Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Andrew Warde High School's 1959 undefeated state championship football season. The Crimson Eagles' gridders, coached by Fern Tetreau, cruised to a 9-0 record in just their fourth season of play. The high school opened three years earlier in 1956.Offensively, the 1959 Eagles were led by quarterback Howie Ratner, left halfback Larry Gill, and fullback Jack Flanagan. Defensively, co-captain Walter Beck led a bruising unit which posted shutouts in six of the nine contests that year.
This Web site will acknowledge the perfect season next year with a series of weekly articles and newspaper clippings recalling each game. There will be a souvenir sweatshirt available in the AWHS gift shop commemorating the football team's state title and perfect record. And, I'll have exclusive interviews with head coach Tetreau and some of his players as they recall that magical season.
The late Bob Anderson, a former housemaster at Warde who played at Ludlowe and then at Warde, once wrote about Tetreau's 1959 team. "Many Fairfield citizens recall the success of that team, with its tricky single wing T formation, using an unbalanced line, and a side-saddle blocking quarterback," he recalled. "The tailback had to be able to do everything. That threw off the defense through Fern's effective use of the draw, screen, and third down-11 quick kick."
The accompanying newspaper clippings from The Bridgeport Telegram include game reports from Andrew Warde High School's victories over Stratford and Bassick in 1959. According to the Saturday, September 19, 1959 article, Warde defeated Bassick, 22-0. The Tuesday, November 10, 1959 story describes the Eagles' 22-10 win over the North Paraders for their eighth consecutive victory.
Stay tuned as we approach the 50th anniversary of that memorable football season.
Paul
Join the Andrew Warde Class of 1976 Facebook page.
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