History of Crusader Football

 1953: Douglass Regime Begins 
St. Aloysius was again packed to the gills for the 1953-4 school year, thanks in part to a nationwide steel strike in 1952.
  • The work stoppage delayed the construction of the new Brothers of the Sacred Heart school on Elysian Fields Avenue in Gentilly. So Aloysius accepted the freshmen who were registered for the new school (including the author of this article). Due to a shortage of space, typing classes were held in the balcony of the gym.
  • Brother Bernard Tunney, S.C., became director of the brothers' community at 1137 Esplanade Avenue with Brother Gerard, S.C., returning as principal.
On the athletic front, the Crusaders suffered the loss of a successful coach for the second straight year.
  • After leading the school to its first Prep football championship and a berth in the state finals, Eddie Toribio returned to his alma mater on Carrollton and Banks to replace legendary Gernon Brown.
  • Moving up to replace Eddie was Andy Douglass, who had joined the Crusader staff just the year before, taking the spot vacated by Johnny Altobello, whom Andy would face in the second game of the season in De La Salle's first game as a full-fledged member of the Prep league.
  • M. L. Lagarde ('45) continued to assist with the defense. Bobby Nuss ('48), fresh from four years as a G at Tulane, filled out the staff. Bobby earned three letters in football and one in track at Aloysius.
  • With Nuss coaching the line, Douglass took over the backfield.
1953 Coaches and Captains
1953 Football Coaches and Captains L-R: Bobby Nuss, Bobby Neyrey, Andy Douglass, Eddie Arms, M.L. Lagarde
An important rules change affected prep sports for the new school year.
  • In January, the LHSAA principals voted for the so-called eight semester rule by an overwhelming 125-33 vote. It was estimated that some 2000 athletes, or an average of five boys per team, would not be able to come back a fifth year to participate in athletics, which was permissible under the old 10-semester rule.
  • The rules change meant that Nick Blount, star TB of the '52 Prep champions, would not be eligible for another year. Nick would return for the first semester along with Jimmy Schmidt, another fifth-year senior, and assist with the JV team.

The loss of 17 seniors presented Douglass with a formidable rebuilding task.

  • Only six lettermen returned, three backs and three linemen: Captain Eddie Arms, alternate captain Bobby Neyrey, Bobby Mathews, Emile Marks, John Breaux, and John Wilson.
  • Andy converted the team to the T formation, which had been used in tandem with the single wing under Toribio. Neyrey would start under C.
  • To install his new offense, Douglass took the team in mid-August to St. Paul's College in Covington for 10 days of training prior to the start of school the day after Labor Day.
  • During the season, Aloysius practiced at Espenan Playground just off De Saix Blvd., with occasional workouts in City Park.
  • N. Charles Wicker picked the Crimson Knights to finish third in the league behind Holy Cross and Jesuit.

Brother Bernard, S.C.
Brother Bernard, S.C.
1953 Senior Linemen
1953 Senior Linemen
L-R: Emile Marks, John Breaux, Dave Macaluso, John Wilson, Hubert Ward

