Over 80 gridiron greats from Swampscott and Marblehead's past and present
were in attendance at the 50th Annual Old-Timer's Night at the Gerry 5 in
Marblehead.
Swampscott coach Steve Dembowski and his counterpart, Magician coach Jim
Rudloff joined the crowd as they dined on prime rib and baked haddock, and
listened to Don "Tootie" Cahoon speak to the crowd.
Cahoon lived in Swampscott before moving to Marblehead and became one of the
greatest athletes in Header history.
"I grew up in Swampscott moved to Marblehead, these games are such a big
part of the player's lives, and it's really a great experience," he said.
Swampscott's Martin Goldman is always on the Big Blue side, but did spend a
half on the Marblehead side for the Powder Puff game.
"My daughter Betsy lives in Marblehead, my grandson was coaching the girls,
so I played it like the Army-Navy game, half on the Swampscott side, half on
the Marblehead side," he said. "It's going to be very exciting Thursday morning."
Chris Deehy said his favorite football memories were playing ball on his
dead end street (Mapledale Place) after Thanksgiving dinner growing up.
"I've been coming to these dinners with my dad (Arthur) for over 25 years,
this is a great time of year, and the games are always special," Eddie
Palleschi said.
"My favorite memory was coming home my first year in college and watching my
brother (P. J.) play for the Big Blue, after my older brother and I both
played in the Thanksgiving games," Mark Ryan said.
"Swampscott's gonna win, of course," Howard Vatcher said.
"I remember the monsoon game in 1975, I was so muddy and cold, at halftime I
went into the shower with all my gear on and stayed under the hot water for
10 minutes," Tommy Vatcher, Howard's son said. "I was cold and wet the second
half too, but we won the game."
Vatcher graduated in 1976, Evan Harris was with him, MHS class of '76 grad,
and he didn't have the same fond memories of the monsoon game from
Thanksgiving 1975.
"I didn't enjoy that one as much as Tommy did," Harris said.
Former coach Frank DeFelice said he was 50-50 with his memories
of his time as the Big Blue's headman.
"I was there six years as head coach, I loved the three games we won, I
wasn't too happy about the three we lost though," DeFelice said. "I'm still
sick over the game we lost my first year as an assistant coach under Stan
(Bondelevitch), in fact I'm getting sick talking about it now!"
"I played for Bondy and I loved the rivalry, SHS Class of '67, still live in
Swampscott, love the games, love these dinners," Bob Cordette said.
"We won all the games we played against them when I played," Bob Moses (SHS
Class of '72) said. "Hopefully the boys can take it on Thursday, it's a
special game for the players, the coaches and the people in town."
One fan that asked to remain anonymous said, "of course we're going to win
Thursday, and remember, I'd rather be dead, than be Black and Red!"
