Crimson Eagles Blanked New Canaan for Sixth Straight Gridiron Victory 52 Years Ago Today

Andrew Warde High School's unbeaten Crimson Eagles traveled to New Canaan and blanked the host Rams, 16-0, 52 years ago today for their sixth straight gridiron victory during the undefeated state championship season of 1959.

Although the Eagles moved through the middle of the New Canaan defensive line almost at will, they were unable to score until the third quarter. Halfback Larry Gill staged a one-man drive, moving the pigskin from the Warde 40-yard-line to paydirt on six consecutive carries, including a 38-yard jaunt around his left end.

His last three bursts, including the touchdown run, were for six yards each on identical thrusts off left tackle. Gill added two conversion points on a similar play.

Warde's second touchdown came the next time the Eagles had possession of the ball as they engineered another sustained running drive and netted five straight first downs while covering 70 yards. Fullback Jack Flanagan capped the surge with three up-the-middle three-yard plunges for the score. Gill once again rushed for the two extra points to seal the triumph.

Warde's line, a key factor in the success of the Eagles since the season started, was superb again against New Canaan. Center Dave Schempp, subbing for the injured Ed Zelle, was particularly impressive on defense, while standout performances were also turned in by tackles Jim Roberto and Fred Gates.

The Eagles rolled to 217 yards on the ground, 156 of which came in the second half, as they fashioned their fifth shutout in six games.

Paul

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1961 Enjoyed Successful 50-Year Reunion

The following was written by Don Messer of the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1961. He was instrumental in organizing the 50-year reunion October 15 at the Scandanavian Club in Fairfield.

The school tour and reunion were a resounding success from all the compliments that were shared. I know watching the faces of people reuniting was something to behold. As the evening progressed, older faces faded away and became younger faces. This to me was amazing. It seems there were many pictures taken, and now that I have time, I plan to post them to the class Web site.

I know many people who couldn't attend are anxious to see them. I will let you know how to send them shortly via e-mail. I still can't get over the effort that all of you made to come from near and far to attend. I salute you all! And by the way, my legs are starting to move again after all that dancing. (Click the image below to see a full-screen photo).

I 'm sure you all would like to know that there was quite a bit of leftover food, and Fred Figlar and I --- on behalf of our class --- donated it to "Project Hope," the homeless shelter in Fairfield. There must have been enough food for 40 meals.

Thanks for the e-mails of thanks, and I'm sure the Web site will start to get tidbits of good things flowing in.

THANKS EVERYBODY !!!!!

Second Half Comeback Sparked Warde Over Ludlowe on This Date in 1973

A bad snap from center and a recovered fumble allowed Andrew Warde High School's football team to score a pair of second half touchdowns and rally for a 16-14 upset victory over cross-town rival Roger Ludlowe High School at the winners' field before a bi-partisan crowd of 4,000 people on this date, Saturday, October 20, 1973.

Reliable halfback Ken Aiello grounded out 180 yards on 30 carries to spark the Crimson Eagles to their first FCIAC victory against five overall losses and left them with a 1-3 mark in the Eastern Division. Ludlowe fell to 1-3 in the East and 2-4 overall.

Aiello, who also tallied on both extra point conversions, received a plaque from the Fairfield Lions Club as Warde's most valuable player in the game, while Bob Haggerty was voted Ludlowe's top performer in post game ceremonies.

The Flying Tigers tallied at 2:52 of the first quarter when quarterback Joe Rietano sneaked across the goal line on a fourth-and-goal sitution. The 10-play scoring drive started when Tom Danielson fumbled on his own 31 yard line. Kevin Klik kicked the extra point to give the guests a 7-0 lead.

Coach Emil Taft's squad added another seven points on the first play of the second quarter when Rietano hit Paul Sullivan with a 21-yard completion and Klik added the extra point to take a seemingly secure 14-0 cushion into intermission.

But the fired-up Eagles of Bill Davis weren't going to be denied and turned opportunistic by using the Ludlowe miscues to pull out the win. The first break came when Ludlowe punter Mark Greenwalt was not able to handle the snap from center and was brought down on his own 34 yard line.

Later, Aiello's 23-yard carry brought the ball down to the nine yard line, and two plays later Steve Cameron crossed the goal line with 3:23 remaining in the third quarter. Aiello fought his way into the end zone for two additional points.

