This is the ninth essay I've written in this blog format and I'm only sure about a solitary aspect of this one. More. There's more information related to teams, players and coaches. More photos. More clippings. More friends compiling material. I have a fairly good idea that this one is going to set a new mark for number of pages also. More.
The focus of this writing is Otto-Eldred High School football. The original plan was to gather as many elements as possible covering 50 years. Fifty stretched to sixty and sixty stretched to sixty plus.....
The same pattern relates to other schools- first, it was rival schools and somehow that morphed in to the entire Big 30 area including some mentioned in significant detail.
This piece follows the format of some previous work. It is not written in a strictly chronological style and we do not attempt the impossible task of rating any schools or players, but I hope we provide some material for some good, morning coffee discussions.
It certainly is not and could never be a comprehensive voice of local high school football. We try to touch on the eras that take us from the fifties to present day. You can break the periods of time down however you'd like; by decades, league formations, a coach's years of service, etc.
My scale will read that it's organized (in a chaotic sort of way), but, as always my hope is to include as many individuals and events that played a role through the years. Maybe that scale needle is going to bounce around a little.
As always, the blog format allows us to correct any errors or add names you think should be included. It was fun to put together. I hope it provides some "I didn't know that," moments and helps everybody relive some pleasant memories of years past.
Some Early Years
Herb Niles quarterbacked the O-E Terrors football team during his junior and senior seasons, 1960 and 1961. Some of Herb's teammates during his tenure were:
1. Fred Kuhstoss
2. Perry Coffman- Perry's name was listed by a couple of our contributors
3. Jim McClelland
4. Larry Kelsey
5. Gary Bliss
6. Bill Frampton
7. Max Milliron- Max was the recipient of the school's prestigious "Jody Wolcott Award" (scholar, gentleman, athlete) in 1962
8. Tim Stone
9. Harold Brown
10. Mike Triz.
The Terrors went 5-4 in 1960 and 5-3 in 1961, losing their last game of the '61 season to Olean Bishop Walsh, 14-12
From 1960, we reversed for a while and found some other well-known and very good area players during the '50's.
Phil "Stub" Wertz was an O-E player whose name's included as one of the better multi-sport players in school's history. For a long period of time, Stub, as a basketball player, was the school leader in points in a two-year period (499). That may not sound like a number that should open a lot of eyes until you recognize this occurred in 1958 and 1959. Games, under most circumstances, were lower scoring overall. There were no three point shots in basketball until decades later. He is probably still in the school's top 20 with an individual high game as a junior of 27 points.
It's a proven recognition of his athletic talents that guys who played before him, with him as a teammate and those who came after him all have the same strong endorsement. Stub later went to Alfred University(N.Y).
Will Barber and Bruce Holcomb were well-known Otto players in the '50's. (The consolidation of Otto and Eldred began in the late 50's. Barber had a fine career at Slippery Rock (Pa.)
Another very good player at O-E during the early 50's was Dick Bova, who eventually moved to Port Allegany.
Herb Niles' brother, Fred, was the Terrors' quarterback preceding Herb. Larry Kahle was also on that team.
Some of the opposing players named of the early 60's were Dan Petchel of Sheffield, Ray Turner and Bob Buckeit of Port Allegany and Tom Shearer of Coudersport. Shearer went to Grove City College (Pa.)
Herb went to Westminster (Pa.) College and made the uncommon move from quarterback to tackle. It turned out to be a transition that paid dividends as the game was changing and many teams were beginning to operate under a two-platoon system, allowing more players to get game action.
After playing very little his freshman and sophomore seasons, Herb helped contribute to an outstanding undefeated Westminster squad in 1964. They outscored their opposition, 249-45 and in a non-playoff era, finished the season ranked number six among all NAIA teams.
Herb's daughter, Hilary, wrote a marvelous article several years ago about her father, a reunion of the Westminster football team and the influence that Coach Dick Bestwick had on their lives, then and now. The title is : "50+ Years After Undefeated Season, 'Bestwick Boys' Rally Around Coach"
Westminster's shutout attempt against Grove City was ruined by a 90 yard kickoff return by Tom Shearer (Coudersport)
Herb Niles was named a co-captain in 1965 and his senior season ended with a loss to Mount Union. Herb, as many athletes will, remembered two losses; his last game in high school and his last game as a collegiate player.
One of the top local high school programs in the late 50's was Saint Marys. They put together a lengthy winning streak aided by the play of Jack Renwick, Bob Cole and the man that is a part of the upcoming chapter. Saint Marys had undefeated clubs in both 1957 and 1958.
Chapter Two
Area Football and the NFL
Stew Barber attended Bradford High School. He was a two-way tackle at Penn State and was an All-American his senior year.
He was selected by the Bills in the fourth round of the 1961 AFL Draft and also picked by the Cowboys in the third round of the '61 NFL Draft. He signed with the Bills in January, 1961.
He was a five-time AFL All-Star, playing for the Bills from 1961-1969. He was named to the Second-team AFL All-Time Team.
He played in 125 pro football games, missing one. He started at linebacker as a rookie, but was moved to left tackle in 1962 protecting quarterbacks Jack Kemp, Al Dorow and Warren Rabb.
Barber was also versatile enough to fill in for an injured Billy Shaw at left guard.
The Bradford native retired from his on-field career after the 1969 season and worked for the Bills' front office as a scout, assistant General Manager and Vice President until March of 1983.
Dan Connors was born in Clearfield, Florida and was raised in St. Marys, Pa. He was a part of one of the area's top programs through the late 50's, graduating in 1959. He led the Flying Dutchmen to undefeated seasons in 1957 and 1958 as a fullback and center.
Connors attended the University of Miami (Fl.) and joined the Oakland Raiders in 1964. The Raiders, Chargers, Chiefs, Bills, Jets and several other professional football teams were part of the American Football League at that time.
The linebacker played from 1964-1969 as part of the AFL and continued his career with the Raiders when the AFL and NFL merged. Connors played in the "new" NFL from 1970-1974 and played in the second ever- Super Bowl, as the Raiders lost to the Vince Lombardi- coached Green Bay Packers, 33-14.
Connors also played in the infamous "Immaculate Reception" game versus the Steelers in 1972. The Raiders lost on the final play of the game when Pittsburgh's Franco Harris grabbed a deflected pass and dashed in to the end zone as the Steelers secured a dramatic 13-7 win.
The 11 year pro football veteran died on April 28, 2019 at the age of 77.
Marv Hubbard was born in Salamanca, New York on August 7. 1946.
He grew up in Red House, New York and attended Randolph High School where he graduated in 1963. After a year of prep school, he attended Colgate University in New York where he lettered for three seasons, graduating in 1968
Hubbard was drafted by the Raiders in 1968, but was released early by the club. He repeated the same scenario after being signed by the Denver Broncos. He eventually signed with the Hartford Knights of the Atlantic Coast Football League where he performed well enough for the Raiders to sign him to their active roster.
The powerful and hard running fullback played for the Raiders from 1971-1974 and part of 1975. He was named to the NFL's Pro Bowl Team in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
He was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in December, 1973 after a big win over the Chiefs.
Multiple shoulder injuries sidelined him for part of the 1975 season and he spent all of 1976 on injured reserve. He received a Super Bowl ring for being a member of the Raiders' Super Bowl winning club(January 1977, Super Bowl XI victory over the Vikings.)
He rushed for a career total of 4,544 yards, caught 85 passes and scored 24 touchdowns during his career.
Hubbard died on May 4, 2015 at 68-years-old.
He was posthumously inducted in to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Chuck Crist was born in Salamanca, New York in 1951. He was a star quarterback and defensive back for Salamanca High School and Head Coach Joe Sanflippo.
