Through the Years: In 1947, Bud Carson welcomed night football to Freeport

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 6, 2022 | 11:01 AM

Each week throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look at the players, coaches and events that shaped our scholastic legacy.

Night football came to Freeport on Oct. 4, 1947 as the Yellowjackets blanked Washington Township, 19-0. Bud Carson’s 40-yard toss to Eddie Crognatti was the stadium’s first nocturnal touchdown.

75 years ago

• Ken High remained undefeated with a 32-12 win over German Township. Vince Pisano and Harold Vestrand registered two TDs each.

60 years ago

• Charles “Chip” Young scored three touchdowns as Freeport remained in AIC contention with a 27-6 victory at Kittanning.

• Wayne Gent scored a pair of touchdowns as undefeated Verona blanked East Deer, 20-0, at muddy Creighton Field.

50 years ago

• Defending WPIAL champion Kiski Area rolled to a 36-6 victory over Connellsville. Mike Hansen ran for two TDs, and tackle Steve Earley pounced on a loose football in the end zone for a touchdown.

• Icy winds from the Allegheny River at 30 mph couldn’t stop Riverview’s 34-0 rampage over Knoch. Joe Rossi and Jim Adams had two TDs each for the Raiders.

40 years ago

• Kittanning’s Doug Emminger set a school record for touchdown passes in a season in a 41-6 victory over Leechburg. Emminger, the WPIAL’s passing leader for the season, was 11 of 13 for 132 yards and three scores.

• Despite a teachers’ strike in both school systems, Valley managed a 26-16 victory at Swissvale. Mike White threw TD passes to Nicky Lombardo and Marc Licata.

25 years ago

• Highlands rushed for 373 yards in a 63-7 romp over Knoch. Mark Corbett and Ryan Dobrowolski scored three TDs each.

• Burrell blanked Pine-Richland, 30-0, as Dave Merrifield ran for two touchdowns.

10 years ago

• Deer Lakes scored three touchdowns in the game’s final 10 minutes to stun Summit Academy, 18-14. A TD pass from Josh Plocki to Zach Bryner with 1 minute, 18 seconds to go was the winner.

• Highlands quarterback Blake Leri pulled off a football hat trick as he rushed for a TD and threw and caught touchdown passes in a 41-13 win over Derry.

Five years ago

• Fox Chapel’s Micah Morris scored five TDs on just 23 carries as the Foxes took the measure of Hampton, 41-23.

• Austin Romanchak ran for three touchdowns as Freeport downed Apollo-Ridge, 49-7.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Connellsville, Deer Lakes, Derry Area, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Hampton, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Pine-Richland, Riverview, Summit Academy, Valley