The 1966 gridiron season again proved that Montclair High School ...

1966 The 1966 gridiron season again proved that Montclair High School has the best football team in the state. A close 21-17 win over Paterson Eastside got the Mounties off to a precarious but victorious start. Even with the quarterbacking of Craig Moore, the halfbacking of Len Coleman, and the kicking of Rusty Garthwaite, the Montclair High football team barely won an 18-12 victory over Irvington’s Campers. The following week the Mounties vastly improved with a 53-7 win over Kearny. Mike Chavies, the left halfback, scored three touchdowns; Lenny Coleman scored two; and fullback Mike Ferlauto, quarterback Craig Moore, and reserve fullback Art McClearin each scored one touchdown. The next two games with Nutley and East Orange were eagerly awaited. Nutley, previously had one loss, and East Orange had been undefeated, but the Mounties altered both those fine records. Craig Moore’s touchdown that made the score 27-26 was termed the best play of the entire season. With almost no time remianing, he dragged no less than three Nutley players over the line with him. The Mounties triumphed over East Orange with a 14-0 score. Columbia High and Seton Hall Prep were defeated in successive weeks, 56-6 and 306, but then the Mounties suffered a setback when the game with Clifton ended in a tie, 7-7. The traditional Turkey Day classic with Bloomfeild, the last game of the season, was important for two main reasons. Depending on the game’s outcome, Montclair would have a chance to earn the NJ State Championship. Also, if Montclair did win, this would augment our record of twenty consecutive Mountie victories over the Bloomfield Bengals on Thanksgiving Day. Again defeating Bloomfield 49-14, Montclair became the State Champs for the first time since 1964. A great team doesn’t exist without a great coach. Responsible for a considerable part of our football superiority in the past, Coaches Clary Anderson and Butch Fortunato once again led a potentially great team on to victory. Early, each September, tryouts are held for the boys wishing to make the team. In fair weather as well as in foul, the first and second-string teams endure grueling practice sessions, which include punting, passing, kicking, and running. Through a training program that encompassed several intramural games, freshmen and sophomore boys were “groomed” for the football team. With the combined efforts of the coaches’ training and the skill and enthusiasm of the Mounties, in 1966 the Montclair High School football team again enjoyed a successful season. All-State Running Back, Len Coleman, went on to become the highest ranking African-American Official in professional sports when he was appointed President of Baseball’s National League.

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FOOTBALL – STARTING LINE-UP Front Row: Dennis Reardon, RE; Chip Canfield, RT; Jim Bongo, RG; Joe Miscia, C; Mike Davidson, LG; Marc Witt, LT, Jack Autorino, LE; Back Row: Lenny Coleman, HB; Mike Ferlauto, FB; Craig Moore, QB; Mike Chavies, HB

FOOTBALL 1966

COACH ORIEL AND THE ENDS

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All-STATE Joe Miscia

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