Sanflippo coached at Salamanca from 1957-1973 and Jamestown High from 1974-1981.
During a six year span at Salamanca, his first team defense gave up a total of four touchdowns.
Crist was awarded a scholarship to play football at Penn State and was determined to play quarterback for the Nittany Lions. He ran in to opposition from Head Coach Joe Paterno who insisted that Crist play defensive back.
Both player and coach held firm in their thoughts until Crist used his athletic scholarship to play college basketball where he competed four years for the Nittany Lions.
Despite not playing football in college, his athleticism was such that he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants after his 1972 college graduation.
Crist agreed to play defensive back at the professional level and played a total of seven years in the NFL (three years each with the Giants and Saints and a year with the 49ers.).
We included Chuck in our last blog essay on Olean Fast Pitch Softball as the outstanding athlete was a dominant player in limited action on the softball field.
Chuck Crist would have to be considered one of the top all-around athletes to ever play in the Big 30.
Jeff Lloyd was born in Saint Marys in 1954. He graduated from Cameron County High School in 1972 as a three-sport star. He may have better known during his high school years as a basketball player teaming with Bill Leonard to form an almost unstoppable duo. Rarely was one name mentioned without the other, Leonard and Lloyd or Lloyd and Leonard.
Kerry Snow was a 1973 member of the Big 30 team and attended Bucknell University(Pa.), He eventually returned to Otto-Eldred HS where he was named Big 30 Football Coach of the Year in 2003.
Lloyd was an offensive lineman in college at West Texas A&M and played in the Senior Bowl after the 1975 season. He was drafted in the third round, (pick #62 overall) by the Seattle Seahawks. He was waived by the Seahawks and signed with the Buffalo Bills prior to the 1976 season, playing nine games with the Bills.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed the 6'6" Lloyd after the 1977 season. Lloyd, who played defensive end in pro ball, played all 16 regular season games for the Chiefs, starting four.
Big 30 All-Stars (football):
1968- Steve Zoschg, defensive end
1969- Jim Zoschg, linebacker
1971- Tom Tompkins, end
Bill Leonard, QB
1972- Don Caruso, defensive tackle
Mike Simon, linebacker
1973- Matt Grimone (who went to West Virginia University), running back
Bill Noah
Mike Simon, linebacker
1974- Matt Grimone, running back
2009- Jason Blose, QB
2010- Jason Blose, defensive back
Note: Hall of Famer, James Kinsler, was a basketball player at Mansfield University (Pa.) and the head basketball coach at Otto-Eldred HS for 11 seasons.
Bob Torrey was a 6'4", 230 pound running back from Bolivar (now Bolivar/Richburg) High School (NY).
Torrey was born in Ceres, New York in 1957. He led Coach Bob Dunsmore's 1974 Bolivar team to a 9-0 season.
Torrey attended Penn State University and in the 1977 Fiesta Bowl against Arizona State ran for 107 yards on nine carries as the Nittany Lions picked up a 42-30 victory.
He ran for a total of 337 yards during Penn State's 11-1, 1978 season. Their only loss came in the Sugar Bowl, a 14-7 defeat by Alabama. Penn State was ranked #4 at the season's conclusion.
The running back was selected in the sixth round of the 1979 draft (pick #145 overall) by the New York Giants. He also played with the Dolphins in 1979 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1980.
He ran for a total of 61 yards and one touchdown in his NFL career.
NOTE: Both Lloyd and Torrey played against Otto-Eldred HS.
Torrey also picked up a large number of comments from ex-O-E players stating he was one of the better players they ever played against- no surprise there. Matt Grimone of Cameron County was another '70's player who was very well-remembered. Grimone also was an outstanding basketball player on those Cameron County teams- teams coached by HOF Jim Thompson that always seemed to be one of the area's best. Torrey also played some Alle-Catt baseball.
Also, Jack's father and Cody's grandfather is Bruce Holcomb, a former lineman for Otto-Eldred HS.
R.J. Bowers was not a Big 30 area player. He did play high school and college football in Pennsylvania, but his high school athletic career took place at West Middlesex High School.
It's a good story.
R.J. (Raymond Keith) was born in 1974 (Honolulu, Hi.), but was raised in Pennsylvania. He was an excellent high school baseball and football player and had signed to play football at Akron University (Ohio) to play for former Notre Dame Head Coach, Gerry Faust.
1992 was my first season as a professional baseball scout. I began with the Houston Astros and I helped fellow scout, Mike Maggert, sign R.J. to a baseball contract after we had drafted him in the 11th round. Akron was now in the rear view mirror as he began his minor league career with the Astros in the summer of 1992.
If you are a baseball fan you are certainly aware of one of the best players in the big leagues, Mike Trout of the Angels. I saw both R.J. and Trout as teenage baseball professionals and from a purely physical standpoint they were almost identical. I used to make the comment that when either one of them rounded third and headed home it was probably good judgement for the opposing catcher just to step aside. They were both like runaway freight trains.
Trout had outstanding baseball tools that developed quickly in the minor leagues and eventually made him the superstar he is today, but R.J. was actually not far behind in arm strength (he could throw 86-90 mph off the mound) and he had better raw power than Trout or just about any other minor leaguer.
You can tell when a young player has the reputation of hitting a baseball a long way. During his pre-game batting practice, the opposing team will stop whatever they are doing so they can watch this guy hit a bunch of balls off or over the scoreboard and/or the center field wall.
R.J. certainly had some of the skills of a baseball prospect, but his entire game never developed. He played six years of minor league ball, never getting past High A and was eventually released with a career minor league average of .249 and 37 home runs.
At the age of 24 years old, R.J. Bowers decided to enroll at Division 3, Grove City College (Pa.) and give football another shot.
Four years later, Bowers concluded his college football career as one of the greatest ground gainers in the history of college football. He became the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 7,000 yards. He finished his four years with a total of 7,353, which at that time (2001) and for a few years past that, made him number one on the all-time rushing list. His record has now been surpassed by a few players.
During his senior season, he set an NCAA record by rushing for 100 yards or more in 32 consecutive games and was named the most outstanding player in Division 3 football.
He played in the Blue-Gray Game and Hula Bowl following his 2000 season. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent in 2001 and then played for the Cleveland Browns in 2002 and 2003. He was eventually put on the injured list with an injury and his NFL career ended with a total of 84 yards in 18 carries, two receptions and two touchdowns.
The NFL numbers are modest at best, but for a 27-year-old rookie from a Division 3 college, who had not played one down of organized football for six years, it's an amazing tale.
It's an inspirational story that has some great teaching points.
"We forget: In life, it doesn't matter what happens to you or where you came from. It matters what you do with what happens and what you've been given." (Ryan Holiday- The Obstacle is the Way)
For me, a baseball scout, my first signee to make it to the highest level of his profession was a football player all along.
An interesting sidelight to R.J's career at Grove City is a local connection to the current Grove City football program. Courtney Gustafson was the quarterback for Smethport High School in 1959. That squad met Saint Marys Public in a late-season battle of undefeated teams. Saint Marys scored 26 points in the second quarter on their way to a 32-0 win. We've spoken earlier about the powerhouse team they had, a long streak of consecutive wins with players like Dan Connors in the late 50's.
Courtney Gustafson's grandsons have their own tradition at Grove City with the oldest, Tyler, a quarterback and also a letterman in track and field. His younger brother, Cody, is a starting wide receiver on the team and has won two letters in track and field. And the youngest and largest brother is Nick, who has recently signed with Grove City as a wide receiver. He is also one of the state's best shot put competitors, a potential state-wide contender until the recent spring season had to be canceled.
