*** Welcome to the Andrew Warde High School tribute website ... There are 46 issues of the Crimson Crier school newspaper from 1967 through 1976 available for download on this website ... Please visit the companion blog in the "Library" in the left-hand margin to access and download the Crimson Crier newspapers ... Please credit this website for any content, photos, or videos you share with others ... Paul Piorek is editor and publisher of the Andrew Warde High School tribute website and a proud member of the AWHS Class of 1976 ... Contact Paul at paulpiorek@gmail.com ...

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

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

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