A new LHS coach was on the scene for the Lawrence High football team. Ed Doherty started his football career as a player at Punchard High school in Andover. Now Andover High School. He Later played at St John’s Prep and then entered Boston College.
ln 1943 he quarterbacked the for the Eagles in the Orange Bowl in California on New Year’s Day. In 1944 he was named the starting qb for the All East squad in the annual East /West game. He later served in the Navy and was on PT boats.
On his discharge he became a back field coach a Notre Dame. He later returned to Boston College where he earned the moniker The Brain as a player becoming the team’s backfield coach.
Later on, he became the head coach of football at Arizona State where he led his team to the Salad Bowl for two seasons in a row.
Drummond Bisset a former Punchard athlete followed Doherty in his travels as an assistant coach. Bisset was also a QB on the 1931-34 suburban team. He was the head coach for the Tower Hill Beavers of Lawrence. He was Doherty’s aide from 1947-1950.
The LHS Lawrencian named Tony Ramos was its player of the month. Ramos was a graduate of the Oliver Grammar School in 1950.
A multi sports star Tony sparkled in baseball and hoop as well as football. His quiet demeanor away from sports was a distinct difference to his tough hard-nosed style especially on the gridiron. He was a tough runner able to pick up short yardage or turn on the jets to show his great speed.
Against Manchester Central taking a handoff in a double reverse he ran to daylight and the end zone after a 40 yard scamper. This turned out to be the winning touchdown for the Doherty boys. On D he intercepted a pass on the locals’ twelve yard line to seal the victory. He also had a big game in the Jamboree game at the Manning Bowl in Lynn.
He just recently passed away out of State and many local fans remembered him as an all time great player and guy.
Tom Decubellus was a high flying trackman for the blue and white. He broke the record for the high hurdle indoor event. Running at the Andover cage with the record standing at 5:05 seconds held by Bob Fraser. Tom flew over the hurdles at 5:04. Decubellis graduated from the Oliver School and had been on the track team for all of his 4 years at LHS. He has participated in the broad jump, high jump, and relay. He was a much respected athlete by all track participants throughout the State and his fellow students at Lawrence High School.
This was the happenings on the sport scene at LHS in 1954.