A proud grandfather mentioned that the game he recalls more than any other was that one loss to Saint Marys , the only defeat in an 8-1 season. That's the curse that many athletes carry with them sometimes- that one loss overshadowing all the wins. It sticks with you, often quite a while. You just have to let the wins push it aside-still a difficult task.
Mr. Gustafson also mentioned a couple of Otto and Eldred athletes (they were not a consolidation at the time), Danny Fuss and Bud Downey.
Chapter Three
The Sixties
Many have described the 60's as tumultuous. It certainly was a decade of many heart-breaking and shattering events, some occasions that divided us and some brought us closer together as a nation.
It also was the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, the Beach Boys and the California sound and the moon landing.
The 60's also produced some of the greatest stars in sports history, who in turn played a prominent role in creating some of the best teams of the 21st century:
1. Sandy Koufax- three Cy Young Awards and two world
championships with the L.A. Dodgers.
2. Bill Russell- nine NBA titles in the 60's with the Boston Celtics
3. Jim Brown- played just six seasons in the 60's and won five
rushing titles with the Cleveland Browns
4. Johnny Unitas- quarterback of the Baltimore Colts, Hall of Famer
5. Willie Mays, center fielder for San Francisco. Led the Giants to the 1962 World Series and also won nine Gold Gloves in the 60's
You can make a point that it might be ludicrous to transfer conversation from five of sports' greats to some good area high players. Or you can look past that angle and remember how the football team impacted the school and for one Friday night or Saturday afternoon it nearly united the entire community.
Coaches, players, cheerleaders, the band, the drill team, parents and siblings, girlfriends, linesmen, referees, photographers, pep rallies and sometimes sportswriters from the Bradford Era and/or the Olean Times Herald were all part of the game day environment
The O-E Terrors' home games were scheduled for a 7:00 Friday night kickoff, but the anticipation began after lunch. Students and fans planned an early dinner so they could arrive at the game in hopes of finding a vacant parking spot or possibly creating one on their own.
The interest level for high school football and basketball at Otto-Eldred and other area high schools was strong and growing through the sixties. Several members of our panel of area high school observers attempted to avoid the phrase "back in the day," but without the tech level of today or even 20-30 years ago, it was a different era.
It makes for a good discussion, but it's almost impossible to compare players and teams of diverse time periods, but you can look at the run of years itself. You can see that without cable television, ESPN, cell phones, electronic games and of course, the internet, Facebook and all the models that come with it-not only the sixties, but the next two to three decades discussed (1960-1980/1990) were of a structure dissimilar to the beginning of the new century.
This note comes on the fourth night since the original essay was released. Each evening, I sit down and type in several "new"names or opposing teams that have surfaced as people have a moment to give a thought to playing and watching games of the past. It's especially important to the people who were involved in some aspect of the game in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Not because that brand of ball was any better, but for those of us in that era, we can fondly look way back at the time we were kids and let's face it being a kid is fun. The older we become, maybe the more important that enjoyment was and remains in many ways.
Yes, the wins were great, but the only place you HAVE to win is in the big leagues. Everything else is about development. Winning is part of development, but only a part. Improving each day, learning a new skill, getting positive reinforcement from a coach, competing and maybe most importantly, the "ties that bind"- the friendships developed along the way.
Here are some more names and information that came from those early years where we started this writing. If you send them, I'll keep adding them. Please excuse any spelling errors as we are doing some long-ranging look backs, but still have to give it a try.
Looking at the early 60's- Fred Peace from Bradford Central Christian. We have mentioned Rod Rishel of Smethport and Pat Slavin, Bishop Walsh earlier. The last two nights, I've heard about this big, maybe 210 lb fullback from Saint Marys by the name of Dippold (maybe Dan or Don). Ray Turner, a big and rangy QB from Port Allegany. Some O-E players. a few have already had their name surface: Avvie Painter, a tough 150 pounds, "Moose" Merry, the "big" tackle at 215 or so. Always solid and consistent, Max Milliron, Chuck Frame (who went on to play at Gettysburg, Running backs, Fred Baker and Joel Fowler. Linemen-Harris Blauser, Wayne Houben and Bobby Van Scoter.
Plenty of talk about the size and skills of those late 50's, early 60's Saint Mary's teams. Lots of fun to realize the bond that is created by teammates in this sport and others- for the younger guys, it's going to be there as you reach the second half of your life. Teammates and friends and great memories.
Many guys just "played ball" with almost daily hours spent on the inside or outside courts and the practice or game fields. Some of the practices were organized sessions with coaches, but many were just get-together pickup games. It was non-stop football and basketball, the only pause being summer baseball (Babe Ruth or American Legion)
It was an era when every area school had players of note and some legendary coaches had begun to build their reputations. It's not just a coincidence that several of the previously mentioned NFL players, like Connors, Hubbard and Crist were high school athletes in the 60's.
Note: It should be stated that most of the gathering of information and writing this essay took place during our recent world health emergency. It was virtually impossible to obtain much of the needed materials; players and coaches names, years they played or coached, individual statistics, team records, special awards and events, etc.
Many of the services typically used; public schools, libraries, scrapbooks, yearbooks, even travel and phone conversations were either minimized or completely non-accessible. Especially with the early years coverage, the internet is not very helpful.
Fortunately, I had a support staff of ex-players, ex and current coaches, some referees and several long-time, knowledgeable viewers of area football that enabled us to put this together, but not at the quality I would like.
As previously mentioned, because this is in a blog format, we can continue updating, adding and correcting material indefinitely and would be pleased to do so.
Each local high school, of course, could not have a winning record, but they all could have some good to very good players.
The Terrors of the mid-50's (before the school merger) thru 1966 were coached by Bill Wilcox. Wilcox was an East Stroudsburg University (Pa.) graduate. His son, Bill, was an outstanding football player and wrestler at Olean Bishop Walsh in the mid-sixties and later went to Alfred University (N.Y.).
The Eldred area also had at least two football athletes play for Bishop Walsh. Pat Slavin played in the '64 era and Steve Slavin played in the '68-69 time frame. If I am accurate, there was one week where Steve won the defensive player of the week in the Big 30 and his cousin, Jim, (O-E) won the offensive award.
Assisting Coach Wilcox were Joe Lehosky, Pete Taylor and Hal Hansen. Saint Marys, Allegany and Smethport were named as some of the tougher opponents on the schedule during this early thru mid-time period.
The O-E team of 1963 was quarterbacked by 5'7" Rob Looker, who was also on the basketball squad. With Looker, the Terrors would occasionally use a version of the "shotgun" offense, allowing their blond-haired QB a better opportunity to see the entire field. Looker, eventually returned to the sidelines as an assistant coach in later years.
Bob Lord was also a quarterback during the '63 season and Tom Kahle was a fine running back for the Terrors during these early-mid 1960 years.
Dave Holden was the field leader for the Terrors in 1964. Denny Frame was a running back and Tom Emerson, Wayne Houben, Jim Wright and Bob Root were key members of that team.
The 1965 team was led by Steve Hepfer and Jim ("Lefty") Miller. Hepfer was the offensive punch for the club and Miller, a fine basketball player and left-handed pitcher, was the top defensive back. Hepfer, the two-way performer, had an excellent combination of speed and power. Miller was the recipient of the Jody Wolcott Award for the senior who has displayed the traits of a scholar, gentleman and athlete.
The '65 squad won only two games, but had some solid football players. One of those was their sophomore quarterback, Randy Nuhfer, who will be discussed later in much greater depth.
Hepfer, Miller and Nuhfer were aided by Layton (Tom) Hilliard at guard, guard Rob Merry, Don Bennett, a fullback and defensive tackle and Steve Sullivan, a sophomore lineman.
