La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1972 Game 1, September 17, 1972: La Salle 14 North Catholic 7

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1 Game 1, September 17, 1972: La Salle 14 North Catholic 7 by Julius Thompson, Evening Bulletin La Salle Flies High On Last Minute Pass John Mastronardo caught a last-minute touchdown pass yesterday, giving La Salle High a 14-7 Catholic League football win over North Catholic at Washington High Field. The ball seemed suspended forever over my head, said Mastronardo, who caught the four-yard pass with 25 seconds left. It seemed like an eternity. However, I try not to think about the ball I might drop it. I just go after the ball. Mastronardo rushed for 44 yards, and caught six passes for 41 yards. His touchdown catch ended a 10- play, 70-yard drive following a 25-yard North Catholic punt. The key moment of the game came the play before when Bill Meehan and Bob Nix trapped Falcon quarterback Mark Paluszek for an 11-yard loss. Sitting Duck Meehan had him first, Nix explained. He was like a sitting duck. The Little Explorers first touchdown came after another defensive gem when Kevin Keenan intercepted starting Falcon quarterback Bill Crockett s deep sideline pass. Following the interception, quarterback Jack Flannery took La Salle 76 yards in 19 plays and scored himself on a one-yard run with three seconds left in the first half. Jerry Tate, who carried 14 times for 117 yards, made some key runs. As long as there are some open holes, I ll find them, Tate said. Opening up those holes was Wally Bullock, Jim McGlinn, Lou Costar, and the remainder of the La Salle offensive line. Soph Gets North Rolling Sophomore Mark Paluszek came into the game at the beginning of the fourth period for North and engineered a 43-yard, seven play drive. He hit Joe Lumakis with a seven-yard touchdown pass. La Salle fumbled at crucial times and didn t look sharp except for the last TD drive. We didn t play that well because it was our first game, Nix said. We didn t play any pre-season games. Even winning coach John Tex Flannery wasn t satisfied. Lackadaisical play, Flannery said. North had the hustle. I ve been around long enough to see things happen and it usually does. La Salle North Catholic LS Flannery, 1 run (Meehan kick) NC Lumakis, 7 pass from Paluszek (Rola kick) LS Mastronardo, 4 pass from Flannery (Meehan kick) Game 2, September 24, 1972: La Salle 33 Bishop Egan 6 by Julius Thompson, Evening Bulletin Flannery s Son Sparks La Salle 1

2 There was a short time yesterday when La Salle High quarterback John Flannery Jr. was bending over his center ready for the snap but his mind wasn t on the game. He took an awful shot in the head on the second play of the game, said his father and coach, John Tex Flannery. We didn t have him throw until he knew what he was doing. Flannery reassembled his senses and clicked on 14-of-20 passes for 158 yards and touchdown tosses of eight, 12, five, and one yard in La Salle s 33-6 Catholic League football victory over Bishop Egan at McCarthy Stadium. Sparse Offense As long as he does the job he is supposed to do, we don t talk about it. Said Tex, smiling. And he does what he is supposed to do, like chores around the house. He is a student, 17 years old, and he doesn t do as much homework as he should. In the first half, the La Salle defenders did their homework in limiting Egan to 12 plays and three punts. The Eagles made one first down in the first half and eight for the game. Egan scored in the final minute on Ken Lester s six yard run. La Salle had 21 first downs and 333 yards total offense, while Egan could manage 133 yards overall. Flannery threw the touchdown passes to Pete Uzelac and one each to John Mastronardo and Joe Whelpley. Gerry Tate went around left end 15 yards for the Little Explorers last score. Tate and Mastronardo are among products of an undefeated 1968 Norwood Academy team, who are helping La Salle explore the victory scene. Have To Pay Also on that Norwood team were guard Bill Bryers, middle linebacker Bob Nix, and tackle Jim McGlinn. The coach was Jim Burton, Community College basketball mentor. Tate gained 112 yards rushing to complement Flannery s passing. That defense was aggressive, Tate said. I had to pay for everything I got. We wanted this game because we haven t beaten them in a long time. I hate to beat somebody, 33-6, coach Flannery said. I was hoping the clock would run out. We ve got to play Bishop Egan next year. It could be turned around. Yesterday it was John Flannery Jr. returning to his senses and the Norwood Academy Alumni Association having a successful outing. by Ed Conrad, A Dizzy Time For La Salle Joe Namath wasn t the only quarterback who had a fantastic day yesterday. Jack Flannery had one, too. But while Namath s was a day to remember, Flannery s was a day to forget. Flannery insists he couldn t recall his outstanding afternoon during which the talented senior threw four touchdown passes to help La Salle High whip Bishop Egan, Really, I don t remember how we did it, so please don t ask any questions, he pleaded a minute after the game. I got a shot in the head in the second quarter and I m still dizzy. Egan s defensive backs also had their heads spinning. Flannery hit 14 of 20 passes nine of 14 in the first half to help the Little Explorers breeze in this Catholic League showdown. Behind Flannery s play-calling, ball-handling, deception and bull s-eye passing, La Salle took a 20-0 halftime lead. The Little Explorers were up 33-0 before Egan averted a shutout with seconds remaining. 2

