In the 1961 football season, Attleboro High's homecoming game was also the first game of the year, and as we indicated in last week's column, it was a hard-fought contest which I still remember even after all these years. My old friend, Earl Fielding played a major role in Attleboro's gritty 12-8 victory, which avenged the Durfee 14-8 win of the previous year.
Old friend Wally Cryan supplied this report.
A sensational 87-yard run by halfback Earl Fielding, coming on the end of a lateral from Art Nunes produced the winning touchdown as Attleboro High School defeated Durfee of Fall River 12-8 in a clash of 1960 Bristol County League co-champions at Hayward Field Saturday afternoon.
The place started when quarterback Vin O'Donnell, starting in his first varsity game, hit right end Nunes at the Attleboro 18-yard line midway in the fourth period.
Nunes. In trouble as soon as he grabbed the pass, saw his opportunity and flipped the ball to Fielding, a trailer on the play.
Taking off like a jet, the Bristol County 100-yard dash king out sped two Durfee defenders and was fast pulling away from them as he crossed the goal line.
The run completely exhausted Fielding and he had to retire to the sidelines to catch his breath. Contributing to Fielding's temporary collapse was the broiling sun and the temperature, which was in the high 80s.
The scoring play came with 5 minutes left and so aroused the Attleboro defensive line that Durfee quarterback Don Carey was thrown for losses of 18, 5 and 7 yards as he attempted to take to the air and get his team back in the game.
A 15 yard penalty against Durfee for piling on didn't help much, either.
Attleboro came close to adding to its lead after Durfee's backwards march, but the officials ruled that Nunes was outside the end zone when he caught a pass from Tommy Carpenter, the left halfback who alternated with O'Donnell at the quarterback post.
Attleboro scored first when O'Donnell hit Nunes with a 27 yard aerial. The 5-foot, 11-inch senior end grabbed the ball on the five and took it the remaining distance. An attempted placement kick by defensive guard Larry DeSantos failed when the ball hit the crossbar and bounded away.
Carey rolled wide to his right and went into the Attleboro and zone with just 30 seconds left to play in the first half to deadlock the score. Durfee's try for the point after also missed when Terry McMahon's kick was deflected left by the charging Attleboro line.
Durfee took an 8-6 lead in the third quarter when Carpenter lost control of a handoff and had to fall on the ball in the end zone for a safety. But the advantage lasted only until O' Donnell, Nunes and Fielding clicked on their outstanding play.
Bob Williston, a 160-pound Durfee halfback caused the Attleboro defense no end of trouble with his speed and daring. Twice he almost out ran the secondary. Once he was caught by Fielding and the other time fullback Lou Pavao brought him down with a crushing tackle.
Fullback Art Ferrance and quarterback Carey were also standouts for the Hill toppers. They are the only returning lettermen from 1960 on coach Don Montle's squad.
One of the largest crowds in recent years, excluding Thanksgiving Day's game with North Attleboro was on hand to greet the latest edition of Jim Cassidy's Bombardiers.
Attleboro used many variations of the T formation, and showed that it will be dangerous with two passers and quarterbacks( O'Donnell and Carpenter) in the backfield at the same time.
Outstanding along the line were center Mike Shockro, tackle Ted McKay and guards De Santos and Bill Houde.
In other matters...
This week, a tip of the old Irish scally cap goes to brothers Patrick, Brett, and Davis Chatfield, sons of Steve and Anna Chatfield, themselves known for distinguishing themselves on local tennis courts for many years.
The 16, 14, and 13 year old (respectively) brothers are staging a benefit golf tournament to raise funds for the Meghan K. Duffy Foundation.
The Foundation is in memory of the daughter of Frank and Colleen Duffy of North Attleboro, who was a mutual friend of the boys'. The High school Golf Challenge will be held at Locust Valley Golf Course Aug. 13, with the rain date of Aug. 14.
Sponsors, volunteers, and raffle items are still being sought for the tournament anyone interested may contact Anna Chatfield at 508-243-6043. To learn more about the Meghan K. Duffy Memorial Foundation, visit www.meghankduffyfoundation.org. Thank you and well done to the Chatfields.
Parting thoughts
- This week, our sympathy to the family of Elzear "Pitt" Sicard, particularly his children, Cecelia (Sirois) Pouliot, Stephen Sicard, Judith Fasulo, June Savage and Jessica Goudreau; and also to 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one grea-great-grandchild.
- Condolences to the family of Mariette S. Bruneau. Mariette was the widow of popular long-time AHS teacher, the late Rodolphe P. Bruneau - particularly to their daughters Ann M. McGahan and her husband, old friend Michael McGahan, and Michelle Brisette and her husband Joseph; and also to six grandchildren, four sisters and one brother.
- Our sympathy to the family of the former Attleboro Mayor Raymond L. Macomber, especially his beloved wife of 62 years, Pauline (Frenier) Macomber, and also to their two daughters, Nancy Oldham and her husband Thomas and Linda Pierce and her husband, Robert; grandsons Jason Oldham and his wife Sopha, Kevin Pierce and his wife Jessica, Justin Oldham and wife Cynthia and Cherie A. Pierce; and his great-grandchildren: Noell Oldham, Bodie Oldham, Nolan Pierce, Caden Oldham, Tatum Oldham and Mykiah Oldham. Condolences also to his sister, Phyllis Corliss, and his sister-in-law, Ruth Macomber, and his brother Maurice Macomber.
- Condolences to the family of Alice E. (Whitney) Sloman, widow of my late friend William "Bill" Sloman Jr.; to their sons, Wayne C. Sloman and his wife Stephanie (Scorgie) Sloman and Dale W. Sloman and his wife Holli (Quay) Sloman; and also to their two grandchildren, Sean and Skye Sloman.
- In addition, on the 40th anniversary of her death, I want to remember the memory of my mother, the late Margaret Helen (O'Brien) McAvoy, R.N. Rest in peace, Ma, I'll remember and love you forever...
Let's all be good to one another out there and try to do a good turn for another daily; try to keep the less fortunate in mind, the hungry and the homeless. These are difficult times and their numbers grow daily. Always remember that with unity we can triumph over anything. Peace...