Our Champions

In August of 1958, my back yard was the centerfield of the baseball field (Crafton Athletic Field) until mid-August. A crane came every August and moved the light standards into position to form the football field. Right and centerfield of the baseball field became the practice areas for football. The baseball infield and leftfield was now the game field. The temporary bleachers were also moved into position by the crane. Now it was football season.

Just a year earlier a new Field House was built; a very nice locker room facility for 1958. The Field House was at the end-zone nearest West Steuben Street. It marked the first time in Crafton High School history that the Home Field was 100 yards long.

That’s right, until 1957 the field was only 90 yards long. Once an offense got past the opponent's 10-yard line, the officials moved the ball back 10 yards. Long runs into the end zone would stand as Touchdowns.

In the 1958 era, August 18thwas the magic day. That was when the high school football season commenced. The cadence coming from the mouths of the players would bounce off the houses on West Steuben Street and Duncan Avenue. The smell of hot sweaty uniforms would only get worse. The practices would usually be in the mornings and the evenings. The afternoons were for sleeping and recovering from the soreness and bruises obtained in the morning sessions.

Crafton High School started playing football back in 1906. Part of Crafton was farmland until the early 1900’s. A lot of large houses were built in the early 1900’s that are still there today. Crafton is about 4 miles from Heinz Field (Three Rivers Stadium), West of downtown Pittsburgh. The students that went to Crafton were from Crafton (of course), Ingram, Thornburg and some of the Greentree kids. The Greentree kids had choice of attending either Crafton or Dormont High Schools.

This was the greatest place for an eleven-year-old boy to grow up. The “Crafton Athletic Field” was my back yard. Two little league fields, a pony league field, tennis courts and a swimming pool were within sprinting distance of my West Steuben Street home. August 18th was always the start of something special; win or lose. The first game was not until September 12th. This August 18th of 1958 was the start of an unbelievable season.

Next, you will be introduced to the coaches and see what is in store for the upcoming season.

In 1958 there were three classifications in high school football in the W.P.I.A.L. (Western Pennsylvania Athletic League) and the P.I.A.A. (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association). The Largest class was "AA"; Followed by "A" and the smallest class was "B". The Crafton Cougars were in the "A" classification in 1958. It was the norm in that Era to have only three coaches in a school that size. These coaches usually coached other sports such as basketball and/or baseball. This was the case with Crafton coaches in 1958. Paul Derrickson took over as head coach in 1957 for the legendary "POP" Wenrich. "POP" was the coach of Crafton High football from 1922 through the 1956 SEASON. "POP" retired from teaching in June of 1957. Coach Derrickson grew up in Georgetown, Delaware. After high school, Paul found his way to Cranbrook Academy in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After many offers, Paul decided on Michigan State University. As a Spartan, Paul played fullback and linebacker and he was a top-notch pitcher for the Spartan baseball team. Following his military service in World War II, Paul coached at Ligonier High School from 1948 through 1954. Paul became an assistant to "POP" Wenrich for the 1955 and 1956 Football season before becoming head coach in 1957. Paul Kmetz was one of coach Derrickson’s assistant coaches. Paul Kmetz later, as head coach, had undefeated seasons for Crafton in 1967 and Carlynton in its inaugural season of 1970 before becoming head coach at "AAAA" Shaler Area High School. Coach Kmetz played football at St Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He was an offensive and defensive end for the Bearcat team that won the Tangerine Bowl in 1950 against Emory and Henry 7-6. Bill Mellett was the third coach for the Cougars. Bill grew-up in the Pittsburgh suburb of Swissvale. Bill coached for the Crafton and Carlynton Cougars for years for coaches Derrickson and Kmetz. Bill was a graduate of Indiana State Teachers College, now known as IUP. The Cougars opened the season of 1958 at Bridgeville. This is quite different from past seasons when the Cougars would travel to "AA" Jeannette to open the season. Bridgeville was a strong class "B" team that should give the Cougars all they can handle. The Crafton Cougars in 1957 were one win and seven losses and a tie. Although Coach Derrickson knew he had some very good athletes, he did not know what to expect from the 1958 Cougars. The Cougars lost the final contest of the 1957 season at home against their archrivals the Carnegie Little Tartans 39-0. Ron Hatcher of the Tartans skirted his way easily through the Cougars. Ron later starred for The Michigan State Spartans and later played for The Washington Redskins.

