The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-11-22
BIZ J. F. ROLAND

Thanksgiving Day morning this
wcel: will again see the Annual Blue
Ribbon event of the local high
school football season, when Crosby
and Wildly meet on the gridiron at
Municipal Stadium. After much
speculation as to when" the con-
test would be played this year,
whether it would be a Sunday after
noon or Thanksgiving Day, the Of
ficials at the schools got together
and quickly decided that 1t would
remain on the traditional date. Fol-
lowers Of both schools were less
than pleased when this Thanksgiv-
ing Day feature was ousted from
this date several years ago, and 1t
was a certainty this time that the
school officials would not themselves
give up date which they felt was
theirs by right of tradition and GUS
tom. Crosby and Wildly students and
players were also 100 per cent in
favor of the Turkey Day date. The
argument was advanced by a few
that holding 1t on Sunday afternoon
feet that the Wildcats expect to win
would permit war workers to see tn
game, which the Thanksgiving date
would preclude such a possibility.
This argument lost much of its po-
tency when the attendance at the
CrosbyNaugy game on Sunday after
noon several weeks ago drew 1906
patrons and no more. Furthermore,
there have been persistent rumors
about town that some of the big
plants will close for the holiday. At
any rate the game Is now set for
10 a. m. Thursday morning. In case
of inclement weather 1t will probab-
ly be switched to Sunday afternoon
Tough Tussle
Over the years this game has seen
a few one-sided affairs, but the
great majority have been bitterly
fought. This years contest looms
as one of the closest Of The whole
series. Both teams are rolling along
with several successive victories just
racked up. The Wildcats are en-
joying a winning streak of four in
a row, while Crosby has in the past
two weeks taken West Haven high
and Cheshire Academy. Reports
from the Wildly camp are to the ef-
by several touchdoWns. 1t may be.
Coach "Piner" Purchell in his first
season at Wildly has .one bang-up
job. After dropping several at the
beginning of the season, the Wild
cats have just downed Leavenworth,
Shelton, Torrington aid CONNER
ciai These our victories have all
Wilbyites agog and the. can see
nothing but Wildcat victory
Thursday. We hear much about the
strength of the Green line which we
understand has been receiving in
struction from 'T'ipper" Conley who
shone for Wildly years ago and later
played guard for Manhattan and
still later for the Danbury Pros. Mr..
Conley has undoubtedly been OF
great assistance to Coach Purcell,
anc Crosby has real respect for the
Wiiby line. In years gone by, how
ever, Crosby has had some stone
walls also. Vedleskis, Crosby tackle,
and Norelli, who has been ineligible
all season but will be forced from
scholastic restrictions for the Wildly
game, will probably match anything
that the Green can show.
Able Backs
Crosby has sweet back-field with
three abo e-the-average ball car
riers. Rosa is the hardest hitting
back in local scholastic ranks. lie
cracks the line hard, has powerful
pair of legs and keeps driving for
every inch of territory. Rosa is hot
tempered and all Crosbyites hope
he will have learned the lesson that
an All-American back is valueless
to his team If he is compelled to
watch the game from the bench.
"Red" Mcdonnell is another fine