Illness, Injuries, Growing Pains, & Stratford Wallop Warde 55 Years Ago Today

Hard-running Bob Mastroni led the scoring parade with three touchdowns as Stratford High School's football team evened its overall season record to 3-3 by routing Andrew Warde, 39-0, before a small gathering at the Crimson Eagles' field 55 years ago today, Friday, November 8, 1957.

Weakened by illness and injuries, Warde, in just its second year of existence, was unable to provide the highly-favored North Paraders with much opposition.

Stratford drove 76 yards for a touchdown in the opening minutes of play after staving off Warde's only serious scoring threat directly thereafter. The scarlet-and-gold gridders enjoyed almost complete control of the game.

Fullback Babe Paoletti and halfback Larry Lazaro, who teamed with Mastroni to power a potent ground attack, each contributed a touchdown to Stratford's easy triumph, as did substitute back Jim Dias. Captain Wayne Nakoneczny drop-kicked two extra points in three attempts and threw a pass to quarterback Jerry Nolan for another conversion. Nakoneczny twice tried to run the ball across for extra points, but was stopped.

Stratford registered 15 first downs to Warde's six and ground out a net gain of 231 yards while holding the Eagles to 44. Nolan completed three of six attempted passes for 59 yards in the first half, but the North Paraders went to the air only once in the last two quarters. Unable to make much headway against Stratford's run defense, the Eagles attempted 17 passes, but they completed only five for just 24 yards.

The Eagles bounced back after Stratford's first touchdown with a 51-yard sustained drive --- their best offensive showing of the game --- highlighted by the ball carrying of Jack Flanagan and three pass completions by quarterback Ben Slesinsky, one of which was allowed for interference. The North Paraders' defense dug in, however, and put an end to the Eagles' threat at their seven yard line and immediately drove 93 yards for their second touchdown.

Paul