Also contributing, Bob Goodman, a junior end and defensive back, Tom Fitzsimmons, an offensive and defensive lineman, Steve Johnson, a junior offensive lineman/linebacker and Larry "The Gentle Giant," Silvis, center and defensive lineman.
Many of the following names were mentioned by more than one observer. The graduating year for most of these players is uncertain. Most of the following players played during the 1962-65 era of Otto-Eldred football: Fred and Don Baker, Gil Welch (HB and DB), Joel Fowler (RB), Bob Bennett, John Danielson, Avvie Painter, Terry Walker, Gene Trask, Ken Welch and Guy Eastman.
Big 30, Coach of the Year Awards
1961- Dutch Dunning (Bolivar)
1962- Frank Rackish (Port Allegany)
1963- Jim Donavan (Smethport)
1964- Joe Sanflippo (Salamanca)
1965- John Ksionzyk (Olean High)
1967- Bob Christenson (Port Allegany)
1968- Jim Cleveland (Olean Bishop Walsh)
1969- Bill McAlee (Elk County Christian)
The 1968 O-E team consisted of an experienced and talented line plus a young, but promising backfield.
We can't move ahead to the '68 team until we go back one season and welcome the Terrors' new head coach, Francis "Gene" Fazio.
Fazio was a graduate of Saint Bernard High School, Georgetown University (D.C) and received his M.S. Ed. from Saint Bonaventure.
Fazio was the head football coach at O-E for 17 seasons, compiling an 83-61-7 mark with 11 winning seasons. He also coached a few years of basketball and was the school's first golf coach.
The Bradford native was one of the Pennsylvania coaches in the inaugural Big 30 Classic in 1974.
It has to be stated that the twenty year period between the last year of Coach Fazio's tenure and 2002, O-E was 35-127 with three winning campaigns. From 1983 to 2013 (a 30 year period), the Otto-Eldred H.S. football team played under ten different coaches, albeit, two of them have been the head man on two different occasions.
Despite his small stature, Gene Fazio was an extraordinary athlete. He was a top-flight golfer, bowler and handball player. He skied both on the water and slopes and he always drew an initial chuckle when he moved in to position for his two-handed set shot. Those little laughs turned in to a slight shaking of the head when his 25 footer swished, many times not even skimming the rim of the basket.
Gene Fazio passed away in 2018 at the age of 89.
Senior Randy Nuhfer was Coach Fazio's quarterback in his first year as the Terrors' head coach. I wrote very early in this essay we were not ranking or rating players. The panel of football minds that provided much-needed assistance as we encompassed 60 years of football brought up the name of Randy Nuhfer over and over, even those who had never seen him play. Nuhfer's athletic legacy at O-E remains strong. Randy Nuhfer certainly would be on a short list of candidates as "the best athlete in school's history."
Nuhfer was a two-sport athlete, named as a first team, Northern Tier League All-Star basketball player in 1967 and 1968. He scored 935 points in his basketball career in fewer games than the three O-E players who reached 1,000 or more.
He was an outstanding all-around player on the football field. He had the arm and scrambling/running ability to move an offense and then flip over and play defensive back with tremendous instincts. Those who saw the game won't forget his interception of an opponent's pitch out and subsequent run of over 80 yards for an O-E touchdown in an early season game.
Lester Shoff was also an outstanding two-sport athlete whose name came up in conversation among our football observers of Terrors' football. He was a starting guard on the basketball team and a two-way player on the football field, running back and linebacker.
Joining Nuhfer and Shoff on that '67 team were Bob Krall, and sophomores, Jeff Anderson, Steve Smith and a tall and loose wide receiver and punter, John Oszustowicz.
happy she was for me because I was Jody's classmate and it was a special year for them." Doctor Krall still looks good in his varsity jacket.
The 1968 Otto-Eldred team consisted of a front five of center Roy Wilbur, guards Ken Kio and Frank Lawrence and tackles Jeff Anderson and Dick Shay.
The ends were Donny Kockler (who also played some halfback), Randy Ours and Oszustowicz.
Tom (Tut) Hanks was the quarterback. Tut had very good arm strength that the 6'2" long armed, right-hander also showed on the pitching mound. Tut later played baseball at Clarion University(Pa.). One of his catchers at Clarion was Smethport's Mike Tessena, who also had a long Alle-Catt career with the Crosby Mudhens.
Fred Williams and Neil Trask were the junior running backs. The hard-hitting Williams was a defensive star as a linebacker. Fred's name came up in multiple conversations and he will be mentioned again later in this piece. Ron Fitzsimmons filled in at times as a backfield performer.
Some O-E personnel also mentioned some opposing players as difficult to go up against. Tom Herger, Kirk Johnson and Henry (Butch) Fallenstein, all from Port Allegany, drew attention. They joined Smethport's "Moose" Lafferty as four opponents who provided stiff competition.
Coudersport had some fine players in the early-mid 60's including Gary Buchsen, Scott and Rick Partridge.
Other O-E opponents of the late 60's:
Top to bottom; two photos of Terry Johnson, one of Jim Thomas and Fella Wright (all Smethport HS.
Big 30, Player the Year
1961- John Monago, Bradford High
1963- Gary Grassi, Bradford High
1964- John Bulicz- Sheffield High
1966- Gene Bingman- Portville High
1967- Chuck Crist, Salamanca High
and
Danny Metzler. Olean Bishop Walsh
1968- Joe Monago- Bradford High
We're going to hold back on the '69 Otto- Eldred Football Team and move it to the beginning of the next chapter.
Several times to this point we have mentioned those players who have won the Jody Wolcott Award. Jody was born in 1950 and passed away in 1961 from complications of rheumatoid arthritis. He was a young boy who, in the words of his older brother, Jeff, "touched the whole town. He encapsulated the spirit of his time."
Jody's parents were Joseph and Margaret Wolcott, both long-time teachers in the Eldred and later Otto-Eldred School District. Joe was an outstanding pitcher and later became one of the coaches who was a huge part of the 1951 Potter-McKean Little League team that traveled to Williamsport to participate in the eight-team Little League World Series.
It was a family where sports played a major role. Oldest brother, Jeff, and youngest brother, Jerome were the highest scorers on their respective O-E HS teams. Jerome was a 1,000 point scorer in HS and a four year player at Elmira College.
Jody loved sports and loved the Saint Bonaventure Basketball Team.
Margaret, Jody, Joe and Eddie Donavan, the Bonnies' basketball coach at Jody's Testimonial Dinner in June 1960. The Bonnies, later that year, came up to Otto-Eldred to practice and scrimmage in front of a huge local crowd
Jody Wolcott
SBU Hall of Famer, Fred Crawford, was one of the Bonnies who participated in the workout at O-E.
Almost 60 years later and many people still have fond memories of a young boy who was a true ambassador of Eldred.
The recipients of Jody's award in 1969, 1970 and 1971 were all football players at Otto-Eldred; Don Kockler ('69), Steve Gross ('70) and Joe Kahle in ('71)
Chapter Four
A Ten Year Run of Wins and All-Stars
Pictured above, six of the main contributors to the 8-1 season. Left to right-QB Jim Slavin, HB Neil Trask, middle guard Steve Gross, fullback/linebacker Fred Williams, John Oszustowicz, end/punter and defensive end Jeff Fowler.
I mentioned a few paragraphs ago that we would sneak the '69 team in to the next decade. It might make for a more robust discussion in days to come. Just a thought, without definitive knowledge of every O-E football squad of the last six decades, the 70's "might be" the ten year stretch of the most successful Terrors' football teams through school history.
