunately WPI lost its next game to Bates 15-11. But even in defeat the Engineers played an exciting brand of football and were within ten yards of Bates ' end zone when time expired. The team, then, got back on the winning track with victories over RPI (27-12). In the final contest of the year, WPI lost a heartbreaker to Lowell 17-15, when the Chiefs kicked a field goal with just 42 seconds left on the clock to pull it out. For head coach Bob Weiss it was his second consecutive winning season. Last year, his third at WPI, he had coached the team to its first winning season in 12 years (5-3). Individually, many players had outstanding seasons. A number of players were tested on the all New England squad. Captain Chalmers Brothers made the first team as a noseguard and Jim Housekeeper, as a defensive tackle. Freshman backer Dean Ayotte made the second team and Bob Bois, Ron Ranauro, Chip Biena, Costa Evangelakas and Joe Phelan were given Honorable Mention. The coaching staff also distributed awards. Fullback Chip Bienia, back of the year, became WPI ' s fourth all-time single season rusher with an average 6.3 yards per carry, the best in New England. Safety John Gorman, voted defensive back of the year, equalled the school ' s u - tyt . 11

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Defensive backs Scott Dale and Greg Doyle earned the respect of their teammates in their short careers with the team and the depth they provided will be affected next year. Most sorely missed will be the leadership and athletic skills of the team ' s captains. Bob Montagna and Chalmers Brothers. Chalmers was both outstanding and consistent on defense, while Bob sewed the team by playing whenever asked in a variety of positions during his WPI career. 13