Coal Township Stops Uniontown  

Coach Walter Marshall's Coal Township Purple Demons  jumped out to an early 10-0 lead thanks to a 40-yard field goal by steady kicker Jim Brightbill (molded in the Lou Groza technique) and a nifty interception return to the house by Bob Narke, who stepped in front of John Hull and tight roped the right sideline 43 yards for the game's first touchdown.

The 16-14 halftime score kept the more than 18,000 fans in their seats at HersheyPark Stadium. Both teams considered themselves as 'bluecollar.'
Coach Leon Kaltenbach’s Uniontown team had been accorded the highest ever ranking by Dr. Roger Saylor and were established as 3-point favorites by the PFN Computer. Bill Shortencarrier of the famed "Short Picks" was one of the few who felt the Purple Demons would pull off a win.

Coach Kaltenbach felt that the interception return by Narke set the tone of the game. "That kid made the big play for Coal," the coach stated post-game. "He's one heck of a player. But I think that and the fact that they held Ray Gillian to just a handful of yards was what won it for them. Ray has been tremendous but our line just couldn't give him the openings he needed to get out in the open. Credit their defensive line for that." 
 

Gillian did have one kickoff return for 96 yards before being dragged down by Lamar Switzer at the 4. After two handoffs to Phil Vassar got the ball to the one, QB Wilfred Minor used play action and found Gillian open for the score.
 

Vince "Billy" Paczkoski got the tough yards for Coal Township and Bob Narke rushed for nearly a hundred. But it was a pass from Switzer to Paczkowski swinging left out of the backfield that sealed the game. Big Billy powered through two Uniontown players at the one to get into the endzone.

PFN's Rich Vetock was honored at halftime for his contributions to Pennsylvania High School football. Dr. Robert Lombardi of the PIAA presented the award.

  Rich Vetock