The '69 team went 8-1, losing only to Cameron County on the road. Some blue and gold fans at the game are adamant that halfback, Brian Henry, fell on the goal line on a fourth and goal run, but the officials said no and the Red Raiders held on for an upset win. Lew Bennett was also a member of that '69 team.
It was an outstanding Terrors' team with four players making the All Big 30 Team; Fred Williams at fullback (also a fine linebacker), Steve Gross (middle guard), Jeff Fowler (defensive end) and offensive end, John Oszustowicz rounded out the four O-E selections (the most in school history).
Oszustowicz had an amazing sports year, averaging 26.8 points on the basketball court leading the Terrors to the Class C Northern Tier League Championship.
Note: Several years ago a list of first team all-New York State players from the Big 30 was composed. These players were drawn from the years 1968-1998. There were 35 players selected. Here's a handful:
1. Jeff Davis, Salamanca, 1970 offense
2. Glenn Law, Wellsville, 1978 small-school offense
3. Jerry Treitley, Olean, 1984 linebacker, small school defense
4. Troy Lubke, Ellicottville, 1991 end, class C-D, offense
5. Adam Weitzel, Salamanca, 1998 linebacker, Class C defense.
Another New York note, One that I can remember, but some of our readers may not be aware.When the Allegany-Limestone Hall of Fame entrants were announced, one of the selectees was Dick Middaugh. Dick Middaugh was a long-time, six man football coach at Limestone. In 1954, Limestone was the first New York State school to play six man ball.
1970 Terrors defensive backs; left to right-sophomore Kerry Snow, sophomore, Mike Miller, senior Dale Goodell, and sophomore Len Oszustowicz.
Sporting Babe Ruth baseball uniforms, but fine 1970 football players from middle to right- Dick Windsor, receiver, Bruce Fowler, receiver, and speedy halfback and kick returner, Mike Miller.
Big 30, Coaches of the Year- 1970's
1. 1970- Bill Wilcox, Allegany
2. 1974 and 1979- Bob Dunsmore- Boliver
Big 30, Players of the Year- 1970's
1. 1971- Tom Mealy, Bradford
2. 1974- Steve Housler, Bradford and
Matt Grimone, Cameron County
4.1976- Ken Streich, Ridgway
5. 1977- Dan Dry, Salamanca
6. 1978- Barry Bova.
The 1970 squad was led by now senior QB, Jim Slavin. Slavin also played some defensive end. The team had a fine set of offensive performers with Kerry Snow, Jim Bliss and Gary Silvis in the backfield. Jim Gross, Joe Kahle, Art Ewings and Mike Spencer were also key members along with Mike Miller, who provided excitement every time he touched the ball. Miller could race sideline to sideline to find an opening.
Ed Swanson was the quarter back for the Smethport Hubbers and an excellent youth baseball player and eventually a steady 3B force for the Crosby Alle-Catt team that dominated that weekend amateur league for many years. Olean and later, Emporium, also had fine players.
The '71 and '72 teams were quarterbacked by Snow, a three sport (soon to be a four sport athlete when track/field was brought aboard the following year). He was an excellent pitcher with a devastating breaking ball, but football was his calling and he went to Division 1 Bucknell University (Pa.)
Big 30 All Stars, 1971 include Quarterback Bill Leonard (Emporium), Kim Danielson-defensive tackle (Smethport), Joe Costanzo- defensive back (Bradford C.C) and Tom Tompkins- offensive end (Emporium)
1971 saw a different weekend schedule for the O-E field as Bradford Central Christian played their home games in Duke Center as their home site was under repairs. There was a home game almost every Friday or Saturday night, sometimes on consecutive evenings.
The Ramblers had an excellent overall team led by the Gleason brothers (Don and Fran), Pat Pecora and Marty Sapko.
Snow separated his shoulder in the seventh game of the year and missed the finale against Coudersport that left the Terrors with a seasonal mark of 2-6-1
1971 Times Herald Banquet. Second from left, Joe Sanflippo of Salamanca-Coach of the Year. Middle, Tom Mealy, Bradford High School- Outstanding Player of the Year and Outstanding Player in the Olean-Bradford Game. Second from right, Mike McGuire, Olean Bishop Walsh-Number One Defensive Player in the Big 30.
1971 saw a lot of juniors get playing time so the 1972 squad was filled with experienced seniors. Mike Barnard and Len Ozustowicz were Snow's ends with Miller, Steve Barrett (junior) and Dick Plummer in the backfield.
Don Wilcox, Tim Medeiros, Jeff Holly and Denny Crandell were top members of the line with Ned Van Epps and Mark Barnard as linebackers.
Kerry Snow ('73) and his nephew, Kyle Milliron (2001) on the left- Jody Wolcott Award winners.
Snow and Miller both had the ability to make game changing plays- Miller, who went to Lock Haven University, with his speed and ability as a break-away runner and the senior quarterback, Snow, had both the arm and legs to come up with big yardage plays.
Kerry Snow(O-E) named to the Big 30 team along with Pete Zande, Fran Gleason and Marty Sapko of undefeated Bradford Central Christian (8-0)
After their playing days, both Miller and Snow came back to Otto-Eldred as varsity coaches; Miller was the head basketball coach in the early 80's and Snow was the head football coach and was named the Big 30 Coach of the Year in 2003. He won the Jody Wolcott Award in 1973 (Steve Barrett won it in 1974) and also was the only Terrors' player named to the Big 30 squad in his senior year.
Miller eventually moved to Virginia where his team won the state field hockey title last season.
Probably the best example of Snow's ability was a planned quarterback sneak versus Smethport in 1972 that resulted in an 80 yard touchdown run.
O-E went 5-4 in 1973 with seniors Steve Barrett and John Hepfer two of the key performers.
Seneca Conference All-Stars 1973
Division VI All-Stars, 1973
Tri- County All Stars, 1973- Bob Torrey at the top of the list in more ways than one.
The 1974 O-E football team went 6-3 overall. They were a sophomore and junior-laden club and the future for the immediate upcoming years were very bright. Those optimistic prospects became a reality in both 1975 and 1976
1974 was the first game of the now yearly Big 30 Classic between all-stars of Pennsylvania versus New York State.
Game One, 1974- Pennsylvania Lineup
New York 22 Pennsylvania 8
Kevin Kohn, Smethport Class of '74 played in the first All-Star Classic. He was an honorable mention All-State player and later played at Grove City College. Two brothers, Roger Reinard, class of '72 and Randy Reinard '75, were both quarterbacks for the Hubbers.
Star halfback, Eddie Crandell, versus Smethport. Crandell ran for the winning touchdown in the O-E win.
Twenty plus years in to our essay, four Terrors' name have surfaced on many of our observers' lists; Randy Nuhfer, Fred Williams, John Oszustowicz and Kerry Snow. Beginning in 1974 a fifth name could be added, with many long-time witnesses and fans believing this player could be the best running back in the school's history; Eddie "Bucky" Crandell.
Crandell was a Big 30 All-Star three consecutive seasons beginning as a sophomore in 1974. Crandell was no more than 5'7"or 5'8," but there were few, if any backfield performers who were more difficult to bring down one on one than the hard running O-E back.
The mid-70's was a time in the Pennsylvania portion of the Big 30, when the Keystone State may have been at its peak with high profile running backs. Steve Housler of Bradford, Matt Grimone of Emporium and Ken Streich of Ridgway were all outstanding.
Of course, on the New York side, Bolivar's Bob Torrey was bowling over potential tacklers.
They all had a combination of skills; size, speed, power, athletic ability- tools that make up the prototypical star back.
