BLACKSTONE VALLEY MEMORIES

1959Pawtucket West football coach Win Dodge’s Rangers, hard hit by graduation, are rated no more than an even choice versus Bristol when they battle in an Injury Fund exhibition tussle. In the backfield, sophomore Kevin Shackett, a speed demon, will get the call at right halfback, with veterans Henry Levin at left half, Mike Farrands at fullback and Stan Abrams at QB. The offensive line has Bill Borenstein and Vin Leonard at the ends, Dan Saccucci and either Dave Howles or Dave Mathewson at the tackles, Paul Baird and Ron Max at the guards and it’s a tossup between Steve Domenico and Dave Harrison at center.

1969Pawtucket West football mentor Tilo Margarita, starting his 20th year at West, has lost two key players to injuries – Mike Calabro, a bruising halfback and an AllBlackstone Valley linebacker, who sustained torn shoulder muscles and starting guard Mickey Brady who is lost for the season with a knee injury. On the brighter side, the Rangers have six returning starters in ends Dennis Piche and Bob Almeida, Phil Chaves and Roger Laberge at the tackle slots, guard Tom Stewart and Dick Carlson at center. West meets intra-city rival Tolman in an Injury Fund exhibition on Friday.

1979Shea football coach Larry Caswell has his entire offensive line returning in ends Paul Horoho and Mike Rossi, tackles Bob Connors (6-2, 210) and Jack McRoberts (6-3, 220), guards Kosta Bitsis and Bob Letendre and center Brian Fortin. Seniors Vin Vickers at halfback and Ray Bessette at flanker give the Raiders another pair of veterans on offense, while returning starter Tim Allen, stronger and quicker with a year of maturity, will shift to halfback, leaving the split end post open for Ken Robbins. The quarterback slot will fall on the shoulders of Jeff LaRose, a junior with limited experience, but good potential, according to Caswell, a former All-State QB at Tolman and AllYankee Conference at URI.