In what was a great defensive struggle, the Crafton Cougars came out on top. The game featured strong defensive play from Bridgeville’s tackles Jim Davies and Tom Volovich. However, the Crafton eleven proved to be superior on defense, holding the Indians from crossing the 30 yard line. Bridgeville’s best drive was to the Crafton 30 yard line in the third quarter. Bridgeville only had 37 yards total offense in the first half.

Johnny Speidel galloped around left end in the second quarter to give the Cougars the 7-0 lead. The left halfback scored from 8 yards and also kicked the extra point. This scoring drive was sparked by a pass from quarterback Tom Johnson to Speidel to setup the games only touchdown.

This was a non-conference game. The Crafton Cougars travel to Imperial to play the West Allegheny Indians next Friday night the 19th of September.

GAME TIME TEMP 60 DEGREES

1 2 3 4 F

Crafton 0 7 0 0 7

Bridgeville 0 0 0 0 0

2nd QUARTER

Crafton - Speidel 8-yard run (XP Speidel Kick)

OFFICIALS: HENRY, PRICE, MIDGELY and CORTESE

NOTES: The Bridgeville football field was located where 84 Lumber is located on rt. 50, outside of Bridgeville, near I-79. It was next to the Bridgeville Drive-In where I-79 and Burgunder Dodge is currently located. The last game these schools played against each other was in 1959, with Bridgeville dominating 41-0. The first game between the two schools was in 1916, with Crafton beating Bridgeville 96-0. Crafton won the overall series with eighteen wins, nine losses and one tie. Two years later Bridgeville merged with Clark High, a.k.a. Scott Township, to form the Chartiers Valley High School Colts,

Frank "Bucky" Pope scored two different ways to lead the Cougars to a 26-0 rout over the WA Indians. After a 7-0 first half lead, the Cougars erupted for 19 unanswered points in the second half. Johnny Speidel scored the first two TD's with 12 and 14-yard runs. Pope then sealed the victory with a 40-yard pass interception and a 45-yard punt return for touchdowns. Speidel kicked and ran for the extra points.

GAME TIME TEMP 61 DEGREES

1 2 3 4 F

W. Allegheny 0 0 0 0 0

Crafton 0 7 6 13 26

2nd QUARTER

Crafton - Speidel 12-yard run (XP Speidel kick)

3rd QUARTER

Crafton - Speidel 12-yard run (XP failed)

4th QUARTER

Crafton - Pope 40-yard pass interception (XP failed)

Crafton - Pope 45-yard punt return (XP Speidel run)

ATTENDANCE: 1,500

OFFICIALS: HENRY, PRICE, MIDGELY and CORTESE

NOTES: WA's field was located off route 22/30, at the Imperial exit, where King's Restaurant and Shop'n'Save Grocery Store are now located. The new route 22/30 was built in the mid 60's. West Allegheny is one of three teams that still exist from this 1958 Crafton schedule. The last game between these two schools was played in 1961. Crafton won the overall series 6-5-2. West Allegheny had one of the bottom five overall records in the WPIAL until the 1990's when they became one of the powerhouse teams in the state. WA went to the "AAA" State Championship game three years in a row, winning the State Championship in 2001. Also, running or passing for the extra point was only one point until the early 1970's.

A Crowd of 3,200 jammed into The Crafton Athletic Field to witness the Crafton Cougars defeat their neighborhood rivals the Langley Mustangs. This non-conference game was the third straight win for the Cougars. Langley's touchdown in the 4th quarter was the first points scored this season against the Crafton eleven.