3 Egan coach Bernie Farrell, a loser for the first time in 11 games, was quick with kind words about the son of La Salle s veteran coach. I ve been telling you all along that that kid is some quarterback, Farrell said. He certainly proved it today. La Salle, now the team to beat for Northern Division honors, took a 7-0 first-quarter lead on an eight-yard toss from Flannery to halfback John Mastronardo. The next quarter Flannery hit end Pete Uzelac on TD tosses of 12 and five yards. The second half was a carbon copy. Flannery threw a one-yard strike to Joe Whelpley to make it 27-0 in the third quarter, then two fine catches by Mastronardo set up Gerry Tate s 14-yard scamper around end. We were just outclassed nothing more need to be said, said Egan s line coach, the Rev. Fidelis Webber. We sure can t make any excuses. This was just their day and his (Flannery s). One Flannery can t recall. by Joe Gross, Bucks County Courier Times Egan gets defeated as Flannery leads La Salle A victory that has been lost is taken hard by young football players. To a member of a high school football team, victory is everything. Such was the case with the Bishop Egan High School football players yesterday. They were supposed to beat host La Salle High. They didn't. In fact, LaSalle completed a Philadelphia Catholic League win in yesterday's action at Springfield, Coming off a poorly played Philadelphia Catholic League Northern Division opening game victory over North Catholic, La Salle a week later pinned a defeat on the visiting club from Fairless Hills. Questions went unanswered by the players. Their heads were bowed. Often tears were being hidden by the lowered heads choking and sniffing were the only audible sounds in the locker room. The loss the worst by an Egan team since being blanked in the 1965 season opener. As for the last time an Egan team lost to a La Salle team, that was long ago, too. After yesterday's game, La Salle coach John Flannery was congratulated by a former player, Mark Nawrocki. The first time we beat Egan since our team did it. I'd like you to meet my Mary Jo. We live in Cornwells Heights and she teaches physical education in the Bensalem Township School District. Nawrocki being married and settled down makes that last La Salle win seem like long ago. It was Mark Nawrocki who was the captain of La Salle s team in The loss that year ruined an otherwise perfect season for Bishop Egan, which went on to win the Philadelphia City championship. Bishop Egan's present coach Bernie Farrell was well aware of when that last defeat at the hands of La Salle had come. He was also aware of the severity of the beating his team had just received. I m embarrassed at our defense. I can only compliment La Salle. They beat us. They beat us, Farrell rued. Truer words were never spoken. Egan had been beaten very badly. La Salle so dominated the game that Egan managed just 21 offensive plays plus four punts during the first three quarters before Flannery sent in his reserve defensive players. During those terrifying 36 minutes of play Egan garnered a grand total of 45 yards. In the same span La Salle ran off 59 plays of which four went for touchdowns. La Salle amassed 150 yards on the ground and 96 more via the air. The ground game was led by Gerry Tate who collected 104 yards on 25 carries, mostly through the middle of the Egan line. Overall La Salle ran for 167 but the key to La Salle's success was the passing of John Flannery, the coach s son, which complemented a balanced attack by the home club. The younger Flannery completed 13 of 20, four for first downs of 12 and eight yards to evasive Pete Uzelac, eight yards to John Mastronardo, and one yard to Joe Whelpley. The final La Salle touchdown came on a one-yard run by Tate. 3

