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Coverage stirs BG memories of ’68

A few weeks back an article was printed in the Mirror that paid tribute to the fine Bishop Guilfoyle-Altoona Catholic High School football tradition.

In particular, sports journalist Philip Cmor listed the 1967 9-1 Bishop Guilfoyle football team as one of 16 best BG-ACHS football teams.

He followed that with the assertion that the only blemish on that record was a 25-0 loss to perennial Washington D.C. powerhouse DeMatha Catholic – a loss avenged in a comeback classic the following season, 23-20, by a team I was also fortunate to be part of.

I was honored and most grateful to be mentioned, but I must point out that victory was a total team effort. This game had many variables that added to our success that night.

Such as:

1) The adjustments that the coaching staff (Tom and Mike Irwin, Ron Hoover, Tom Wiley and Lou Berardinelli) made at halftime.

2) The majority of the spirited BG nation and cheerleaders that greeted and led us out onto the field for the start of the third quarter and lifted our spirits sky high.

3) The defensive game plan (Hoover was our defensive coordinator) and execution thereof that totally shut down their offense juggernaut in the second half.

4) The offensive game plan (Tom Irwin, offensive coordinator) where we put up an additional 14 points by running on their stellar defensive team.

5) The individual efforts of all players (offensive, defensive and special teams) the whole second half – names like Mark Hoover, Dave Winklbauer, Joe DeRubeis, Dan Wiley, Mark Montrella, Bob Hollern, Joe Irwin, Dom Pierannunzio, Don Laughlin, Rich Fiore, Joe Denny, Rick Kelly, Jack and Sandy Cassarly, Mike Provenzano, Rick Hatch, Steve Gearhart, Ken Kimmel and Dick Steinbeiser, who gallantly contributed to our team victory that October 1968 night.

Trailing 20-16 with eight minutes remaining, we had 63 yards to go for a touchdown. On fourth-and-8 on our own 35, we were forced into a punting situation, but the three captains (Hoover, Winklbauer and Geishauser) said, “We can’t punt, let’s go for it!”

So with the snap from center, we proceeded to ramble 26 yards for the first down. Moments later, on fourth-and-2, Montrella got the ball and undeniably bulled his way for the first down.

We were moving the ball, our offensive line (Pieranunzio, Kelly, Irwin, Winklbauer, DeRubeis, Cassarly) was pushing these big studs from DeMatha back and opening nice holes to run in, and after a few more plays we were knocking on their door.

Here we were on their 7-yard line and Mark Hoover got the call and banged his way into the end zone for the go-ahead score.

That football game went down in BG history as one of the greatest games ever played, without a doubt. But allow me to say our hats go off to the 2014 BG team and its big win over Clairton, the highest scoring offensive team in the country, which was held to 18 points in Hershey by the 2014 PIAA Class A champions.

Thom Geishauser

Altoona

Lady Lions lack everything

I attended the Penn State-Illinois women’s basketball game as part of the alumni Blue Band pep band. Some observations:

n There was a lack of leadership of any kind. It was like watching a group of lost sheep with no direction.

n No impact outside shooting from within the circle or outside, and Illinois was shooting the lights out.

n No defense – the Lady Lions couldn’t stop Illinois’ big players in the paint.

n Sloppy ballhandling and poor talent.

This may be PSU’s worst team going back to Coquese Washington’s first season eight years ago.

My wife noticed when Penn State players lined up playing of the alma mater that no players or Washington were singing. I was hard pressed to find any mouth movement, and even one player appeared to have her eyes closed.

I guess this is what happens when you have been sitting on top of the catbird’s seat for three seasons and are going through a long, losing season.

My gut feel is this team will be hard pressed to find two wins, much less even one, in Big Ten play.

Les Hart

Duncansville

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