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A determined group of Gloucester High School Football players put on an exhibition of desire Monday afternoon and held the highly favored Rams of Gloucester Catholic to a 12-12 tie. Although picked as two touchdown underdogs, and playing against a line that averages 197 to their 165, the Lions made the Rams come from behind to earn the tie.

Coach Manlove's fired up ball club served notice from the beginning that it would be a tough afternoon for Coach Murphy's charges. The first time Gloucester had the ball they scored as Fran Jannetti raced 46 yards with a quick snap. The Rams countered in the second quarter with Dan O' Brien going over from the one. In the third quarter it took Gloucester four plays to score with a 45 yard pass from Toby Frymire to Jannetti being the big play. The Rams scored last in the final stanza with Bob Frizell getting the honors from the 8.

A glance at the final statistics shows that the Rams completely dominated play, but the Lions managed to have the big play when they needed it, and kept the Rams defense guessing. For the Rams, O'Brien and Frizell sparked the offense while Jack Cafagna, Tom Worrell, Woody Dooley and Lou Atkinson stood out on defense. Fran Jannetti was the offensive standout for the Lions, with Bill Johnson, Al Mester, Frank Mevoli and Harry Aharon doing a good job on defense.

But stealing the spotlight from both clubs was Gloucester's George Thorpe. Thorpe stood out on offense and defense as the talented sophomore played the entire 48 minutes. Thorpe opened gaping holes for the Gloucester backs and was the thorn in the side of the Rams as he seemed to be all over the field on every play. Thorpe has to be the game's most outstanding player.

The game was the first in the 15 year history of the City Series to end in a tie. The record now stands at 7-7-1.

First quarter: Gloucester Catholic won the toss and elected to receive. Bill Gross took Chico Loebell's kickoff on the 14 and returned it to the 16. The Rams moved the ball to the Lion 45 where Gloucester High held and took over on downs. Frymire carried twice through the middle for 9 yards to the Ram's 46. Fran Jannetti then took a quick snap and sped 46 yards untouched for the Lions first touchdown. Frymire attempted to run the extra point but was stopped. After the kickoff there was an exchange of punts and the Rams had the ball on their own 22 as the quarter ended.

Second quarter: The Rams moved to the 37 where the Lion defense held and the Lions took over. On the second play Frymire fumbled after a sizable gain and Tony Bertolino recovered for the Rams on the Lion 47. Bob Frizell made 15 to the 32, then Frizell and O'Brien carried to the one. O'Brien then took the ball through the middle and scored the Rams first touchdown. O'Brien was stopped as he tried to run the extra point. After Bertolino's kickoff the Lions tried to come back fast through the air but Frizell intercepted a Frymire pass on the Ram 40 and returned it to the Lion 33 and the half ended.

Third quarter: Bertolino's kickoff was returned to the Lion 28 by Wayne Smith. Frymire made 6 yards in two carries then hit Jannetti with a 21 yard pass to put the ball on the Ram 45. Frymire then hit Jannetti on the same pattern on the 10 and Fran stepped into the end zone alone to make the score 12-6. Smith's attempt at the extra point was off to the right. Gloucester Catholic took the Lions kickoff on their own 19. With O'Brien and Frizell doing all the running, the Rams moved to the Lion's 8 in 17 plays, where the quarter ended.

Fourth quarter: On the first play of the last period Frizell swept around left end and went 8 yards for the tying touchdown. FrizelPs attempt to run for the extra point was stopped just inches from the goal. The score was tied but both teams threatened again. After the Rams kicked off their defense forced the Lions to punt from the Lion 48. Loebell boomed one 47 yards to the Ram 5 where Al Mester downed it for the Lions. The Rams drove to the Lion 33, taking 16 plays and most of the quarter to do it. With time running out the Rams took to the air and Fran Ferry intercepted Garcznski's pass on the 15, and returned it to the 27. Frymire raced 38 yards to the Ram 35, but failed to connect on 2 pass plays and time ran out.