'City Of Friendship' Cool To St. Thomas High

‘City Of Friendship’ Cool To St. Thomas High

Irish Repulsed Time After Time

By Tom Rowland

ECORSE — This town may boast of being the “City of Friendship,'' but they certainly weren't giving away anything here yesterday afternoon.

If they had been. St. Thomas Coach Leo Wagner would have taken the first quarter.

His slow-starting defense was hit for touchdowns the first two times St. Francis Xavier had the ball as the stingy Buccaneers handed the Irish their first defeat of the year, 13-6, after last week's 20-13 victory over Ypsilanti St. John in the opener. The Irish play Wayne St. Mary at Hollway Field Sunday afternoon.

“We feel very bad about losing this one," said Wagner. "We've got a good, strong ball team here, but I guess we just weren't believers until the second quarter.”

The Irish, who dominated the game after the first 12 minutes, drove five times to within 15 yards of the Xavier goal but only found paydirt once. Fullback Tom Schwind drove over from the one-foot line for the lone St. Thomas touchdown midway through the third period.

Schwind’s straight - ahead power running spearheaded the Irish attack. The 150-pound junior got the ball-carrying call 30 times during the afternoon and rolled up 102 yards.

St. Francis didn’t waste much time getting on the scoreboard.

Nine plays after end Regis Enright returned the opening kickoff to his own 40 the Buccaneers were in the Irish end zone. All-Stater John Bedo carried the ball in from the three on a straight dive off the right side.

Quarterback Don Dionne's attempted run for the extra point after a fumbled snap from center was short of the goal.

The Irish offense faltering after the ensuing kickoff, Bedo returned Schwind’s punt to the St. Francis 42. Just like an instant replay, the Buccaener yardage machine rolled to the St. Thomas 35, where Bedo broke loose off left tackle.

The star Xavier halfback broke two tackles and cut back down the right sideline to the Irish two-yard line, before being pulled down from behind by safetyman Dave Heiber.

The next play Dionne whipped a quickie over the line to end Ken Mehi for the winning margin, and halfback Bill Salliotte skirted right end for the point after.

The, Irish were stunned but not out. Quarterback Mike Wagner brought the kickoff back to the St. Thomas 38 and then directed the Irish on a drive that carried 51 yards to the Xavier 13. Here, with fourth down and two to go, Schwind bulled his way straight ahead on the Irish bread-and-butter play but fell inches short of the first down.

St. Thomas knocked on the touchdown door once more before the intermission.

The Green and White offense returned to threaten again after the half. Running out of downs at the Buccaneer 37, Schwind punted out of bounds at the four-yard line. The Irish defense held, and Wagner ran the Xavier punt to the St. Francis 29.

Schwind then carried five of the six plays which put the Irish on the goal line and then blasted his way over for the six points.

TOUCHDOWNS: ST. FRANCIS — Bedo, Mehi (pass from Dionne). ST. THOMAS — Schwind.

EXTRA POINTS: ST. FRANCIS—Salliotte (run).

OFFICIALS: Jim Marino, Chariot Emling. Gerry Hedisch.