Permit me please the liberty of questioning George Guido’s thoughtful article “Washington Township sports memories remain” (March 5, TribLIVE), and specifically on Washington Township High School football.
With all due respect to coach Don Earley, I submit that “Tide” football began to break in 1951, not 1959. Beginning with the 1947 season, there had been zero wins for three years. Inspirational leader Jim Rearic became head coach in 1949 and transitioned the Crimson Tide to the “Wing T” formation, much more suitable for our small but fast team.
Still, 1951 began with two losses before winning 6-0 over Verona. Our first win in 29 games! Freeport, favored by six touchdowns, was next, but the Tide prevailed in a 19-0 upset. Then three straight wins before facing Class A powerhouse Pitcairn. Despite leading the entire game, the Tide fell 19-13.
An easy win over Homer City to set the stage against archrival Apollo, which had been victorious 18 years in a row. But not this November night. It was a tough seesaw contest in front of 3,000 screaming fans. Final score: Crimson Tide 24, Apollo Tigers 21.
This gave the Tide the best record in school history up to that time: 7 wins, 3 losses.
I submit the “Tide” class of 1952 deserves some credit for nudging WTHS onto the WPIAL football map.
Joe Whiten
El Dorado Hills, Calif.