Crimson Eagles' Gridders Posted First Victory at New Home Field 57 Years Ago Today

The Andrew Warde High School football team, which was winless in its eight games in its first season a year earlier, came from behind with two quick fourth quarter touchdowns and defeated Bassick, 13-7, before a good-sized crowd at the new Warde field 57 years ago today, Friday, September 20, 1957.

Both of the Crimson Eagles' touchdowns, registered by fullback Jack Flanagan and left halfback Dick Kardos, followed recoveries of Bassick fumbles by Warde tackles Brian Shay and Dan Pisanelle. The Lions outplayed the Eagles through much of the first three quarters. Bassick jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Archie Holm caught a long forward pass from Tony Wiencko and ran 55 yards to complete a spectacular 79-yard scoring play.

In addition to losing the hard-fought battle, Bassick also lost the services of its two experienced co-captains, Helm, and regular quarterback Hank Cepero, for an indefinite period. Cepero was removed from action on the game's opening kickoff when he suffered what was feared to be a dislocated knee. Helm had to be assisted from the field late in the third quarter when he suffered a possible toe fracture.

The first Warde touchdown drive covered 35 yards and was highlighted by an 18-yard gain on a lateral pass play from Kardos to wingback Ray Figlar. Flanagan carried the ball twice from there into the end zone, but he was stopped in an attempt to rush for the extra point, leaving the Lions with a 7-6 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Helm was hit hard by two Warde tacklers and fumbled, with Pisanelle recovering for the Eagles at Bassick's 32 yard line. The fired-up Warde charges of coach Fern Tetreau covered the remaining distance to paydirt in four well-executed running plays, with Kardos, quarterback Ben Slesinsky, and Flanagan doing the ball carrying. Slesinsky took a forward handoff from Kardos and circled end for 19 yards and the longest gain. Slesinsky also added the extra point after Kardos registered the touchdown.

The turning point of the game came midway through the third quarter when Bassick fumbled away an almost sure touchdown after driving from its own 37 following the second half kickoff. The drive was engineered on the running of Helm, Johnny Gennette, and Paul Borgman. Substitute halfback Gus Hatzis bobbled the ball just short of the goal line, after a 13 yard run, and Warde end Fred Gates recovered in his own end zone for a touchback.

Paul

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1984 to Hold 30-Year Reunion Saturday, October 11, in Shelton

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1984 is planning its 30-year reunion, which will be held Saturday, October 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Draft House, 350 Bridgeport Avenue, in Shelton.

The cost is $55 per person, which includes happy-hour style appetizers, a class search, a souvenir notebook for each class member, postage, printing, and other applicable event expenses. A cash bar will be available. Dinner or party attire is recommended, and there will be open seating.

Visit reunions.com to make a reservation and make a secure payment online.

Paul

Late Rally Not Enough as Crimson Eagles Dropped Season-Opener to Norwalk 37 Years Ago Today

The Norwalk Bears scored two touchdowns in a penalty-riddled third quarter and held off a late rally by Andrew Warde to defeat the Crimson Eagles, 34-28, in Fairfield in the FCIAC opener for both teams, Saturday, September 17, 1977.

In a 55-minute third quarter that dragged the game out to three hours and 15 minutes, the Bears took advantage of two Warde turnovers to build a seemingly safe 34-12 lead.

However, the Eagles fought back, taking advantage of a Bob Crawford fumble recovery to drive 39 yards for a score. Ed Ayuso scrambled in from the two-yard line, and quarterback Tom Gaipa connected with Galbie Robinson for the conversion, making it 34-20.

Ayuso then made it a contest by chasing down Norwalk punter Tom Glynn and recovering his fumble in the end zone. Gaipa hit Robsinson again for two points to close the gap to 34-28. But Norwalk quarterback Mike Prescott ran out the clock by engineering a drive downfield.

Gaipa found early success through the air, hitting his huge receivers Robinson, Steve Skalski, and Gary Lane. The senior signal-caller passed for 131 yards in the first half. However, the Norwalk defense intercepted him four times, and mammoth defensive tackle Roosevelt Reede, just a sophomore, provided most of the Bears' pressure.

Warde opened the scoring when Gaipa threw for two passes down to the Norwalk 24-yard line. Ayuso swept to his right for a 14-yard gain, before he was hit and fumbled. However, the ball rolled into the end zone where an alert Gaipa fell on it for the score.

The Bears took command in the second quarter, scoring on a three-yard run by Prescott, another three-yard run by Steve Williams, and a beautiful 69-yard pass from Prescott to end Robin Beavers. Presoctt added a one-yard sneak in the third quarter, and Alvin Wilson added the final score on a 39-yard scamper to paydirt.

Paul

Warde Blasted St. Joseph, 28-6, in Gridiron Opener 46 Years Ago Today

Senior halfback John Malec scored one touchdown and rushed for a two-point conversion while quarterback Chico Rodriguez threw two touchdown passes to lead Andrew Warde to a 28-6 opening day victory over a young and inexperienced St. Joseph team on this date, Saturday, September 14, 1968, at the Trumbull High School field.

The Crimson Eagles, who scored once in every quarter, played opportunists as they converted a pair of blocked punts and a recovered fumble into touchdowns.

Warde took the opening kickoff and marched inside the St. Joseph 10-yard line before the Cadets' hard-nosed defense held. However, after three plays, the hosts were forced to punt and, when Dave Abraham broke through and partially blocked the kick, Warde took over on the Cadets' 29-yard line.

Malec, who was the game's leading rusher with 36 yards on 17 carries, rushed three times to advance the ball to the 15-yard line. Then, sophomore signal caller Rodriguez tossed a touchdown strike to Abraham. The extra point attempt was short, but the guests took a 6-0 lead.

Sophomore defensive back Tim Carthen gave Warde its second touchdown when he fielded a punt and raced 67 yards up the right side to paydirt. Malec scored his first conversion points as he went around right end to give the Eagles a 14-0 lead which they held at the half.

In the third quarter, Abraham blocked another Cadet punt and John Rozgonyi recovered on the St. Joseph 21-yard line to set up Warde's third score. Three plays later, Rodriguez rolled left and flipped an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ernie Tuska. A Rodriguez to Doug Forstrom pass over the middle gave the Eagles the conversion points and a 22-0 bulge.

A fumble recovery on the St. Joseph 31-yard line following an intercepted pass by Steve Duncan set up Warde's final score. Malec climaxed the drive when he raced around right end from two yards out. The attempted kick failed.

St. Joseph avoided the shutout late in the fourth quarter. The Cadets took over on their 44-yard line and marched 56 yards with senior quarterback Lou Miklos passing 14 yards to junior wingback Rick Healy for the touchdown. The attempted rush for the conversion points failed.

Paul