Football Team Prepares for Fall Season Under Coach Art Gulla-September 9, 1964

If senior quarterback Jim Sweeney has gained as much in practical playing experience as he has in sheer physical weight over the past two seasons, the Norwood High School football squad could emerge as a formidable dark-horse contender in the competitive Bay State League this fall.

Backfield Prospects and Returning Veterans

Coach Art Gulla is pinning high hopes on Sweeney to command a backfield that appears to be one of the most promising the “Nuggets” have fielded in several seasons. Sweeney has been with the program since suiting up as a 115-pound sophomore, spending the intervening seasons gaining 30 pounds and valuable bench experience. Though he has only logged playing time in a single varsity contest—last year’s matchup against Walpole—and served primarily on the junior varsity squad, Coach Gulla remains optimistic about his leadership.

“He’s green, all right,” Gulla conceded of his quarterback, “but the boy has a lot of spunk and may make the difference for us if he can handle the job.”

Surrounding Sweeney in the backfield are seasoned halfbacks and a bruising fullback:

• Vito Anello: A 168-pound senior halfback who previously played fullback at Walpole in 1962 before transferring to Norwood last season to handle outside running duties.
• Jack Lanzoni: A 175-pound senior halfback who is primed for a major role after missing substantial playing time last season due to a fractured jaw.
• Tom Costello: A promising 200-pound junior fullback shifted from tackle—where playing time was limited last year due to a knee injury—to provide the team with heavy inside rushing power.

“I feel it will be a good backfield, with experience at the halfbacks, if the quarterback works out,” Gulla summarized as the team prepared to open its season on September 26 at Milton.

Line Depth and Trench Warfare

While Coach Gulla feels confident in his offensive backfield, the line faces questions that must be answered in the trenches. “The success of the line,” Gulla noted, “will depend upon Frannie Mogan at guard and Dick Santospago at tackle.” Mogan, formerly a tackle, was shifted to guard to balance out roster depth. Working alongside Santospago (175 pounds) at the tackle positions is fast-developing 205-pound senior Ken Joseph.

The opposite guard spot is expected to be anchored by experienced 165-pound senior John Solomon, who saw extensive action as a sophomore, while junior Frank Denielli (185 pounds) handles the center post. The flank positions will feature senior Tim Armour (5-11, 170 pounds) and junior Mike Griffin (6-1, 165 pounds).

“I’ve always maintained the line is the key to success or failure in high school football,” Gulla concluded. “Any average back can go through holes if the line makes them. We’ll have a chance to go this year if the line comes through, because we’ve got backs who can run.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger