Crimson Eagles' Gridders Blanked New Canaan for Sixth Straight Victory During Undefeated 1959 Season 58 Years Ago Today

Andrew Warde High School's unbeaten Crimson Eagles traveled to New Canaan and blanked the host Rams, 16-0, 58 years ago today --- Friday, October 25, 1959 --- 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

Second Half Comeback Sparked Warde Gridders to 16-14 Upset Over Ludlowe 44 Years Ago Today

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, 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 hos 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 remainin 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 Posted Fifth Straight Victory on Way to Perfect Season 58 Years Ago This Weekend

The unbeaten and 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 58 years ago this weekend.

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 Homecoming Day Set for this Saturday, October 14

Fairfield Warde High School is holding its annual Homecoming football game this Saturday, October 14, at Tetreau/Davis Field in Fairfield. The tailgate party begins at 9:00 a.m., and kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

Julie Gulbin is the chair of the event, and she invites alumni of Andrew Warde High School, Fairfield High School, and Fairfield Warde High School to attend the football game.

According to Jessica Summers, a graduate of the first class of Fairfield High School, "Football alumni, as well all alumni, can join us at the Warde football homecoming this Saturday. I know you are having a reunion on the same night, so I thought this might add some additional fun as it is a day game.

"We would love to have any football alumni let us know they are coming so we can announce them at the game. We would love to have all alumni wear their Warde jackets or any fun old memorabilia. I love the hat with the pins you came across. So FUN!"

The Andrew Warde High School Class of 1967 is holding its 50-year reunion later that evening at Vazzy's 19th Hole in Fairfield from 7 to 11 p.m. Graduates are encouraged to start the day by returning to their high school for the Homecoming Game at 11:00 a.m.

Paul