An annual feature of the Norwood MESSENGER Thanksgiving Day Sports Edition is the “meet the players” section. These short sketches are intended to familiarize you with the members of the Norwood squad. The boys have had a very trying season this fall, but thanks to the support of the fans they have been improving from week to week. Let’s all come out Thursday and show our support for the 1961 Norwood High squad. Now the players:
No. 11 RICK JOHNS
Sophomore — Quarterback-Halfback—125
An all-around athlete, at home on the basketball court and baseball diamond as well as football field, Rick has seen action at both quarterback and halfback this year, primarily in JV ball. He ran the varsity for a series of downs when Tracey was hurt in the Wellesley game. Short in height, light in weight, but big in spirit and determination is this classy sophomore.
No. 12 DAVE TRACEY
Junior—Quarterback—155
Dave survived his ordeal by fire last year when he was sent in to replace Larry Newman against Natick. This year Dave has improved quite a lot since opening day. Latest evidence of his improvement was the Natick game, in which he completed five of ten passes and threw for one touchdown. After the football season Dave will be found pitchin’ ’em in basketball and baseball.
No. 13 JOHN RICHARDS
Soph.—Quarterback—160
John has been the number-one quarterback on the JV squad for most of the season.
He was injured earlier in the season, but came back stronger than ever. John came here from Milton and will be looking for a chance to perform against his old friends next year
No. 20 CHAN SOUTHER
Junior—Left Halfback—145
Chan broke into the starting lineup in the Milton game performed so well that he’s been at the left halfback ever since. One of the fastest men on the squad, Chan will be looking for his first touchdown Thursday. But there is one thing that Chan would rather see than his first score, and that is a Norwood victory.
No. 21 JOHN D’ESPINOSA
Senior—Left Halfback—160
The recently elected president of the senior class, John has displayed his sterling qualities of leadership and courage on the gridiron. Despite a painful shoulder injury that threatened to end his football career, John fought back and won a starting berth in his senior year. “D’Espy” performed well in the Needham and Walpole games and last week impressed even Natick fans with his determination. John will be fighting Thursday to give the School on the Hill a victory.
No. 22 RILL DAVIS
Senior—Fullback—170
Bill led the Norwood squad in rushing average last season, but this year got off to a slow start at halfback. But after being shifted to fullback in the Milton game, Bill began to perform like the Davis of old, Bill operates as the trigger in Norwood’s shotgun formation too. Bill has scored two touchdowns this year and would like to add two more to help Norwood rout Dedham.
No. 30 DAVE FLOOD
Sophomore—Fullback—165
Dave has been one of the key men in the JV offense this year. He is a hard runner and a good defensive player. His varsity experience has been on kickoffs. Look for this boy to be among the top candidates next year for a starting berth.
No. 31 JOE DIDICK
Senior—Left End—165
At the start of the season it was anybody’s guess as to where Joe would be on opening day. He was listed as quarterback, but had performed also at fullback and end. After two games at fullback, Joe took over at left end when Bob Dias was injured, and there he’s been ever since. A good receiver and fine defensive player, Joe would like to see a Norwood victory Thursday.
No. 33 BOB DE ROSE
Sophomore—Halfback—130
As the brother of Phil De Rose, ’61, one of Norwood’s outstanding halfbacks of all time, Bob has a lot to live up to. But we will all be satisfield if Bob performs as well as he can, and that is what he has been doing with the JVs this year. Despite being outweighed by just about everyone, Bob has a number of good runs and pass catches to his credit Bob is handy with a basketball and bat, too, and can be found on court and diamond after football season.
No. 40 BILL BENDER
Soph.—Right Halfback—158
Here is another gridder who had to be in the lineup opening day, but where? Bill quarterbacked the Frosh last year, started out at end this year, but has attained a prominent position on the squad with his outstanding work, offensively and defensively, at ‘halfback. Starting with the Wellesley game he has been the most improved player on the squad. Bill scored his first touchdown on the last play of the Natick game, and will be a big threat any time he gets out in the open against the Shiretowners.
No. 42 BILL CARRABINO
Junior—Back—158
Bill is Norwood’s leading scorer with three touchdowns. He operates out of either right half or fullback, and threw a touchdown pass to Richie Armour last week. ’Bino is a deceptively fast, shifty runner, who is getting better at broken-field running. After football Bill will be in training for the baseball season.
No. 50 PAUL DONAHUE
Soph.—Center-End—179
Another prize catch from the Sophomore class, “Dun” has starred defensively all year. He did a fine job of filling in for Jeff Fanning in the Framingham game as well. Paul will usually be found at the left corner-backer’s spot on defense, although occasionally he will shift to the right. He can be found on the basketball court in the off-season
No. 51 GEORGE THOMAS
Junior—Left Tackle—200
George has fought against injuries lately, but he seemingly has licked them and will be in there at left tackle Thursday, fie replaced John Navickas, injured against Wellesley. George’s bruising tackles first made their appearance in the Walpole game, and he is fast gaining a reputation as a tough man to move out. Inside his gruff exterior, though, George hides a good nature that has won him the friendship of his comrades. “Beat Dedham1”, says “JIdge.”
