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.

Beloved wife of Joseph S. Kennedy and loving mother of Tracy Kinder (William Jr.) of Brooklawn, Lisa Kennedy and Joseph S. Kennedy Jr., both of Pennsville. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren William III, Bethany, Jacob and sisters Kathy and Diane Givens.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Etherington Funeral Home, 700 Powell Street, Gloucester City, NJ.

Yes, it is Turkey Day. The two teams will prepare differently, the Rams will have their moms make a pre-game team breakfast, while the Lions players will go to their own breakfast at the \”Orange Church\”. The church better known as Coffee Corner at Broadway and Market St. has a pew and will be occupied Mr. Harris, Ken Settar, Steve Cowgill, and Ma Hagan the few survivors of Wednesday evening. The Preacher Pop Cowgill will hand out communion a Breakfast sandwich to each Lion. After these players are blessed, they will head over with the Pride of the City on their shirts.

It is game time. Lions Coach Harris has a team, which was a play, or two from the playoffs and the team wants to end the season with a .500 record while the Rams underachieved and missed out on the playoffs.

On offense, the Rams will rely on the passing of Brooklawn’s Ray Mc Kenney. Mc Kenney who has struggled at times this season will look to get the ball to City teammates Mike Calzonetti (child of a Lion/Ram marriage) and George Spingler. If Mc Kenney is on his game, it will be a long day for the Lions.

On offense, the Lions have suffered in the passing game. With the exception the short pass to WR Liam James or TE Mike Becker, the Lions have not put together any consistency in the passing game. The Lions will provide a running game with TB Brandon Mc Elwee and the punishment of FB Josh Porter. Mc Elwee is coming off a strong game against Audubon where he rushed for 250 yards and scored 3 TDs. Both of these players will provide the majority of the Lions \”O\”.

The game will come down to Mc Kenney or backup quarterback Calzonetti’s ability to work the ball down field against a soft Lions secondary. The Rams will not be able to move the ball on the ground so look for an aerial attack from the Rams. The Rams will work away from the Lions DB Liam James and work more towards DB Brian Collins with help from FS Brandon Mc Elwee

The Lions will work the inside game and will win the battled of the line. Behind Mike Marchionne, the Lions will hammer a running game against the Rams, which has not been able finish off tackles. A few missed tackles and the Rams will be in trouble. Nevertheless, the game will come down to the pass. Who can pass, will win the game? The Lions have a lot of pride and will make all necessary adjustments to win this event but the locals who went astray and betrayed our great city, Alcott, Spingler, Mike Gartland, Mc Kenney, Harry Amwake and Calzonetti will provide enough offense and defense to beat the Lions.

My prediction……..Rams 26 Lions 14

The parade will start in front of the John D. West Senior Housing Center on West Kings Highway and proceed up to the Mary Bray Elementary School and then turn right on Davis Avenue where it will then proceed to the Bell Road Firehouse to end the parade.

After the parade, the fire department invites everyone back to the Bell Road Firehouse located at 200 Bell Road for an Open House where they will provide food, beverages and the presentation of awards.

For more information, you may call the firehouse at 856-931-6532 or visit the fire department\’s website at www.mefd.org.