BLACKSTONE VALLEY MEMORIES

November 17

1957Tolman parlayed a fumble recovery by Al Najjar and the all-around brilliance of halfback Art Messier into a 7-0 victory over intra-city rival Pawtucket West in one of the tightest defensive struggles in their 16-year series. Messier, a burly 6foot, 217-pound senior, scored the lone touchdown on a 15-yard scamper, kicked the extra point, gained 65 of the 88 yards the Tigers managed against the stiff Ranger defense and punted five times for an average of 35 yards a boot. Leading the Tolman defense are Messier, Najjar, sophomore Gerry Philbin, end Bryan McConaghy and guard Don Neill, while heading the hard-charging West defense are Don Grebien, Richard Anderson, John Brandley, Vin Leonard and Jim Williams.

1967Pictured is Pawtucket’s Gerry Philbin, a former AllValley standout at Tolman. Philbin will be at defensive left end for the New York Jets Sunday against the Boston Patriots at Fenway Park. Gerry is regarded as a prime candidate by the Jets for All-League honors in the American Football League.

1977First-year coach Howie Catley’s Lincoln Lions are looking to cap a satisfying season with a 4-3-1 record to date when they meet Turkey Day rival Shea for the 10th time in their annual series. Defensively, Catley will start Jim Raymond, also the team’s placekicker, and John Hoey at the ends, Leo Fortier and Rich DelGrande at the tackles, Chris Craik, Don Wolanski, Jeff Baluch and Brian Sullivan as the linebackers and Pete Belanger, Darrell White and George Chadwick in the secondary. Catley says he expects an aerial show from the Raiders with QB Jim Nesbitt at the controls.