The deciding touchdown came after tackle Julius Dudics pounced on a Ludlowe fumble at the Tigers' 31. A facemask penalty and a 12-yard run by Aiello put the pigskin on the eight yard line. On third-and-goal, quarterback Jim DelVecchio hit paydirt from one yard away to tie the score at 14-14 with 6:29 left in the game. Aiello again battled his way into the end zone for the deciding two points

Paul

Crimson Eagles' Gridders Posted Fifth Straight Victory by Defeating Staples 52 Years Ago Today During Undefeated State Championship Season

The unbeaten, untied Crimson Eagles of Andrew Warde High School were scored upon for the first time this season on their home field, but they overcame tough opposition from Staples to defeat the Wreckers, 14-6, to post their fifth straight football victory 52 years ago today.

Coach Fern Tetreau's talented Eagles appeared to be on their way to another decisive triumph when left halfback Jack Gill broke away for a 49-yard touchdown run off his own right tackle on Warde's second play from scrimmage to start the game. Right halfback Al Bennett rushed for the two-point conversion to give the hosts an 8-0 cushion.

However, the game developed into a dogfight from that point on, and coach Frank Dornfeld's combative Staples charges gave the Warde faithful anxious moments until the closing moments of play.

Although Staples outrushed the Crimson Eagles by a 156 to 114 yard margin, the Wreckers found Warde's strong defensive unit tough to crack until midway through the fourth quarter. Quarterback Bob Denham faked a jump pass over the line to end Nick Delgass and instead handed off to halfback Ted Dreyfuss who ran for 43 yards for the first points scored against Warde all season. Dreyfuss was stopped on the all-important two-point conversion attempt, but Staples was in the game and trailed 8-6.

The aroused Eagles stormed back on their ensuing possession, though, and engineered their best offensive drive of the day to wrap up the victory. Although they lost eight yards on two successive running plays after the kickoff, Warde quickly moved downfield when a pass from quarterback Joe Vige to end Jack Schneider was ruled complete for 24 yards and a first down to the Staples 39 yard line due to pass interference.

Stellar fullback Jack Flanagan, pictured above running against Staples in that very game and who saw limited action due to an injured leg, powered the drive from that point. He carried the ball eight times over the next 13 plays to account for 30 of the 39 yards during the drive. He bulled over the goal line from three yards out through tackle for Warde's winning touchdown. Schneider's attempted point-after kick, however, went wide of the goalposts.

Paul

Warde Cheerleaders Featured in Newspaper Article 45 Years Ago Today

"Yeah, rah, rah, Warde! W-A-R-D-E. What does it spell? Victory!"

The Andrew Warde High School cheerleaders were featured in a story and photo which appeared in The Bridgeport Sunday Post, October 16, 1966. The 1966-67 squad included captain Debbie Ciccia, co-captain Cindy Bernhard, Sue Poltrack, Edna Nardozzi, Lynn Wesche, Ellen Sheiman, Pat Thurston, Pat Tomlinson, Gina Zarilli, and Lyse Kalfus.

For the first time in the school's brief history, senior cheerleaders proudly displayed a badge on the arm of their sweaters which read, "Warde Cheerleader, 1966-67. Senior." The uniforms, which displayed a megaphone emblem and culottes for football games, and a vest with a megaphone emblem and culottes for basketball games, were brand new. All the cheerleaders, with the exception of the captain, were new to the squad, too.

After practicing three nights a week during the Summer, the squad quickly learned the traditional cheers in addition to two new cheers: "Go, Fight, Win," and "Battle Cry." Once the school year began, the squad continued to practice twice a week after school for one-and-a-half hours, and one day a week after school in the Winter.

Paul

Best Wishes to Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1961 on 50-Year Reunion This Evening

Best wishes to the members of the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1961 who are attending their 50-year reunion this evening.

Paul

Warde Gridders Suffered Lopsided Loss to Rival Ludlowe Before 8,000 Fans on This Date in 1969

The overcast sky forced Ludlowe to leave its wings in the hangar, but it certainly didn't affect its ground game as Emil Taft's Flying Tigers ripped Warde, 40-8, in the FCIAC Eastern Division feature contest at the Eagles' field before an estimated crowd of 8,000 fans on this date, Saturday, October 11, 1969.

