CNBNews

Note: A series of articles about the history of the Gloucester Catholic vs. Gloucester High football games was published in a booklet released in 1993 entitled "The Renewal of Friendship”.  This great history of the series was put together my members of the Gloucester High Alumni Association.

Unfortunately I don’t have the entire book. But over the next couple of weeks leading up to this year’s game on Thanksgiving Day I will post the articles and photo pages that are in my possession. Drawing on front cover of booklet by Todd Whitten

Lions Rettew and Brennan Star

Gloucester High's "Raiders", led by the brilliant running and pass catching of Bart Rettew, the pass catching of Dink Brennan and the fine arm of Harry Purnell, won their first city series game in five years before 3500 fans at the Charles St. Stadium on Thanksgiving morning.

Rettew thrilled fans with a fine catch of a Purnell aerial and an almost amazing return of a Gloucester Catholic punt for 50 yards and a TD. A resume' of the game is as follows.

Gloucester's Big Bob Weichmann kicked off for Gloucester to start the game. Gloucester Catholic's offense lost yardage and on fourth down were forced to punt. Gloucester took over on Catholic's 35 yard line. Purnell and Brennan carried the ball to the 7 in six plays. Then Purnell pitched a pass to Rettew who caught the ball on the 2 and scampered into the end zone for six points. Larry Pusey's try for the extra point was low.

Again Catholic's offense stalled and after an exchange of punts Gloucester had the ball on their own 47. Three plays and a penalty later Gloucester was on the Catholic 33. Here Purnell pitched a beautiful pass to the speeding Dink Brennan who gathered the ball in on the 19 and sped across the goal line for Gloucester's second touchdown. The extra point try again failed.

In the second period'Catholic tallied their lose score when Ray McCann plunged over from the 3 yard line to cap a 58 yd. drive, which was sparked by the running of Jim Heverly and Dick Harris. The Rams made it 12-7 when Heverly threw a pass to Harry Parker for the extra point.

In the second half both teams tightened up their defense and it was a back and forth battle with neither team able to get any threat rolling.

On the third play of the fourth quarter Bart Rettew grabbed a Catholic punt on the midfield stripe, dodged 4 or 5 defenders, took to the opposite side of the field and raced all the way into the end zone for his second TD. The try for the extra for the extra point was missed and the score stood Gloucester, 18 and Gloucester Catholic 7.

Rettew, Brennan, Purnell and Joe Connolly were the offensive standouts for Gloucester while McCann, Heverly and Harris did the outstanding work for Catholic.

On defense for Gloucester, Bob Weichmann was tops along with Newcomb, Pusey, Hindsley and Kaisla. Chuck Morgan was the defensive standout for Catholic.

The game gives Gloucester the lead in the city series with a 6 win and 5 loss record. It also gives Gloucester a 3-6-0 final record for one of their best seasons in recent years. Catholic closes out their season with a 1-8-0 record.

All the boys on both teams can be congratulated for the fine game they played for their schools. Win or lose both teams were in there fighting, all the way.