4 Flannery was the best passer in the Catholic League last season, stated Farrell, who noted he is already looking toward next week's game. The lone positive point for Egan was the running of their fullback who picked up 105 yards on 15 carries. The Egan touchdown came on the final play of the game with Kenny Lester toting the ball in from six yards away The touchdown broke the shutout but couldn't lift the spirits of the Egan players who had been picked to win the game and didn't. POINTS AFTER: Barely 1,000 fans showed up for this important PCL North game. La Salle fumbled on its first play from scrimmage, but Egan coughed up the ball three plays later, starting La Salle on its first scoring drive. La Salle placekicker Meehan converted three of five PAT attempts kicking barefooted and soccer style. Farrell now calls La Salle the favorite in the PCL North title race. Bishop Egan La Salle LS Mastronardo, 8 pass from Flannery (Meehan kick) LS Uzelac, 12 pass from Flannery (kick failed) LS Uzelac, 5 pass from Flannery (Meehan kick) LS Whelpley, 1 pass from Flannery (Meehan kick) LS Tate, 15 run (kick failed) BE Lester, 6 run (pass failed) Evening Bulletin Game 3, October 1, 1972: La Salle 25 Father Judge 0 La Salle Triumphs Jack Flannery ran for a touchdown and passed to John Mastronardo for two more as La Salle walloped host Father Judge, Gerry Tate led the Explorers in rushing with 152 yards. La Salle outgained Judge Pete Salmon made three of La Salle s five interceptions. La Salle intercepted six passes three by junior defensive back Pete Salmon and two by Jim Tyree to outclass Father Judge, Jack Flannery threw three TDs and senior fullback Gerry Tate gained 161 yards on 31 carries. La Salle Father Judge LS Flannery, 6 run (Meehan kick) LS Mastronardo, 10 pass from Flannery (kick failed) LS Mastronardo, 3 pass from Flannery (kick failed) LS Mitchell, 16 pass from Cassidy (kick failed) 4

5 Game 4, October 6, 1972: Bishop Kenrick 21 La Salle 0 Kenrick Blanks La Salle, 21-0 Bishop Kenrick s defending Catholic League Northern Division champions defeated visiting La Salle High last night at Roosevelt Field in Norristown, All three touchdowns came in the last six minutes of the first half. Jim Carroll scooped up a bad snap from center on a field goal attempt and the placekicker ran it in three yards for a touchdown. Ray Ford scored on a 55-yard interception and Mike Hober tallied on a 23-yard pass from Jordy Hinkle. Carroll added all three conversions. Top rusher was fullback Haywood Carlin, with 170 yards. Evening Bulletin Game 5, October 15, 1972: La Salle 13 Bishop McDevitt 6 La Salle Survives Gerry Tate smashed for two touchdowns in La Salle s 13-6 victory over visiting Bishop McDevitt. McDevitt outgained La Salle in total yards, , but lost the ball on six fumbles and two interceptions. Frank Gladu tallied for McDevitt on a 10-yard run. Eight fumbles and two interceptions doomed McDevitt to a 13-6 loss at La Salle. Fran Gladu (10-yard run) put McDevitt ahead but Gerry Tate s pair of one-yard plunges sparked La Salle which had only 129 total yards gained to McDevitt s 280. Bishop McDevitt La Salle BM Gladu 9 run (kick failed) LS Tate, 1 run (M. Meehan kick) LS Tate, 1 run (kick failed) Evening Bulletin Game 6, October 22, 1972: La Salle 33 Cardinal Dougherty 0 Little Explorers Roll Jack Flannery passed 14-for-23 for 230 yards and two touchdowns as La Salle walloped host Cardinal Dougherty, Gerry Tate scored on two short runs. 5

