The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-17
Crosby, Minus Reordon, Ready To Carry On
BY JOHN A. CLUNEY

UnuqeStlonably handicapped by
 the enlistment in the United States
 Marine Corps of their captain, ace
 kicker, passer and pass receiver,
 Johnny Reardon, Crosby High
 Schools football forces of 1945, un-
 der the able tutelage of coaches
 Jimmy Lee, Jim Murphy and Angelo
 "Hotfoot" Laudisi are we'll on the
 way to preparation for another busy
 season on the gridiron. Collectively,
 a successful defense of the schools
 1914 city championship. gained in games with Wilby and Leavenworth last season is among the record
 goals the boys and their coaches hope to reach, and, with some luck
 and the speedy development of a few newcomers, become one of the outstanding high school squads in, Naugatuck Valley competition, if not in the state.
 Three Sport Star
 Loss of the all-around athletic star Raardon is going to hurt. Crosby athletic director James w. Lee is frank to admit, for the Mid dlebury boy has proven himself, be- yond question, one of the best all- around athletes to come out of Crosby High School in more than a decade. AS basketball guard last winter, he was mainstay of the classy Crosby court club that won its share of games against the best of opponents; as first baseman on the Crosby diamond squad, he was a heavy hitter, speedy runner. and defensively outstanding among high school boys of the state at his posi- tion; so much so that he later won the Brooklyn Athletic club award, including a $50 War Bond, by un- animous vote of local sports editors award given annually to the outstanding high school baseball player-as a memorial to the B. A. c. members who served their country in the armed forces of the United States.
 In addition to Johnny Reardon's selection for the above mentioned award, he was also voted the best and most popular "teen-age" player in Waterbury during the past sea- son, defeating by some 1,500 votes in a Hamilton Park player poll of 100000 votes, Mary Abbott's sterling schoolboy pitcher aild slugger, Joe Aufiero; Reardon winning chance to play against the Connie Mack All Stars at Shibe Park, Philadel- phia, He was sponsored by the City Amateur League of Waterbury. Though the team on which he play ed first base in the national audi ton baseball game at Philadelphia, was defeated, Reardon got two hits and played his position at first base so well, that he took the eye of Ed Katalinas. baseball scout for the Detroit Tigers, who wrote to John- nys parents, asking for an interview with the boy, in relation to career in organized baseball but the scout was later disappointed to learn that the Waterbury boy he sought is now taking orders from the representa- tivts of Uncle Sam, at the U. s. Marine basic training station at Paris Island, North Carolina.
 His football "savvy," that is, abil- ity to diagnose opponents plays when his team was on defense; and a natural ability to invariably do the right thing at the right time" is now a further handicap to the Crosby squad this season according | to Coach Lee, for Reardon is a r1a- | tural leader, and is the type of boy who never gives up" and can turn almsot certain defeat into shocking, sudden victory if given half a chance.
 More Losses
 Also lost to the Crosby squad this season is its 1944 all-city center, Danisavage, now at the University of Connecticut; Johnny Bowler, a promising, aggressive end, now at St. Thomas Seminary studying for ;he Roman Catholic priesthood; Frank Nastri, a capable end who nas transferred to Cheshire Acade- ny; Garofolo, an alert strong tackle now at a Maryland Prep School; quarterback Bob "Chuck" Johnson, l key man of almost every scoring play last season; cp-captain and sterling end, Paul Miller, now at Yale and Al Fishang, 8 lightning last end, whose speed was developed through competition with the Crosby rack and field squad.
 Yet the Crosby coaching corps s not downhearted, though it has mad plenty of bad football player news since last season; most of 1t since school opened again this month, when the coaches sounded first call to football practice.
 Though it is much too early to definitely declare itself with a real good backfield; pending the first est of the Crosby boys under fire,' against an always tough club from high, on Saturday, Sep- ,ember 26 at Municipal Stadium; almost daily practice to date has ihown up some very nice backfield ;alent including quarterbacks Ber- aie Lawlor >and Pete Mulhall, half- backs Jimmy Pickett. who may be 3 really great player this season due