St. Aloysius Crusaders 1953
No.
Red
No.
White
Sum.
White
Player
Position
Weight
Class
Yrs on
Team
10 10 51 James Bouche B 173 Jr. 1
11 44 28 Charles Lumbley B 149 So. 1
12 42 30 Andrew Bourgeois G 146 So. 1
13 13 23 Hubert Ward E 143 Sr. 2
14 39 33 Octave Courrege B 150 So. 1
15 38 22 John Breaux G 156 Sr. 3
16 16 46 Emile Marks T 178 Sr. 2
17 26 25 Howard Bode G 143 So. 2
18 21 54 Ted Foret T 197 Jr. 1
19 19 31 Roy Picou E 158 So. 1
20 12 49 Joseph Margavio T 179 Jr. 1
21 18 52 John Gentile G 178 So. 1
22 22 44 Donald Gaudet C 159 So. 1
23 14 50 Joseph Briuglio T 187 Jr. 1
24 11 38 Sidney Sanders T 167 Jr. 1
25 15 47 John Wilson T 207 Sr. 2
26 40 27 Jules Lacoste B 146 Jr. 1
27 17 42 David Gares E 167 Jr. 1
28 28 45 Rodney Estrada B 161 Jr. 1
29 29 43 Charles Callihan C 161 Jr. 1
30 43 20 James LaCava B 140 Jr. 2
31 32 32 Butler Powell C 152 So. 1
32 24 21 Curtis Summerlin B 143 So. 1
33 33 35 Edward Arms B 163 Sr. 3
34 34 29 Tyrone Clark B 152 So. 1
35 35 36 Robert Mathews E 167 Sr. 3
36 36 40 Walter Leaumont B 160 Jr. 1
37 37 39 Morris Gray E 156 Jr. 2
38 31 41 Charles Noullet B 165 Jr. 1
39 23 53 Murphy Bourgeois G 170 Jr. 1
40 25 48 Bob Worringen G 183 So. 1
41 41 34 Robert Neyrey B 162 Sr. 3
42 20 56 Sims Couvillon E 162 So. 1
43 27 24 Henry Celestin B 162 Sr. 2
44 45 26 Tom Murphy E 148 Jr. 1
45 30 37 Dave Macaluso G 173 Sr. 2
    55 Clint Schwaner T 180 Jr. 1
      Ray Viloria B 150 So. 1

Douglass expanded the schedule to ten games.
  • The opener brought Leon Godchaux High to New Orleans. The Crusaders first played the Reserve school in 1925, compiling a 4-2-1 record through the last meeting in 1937.
  • The clash pitted two teams who had reached their state finals the year before. The Class A Wildcats had one game under their belts, a 21-0 victory over St. Paul's.
  • Godchaux had been hit hard by graduation with only two regulars returning, QB Donald Aubert and RT Mark Catoire. However, the Cats were considered to have a backfield as good as any AA team.
  • Longtime coach Joe Keller employed multiple offensive and defensive formations each game.
Sunday, September 13: St. Aloysius vs Leon Godchaux @ City Park Stadium (2:30)
SA
0
7
0
 0
7
LG
0
7
0
13
20
TDs: SA Mathews; LG Clement 2, Treme
PAT: SA Marks (PK); LG Torres (PK)
First downs: SA 6, LG 4; Penalties: SA 5y, LG 10y
Yardage: SA 117, LG 216; Rushing: SA 70y, LG 121y;
Passing: SA 47y, LG 95y
SA lineup: Ends - Mathews, Gares, Murphy, Picou; Tackles - Wilson, Sanders, Marks, Foret; Guards - Breaux, Macaluso; Centers - Callihan; Backs - Neyrey, LaCava, Noullet, Arms, Bouche, Lumbley, Lacoste, Leaumont

A good crowd of 4,500 turned out to watch the defending Prep champions open their season.

  • Q1: Aloysius had difficulty moving the ball in the scoreless first period.
  • Q2: Godchaux had a TD nullified in the opening minutes when Gerald Clement raced 41y around end. But the officials ruled he was stopped at the 38. Soon after, the visitors began a scoring drive with a 26y pass from Aubert to Donald Torres. Then Torres took his turn throwing the ball, hitting Gerald Clement for a 43y TD. Torres converted for a 7-0 lead. The Crusaders tied the game after Bob Mathews recovered a fumble on the Reserve 20. On second down, Neyrey passed to Mathews for 15y. Marks's boot tied the score.
  • Q3: The Crimson had the first chance to break the deadlock after a beautiful 46y punt by Jimmy Bouche was grounded on the 8. Paul Boudreaux fumbled on the first play, and Dave Macaluso recovered on the 10. Neyrey ran to the 1, but an offside penalty nullified the gain. SA finally lost the ball on downs at the 12.
  • Q4: On the first play, Gus Treme ran around RE for 31y to pay dirt. Torres's PAT made it 14-7. For good measure, the Wildcats added another score later in the period after Mark Falgoust recovered a fumble at the 30. A few plays later, Torres connected from the 12 with Clement in the EZ. A group of Aloysius subs then used passes to move from deep in their territory to the Reserve 10 where they ran out of downs.
Bouche's punting (44.2 average of five kicks) gained him an Honorable Mention for Prep Back of the Week.

