CBA Football

1950 - 1954 CBA football teams

Honored in 2007

Our second honoree of this prestigious award is not just a team, but a dynasty of some of the greatest high school football teams ever to play the game in Central New York… The Christian Brothers Academy grid squad of 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954. These teams were undefeated and untied… five seasons… 35 games.

The record includes 21 shutouts, and a defense that allowed a stingy three points per game while scoring an average 28 points per game. There was a two year stretch when the Brothers outscored their opponents by a score of 462 to 6 margin.

Perhaps it began in 1948: Unbeaten in the league and winners of the City-County championship game. Perhaps not, because what followed was a .500 season.

And so the Christian Brothers Academy football squads we salute this year as the second annual team honorees of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame are those from 1950 -1954.

Hall of Famers Walt Ludovico coached those editions of Purple and Gold. Ludovico and assistant Tony Sylvester fashioned offenses scoring a five-year average of 28 points a game. Most impressive was the ’52 attack, directed by three-time All-City quarterback Chuck Zimmerman (himself a Hall of Famer) and averaging 38 ppg. Fullback Frank Cappelletti (another Hall inductee) was an awesome runner and blocker on those teams.

CBA won three City-County titles during that five-year span. No game was played following the ’52 or 53' season, during which th Brothers blanked 12 of 13 victims and enjoyed a gaudy point differential of 462 to 6. Anyone think CBA would not have been 5-for-5?

Stellar linemen were critical to CBA’s success on both sides of the ball. Those five CBA squads being honored included 26 first-team all-City selections, 19 of them up front (tackle-to-tackle). Center Mike DeLucia, like QB Zimmerman, was a first-teamer three consecutive years.

CBA’s all-City first team picks during the Brothers’ reign:

’50 – Roy Spadafore, C; Vic Circiarelli, QB; Billy “Gallopalong” Cassidy, E; Ted Bertrand, G; and Joe Ryan, T.

’51 – Mike DeLucia, G; Frank Cappelletti, FB; Dean – “Red” Bettinger, E; Dan DeLany, G; Bob Costa, T; and Chuck Zimmerman, QB.

’52 – Jim Fitzgerald, T; Jim Vacco, T; Dan DeLany,G; Mike DeLucia, C; Frank Cappellitti, FB; and Chuck Zimmerman, QB.

’53 – Len Basile, E; Ned Weinheimer, T; Pete Monteleone, G; Mike DeLucia, C; and Chuck Zimmerman, QB, (Bob Congel was a second team all-city tackle who has gained some notoriety as a mall developer).

’54 – Ray Poniatowski, E; Tony Donati, G; Joe Tirianato, T and Tom McPherson, QB.

Of the 55 consecutive victories, only one was by four points or less, that a 14-13 squeaker over Central in ’54. That’s how dominant CBA was on the football field, year after years.

There were many stars of those five magnificent CBA teams, but it was teamwork, far more than individual talent that earned this band of brothers the admiration and respect of Central New York sports fans.

And that’s why a half-decade of CBA football is now being honored as our 2007 Legacy Legends award.

	1950 - 1954 CBA football teams Honored in 2007 Our second honoree of this prestigious award is not just a team, but a dynasty of some of the greatest high school football teams ever to play the game in Central New York… The Christian Brothers Academy grid squad of 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954. These teams were undefeated and untied… five seasons… 35 games. The record includes 21 shutouts, and a defense that allowed a stingy three points per game while scoring an average 28 points per game. There was a two year stretch when the Brothers outscored their opponents by a score of 462 to 6 margin. Perhaps it began in 1948: Unbeaten in the league and winners of the City-County championship game. Perhaps not, because what followed was a .500 season. And so the Christian Brothers Academy football squads we salute this year as the second annual team honorees of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame are those from 1950 -1954. Hall of Famers Walt Ludovico coached those editions of Purple and Gold. Ludovico and assistant Tony Sylvester fashioned offenses scoring a five-year average of 28 points a game. Most impressive was the ’52 attack, directed by three-time All-City quarterback Chuck Zimmerman (himself a Hall of Famer) and averaging 38 ppg. Fullback Frank Cappelletti (another Hall inductee) was an awesome runner and blocker on those teams. CBA won three City-County titles during that five-year span. No game was played following the ’52 or 53' season, during which th Brothers blanked 12 of 13 victims and enjoyed a gaudy point differential of 462 to 6. Anyone think CBA would not have been 5-for-5? Stellar linemen were critical to CBA’s success on both sides of the ball. Those five CBA squads being honored included 26 first-team all-City selections, 19 of them up front (tackle-to-tackle). Center Mike DeLucia, like QB Zimmerman, was a first-teamer three consecutive years. CBA’s all-City first team picks during the Brothers’ reign: ’50 – Roy Spadafore, C; Vic Circiarelli, QB; Billy “Gallopalong” Cassidy, E; Ted Bertrand, G; and Joe Ryan, T. ’51 – Mike DeLucia, G; Frank Cappelletti, FB; Dean – “Red” Bettinger, E; Dan DeLany, G; Bob Costa, T; and Chuck Zimmerman, QB. ’52 – Jim Fitzgerald, T; Jim Vacco, T; Dan DeLany,G; Mike DeLucia, C; Frank Cappellitti, FB; and Chuck Zimmerman, QB. ’53 – Len Basile, E; Ned Weinheimer, T; Pete Monteleone, G; Mike DeLucia, C; and Chuck Zimmerman, QB, (Bob Congel was a second team all-city tackle who has gained some notoriety as a mall developer). ’54 – Ray Poniatowski, E; Tony Donati, G; Joe Tirianato, T and Tom McPherson, QB. Of the 55 consecutive victories, only one was by four points or less, that a 14-13 squeaker over Central in ’54. That’s how dominant CBA was on the football field, year after years. There were many stars of those five magnificent CBA teams, but it was teamwork, far more than individual talent that earned this band of brothers the admiration and respect of Central New York sports fans. And that’s why a half-decade of CBA football is now being honored as our 2007 Legacy Legends award.
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