Norwood Pulls Off 8-6 Upset Over Braintree Behind Defensive Stops and Key Scores-October 30, 1961

Mustangs Overcome Fumbles and Penalties to Edge Wamps on the Road

In a hard-fought gridiron battle in Braintree, the Norwood High School football team pulled off an unexpected 8-6 victory over Coach John LeRoy’s Wamps. Despite committing three fumbles, a pass interception, and frequent offensive offside penalties, Norwood capitalized on Braintree miscues to secure their hard-earned win in enemy territory.

Norwood struck early in the second period following a costly Braintree fumble that gave the Mustangs possession 27 yards out. Quarterback Dave Tracey connected with halfback Bill Carrabino, who dashed seven yards for Norwood’s opening touchdown. Norwood subsequently added the extra points on a pass play from Carrabino to Chan Souther.

Throughout the afternoon, Chan Souther and Bill Bender anchored Norwood’s ground attack as the team’s top carriers.

Braintree Fights Back with Daring Play Before Injury Stops Momentum

Braintree struggled to gain traction early, pinned behind their 35-yard line in the first period. However, late in the second quarter, the Wamps put together a dramatic 45-yard drive. With seconds remaining in the half, quarterback Bob Love scrambled 15 yards backward before launching a high, long pass downfield. End Dick McAndrew fought through tight coverage on the goal line to make a spectacular, jumping catch, going down hard in the end zone for a touchdown.

Although a subsequent two-point conversion pass attempt failed, narrowing the score to 8-6, Braintree’s momentum took a heavy blow when fullback Marty James—who ran hard all afternoon and pounded the Norwood line—had to be carried from the field with a severe knee injury following his catch.

Despite a valiant late-game push led by Vin Vecchione—who broke free for a 40-yard run in the fourth period after a Norwood punt pinned Braintree to their own 1-yard line—the Norwood defense held firm, dashing Braintree’s hopes of a comeback victory.

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