Next came the Crusaders' first meeting with De La Salle.
  • The Christian Brothers school on St. Charles Avenue opened in 1949.
  • Johnny Altobello, the highly successful basketball and baseball coach at Aloysius from 1947-1952, served his second year as AD and head football coach (as well as basketball and baseball head man).
  • The Cavaliers had begun varsity play in 1952 with an independent schedule.
  • They entered the fray 2-0 with victories over two teams that beat them in '52: St. Francis de Sales of Houma 13-7 and Redemptorist 20-6.
  • The Cavs were led by FB Walter Kelly, the Player of the Week after the opening game. In addition to his ground-gaining ability, Kelly hoped to match Bouche's punting prowess.
1953 De La Salle Roster
Sunday, September 20: St. Aloysius vs De La Salle @ City Park Stadium (2:30)
SA
0
6
0
 2
8
DLS
6
0
0
0
6
TDs: SA LaCava; DLS Petitfils; SAF: SA Wilson
First downs: SA ?, DLS ?; Penalties: SA ?, DLS ?
Yardage: SA 188, DLS 186; Rushing: SA 161y, DLS 84y;
Passing: SA 27y, DLS 102y
SA lineup: Ends - Mathews, Picou, Ward; Tackles - Wilson, Sanders, Marks; Guards - Breaux, Macaluso, Worringen, Bode, Gentile; Centers - Callihan, Gaudet; Backs - Neyrey, LaCava, Noullet, Arms, Bouche, Celestin, Lacoste, Estrada, Leaumont, Clark, Courrege, Summerlin
  • Q1: Bob Petitfils scored the Cav TD in the opening minutes, but the EP went awry.
  • Q2: The Crusaders capitalized on a fumble recovery at the DLS 10 to tie the score. Jimmy LaCava fought his way over the goal, but the go-ahead PAT was missed. After De La Salle gave up possession of the ball, the Knights kept it until halftime.
  • Q3: The defensive struggle continued through the scoreless period.
  • Q4: Bouche's punt pinned the Cavaliers back to their 10. Jim Wilson broke through a gap left open by the inexperienced offensive line and blocked Kelly's punt out of the EZ for a safety to provide the winning margin. Amazingly, the Crusaders kept possession of the pigskin for all but two plays of the final period.
The victory was costly for Aloysius. QB Neyrey suffered four bruised ribs and would be lost for a few weeks. The good news was that Wilson was voted Lineman of the Week.
1953 Aloysius-DeLaSalle Pictures
The Crusaders now played their annual game with Catholic High, this one in Baton Rouge.
  • Former Jesuit and LSU star HB Ray Coates served as the new Bears coach for the first year.
  • CHS opened with a 19-6 win over class A Baker before losing at Bastrop 6-0 and to Terrebonne 46-0.
  • As a result, Coates shook up his backfield, moving Ronnie Sceroler to QB with Francis Brewerton, formerly a DE, starting at FB. Harold Martinez shifted from FB to RH.
Friday, September 25: St. Aloysius vs Catholic High @ Memorial Stadium (8 pm)
SA
0
0
6
 13
19
CHS
0
6
0
0
6
TDs: SA Noullet, Murphy, Clark; CHS Martinez; PAT: Marks (PK)
First downs: SA 7, CHS 12; Penalties: SA 49y, CHS 45y
Yardage: SA 161, CHS 193; Rushing: SA 25-78y, CHS 48-153y
Passing: SA 8-4-1/83, CHS 12-5-1/40; Fumbles: SA 3-2, CHS 4-2
SA lineup: Ends - Mathews, Murphy, Picou; Tackles - Wilson, Marks, Foret, Sanders; Guards - Macaluso, Breaux, Worringen; Centers - Callihan; Backs - Arms, LaCava, Noullet, Clark, Courrege, Leaumont, Celestin

