The coach was Jimmy Jordan and his assistants were Ralph Wolfendale and Vinnie Carroll. The Captain was Gerry Callagy the great multiple sport star for the blue and white. A future pair of stars for the lancers were co-managers, Bob Fitzgerald and Johnny Sarcione were at the beck and call for all team needs.
Fred Kuchar was a tackle, Harry McKenna a fine baseball catcher and an even better pool player Gerry Grasso was a guard too and he was one of the area’s first marathoners. He was also a lifeguard at Salisbury Beach, before becoming a teacher in Andover.
Billy Quinlan the future college and pro great was the center, a better than average baseball catcher, and hoopster. Jimmy Dwyer was also a center, John Hatem was a lineman. Louie Giarusso who later became a Lawrence fireman also played the line. He died as a fireman at a much too young age. His widow Helen and daughter became the major winners of 10 million dollars recently.
Pat Burke was a tackle who played for and captained Michigan State leading his college team to a Rose Bowl win. Nat Weiner was also a tackle; Al Lahood was another lineman.
Guy Smith a transfer from Methuen High School was a speedster also starring in track and he was an end; also was Joe Finn of South Lawrence who also played hoop. George Frasier another burner came from Andover and he was a halfback. The quiet one, a 3 sport standout Johnny D’Angelo, was the other halfback. John can still kick butt in racquetball these days.
Bobby Matthews is still a local legend even though he lost his life in a horrific car accident over 20 years ago. He played football for the Jordan men; Bob was a great gymnast for the local YMCA and the Turn Hall. Leon Vitale was a qb and a real good replacement for Capt. Callagy. Terry Sweeney was an end and later played at Tennessee. Andy Vittorioso was a reserve back and so was Hank Fillipon. Ed Krukonis an end. Bob Pellicone was a fb.
Now retired Lawrence Police Officer Jack Rogers was a lineman. He became a detective and acclaimed by his brother officers as one of the best. His tart sense of humor often had him drafted to be the emcee at many local roasts. His gridiron teammates will tell you of his toughness on the gridiron.
This with the South Lawrence coach Jordan who once coached at CCHS and the now defunct Saint James of Haverhill are getting ready to play the Haverhill Hillies very soon. This rivalry is almost as big as the Lowell/Lawrence game.
This is LHS football in 1949.
