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 great history of the series was put together my members of the Gloucester High Alumni Association.
Unfortunately I don’t have the entire book. But over the next couple of weeks leading up to this year’s game on Thanksgiving Day I will post the articles and photo pages that are in my possession.
Artist drawing of front cover by Todd Whitten
~ Bill Cleary
Gloucester Rolls, 19-2 In \”Finale For McNally\”
1965
Jim McNally, vice-president of Gloucester High School has one an awful lot for the youth of Gloucester during his 32 years in the school system.
Well, Saturday the Gloucester football team did a little something for him.
With the inscription of \”finale for McNally\” taped across their jerseys, the Lions went out and clawed archrival Gloucester Catholic, 19-2, before 4,500 fans on the Gloucester High gridiron.
BRANDT OUTSTANDING
The game marked the last in a series which has to end because of schedule problems in the Tri-County Conference. With Merchantville entering the Tri-Co, Gloucester must schedule the Merchants and thus the \”money making\” game has to go.
Quarterback Jackie Brandt sparked the Lions victory with some outstanding running and pinpoint passing while Ed Liegrand and Joe Tomeo, together with their field general scored the touchdowns in Gloucester\’s eighth triumph in the 17 game series.
Coach Steve Shimkus, elated over the victory, had high praise for his entire team.
Jackie undoubtedly played the finest game of his career,\” Shimkus offered, \”but as it has been in most of our games, it was a good team effort by a fired-up group of fine football players.
MURPHY PRAISES GLOUCESTER
\”Make no mistakes, we beat a good football team today (Saturday) but we\’ll need a repeat performance to beat Pitman next week, \”Shimkus added.
Catholic High coach Joe Murphy, obviously disappointed, had nothing but praise for the victors.
\”They stopped us cold,\” Murphy stated,\” they did a real good job and I hope they can go all the way. An important factor was that they always seemed able to make the big third down play.\”
Gloucester had a statistical edge in all departments, 16-10 in first downs, 218-208 in the ground yardage and 58-24 in the air as Brandt connected on for of seven passes. DRIVES 80 YARDS
Gloucester took the opening kickoff 80 yards in 14 plays for a touchdown. Running by Brandt. Dave Light, Tomeo and Liebrand sparked the march which ended on a 21 yard run by Liebrand. Brandt added the PAT.
Jim Hagan recovered a Catholic fumble on the Rams\’ 30 early in the third period and the Lions drove for their second score. Brandt raced over from the eight after Light\’s running had gained 17 yards in the drive.
Catholic gained a safety when Gloucester downed the ball in the end zone rather than risk a punt early in the fourth period. This happened after Gloucester held Catholic on the one yard line.
Jim Conroy\’s pass interception set up Gloucester\’s final TD. Taking over on the 21, the Lions sent Tomeo over from the six on the fifth play.
TO BE CONTINUED……………
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