The powerful legs of Ben Jacobellis, who scored a pair of touchdowns, Kevin Prendergast, and Chris Brown, offset a phenomenal passing exhibition by Warde's Chico Rodriguez as the state's second-ranked team toppled the Eagles from the unbeaten ranks to move into an Eastern Division first-place tie with New Canaan at 3-0. Ludlowe improved to 4-0 overall, while Coach Fern Tetreau's Crimson Eagles fell to 2-1 in conference play and 3-1 overall.

Ludlowe quarterback Mike Tetreau, the current first selectman of Fairfield and the son of the Warde coach, took control immediately after the opening kickoff and marched his team 56 yards in seven plays, capped by Prendergast's scoring run, to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead on their way to a 27-0 halftime cushion.

The high-scoring Tiger eleven, having already racked up 198 points in four successive romps, took advantage of a pair of Warde fumbles to notch two first-half touchdowns. Following the first Tiger score, the hosts fumbled on their 37-yard line, and Ludlowe's Scott Webster fell on the loose pigskin. Six plays later, Jacobellis ran for a 10-yard score. The first of four placement boots by Dave Seres gave Ludlowe a 14-0 edge.

Another Warde fumble paved the way for an eight-yard touchdown pass from Tetreau to senior end Hal Stone, who also played brilliantly on defense, as the Taftmen carved out a 20-0 advantage. The final six-pointer of the half was a nine-yard dash by Brown to close out the blitz.

The Eagles' lone trip to paydirt came early in the second half with Rodriguez hitting Steve Duboys on a 28-yard scoring aerial. Rodriguez added the PAT on a quarterback keeper.

Despite the fact that the Eagles' ground attack bogged down for most of the game, Coach Tetreau received a fine performance from Doug Forstrom, who was converted to fullback after starter Tim Carthens was injured two weeks earlier. Forstrom gained 68 yards, many of which were the result of sheer desire on his part.

Rodriguez enjoyed a banner day as he completed 23-of-40 passes for 277 yards, but two costly interceptions on the Ludlowe goal line by Marc Shaw and Seres neutralized his effectiveness.

The Ludlowe squad struck for two second-half scores as the fog lifted, allowing the younger Tetreau to become airbound once again by connecting with Seres on a 35-yard scoring strike. Jacobellis added his other touchdown on a five-yard scamper through the middle of the Warde line.

Paul

Warde Gridders Blasted Bullard Havens, 32-0, to Win Fourth Straight Game 52 Years Ago Today

Andrew Warde High School's high-scoring Crimson Eagles preserved their unbeaten and unscored-upon record by shutting out Bullard Havens Tech, 32-0, at the Warde field for their fourth straight shutout triumph to open the 1959 season. The Eagles became the only undefeated high school team in the Greater Bridgeport area 52 years ago today.

The Tigers were unable to cope with the tricky Warde offensive set-up which has the quarterback in an off-center position. That allows the center to either snap the ball to the quarterback or one of the other backs.

The job of frustrating the Tigers was done by a cohesive and hard-charging Eagle line which held Bullard Havens to minus nine yards on the ground.

Warde's diversified attack resulted in five different players scoring. The reserve team got into the act with a last quarter touchdown. Coach Fern Tetreau even had Jack Schneider attempt a seldom-seen field goal try in the last quarter.

The winners scored early in the first quarter on a drive which began at the Eagles' 31-yard line. Howie Ratner and Larry Gill did most of the legwork before Al Bennett hit Schneider in the end zone with a 15-yard scoring strike. Left halfback Ratner carried two would-be tacklers into the end zone for two points giving Warde an 8-0 advantage.


It wasn't long into the second period before the Eagles produced another sustained drive beginning at their own 23-yard line. They picked up five first downs prior to Ratner's scoring thrust which culminated the drive. The conversion try failed, however, and the Eagles led 14-0.

Warde took advantage of a short kick later in the period to make it 20-0 when Ratner hit right halfback Bennett with a pass to the one-yard line, and Ratner stepped in for the score. The conversion try failed, though.

Bullard Havens had a mild threat at the start of the second half, but Eagles' co-captain Walter Beck picked off a Fred Samoskevich pass. It took Warde just seven plays following the interception to score again as Gill slanted off right tackle and cut into the end zone for a touchdown to increase the Eagles' cushion to 26-0.

In the last quarter, Warde's reserves posted the final score of the contest when quarterback Joe Vige connected with John Horvat on a 35-yard touchdown strike.

Paul