**Note:** A series of articles about the history of the Gloucester Catholic vs. Gloucester High football games was published in a booklet released in 1993, entitled “The Renewal of Friendship.” This comprehensive history of the series was compiled by members of the Gloucester High Alumni Association.
**Gloucester City, NJ (November 1950)** – If any Gloucester Catholic players had nightmares after last night’s city series battle in Gloucester, they may have envisioned a mythical figure bearing the number 66 leaping over the edge of the bed.
Before more than 3,500 chilly fans, the hard-running halfback scored five touchdowns, leading his team to a stunning 56-7 victory. This triumph allowed Coach Carlos Paisley’s team to set a new school scoring record, surpassing the previous high of 49 points, achieved in 1930 against Clayton.
Eppleman took the lead in the South Jersey scoring race with touchdown runs of 86 yards, 4 yards, 50 yards, 3 yards, and 1 yard. His 86-yard sprint opened the evening’s festivities. With a total of 30 points from this game, he reached 84 points overall, having carried the ball 12 times for 227 yards, while teammate Don Grant registered two touchdowns and gained 198 yards.
Bob Ritchie and Steve Shimkus contributed two more touchdowns for the Blue and Gold, while Bill Gibison scored the only touchdown for the Ramblers.
The game began on an exciting note when Eppleman took “Hickey” Aughenbaugh’s opening kickoff at his own 14-yard line. After dribbling the ball once, he sprinted towards the end zone, aided by George Wilson’s crucial block at the opponent’s 35-yard line.
Midway through the first period, the Ramblers executed a 71-yard drive to tie the game, finishing with a touchdown run from Gibison and a conversion by John Bicking.
However, this lead was short-lived, as Gloucester took the ensuing kickoff and moved 90 yards in just four plays. Ritchie scored a 13-yard touchdown after recovering a fumble by Bob McConnell.
Midway through the second quarter, the Blue and Gold scored again after Shimkus returned a Ramblers’ punt from the 35 to the 11-yard line. Grant drove to the 4-yard line, and Eppleman rushed up the middle, bouncing off a tackle at the 2 and scoring.
Gloucester started the second half with immediate momentum. Eppleman returned the opening kickoff to the 40, Grant picked up 10 yards, and Eppleman dashed for a touchdown shortly afterwards.
Eppleman contributed to the next score by returning a punt from his own 4-yard line to the 46. Neilio made six yards, and Grant secured a first down at the opponent’s 25. Neilio then gained nine yards, and Eppleman rushed for six on the next play, leading to Grant’s touchdown, bringing the score to 31-7.
Early in the fourth quarter, Gloucester took over on their own 30-yard line. Eppleman initiated the next drive with a 44-yard dash to the opponent’s 26-yard line. Grant ran to the 7-yard line, followed by Eppleman pushing to the 1. Ritchie recovered his own fumble, losing two yards, but Eppleman scored on the next play.
After the Ramblers struggled to gain yardage following the ensuing kickoff, Gloucester took possession at the opponent’s 40-yard line. Eppleman broke free for another significant run but was tripped by his own blocker, Wilson, at the 4-yard line. McConnell advanced to the 1, and Eppleman plunged in for another touchdown.
Shortly thereafter, Gloucester made a quick scoring drive from their own 49-yard line within four plays. Eppleman gained 11 yards, and despite a 15-yard clipping penalty, Grant sprinted 35 yards to the 19. Eppleman managed a one-yard gain, but Grant sprinted the remaining 18 yards for his second touchdown.
Just before the final whistle, Gloucester recovered a fumble on their own 48-yard line. On the first play, sophomore Shimkus dazzled spectators with a 52-yard run on a double reverse. He also successfully kicked a pair of extra points during this one-sided game.
The line play from Gloucester’s George Wilson, Jarvis Midgett, and Fred Henning was outstanding, consistently preventing the Ramblers from advancing on the ground.
In a tough loss, Tom Baker stood out as the Ramblers’ top offensive player at the end position. Gibson and Robinson were the primary ground gainers for the team. Jack Brill and Aughenbaugh also put on strong defensive performances until injuries hindered their efforts, as the Ramblers struggled in the high-scoring second half.
Note: A series of articles about the history of the Gloucester Catholic vs. Gloucester High football games was published in a booklet released in 1993 entitled “The Renewal of Friendship”. This comprehensive history of the series was compiled by members of the Gloucester High Alumni Association.