6 Pete Uzelac s two TD catches (of 19 and 18 yards) from QB Jack Flannery sparked La Salle s 33-0 rout of Dougherty. Gerry Tate also scored twice on short runs. La Salle Cardinal Dougherty LS Uzelac, 19 pass from Flannery (kick failed) LS Tate, 5 run (kick failed) LS Uzelac, 18 pass from Flannery (Meehan kick) LS Tate, 1 run (Meehan kick) LS Brett, 3 run (McShea kick) Game 7, October 29, 1972: La Salle 14 Archbishop Ryan 0 by Julius Thompson, Evening Bulletin La Salle Cool Bunch Puts Heat On Ryan Bob Nix is a member of La Salle High s Cool Bunch. We re not that emotional, said Nix, the Little Explorers middle linebacker. We work hard enough. We do what we have to do. The Cool Bunch blanked Archbishop Ryan, 14-0, yesterday and took over the lead in the Catholic League Northern Division. He s a good all-round linebacker, said La Salle s Coach John Tex Flannery. He reads the plays well and scrapes around the edges. The La Salle defense forced Ryan into three fumbles and two interceptions. Tate From The 1 Bill Meehan recovered a fumble late in the first quarter on the Ryan 27. Jack Flannery, Jr. drove the Explorers the distance in eight plays with fullback Gerry Tate crashing in from the 1. After Jim Brett s interception, La Salle drove 42 yards in 13 plays in the third period with Flannery going over from the six. La Salle outgained Ryan in total offense Flannery passed 10-of-18 for 111 yards and was effective on the option, but the defense was the one the saved the day. Defense Stars The defense was terrific, Tex Flannery said. We played an extremely poor offensive game. Bill Best carried 12 times for 51 yards, Bill Bell and Steve Michalowski made some nice runs for Ryan. But it was the Cool Bunch that methodically kept Ryan bottled up all day. They don t act emotional, Tex said. They ve been up for some games. You would think, that being close to the title but they ve been that way all year. 6

7 La Salle took over the Northern Division lead with a hard-fought 14-0 victory over stubborn Ryan. Gerry Tate s one-yard first-quarter run and Jack Flannery s six-yard third quarter scamper sparked the Little Explorers. Statistics Ryan La Salle First downs Rushes-yards Passing yards Return yards Passes Punts Fumbles lost 4 2 Penalties La Salle Ryan LS Tate 1 run (M. Meehan kick) LS Flannery 6 run (M. Meehan kick) by Ted Silary, Evening Bulletin, November 10, 1972 Wood (Run), La Salle (Pass) Show Contrast For Big Tilt Here s how La Salle and Archbishop Wood stack up for their crucial Catholic League Northern Division tilt Saturday afternoon, 2 p.m. at Hatboro-Horsham High School (Meetinghouse Rd. off Easton Road). Both teams are 6-1 in league play. The winner will face Bishop Kenrick in a playoff for the division title, barring upsets. La Salle Offense Quarterback Jack Flannery ( for 759 yards); halfback Sean Brett (31 carries, 133 yards, 4.3 average); fullback Gerry Tate ( ); tight end John McShea (13 catches, 198 yards); split ends John Mastronardo (27-287) and Pete Uzelac (12-142). Wood Offense Quarterback Pat Sharp (6-44 for 132 yards); halfbacks Bob Sabol ( ) and Lonnie Manai ( ); fullback Jim O Connor ( ). Team Figures La Salle has scored 132 points in seven games for an 18.9 average and has allowed 40 (5.7); Wood has 154 in eight (19.3) and 64 (8.0). Key Subs La Salle can switch Mastronardo into the backfield for extra punch, while Bob Fitzgerald spells O Connor at fullback for Wood. La Salle X-Ray The Explorers of Tex Flannery use a short pass, quick hit offense with the strongarmed Flannery and hard driving Tate as the bulwarks. Tate appears to tire late in the game, but Brett has been shouldering part of the load. All receivers are dangerous. They seem to take turns having good games. Wood X-Ray Sabol, Manai and O Connor get better with each passing week. Sabol and Manai have power to the outside, while the lithe O Connor somehow slithers through the middle. 7