Eddie Crandell did not share the pure physical dimensions of the players listed above, but his instincts and incredible balance were unmatched. He made spinning, balancing with his off-hand often touching the ground and almost immediately returning to peak speed an event that seemed to occur during at least half of his carries.
Otto-Eldred was 7-1-1 in 1975 with a tie against Smethport in the season opener and a very surprising, crushing 30-0 loss to Portville, in a game that was forecast as some to be one of the "top scheduled games of the year."
Host Portville went undefeated in 1975, led by the Yanetsko brothers, Tim and Tom. Tom went on to Northwoods College and also was named several years ago to the Portville Sports Hall of Fame. He, undoubtedly was one of the top Big 30 athletes during his tenure as a high school player
The O-E quarterback for the 1975 team was 6'5 senior, Denny Glenn. Joining Crandell on the Big 30 team was senior, Barry "Thump" Houben.
Along with football, you could find seniors, Glenn and Houben, in basketball uniforms. The left-handed Houben averaged 21 points a game and became the third male basketball player to score a thousand points at O-E. Glenn averaged 18 a game and both were named to the Northern Tier League first team with Houben selected the league's MVP. Both athletes, as were former O-E grads mentioned previously, John Oszustowicz and Kerry Snow, were excellent baseball pitchers.
The '75-76 basketball team won 18 games with the frontline of Houben, Glenn and Steve Bell accounting for 47 points per game.
Top senior players on that '75 team were Steve Farr (fullback and linebacker), winner of the Jody Wolcott Award and who later played football at Lock Haven University.
Dan Breese was the bull-like center and dominating defensive end with his offensive guards, Mike Comilla and Al Copeland, although relatively light for linemen, were tough and fast.
Zane Tyler was a tackle and senior Jim Green alternated in the backfield with Farr as a blocking back for Crandell.
Farr, Houben, Breese and Glenn were all member of the Pennsylvania squad in the Big 30 Classic.
In 1976, a 2-1 Portville team traveled to Duke Center for a long awaited rematch with O-E (4-0). Coach Fazio and assistant coach, Jim Hess, had put solid Terrors' teams together for several years and this was going to be one of their best.
The Panthers silenced the Terrors' fans on their first play from scrimmage when QB Jerry Holcomb hit Ray Auman with a long touchdown pass. Thoughts about the '75 debacle had to at least enter a few O-E minds, but only temporarily. Many still believed it was early in the game and the home team would bounce back quickly.
Well, it was quickly- and it was often. O-E responded with NINE consecutive touchdowns and 65 points in the rout. Big 30 All-Stars, Crandell, QB Jeff Miller, Steve Bell, a wide receiver and John Gold, a defensive lineman led the way.
Other key performers for the Otto-Eldred squad in the 1976 season were future O-E coach, Marty Bechilli, Brian Rose, Mike Gould and Steve Higley.
1976-77 football and basketball players, Brian Rose and Steve Bell
Game 3, Big 30 Classic
Otto-Eldred beats Smethport in season opener. The game was finished on a Saturday morning after a power failure in Smethport during the contest on Friday evening. Mike Reed threw for a pair of touchdowns, Skip Kemp hit a 27 yard field goal and junior Scott Porter ran for 150 yards.
Scott Porter was the offensive player of the year for O-E and his brother, Kenny, was the defensive MVP for the Terrors. Otto-Eldred won the Border Conference with a 5-0 record in 1979 and finished 5-4 overall. Scott also played in the Big 30 Classic contributing a big defensive game for the Pennsylvania Stars.
Port Allegany wins the Border League (1978) with 21-6 win over Portville. Barry Bova ran for 123 yards and also was a member of the Big 30 All-Star squad. The photo below is the Border trophy in the Gators' showcase.
NOTE: I had to include this autograph just to break up the long run today. From the inside cover of his biography, "Fighting Back," a note from Pittsburgh Steelers' running back, Four time Super Bowl champion, an inspirational player and person, Rocky Bleier. Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient.
"To Jim and Grace. Good times, some great memories. Rocky Bleier.
Big 30, Coaches of the Year
1978-Earl Brown, Coudersport
1984, 1990, 1998- Carl Defilippi, Smethport
1986- Bob Haskins, Port Allegany
Big 30, Player of the Year
1982- Rob Tronetti, Smethport
1985- T.J. Reap, Smethport- went to New Hampshire University
1986 and 1987- Tim Myers, Johnsonburg
Big 30, Defensive Player of the Year
1984- Jerry Treitley- Olean High
1985- T.J.Reap- Smethport
1987-Bruce Tessena- Smethport
Chapter Four
Coach Defilppi, Smethport High- coaches and players
I have never met Carl Defilippi. I have never seen him- not on the sidelines, not at a practice and I'm quite sure I wouldn't recognize him if he sat beside me at the lunch counter. I never saw one of his football teams play.
The only coach on his team I knew was Denny Maynard and that was through baseball.
The only things I do know were whenever I made a trip or two back to Eldred during the high school football season, all I heard from the local citizens and read in the sports pages were Smethport High School football.
If I called my mom on a Saturday morning from the road, the first words I heard were "Smethport won again," She may not have been overjoyed, but she was respectful.
Recently, talking to a few fans, ex-Hubbers' players and researching the archives gave me a better idea of Coach Defilippi and the incredible success they had during his tenure.
I guess that's what they call hearsay evidence and wouldn't hold up in a court of law, but I think my combined 37 years as a player, high school coach, college coach, a few years as a professional hitting coach, and 26 years as a professional scout gives me a leg up on some "experts" when it comes to evaluating a team sport whether it be baseball, football, etc.
I think, with plenty of help from observers who witnessed Smethport play year after year, many will echo most of my points.
First of all, in every interview I saw, he mentioned his coaches and players first. He used a word, that if you were limited to a single utterance, to me, this would be the key to both short and long success, in the Hubbers' case(long-g-g-g-g-) term success and that word is "continuity."
His coaching assistants of Rick Woodruff, Jim McGuire, Ward Baun and Denny Maynard were with Coach Defilippi for 20 plus seasons. That fact alone is striking in today's age-at any level of competition.
One of his former players mentioned how prepared they were for each and every game with scouting information, watching films, knowing their opponents' weaknesses and then capitalizing on those points.
Eisenhower's head coach, Jim Penley, was speaking about another opponent when he said,"They really remind me of those old Smethport teams when I was playing. You could have a really good team and it was so difficult to beat them because of how they played. Smethport was never huge, they just played perfect defense, they got off the ball on offense and were just relentless.
Coach Defillippi was the assistant football coach at Smethport from 1975-1981. He took over the head role in'81 and retired that position after 19 years in 1999.
His coaching mark at Smethport was 174-30-2. His team holds a state record for consecutive league games won, 67. They had ten undefeated seasons. After that streak-stopping loss in overtime, they went on another 23 game streak.
His teams won 11 division titles, 12 league titles, six District Nine championships, five PIAA Region II titles and were the state runner-up in 1992.
Somebody should write a book.
One of the highlights of his career and something that shone like a flashing fireball across the sky was coaching his sons, Jeff and Mike, and their friends. In 1992, Jeff, Woody Maynard and Matt Baun, were recognized for their skills in the classroom as well on the playing field. They were all National Honor Society members and high honor students. Today, all three are engineers.
Several fans and high school sports observers sent me some clippings and photos of Smethport High football. Some are during the exact time frame that Coach Defilippi coached, a few may be a few years prior and some may have come after his coaching retirement, but those that came after are undeniably linked to his program as young prospects saw first-hand how a top-flight high school program operates on and off the field.