Quarterback Tom Johnson's 45-yard pass to Frank "Bucky" Pope for a touchdown started the scoring for Crafton. Johnny Speidel scored on two touchdown runs. Tom Johnson scored on a keeper in the 4th quarter for last Crafton touchdown of the evening. Speidel also kicked the only extra point of the game. Crafton is 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten (Suburban) Conference and Class "A" play.

GAME TIME TEMP 68 DEGREES

1 2 3 4 F

Langley 0 0 0 6 6

Crafton 6 6 6 7 25

1st QUARTER
       Crafton - Johnson to Pope 45-yard pass (XP failed)
2nd QUARTER
       Crafton - Speidel 5-yard run (XP failed)
3rd QUARTER
       Crafton - Speidel 8-yard run (XP failed)
4th QUARTER
       Crafton - Johnson 2-yard run (XP Speidel kick)
       Langley - Jim Dailey 2-yard run (XP failed)

ATTENDANCE: 3,200

OFFICIALS: O'NEILL, HENRY, JACOBS and MIDGELY

NOTES: Langley High School is a City of Pittsburgh School. Although the rules differ in the City schools, most of the Langley students were from Crafton Heights, Sheraden, and the Elliott part of the City. These areas either bordered or are very close to the Borough of Crafton. This was the 30th and last game these two schools played against each other. The first game played was in 1925 with Crafton winning 19-7. Crafton won the overall series 21-7-2. The City of Pittsburgh high schools now play all their football games at Cupples Stadium (formerly South Stadium) on Carson Street, on Pittsburgh's Southside. Langley's home field was previously located off Chartiers Avenue, near Dubois Street, across from the current PAT bus way in Sheraden.

     The Cougars answered in the 2nd quarter with a touchdown run from Bucky Pope and two touchdown runs from Johnny Speidel. In the 4th quarter, Pope scored again along with a fumble recovery in the end zone by Center Pat Ewing. Speidel threw to Bob Kincheloe for the only Cougar extra point

     Dormont scored three different ways. A 60-yard run from Bobeburger in the 1st quarter. Cardwell went 70 yards on a pass thrown by Henry McMillan. McMillan ended the Indians scoring with a 48-yard fumble recovery that he took in to the end zone.

     Dormont is now 2-2. Crafton is 4-0. This was a Class "A" and Big Ten (Suburban) game.

In a great defensive effort, the Cougars got their 3rd shutout in five games. Individually, Frank "Bucky" Pope was the defensive standout with three touchdown interceptions. However, two TD'S were brought back because of penalties. The two brought back were returns of 60 and 103 yards. The one that stood was for 55 yards in the 2nd quarter.

In the 4th quarter Don Breen ran around right end 53 yards and Tom Johnson completed the scoring with a short 3 yard scamper around left end for the other Cougar touchdown. Crafton is 3-0 in Class "A" and Big Ten (Suburban) and 5-0 overall. Coraopolis is 1-2 in Big Ten (Suburban) and 2-3 overall.

GAME TIME TEMP 53 DEGREES

1 2 3 4 F

Crafton 0 6 0 14 20

Coraopolis 0 0 0 0 0

2nd QUARTER
       Crafton - Pope 55-yard interception (XP failed)
4th QUARTER
       Crafton - Breen 53-yard run
       Crafton - Johnson 3-yard run

ATTENDANCE: unrecorded

OFFICIALS: MARTINO, HOWELL, FERRARO and DUNN

NOTES: The Coraopolis Blue Devils and Neville Island Riverman merged in 1970 to form the Cornell Raiders. The Coraopolis football field was located where Cornell High School is now located, high on a hill above the Borough of Coraopolis over looking the Ohio River. Crafton and Coraopolis played against each other 20 times. The Blue Devils won the series 14-5-1. The most famous game played was in 1967 with Crafton winning 26-13 in front of an estimated 5,000 fans at Crafton Athletic Field. It was the sixth game of the season and both teams were undefeated. Some fans were perched on the light standards just to get a glimpse of the two powerhouses play in one of the great games in Crafton football history. Crafton, in 1967, was the W.P.I.A.L. Class "B" Champ.