CNBNews

Catholic Wins City Title; 26-0

Although getting plenty of opposition, Gloucester Catholic High School romped to a 26 to 0 victory last Thursday morning to win the City Series game with Gloucester High.

It marked the fourth straight city title for the Rams after the Blue and Gold had won the first five games of the series that dates back to 1948.

The charges of Coach George Funk showed much more than the score would indicate. They threatened several times to hit pay dirt but pass interceptions and fumbles thwarted the drives on every occasion. SECOND HALF TIGHT

The Rams tallied 20 points in the first half and then settled back in the second half as the Public High squad battled them on even terms until the final quarter. It was then that the Maroon and Gold under the guidance of Coach Jim Hopkins landed in touchdown-land.

Terry Riess played a large part in the Ram offense, scoring two touchdowns and booting a pair of extra points, while Frank DiGiacomo and Dick Talley chalked up lone six-pointers. Riess shocked Gloucester with a touchdown almost before the latter had a chance to get acclimated. After he returned Wayne Parker's game-opening kickoff 18 yards to his 28, Terry sped 72 yards on a cross-back off left tackle. His conversion split the up-rights to give the Rams an early 7-0 advantage.

GLOUCESTER DRIVES

After an exchange of punts, Gloucester fought back valiantly. It drove from their opponent's 46 yard line to the six, aided by the running of Jim Ashe and a 16 yard pass from Parker to Jack Persichetti. At that point, however Charlie Hughes burst through a horde of Gloucester blockers to trip-up Persichetti for a six-yard loss. On the next play, Tom Russell short-circuited a Jack Avis toss, running it back to the 24.

Catholic used Russell's interception as a springboard to its second score. DiGiacomo pile-drove 13 yards for a first down on the first play after Russell's snag. Ted Aceto hit Talley with a quick aerial for another first on Gloucester's 48.

DiGiacomo then showed why he is considered one of the top backs in South Jersey. He chugged to the 40 and then to the 15 as quarterback Aceto pounded a weak spot in Gloucester's line. Riess was tossed for a six-yard loss on a pitch-out, but DiGiacomo shot through the Gloucester defenders for a TD from 21 yards out. Riess again made good the conversion.

Catholic's third touchdown came half-way through the second stanza. Bill Goldy leaped high to intercept a Persichetti pass on his five and slithered up the side-line to the 50 just when Gloucester had threatened to score on the highly-favored Rams. Bill Lane, Riess and DiGiacomo moved the ball in six plays to the 20 from where Riess slashed through his foes' defense for the touchdown. His kick for the 21st point was wide.

A poor pass from center led to Catholic's final score in the last period after Gloucester has played its rival to a stand-off during the third quarter.

Hughes, a strong man for the Rams all day although he weighs no more than 150 pounds, cut down Parker as he retrieved the poor pass when he was back to punt on his 37.

Lane, Riess and DiGiacomo combined for two first downs to put the ball on the six. Aceto then flipped to Talley for a six-pointer. Riess' conversion flew wide.