Three times Coach of the Year in the Big 30 and an inductee in to the Pennsylvania Football Coaches Hall of Fame honors Carl Defilippi for his unprecedented achievements during his career in high school athletics.
Mike Dodge, returning a punt for a T.D. Dodge was also a sprinter and holds some Hubbers' dash records. His father, Mike, was a basketball player at Smethport High in th mid-70's.
Mike Dodge and Mike Defilippi
Back row, fourth from the left, Smethport's defensive star, Ryan Stratton 2013 Big 30 All-Star
Smethport receiver, Tyler Covert, outjumps Port Allegany's, Willie Bova, for a reception Covert was a state medalist with the 1600 relay team in both 2002 and 2003
29-28 win for the Hubbers
A few more names we wanted to add are Tim and Jason Woodruff and current Smethport Coach and Big 30 Coach of the Year in 2018, Adam Jack. Jack was a quarterback and safety on the '91-92 squads that were part of that 67 game league winning streak.
FYI: Just kind of a "Did you know?" segment. I did a brief research of long winning streaks, both by individuals or a team, college and pro sports.
Boxer, Rocky Marciano won 49 straight fights, Olympic hurdler, Edwin Moses won 122 consecutive races. Martina Navratilova, tennis star, won 74 straight matches (13 straight tournament wins.) and Orel Hershiser threw 59 and a third scoreless innings during the 1988 regular season.
College Teams: University of Oklahoma football won 47 straight games covering 1953-1957. The women's basketball team at the University of Connecticut won 90 straight games and the UCLA men's basketball team won 88 straight during the 70's under John Wooden-two consecutive, 30-0 seasons.
All of these records are stunning, but the team marks are interesting when compared to high school winning streaks. High school classes usually run in cycles-they are not all the same. Some may be stronger academically than the class they followed. Others might have better and a greater number of athletes than the group of students who are a grade or two behind them. The sizes of classes can also change as it seems that the general area populations are getting smaller.
Unlike colleges, you can't recruit your players. You have to dance with who brought you. Most of the time, you can't recruit your staff, many are volunteers. It's not unheard of a high school putting a good run of football teams together; maybe three, four or five years consecutively of winning records and possibly a few league championships, a loss or two along the way. Any more years than that is very rare.
Maybe, once every 15-20 years, you get the 6'9" forward with the soft jumper. the powerful running back who runs a 4.4 or 4.5, or the 17-year-old pitcher who can touch 90 miles an hour. Most of the time you're trying to get your returnees to play better than the year before while introducing the younger players to a higher level of play and hoping some of them can make the leap.
Maybe this is the best place to make a quick detour to acknowledge a few names of not only an early era, but a different sport altogether, high school basketball, 1964. I wrote a book several years ago about former big leaguer and Austin, Pa. native, Mark Corey. Mark's father, Ed, was a starting guard for the Coudersport basketball team that went to the state finals undefeated, losing the championship game. We included a chapter of that team in Mark's biography. Ed Corey was an enormous help in putting Mark's book together and was proud of all of his three children, but with my urgings, we talked a lot about 1964.
The Falcons were led by future Virginia Tech starter, Dan Wetzel. Ed and I talked often about opposing players in the league and there was one name that entered the forefront of every communication, Butch Stilson of Smethport. Ed played head to head versus Stilson and I saw Stilson play-I was a little kid, but knowledgeable enough to recognize a fantastic talent. Butch's name came up in talk regarding this essay when I received a nice comment from his cousin after we put this football piece out for publication. Coudersport had one of the best teams ever to play in the Big 30, Wetzel and Stilson were two of the best players ever in the Big 30 and just seeing the name Stilson in 2020 brought all those memories of that year back again, 56 years ago. No, I won't start naming all the baseball guys!
Before we head back to some Otto-Eldred information, we wanted to congratulate long-time Coudersport (Pa.) football coach, Paul Simcoe.
Simcoe was inducted in to the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2008 after his retirement earlier in the year.
In 29 years as head coach at Coudersport, he compiled a record of 204-78-8 and had 24 winning seasons. He is the only coach in District 9 football history to amass at least 200 wins.
Running back, John, Dubots was one of Simcoe's finest players during his tenure.
In 2005, the Falcons had the best offense in the Big 30 averaging 38.2 points per game. From 1998-2004, Coudersport had a 56-15 record, Olean was 45-14 and Salamanca was 51-21.
2019 Falcons' Undefeated Regular Season
The 2019 Falcons win their second straight D-9 championship, 42-13 over Redbank Valley.
Chapter Six
More O-E through the Years.
Our panel of ex-coaches, ex-players and long-time observers also put together a list of O-E players by decades. Some of the names have appeared before, which simply means more than one or two (sometimes many more) recognized their play through the years. They were also able to identify many of the colleges these players attended which was a nice extra touch. I've also included a few notes about opposing players.
50's
1. Dick Bova, West Chester State
2. Stubby Wertz, Alfred
60's
1. Gary Bliss
2. Tom Merry, Morehead State
3. Herb Niles, Westminster
4. Lester Shoff
5.Randy Nuhfer, Alfred
6. Johnny Oszustowicz, Mansfield (baseball)
70's
1.Jim Slavin, West Point
2.Kerry Snow, Bucknell
3.Steve Barrett, Slippery Rock
4.Steve Farr, Lock Haven
5.Mike Gould, West Point
6. Jeff Coast
7. Barry Houben
8. Jeff Miller
9. Ed Crandell
10. Steve Bell
80's
1. John Wilcox, Alfred
2. Tim Raught- Big 30 Football Classic
Note- I received a post from a 1963 graduate whose son played in the mid-80's. He was part of a group of O-E players who played for four different head coaches in four years. They went through years of very few wins, but should be recognized for having the conviction and sturdiness to continue suiting up and going out there. If this group of young men had just given it up, decided it wasn't worth it to go through what was almost certain to be another defeat, the positive events of future years don't occur. There have been circumstances where schools have permanently folded their football programs (or maybe another sport), although a non-winning football program is a prime candidate because of the number of participants. Coaches become hard to find, potential players are few and the plug is pulled.
There are no negative seasons when a team of youngsters stick together, go out every game, give it a full effort- still facing defeat on the scoreboard, but becoming better people. This is not a "let's say something about these guys, although they didn't win." This is what sports and most aspects of life are about- as "hokey" as that might sound-it simply is the truth and the memories are less about wins and losses than the relationships, friendships and respect that form and are everlasting- much longer than some win or some losses. Congrats to those players and the now middle-aged persons they have become.
90's
1. Tim Burris, St. Bonas-baseball
2. Brandon Falk, Alfred
3. Chad Ewings, Mercyhurst
4. Bryan Lowe
5. Kyle Milliron
2000-2009
1.Virgil Graham, Indiana U. of Pa.
2. Lucas Breese
3. Chris App
2010-2019
1. Heath Stewart
2. Seth Drummond, Gannon
3. Grant West- Oswayo Valley student playing for O-E.
4. Dylan Close, Slippery Rock (track)
Opponents named
1. Jack Sain, Saint Marys (60's)
2. Rod Rishel, Smethport and U. of Buffalo-one of the members of our panel said "toughest player played against." (60's)
3. Tim Montgomery of Kane was named as one of the overall top players seen. Went to Penn State as a running back, but injury forced him to convert to a safety.
Giant 2003 win over Smethport for Coach Kerry Snow and Company. Last victory over the Hubbers occurred in 1983.
Virgil Graham, in the right photo, busting off a touchdown run for O-E.
Touchdown passes in this one- Hubbers, Switzer to Covert and Terrors, Breese to Barrett
Jody Wolcott Award Winners also included Steve Barrett in 2004 and later his son , Keith
Jon Reed and Corey Johnson on Pa. roster for Big 30 Classic. Both players were coached by Boyd Fitzsimmons at Otto-Eldred.
