OCCASIONALLY OVERLOOKED, RARELY OUTPLAYED
#63- senior, two-way lineman, Ken Kio in the 1967-68 and the 1968-69 seasons
I went to a high school football game six years ago. I had not seen one in over 25 years.
My cousin and his wife were nice enough to house me for three or four days and I tried to fill each day with visits and remembrances of years past back home in the Eldred community and some bordering towns. I had wonderful family company to relive old times and friends, great meals at their home and even some dining in some restaurants I never knew existed. My cousin even furnished me with a car to travel to various memorable sites, at least for me.
When my cousin asked me if I wanted to attend the Otto-Eldred game at Smethport on a Friday night, I immediately said yes and quickly remembered all the games, football and baseball, that I had played in McCoy Stadium.
I didn't realize the Hubbers didn't play there anymore. I don't know when that move took place. It might have been only a few years or decades earlier-it didn't really matter. Friday night football again!
There seemed to be a lot of cars backed up the hill to the parking lot, but we ended up with seats on the visitors' side right on the 50 yard line. The teams were on the field and they may have even had the coin toss when the public address announcer stated that a serious storm was approaching with high winds, lightning and heavy rains.
Players and everyone in attendance were asked seek shelter, either in their vehicles or inside the school. We waited in my cousin's car for over two hours. 7:00 became 8:00 and soon 9:00 arrived. We were now thinking that a postponement was oncoming- maybe a morning or afternoon game on Saturday.
The referees came out of their shelter shortly after nine and a half hour later there was high school football action. We lost our seats, but I didn't mind. It used to be a rarity that I ever watched a game from the seats and finding a standing position between the end zone and the 20 was a reminder of the old days. It also gave me an opportunity to see some old friends along the way as we worked hard trying to identify one another.
Smethport won an exciting game and even with the long delay it was a lot of fun.
I was hosted by my cousin, Ken Kio and his wife, Judy. My mother, Helen and Ken's mother, June were sisters. They were two of the nine Nicklaus girls growing up on my grandfather's farm in Burtville.
The "Sometimes Overlooked" partial of the title simply identifies how different it is to recognize the value of high school linemen. College and professional football have the video capabilities to zero in on any individual, even the offensive linemen opening holes for runners and protecting quarterbacks. Defensively, who stops a halfback cold or sacks the quarterback is isolated for you to view.
Even if your parents are bearing down on your son, it's difficult to tell for sure who beats his defender on a play(s). The defensive coaches and the head coach usually can tell almost instantly why a play worked or why his squad gave up a big play.
I was 12 or 13 when I watched Ken play and even if he was in the middle of seven or eight bodies, I had a good idea he was involved in the tackle or opening a gaping hole.
O-E captains for the coin toss, QB Tut Hanks and Ken #63
It was impossible not to see Ken in action during an O-E game. He could easily correct me on this, but I don't think he was any bigger than 5'9 and 180-185 lbs. He certainly was not one of the larger lineman on the field. Most of the time, he was clearly the best one at the line of the scrimmage. His coaches had no time recognizing that even though the Terrors had an impressive defensive and offensive front.
I always believed Ken only played football through all his youth years, but I found out he was a pretty good hitter in teenage baseball. I was five or six years younger and wrapped up with my own little league competition and I don't remember ever seeing him playing baseball.
Potter-McKean Teener League with Tom Sherwood and Ken Kio hitting home runs in Eldred's win big win over Austin.
Ken hits a bases loaded double and Jojn Oszustowicz pitches Eldred to an 8-4 win.
O-E's, Steve Smith, 8/30/69
8/68- Pre-season outlook. Some big guys on the line for O-E. Ed Schwab, Bill Stroup, Max Crandell and Dick Shay at 200 pounds or more with Gary Trask, Chris Wurster, Frank Lawrence, John Baldoni, Roy Wilbur and Ken filling out a strong front.
8/68- The Terrors were 7-2 in '67. O-E had 60 kids at the opening workouts. Returning regulars from that '67 squad were Frank Lawrence, Kio, Fred Williams, Roy Wilbur and John Oszustowicz.
#81, receiver Denny Bickford
#35, wide receiver John Oszustowicz
NOTE: Also listed above photo of Williams and Kio
Another week of Player of the Week. Kio is named for the fifth week along with fellow lineman Dick Shay. Coudersport, Smethport, Port Allegany players also named.
O-E with a big win, 36-6 over Coudersport. Smethport and Port Allegany tied for Border Conference lead.
10/68- Kio's first touchdown of the year bests Emporium 6-0.
O-E roster
Border Conference All-Stars and also Seneca Conference. Bruce Lafferty and Terry Johnson of Smethport. Dale Paffie and Ron Greene of Bolivar, O-E's Kio and Williams represent the Terrors, Mike Fortuna and Bruce Quattrone of Allegany and Kirk Johnson and Mike Herger of Port Allegany. Lance Chaffee and Al Ralston represent Portville.
O-E Sports Banquet at the Castle Restaurant, March '69. Program autographed by Joe Paterno
A slightly older Ken Kio
Ken even got in some baseball coaching action after his football career-lots of familiar Eldred names.