The Bruins did a good job of checking the Aloysius running game but failed to halt the Crusader air attack before an estimated 1,800 fans.
  • Q1: The Bears opened with a drive to the SA 23 before being halted. The Crusaders took over and advanced to the enemy 35 before Sceroler intercepted Octave Courrege's pass on the 23. Later in the period, Jackie Donaldson recovered Charlie Noullet's fumble on the SA 38. "Bull" Martinez hit RG for 2, and a 15y penalty for piling on moved the ball to the 21. After Martinez failed to gain, the officials marked off a 15y infraction against the Bears for illegal use of hands to the 35. QB Jerry "Buck" Miller dropped back to pass on third down, but Sid Sanders sacked him at the 38. When Laddie Donaldson punted, Henry Celestin fumbled the boot, Miller recovering on the 23. Given new life, CHS started with a 5y backfield in motion penalty. Brewerton slashed over G for 3, and Bernard Lafaso added 5 in two plays to the 20. On fourth down, Miller passed into the flat to Leslie Holmes, who followed four blockers to the 5. Martinez plowed for 2 as the quarter ended.
  • Q2: 14 seconds in, Martinez crashed over from the 3. Ken Bailey's kick was no good. With the Aloysius offense showing little punch but the defense staying strong, the half ended 6-0.
Coach Ray Coates and his QB Ray Coates and his QB, Jerry Miller
Martinez Scores for CHS
"Bull" Martinez scores from the 2 to put CHS ahead 6-0. (The Bruin 1954)
  • Q3: Early in the half, Miller passed to Billy McGraw to the CHS 40 where he fumbled, Charlie Callihan falling on the ball for SA. Two running plays gained 2 before Bailey crashed through to nail sophomore QB Tyrone Clark trying to pass at the 46. But Miller fumbled the ensuing punt, and Marks recovered on the 18. Clark kept on the option play for 3. Then Arms smacked over LT to the 10. With the Bears massed for a running play, LaCava hit Noullet in the flat at the 5, and Charlie rumbled untouched into the EZ. Marks' try for the PAT failed, leaving the score 6-6. After an exchange of punts, the Bears began a drive from their 20. Miller, Lafaso, and Martinez combined for 15y, then Miller hit McGraw for 5 before Martinez gained 7 in two tries for a first down on the 47 as the clock reached 0:00.
  • Q4: The Grizzlies continued what seemed to be a relentless march to take the lead. A Miller-to-Holmes pass was good for 7, and Martinez added 4 for another first down. Again Miller passed, this time to Lafaso for 5 to the 37. After a 5y penalty, two Miller runs gained 8 to move the chains again. Buck and Bull alternated for 13y and a first down on the SA 18. But there the Bears ran into trouble. Three running plays gained 8 and, on fourth down, Miller failed to make it by inches on a sneak. SA punted out, but CHS relentlessly drove back to the 20 where a fourth down pass fell incomplete. At that point came the play that turned the tide and propelled the Crusaders to victory. With 3:05 on the clock, LaCava heaved a beautiful pass to Celestin who gathered it in at midfield and raced to the 30 where S Sceroler hauled him down from behind. Then Henry skirted LE for 10y. A 5y penalty set SA back to the 25. Undismayed, Courrege passed to Tom Murphy, who made a leaping catch between two defenders at the goal line to give the Crusaders their first lead of the evening. With time running out, the desperate Bears had to pass. On the third play, Noullet grabbed Miller's wobbly toss on the 30 and returned it to the 3 where Rosario Saia stopped him. After Arms' plunge gained nothing, Clark crashed over LG. This time, Marks's boot split the uprights and landed so far behind the goal post that some youngsters made off with the ball, and the final 15 seconds of the game was delayed until another pigskin was obtained.

Peter Finney wrote in the TP: Arms spearheaded Aloysius' defense with a tremendous job of line backing. End Bobby Mathews also sparkled.

