PRINTER'S NO. 1981
No. 301 Session of 2008
INTRODUCED BY GORDNER, APRIL 28, 2008
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 28, 2008
A RESOLUTION
1 Honoring the players and coaches of the 1950 Coal Township High
2 School Purple Demons football team and commemorating their
3 undefeated season and victory in the Eastern Conference
4 Championship game.
5 WHEREAS, The success of Coal Township's 1950 football season
6 hinged on the dedication and talents of 35 squad members, Head
7 Coach Walter Marshall and Assistant Coaches Bernie Romanoski, Ed
8 Sutt and Roy Sanders; and
9 WHEREAS, The inspiring coaching style of Walter Marshall and
10 his dedication to the gridiron propelled the team to its first-
11 ever undefeated season for Coal Township; and
12 WHEREAS, Led by 11 lettermen and senior tri-captains John
13 Gurski, Tom Kiefaber and John Zupicich, the Purple Demons began
14 the 1950 season in the "Silver Bowl" game against the Mount
15 Carmel Red Tornadoes, a team that had been undefeated for
16 several seasons; and
17 WHEREAS, Eight thousand three hundred and eighteen fans
18 crowded the stadium on opening game day, during which Purple
1 Demon players scored five touchdowns, including a returned 58-
2 yard interception by Sam Rumberger, defeating the Red Tornadoes
3 33-14; and
4 WHEREAS, The Purple Demons offered fans season highlights of
5 four shutout games and victories balanced on the stout arm of
6 quarterback Les Schlegel, the disciplined, airtight offense and
7 a stingy, punishing defense; and
8 WHEREAS, After a breezy win over Kulpmont High School and a
9 tie game against Dunmore, the Purple Demons clinched first place
10 in the Southern Division of the Eastern Conference; and
11 WHEREAS, The team relied on the cheers of staunch supporters
12 at home field, at away games and at the Eastern Conference
13 Championship, which drew more than 7,000 dedicated fans despite
14 inclement weather; and
15 WHEREAS, The Purple Demons met the Swoyersville Sailors in
16 the 1950 Eastern Conference Championship game, which ignited a
17 decade-long rivalry between the schools; and
18 WHEREAS, Despite heavy rain, a mud-soaked field and an early
19 seven-point lead by the Sailors, the Purple Demons rallied to
20 tie the game before the half and dominated the remainder of the
21 game, scoring three more times and winning the championship; and
22 WHEREAS, The Coal Township High School football team won the
23 Eastern Conference title 26-13 and finished the season with a
24 record of 11-0-1; and
25 WHEREAS, Although Coal Township High School merged with the
26 Shamokin Area School District in 1964, residents throughout the
27 anthracite region fondly remember its history and football
28 rivalries; therefore be it
29 RESOLVED, That the Senate honor the players and coaches of
30 the 1950 Coal Township High School Purple Demons football team
20080S0301R1981 - 2 -
1 and commemorate its winning season and victory in the Eastern
2 Conference Championship game.
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