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1952/ GLOUCESTER CITY Rams vs. Lions Football Series

Gloucester High's Backfield Leads Lions to Title 

A rejuvenated Gloucester High school football combo put on a real offensive show last night before more than 4000 surprised spectators to hand its city rival, Gloucester Catholic High school its fifth straight setback in series competition by a 25-7 count.

Johnny Rieder and Phil Campbell took turns at the quarterback and fullback slots to mix up the "Ramblers'" defense. Gloucester even used Steve Shimkus to call the plays.

Gloucester scored in the first quarter as soon as it got its hands on the ball, and then proceeded to tally in each of the following quarters. Catholic scored on a long pass play midway in the second quarter.

Note click on photo to see it full size.

 

Collect 19 First Downs

Shimkus, Bennett and Rieder pace the Gloucester ground gaining offense that netted 19 first downs as compared with five for the losers. They ground out 245 yards between them, including a couple of nice gains by Campbell.

Bob McDermott, Buddy Hodson and Wayne Boulden starred defensively, along with the booming Bennett. They held Catholic's offense to a nominal amount of ground.

Gloucester was quick to take the lead when MacDermott recovered Tom Baker's fumble on the opening kickoff on the Catholic 40. Campbell gained four. Bennett, one, and Rieder six for a first on the 29. Catholic then drew a 15 yard personal foul penalty. Shimkus in three carries went to the four and Rieder smacked over. Shimkus converted.

Campbell short-circuited a Catholic drive when he intercepted on his own 16 in the second quarter and started his mates on a touchdown drive. Rieder, Campbell and Shimkus combined their running efforts to bring the ball to the Catholic 46.

 Shimkus Scores

 After Gloucester was penalized five yards and Shimkus was thrown for a yard loss, Rieder was pushed out of bounds on the Catholic four. Shimkus then scored on a line play.

 Charlie Murtaugh then took charge and sparked Gloucester Catholic to its first touchdown. He drove his team some 90 yards after taking the kickoff. Murtaugh then passed to Jim Quinn on the 25 and he race over for the score. '

 Gloucester took the second half kickoff and marched 60 yards for its third touchdown. Campbell and Bennett paced this drive that ended when Rieder passed to Boulden from the 11. Campbell had scored on the previous play but Gloucester was detected off-sides. Gloucester's final score came early in the fourth quarter when the charges of Coach Carlos Paisley traveled 52 yards.

 Gloucester Scores Again

 Campbell passed to Shimkus from the Gloucester 48 to the Catholic 48. Bennett smashed his way for 13 yards and a first down on the "Ramblers" 35 as the third quarter ended.

 Rieder gained seven and Shimkus eight for a first on the 20. Shimkus circled the flank for nine yards and Bennett made three for a first on the eight. Shimkus then took a handoff from the smooth working Campbell and race over tackle for the final six-pointer.

 Catholic's stars in defeat were Murtaugh and linesman "Sonny" Sessa who incidentally was injured and forced out of action in the second half after playing a bang-up first half.

 They played gamely but couldn't cope with the Blue and Gold's balanced and efficient attack.

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