Coach Larry Snyder was recognized for 50 years of service to O-E sports as an assistant football coach and timekeeper for basketball and volleyball games. Tiffany Bair and Seth Drummond accept their athletes of the year awards.
Coach Snyder ran the O-E freshman program for almost 20 years and worked with a variety of co-coaches; Ralph Burton (who also spent time with the junior varsity and varsity), ex-Otto-Eldred QB, Rob Looker and also Mike Davis ( the mascot for the Saint Bonaventure Basketball Team during his undergrad years and later a teacher at O-E). They did a standout job preparing young players for the challenges they would face at the next level. They were teachers and gentlemen on the field and fine examples of the daily importance of character and effort.
O-E football coach, Mike Davis
Otto-Eldred Big 30 Team Award Winners
O-E's Seth Drummond, now at Gannon University (Pa.)
O-E's Dylan Close on the run in 2017- big win for the Terrors
Big games for Cole and Chase Sebastian
O-E's David Wheaton was named to the 2020 Big 30 Classic. The 6'2", 235 pound two way tackle will attend Gannon University and major in biomedical engineering.
Big 30, Coach of the Year Award
1996 and 2005- Paul Simcoe, Coudersport
2003- Kerry Snow, Otto-Eldred
2009- Frank Brown, Wellsville
2014 and 2015- Chad Bartoszek, Ellicottville/Franklinville
2018-Adam Jack, Smethport
Big 30, Player of the Year
1992- Mike Defilippi, Smethport
2009- Andy Lippert. Cameron County
2011 and 2012, Matt Bodamer, Port Allegany
2018- Mike Rigerman, Pioneer
2019- Logan Frank, Franklinville/Ellicottville
Big 30, Defensive Player of the Year
1992- Jason Woodruff, Smethport
2009- Andrew Fragale, Cameron County
2018- Evan Furlong, Ridgway
2019- Travis Gleason, Coudersport
Coudersport Note- In 2019, Coudersport was unbeaten in regular season play plus won 11 straight games including a District 9 title. They had six shutouts and scored 42 or more points eight times.
Another Coudersport player mentioned several times was Dirk Cowburn, who eventually went to college as a wrestler.
Port Allegany Note- The 2011 team with Matt Bodamer as QB also had Nick Conway, receiver, Division 1 track athlete. Tyce Miller, an all-state receiver and Nick Budd- lineman and wrestler.
Tyce Miller set the Gator's career receiving record (yards gained) with 3,050 from 2010-2012. Single season receiving yards leader is Nick Conway with 1,482 and Miller with 1,425, both in 2012
Port Allegany Big 30 Selections
Mstt Bodamer 6,0",180 pound senior quarterback led Port Allegany to a 12-0 record. He completed 194-267 passes for 49 touchdowns.
Matt Bodamer, PIAA's eighth highest total in 2011 and fourth highest total in 2012-single season yards.
2019 Port Allegany coaches and partial roster.
2014 Alumni Game- Smethport at Port Allegany. Gators' roster is posted above.
2019- Tom Storey, Coudersport
Chapter Seven
Final Notes, Players and Stats of Various Teams
Big 30, 2015 Big 30 All-Star Defense
Ben Copeland of Bradford High School was a 2002 graduate, played three years of college baseball with the Pitt Panthers and eventually was signed by the San Francisco Giants and eventually picked up a few days of ML time with the Oakland A's. His father, Al, was an offensive guard for Otto-Eldred.
Eisenhower receiver, Jaydon Hayes.
Port Allegany, Big 30 selections
Kane's Big 30 All-Stars: Toby Fox, Shane Rolick, Jake Shrubb, Erik Delong and Tyler Rolick. Fox was named to the defensive squad, the others to the offensive team.
2013 Award Winners, Big 30 Testimonial
Some school changes through the years:
1. Allegany-Limestone
2. Bolivar- Richburg
3. Cuba-Rushford
4. Cattaraugus- Little Valley
5. Ellicottville- Franklinville
6. No football at Olean BishopWalsh
7. No football at Bradford Central Christian
8. Several high schools run a sort of exchange program (I'm sure there's a more technical term). If a sport is not offered at their school, a student can participate in that sport at a co-operating school. O-E does that with Oswayo Valley now. Port Allegany did not offer high school baseball for a while (mid to late-90's?) so professional players-to-be, Brian Stavisky and Josh Kinney began their high school baseball play at Oswayo Valley.
I'm sure there are more schools than I listed who have combined their resources to form one learning facility and others who run athletic co-op exchanges. I don't believe the Big 30 is thirty schools any longer.
What effect can this have or has its' influence already initiated a noticeable movement on the high school sports scene-
conference switches, schedule changes, levels of competition ranging tremendously, transitions of coaches and/or staff more quickly, etc.?
This shines an even brighter light on a few coaches (Simcoe, Sanflippo, Defilippi, etc.) and schools who've had continual high levels of football in terms of building consistent programs and producing outstanding W-L records year after year.
I've added a larger list of Big 30 coaches and player awards. This copy was a little difficult to read clearly so I included many of the award winners in previous sections of this essay.
Epilogue
Jim Melaro was a longtime sportswriter for the Olean Times Herald and he loved to cover Big 30 football.
Jim passed away on January 5, 2020.
I'm not certain when I first met Jim, probably years ago at some Marcus Park softball action.
He was kind enough to write a couple of columns about me when I began publishing my initial sports fiction books for young readers.
We continued to speak on the phone at least once a year. If I said I was considering a trip back home, not only did he want to take me to dinner, he would always ask if I had a place to stay- I always had a green light to his home.
Jim would have made this essay so much better. I even would have let him put his name first on the authors' page. He knew this topic so much better than I do, but Jimmy- I got something out there, although it's not even in the same stadium as your quality.
We will miss you my friend.
This is my last essay. A special thank you to all the contributors and thanks to those folks who read at least one of the pieces. I hope it brought some enjoyment and rekindled good memories.
There are more stories of all types on dankoandmanuel.blogspot.com
"Pransky Family Baseball"
"A Trip to Pennsylvania"
"Across an Ocean Together"
"Olean MUNY League Fastpitch"
"Crosby Mudhens and Alle-Catt Baseball"
"Losing, but not Losers"
"Otto-Eldred Basketball"
Biographies of "Bradford's Ben Copeland and Eldred's Jody Wolcott and Fred Howell"
O-E Kids, "The Forgotten Ones"
"A Good Time to be a Kid"
"Was She Ever Really Here?"
Late additional information:
Some added players I wanted to include-
1. Leon Hakes (Otto-Eldred HS)
Leon was a 1994 graduate at O-E. He was scheduled to play in the Big 30 game, but a broken ankle late in the season prevented his participation. That year; Billy Reed and Billy Lowe were the Terrors' representatives in the all-star game. Leon went to Thaddeus Stevens State in Lancaster, Pa. Number 22 played safety for the college team.
Leon went on to play semi-pro ball for the Hornell Dragons.
During the last decade, he has coached O-E Pee-Wee program and in 2008 was the defensive candidate for the varsity Terrors' team.
Leon Hakes as a player (#22) and a coach for Otto-Eldred.
2. Ryan Woodruff (Smethport)
Ryan, who is a now an O-E teacher, also coaches basketball. He was the quarterback for the Hubbers from 1993-1995. Brother of previously mentioned, Tim Woodruff. Ryan was selected as the Big 30 Player of the Year in his senior year.
Tim and brother, Jason Woodruff are both in the Hubbers' team photo, late in the Smethport info.
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