Ilion High School - Class of 1942

Ilion Sentinel - November 6, 1941

To The Victors

Ilion High Football Squad

Article 12

ILION HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SQUAD: Photo taken at start of the Football season, when little hope for a victory over Herkimer was held by local fans. A far cry from the machine-like actions of the squad on the rain-soaked gridiron last Saturday.

Every cloud, has silver lining. That familiar quotation has been handed down through the ages - but last Saturday afternoon at the Ilion High Athletic Field - the dark clouds that unloosed a torrent of rain on the annual Mohawk Valley grid classic of Ilion and Herkimer, held a distinct "Gold and Brown" lining, and a jubilant crowd of loyal Ilion fandom did not mind a severe drenching as they watched George Finnegan's inspired Ilion eleven score a decisive and highly convincing 18 to 0 triumph over their ancient rivals.

Two weeks ago, we remarked, following that tie game against Frankfort, that Coach Finnegan had turned in a magnificent coaching job, in this, his first season, in the driver's seat of Ilion High football. We are not looking around for any more adjectives, for Saturdays result against Herkimer speaks for itself in glowing terms!

In all the years we have watched this annual classic, we have never seen an Ilion High team play more perfect football than the team has turned to on their 1941 windup. No game in the past has been played under more atrocious weather conditions but the Gold and Brown Bombers never faltered. Their power and drive was as unstoppable as the driving rain over a field covered with mud and water. The Finnegan coached eleven dominated the play throughout the afternoon from first whistle to last, and Herkimer never mad a serious scoring thrust. It's a well known fact that if a team intends to do any scoring - they've got to have possession of the ball. Ilion kept the ball most of the afternoon, and every time Herkimer fumbled (and these occasions were many) the alert Gold and Brown gridders ponced on the pigskin like a hungry robin finding his first worm.

Cramer and Hess and Entire Line Feature

The superb ball carrying of Dave Cramer and Norman Hess sparked the Ilion attack, while the blocking, tackling, and smooth coordination of every Ilion man in both line end backfield carried the Gold and Brown to their most decisive victory over Elmer Morgans team in the annual classic. Herkimer fought hard every step of the way - but the magic of the hidden ball was completely shackled by the hard charging Ilion line, causing the numerous fumbles that stopped the Herkimer attack each time the Magicians attempted to get under way.

Ilion Marches 72 Yards For First Touchdown

The Gold and Brown lost little time in getting under way. After an exchange of punts in the first quarter, Ilion started from their own 28 yard line and never stopped until they had covered the 72 yards for their first touchdown against Herkimer since 1937. Husky and hustling Dave Creamer let the attack, carrying the ball on almost every play that tore wide holes in the Herkimer line. Dave finally going over from the 2 yard line early in the second quarter. A few plays later, Ilion stopped the visitors at midfield and after Hess punted to the 19, the Gold and Brown covered a Herkimer fumble. Herkimer held for downs on the 14 but Ilin soon recovered another fumble on the 20. After Herkimer again recovered the ball on downs on their own 8-yd mark - a bad pass from center went to Pacini on the goal line, and norm Hess tackled him for a safety to add two points to the Gold and Brown total and give Ilion a half time lead of 8 to 0.

Another Sustained March For Second Touchdown

The actors in Ilion's football drama took full stage with the second half opening of the curtain. Starting on their own 44 yard line after Alverson had made a neat return of Herkimer;s kickoff from his own 20, Norm Hess took the leading role in a dominant charge toward the Herkimer goal line, carrying the leather on eight successive plays that netted four consecutive first downs to the Herkimer 5 yard line. Then he turned it over to Dave Cramer and the very obliging David took it over Ilion's second touchdown. Cramer also added the point with a smash off tackle. That made it 15 to 0 and that was the final tally. Herkimer reached the Ilion 33 yard line in the last quarter, but that was as far as they traveled in the entire game - for Ilion recovered another fumble. Penalties drove the Gold and Brown back to almost their goal line - but Ilion had the ball and Norm Hess whose great kicking was one of the game's big features, got off another hefty boot of 35 yards just before the final whistle. For Herkimer, the play of Nagle, Marriott and Smith was outstanding.

Our hats are off to Cramer and Hess and the entire Ilion team, and to Coach George Finnegan and his able assistant, LaMont Burnham. It was Ilion's first victory over Herkimer since 1935 - and a glorious climax of a fine season that has placed Ilion in first place in the MVI scholastic league. The outcome of the Frankfort-Mohawk game at Mohawk Saturday will determine the league champion - but regardless of that verdict - nothing can take away the memories of a very pleasant afternoon spent last Saturday on the Ilion field.