No. 52 JEFF FANNING
Junior—Center—200
The latest in a long line of outstanding Norwood centers, Jeff has proved himself one of the top linemen on the team. Hardly a tackle goes by that you can’t find No. 52 near the bottom of the pile. A leading candidate for captaincy next year, Jeff is looking forward to a big victory over the Crimson and Gray of Dedham High
No. 60 FRED DEEB
Sophomore—Guard—174
Short, stocky, and tough, Fred will remind Norwood fans of Phil Fanning, class of ’59, Fred has been one of the blocks of granite at the center of the JV line this season and is considered a top contender for a post on next season’s varsity squad.
No. 61 JOE SMELSTOR
Junior—Tackle-Guard—187
After seeing some action on defense earlier this season. Joe started at left tackle against Framingham and at left guard last week against Natick and showed a good performance. Joe gave indications last year as a sophomore that he was destined for future glory as a lineman, and 1961 shows him moving closer to that regular job he so desires.
No. 62 DON MEEKER
Senior—Fullback-Guard—175
Don started the season at fullback but quickly shifted to guard when a need for his talents developed at that position. A groin injury prevented his appearance in last week’s Natick game, but Don has been working out with the squad and may see action Thursday. Don can be seen on the track squad after football season.
No. 64 PAUL BENDER
Senior—Tackle-Guard—165
Norwood’s co-captain and three-year letterman, Paul is one of the best-liked members of the Senior class, as well as a top performer on the gridiron and basketball court. Offense and defense are all the same to Paul; he just takes them .in stride and calmly does his job to the best of his ability. But there is no lack of spirit in him, either; he can be seen and heard encouraging the rest of the team when there is a job to be done Paul would like the Dedham game to be a success sufficient to offset the team’s failures in other games.
No. 65 JOHN HOWARD
Senior—Right Guard—.180
“Gunner,” as his mates call him, has a reputation around the League that he well deserves, of being just about the toughest lineman, size or no size, in the League. Trying to move him in a tight spot is like trying to ‘budge a fire hydrant. John has recovered his share of fumbles this year, but his big ambition, of carrying the ball on offense and scoring a TD, has thus far eluded him. His ambition for Thursday? — Beat Dedham!
No. 66 TOM CURRAN
Junior—halfback—142
Tom, a transfer from Don Bosco, has performed for the JVs for the past few games.
No. 70 BRIAN CONNOLLY
Senior—Tackle—200
Brian saw his first action last week against Natick, and felt right at home on the gridiron. “Byron” is more mobile than he used to be, and other linemen no longer challenge him to footraces. A good-natured redhead, his ambition is to get in there and help beat Dedham.
No. 71 MIKE POIRIER
Senior—Tackle—190
Mike first made his presence felt two weeks ago when he made an important stop that sparked a goal-line stand against Framingham. Last week he was in there keeping Natick from moving against the center of the line. Look for Mike Thursday on defense, doing his best to keep Dedham from scoring.
No. 72 RICHIE ARMOUR
Senior—Right End—185
After sitting out his Junior year, Rich came out and won a starting job at tackle. He was shifted to end for the Milton game, and scored his first touchdown last week against Natick. All year halfbacks have been complaining about his crushing, bruising tackles, but to no avail. They just get hit harder next time! Rich is just waiting for those Dedham halfbacks Thursday.
No. 75 STEVE BOWEN
Sophomore—Tackle—190
Steve has been a starter with the JVs this year and handles the punting assignment. He also started for the Varsity against Marlboro. Steve will be in there battling for a starting berth next fall and has a good chance of being punter Look for him at track meets — he is an accomplished shot-putter.
No. 82 VIC BABEL
Junior—End—160
A rough defensive player, Vic has been performing with the Varsity lately and looks to be a likely contender for a starting berth in 1962. He will be in there Thursday, battling to give the Hillloppers their eleventh consecutive win over Dedham
No. 85 RON GIANNUCCI
Junior—End—155
“Giova” got into his first Varsity contest against Walpole replacing the injured Bob Dias. Since then Ron has been giving his services to the JV squad. He recently caught a 50-yard pass, showing his capabilities as a receiver. Ron will be giving his all In 1962 to nail down a starting berth.
No. 87 ALLAN ZLMLICKI
Junior—End—160
A defensive specialist, A1 has been the defensive giant in most of the JV games and has seen a lot of action on defense with the Varsity so far A lot of people raised eyebrows when one of the Boston papers listed him as a starter a few weeks back, but next year there should be no eyebrow-raising over Al.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)