All hail TV! No, no, not the vacuous medium former FCC Chairman Newton Minow termed "a vast wasteland" in a 1961 speech. Rather I applaud the superb job of organizing and running the fifth annual Attleboro High School Alumni Gathering last Tuesday evening by former classmate and old friend and Chairman Tony Vivieros and his staff, including co-chairs Tammie Payette and Mary Beth Oliver and Ralph Arguin, Karen Kull, Joan Lyle, Bill Babcock, George Morin, Ken Benoit and George and Kristina Kelleher-Bianchi.
While good friend Mike DiRenzo's recent health problems did not allow him to be there, you were there in spirit, old pal, and we were all sending out thoughts of support your way. The beautiful and highly accomplished Meagan Fuller, the reigning Miss Massachusetts and granddaughter of the ever-popular Bette (Liberatore) Fuller, former Bliss school teacher and longtime historical commission member, delighted all with a brief speech.
The rest of the night was spent bumping into old friends and classmates and forming new friendships. I imposed upon my old friend, East Sider Jim (Bunny) Rich, to attend with me. He has told me a number of times since what a wonderful time he had and that he plans to attend all future gatherings. I concur with Jim's assessment, these evenings make for some memorable occasions. Job well done to all concerned.
Today's offering is an account of the opening game to what would become Bishop Feehan's magical 1966 season, a legendary year which commemorates its 50th anniversary this year:
Shamrocks shine, whip Taunton in opener 21-0
The senior-studded forces of Bishop Feehan High School continued where they left off a year ago, blasting the visiting Orange and Black of Taunton High, 21-0, at Hayward Field Saturday afternoon.
Adept piloting by junior quarterback John Shea, a superb defense paced by Brian Nerney and Pete Cosgrove and brilliant running and scoring by fleet-footed 155-pound halfback Rick Thorpe combined to give Shamrock coach Chet Hanewich something to gloat about this week.
The game began quite slowly, owing to a brisk breeze at the Green's back. Feehan was less impressive than their foes from the southeast. The 190-pound Joe Hamilton of Taunton was doing the yeoman duty for his teammates. Late in the first quarter, he brought the ball within 25 yards of the goal line before being nailed by Nerney for a 5-yard loss.
Hamilton then tried the air, but Dave Kirby stopped that threat with a timely interception. That was the closest either team got to scoring in that first stanza.
Jimmy Parker had the ball jarred loose on an early second half punt that set up a series which put Taunton 19 yards away from first blood, but they were stopped by staunch defense and Feehan began a touchdown drive of 81 yards.
Ray O'Brien joined Thorpe for running chores and Shea tossed good aerials to Paul Texiera and Dave Kirby to set the stage on the 27. On second and three, Thorpe took a jaunt around left end on a reverse to score the first touchdown. Paul Merry tried booting the extra, but that was blocked. Halftime had the score Feehan 6, Taunton 0.
Feehan continued to roll in the third quarter. Thorpe and O'Brien ran six plays after the kickoff and then Thorpe skirted left end again on a pitchout to score his second six-pointer of the afternoon. Shea hit Pete Phipps in the end zone for the two-point conversion.
Feehan's defense made it even rougher for Taunton. The visitors totaled only 18 yards forward on the ground in the last half and only 13 by the air on a pair of tosses by Hamilton.
Taunton made a faint attempt midway in the last frame. On their own 20, Hamilton was caught off balance by Nerney for nearly 10 yards. Another pass and Kirby snagged another interception, hauling it from the 19 to the 2-yard line before he was forced out of bounds.
O'Brien tried smashing through center twice but came no closer than a foot from the line. Jim Reilly was then put in for the diminutive Shea, and Reilly went over on a keeper. Blake kicked for the point, and Feehan had it, 21-0.
Charlie Deschenes stopped any further hope Taunton had when he pulled in another interception on his own 38. With a completely new backfield in, Tim Cronin coughed it up for the Green but Taunton was left with the ball in its possession near midfield.
Next game for Feehan is against Coyle High of Taunton at Hayward Field Saturday at 2 p.m. Coyle also won their opener, besting Bourne, 6-0.
Closing thoughts
We extend deepest condolences to my old friend from Manchester Street, Dr. Edward (Ted) Peck, on the passing of his gregarious and loquacious mother, whom I also called an old friend, retired longtime City Hall employee Bea Peck. She would phone me occasionally to fill me in on Teddy's most recent breakthroughs and accomplishments (and believe me, they are numerous). It's been a long way From Boy Scout Troop 34, hasn't it, Ted?
As always, please be considerate of one another out there and try to allow some of your light to enter the hearts of others. We have a wonderful community of kindred souls in this city. May the almighty shower blessings upon it. Peace.
Thomas McAvoy looks back at the past each Tuesday. Contact him at tommcavoy777@gmail.com.