8 Sharp is not much of a passer and he doesn t try to be, which aids the opponents defense. However, Sabol and Manai can crank up a halfback pass when needed. Flannery We have to be extremely quick to beat Wood. We can t afford any mistakes. We ll be prepared to stop what we think are Wood s best plays. Bedesem Beating La Salle won t be easy. We ll have to execute. Mistakes will be the downfall of either team. Our secondary hasn t faced a really good passer yet, but maybe we can pick off one or two. Evaluation Howling fanatics might give Wood a large advantage. La Salle has traditionally had problems winning away from home, maybe because of a small following for a small school. On the field, the Vikings have the edge in running. La Salle (overwhelmingly) has the edge in passing. Both take pride in strong defenses. Charlie Gross (field goal kicker) could very well be a hero for Wood in a tight ball game. Game 8, November 11, 1972: Archbishop Wood 7 La Salle 6 by Julius Thompson, Evening Bulletin Wood Dream Is La Salle Nightmare With the Archbishop Wood band playing The Impossible Dream in the background, linebacker Rich Riemer lurched high into the drizzling rain and smashed down a La Salle High fourth down pass with 3:50 left. It was either going to be disaster or else we d turn around and win, Riemer said. I was locked-in on the tight end. It was a man-to-man situation and I just jumped. Wood took over on their 31-yard line, but La Salle forced a punt with 2:29 left. The Explorers fumbled the catch and Mike McAfee recovered the ball for Wood. The Vikings ran out the clock and edged La Salle, 7-6, before 6,000 at Alden Field in Horsham. The victory clinched a tie in the Catholic League s Northern Division football race. Bishop Kenrick defeated Bishop Egan 20-0, last night. There will be a playoff, probably Nov. 19 at Villanova Stadium. We ve got to come down (after the win), that s all, said Wood coach Dick Bedesem. But I m just glad we re in. After making his save and seeing his offensive team kill the clock, Riemer still had a bad dream from last season. Lots of guys were jumping up and down and saying we won, Riemer said. Last year we thought we had a couple but we lost. Sharp Prayed I was praying when he (Riemer) jumped, said quarterback Pat Sharp. After the opening kickoff, the dream didn t look impossible to Wood as the Vikings drove 66 yards in seven plays. The Wishbone-T was clicking as Lonnie Manai got off a 27-yard run and Jim O Connor broke free on a 30-yarder. Manai scored on a nine-yard scamper with 10:20 showing on the clock. Charlie Gross kicked the extra point, which proved to be the winning margin. Every game we learn more and more about the Wishbone, Sharp said. Those long runs came off the option, where the end came hard and I pitched out to the halfback. Following a 24-yard punt, Jack Flannery drove La Salle 41 yards in six plays with Gerry Tate capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge with 1:20 left in the half. 8

9 During the wet, dreary afternoon, John Mastronardo had an exceptional day catching 7 passes for 78 yards. That No. 30 (Mastronardo) is the finest receiver I ve seen, Bedesem said. The rain kind of changed our thinking. We wanted to do a lot more defensively, but couldn t. They had an excellent game plan in going away from their power. We do a lot of rotating and they caught us. Offensively, we weren t that good. We were trying to get Manai and Sabol outside, but the combination of the bad weather and La Salle kept us from that. Manai could only manage 68 yards in 12 carries and Sabol 35 yards in 15 carries. O Connor had 58 yards. Tate carried 24 times for 74 yards for La Salle and Sean Brett 7 times for 78 yards. But for Riemer, there was a great Feeling coming from the play and the win. And it won t be hard for him to come down after the win. Practice will bring us right down, Riemer said. Then there is the next game. Maybe another impossible dream. La Salle Archbishop Wood AW Manai, 9 run (Gross kick) LS Tate, 1 run (kick failed) 9