1953 Aloysius-Catholic High Action
Baton Rouge Morning Advocate
SA-CHS Action 2 CHS-SA Action - 3
L: Two Crusaders tackle Bernard Lofaso; R: Leslie Holmes scampers. (The Bruin 1954)

Now came the annual meeting with Jesuit, which had added drama in '53.

  • The Jay coach, Eddie Toribio, had built up the Crusader program for the last four years, culminating in the school's first Prep championship in '52 and a berth in the state finals.
  • The Crusaders, who didn't score their first victory over the Blue Jays until 1944, had beaten their Banks Street rivals three more times since then (two on Toribio's watch) and tied them once.
  • Wicker proclaimed the Jays "a top heavy favorite to defeat the Crusaders" because of their great edge in experience with over twenty seniors.
  • Toribio's minions had defeated Terrebonne, Baton Rouge, and Redemptorist in their three outings.
  • The Blue and White offense featured the state sprint champion, Dominic "Mickey" LaNasa, who played TB in the single wing and QB when Toribio switched to the split T.
  • The Saints would be buoyed by the return of QB Neyrey from his rib injury.
Sunday, October 4: St. Aloysius vs Jesuit @ City Park Stadium 8 pm
SA
0
0
7
0
 7
Jes 13
0
13
0
26
TDs: SA LaCava; Jes La Nasa 2, Gelpi, Silva;
PAT: SA Marks (PK); Jes Van Zandt 2 (PK)
1st Downs: SA 4, Jes 10; Penalies: SA 2/20, Jes 2/20
Total Yardage: SA 123, Jes 291; Rushing: SA 119, Jes 291
Passing: SA 4-1-0/4; Jes 6-0-1/0
Punting: SA 6/41.3; Jes 3/41.0
SA lineup: Ends - Mathews, Picou, Gray, Murphy; Tackles - Wilson, Marks, Sanders, Foret; Guards - Macaluso, Breaux, Bode; Centers - Callihan; Backs - Arms, LaCava, Neyrey, Noullet, Clark, Bouche, Lumbley, Courrege, Leaumont, Estrada, Summerlin, Celestin

Over 7,000 fans saw La Nasa give a performance that earned him the TP Player of the Week award over Jimmy LaCava.

Jimmy La Cava
Jimmy La Cava
  • Q1: The Jays cranked up an 11-play drive to take a quick lead. La Nasa had the honor of scoring the 6-pointer. Later, Mickey's beautiful 46y run set up the second TD, which was scored by Sidney Gelpi from the 11 to culminate another 11-play march.
  • Q2: Toribio's second and third stringers took over. An INT by Courrege on the SA 15 halted a Jay threat early in the period. Then midway through, Al Ecuyer recovered a fumble at the SA 4, but a 15y penalty set the Jays back on the first play, and they finally turned over the ball on downs.
  • Q3: With the Blue and White first string back in, La Nasa broke loose and roared down the sideline in front of the Aloysius bench for 76y to pay dirt and a three-TD lead. (A freshman manager standing a few feet away had never seen anyone run so fast.) Then La Cava personally engineered the SA scoring drive, accounting for 71 of the 80y. The 140 lb back tore off runs of 22 and 14 before racing 35y for the score. Then Jesuit regained their 19-point lead when Chuck Silva rambled into the EZ from 36y out, and Roscoe Van Zandt booted the second of his two EPs.
  • Q4: The Blue Jay subs covered a bobble o the SA 17, but the Crusaders took the ball back four downs later.

La Nasa finished with 159y. La Cava totaled an even 100y for his night's work.
The following Sunday, the Crusaders matched up with Redemptorist.
  • Douglass had numerous players on the injured list or out with the flu. Expected to miss the game were Sanders, Courrege, and David Gares. Questionable were Celestin and Neyrey. Tommy Murphy would fill in at E or in the backfield despite suffering from a broken nose.
  • The Saints would get no sympathy from the Rams, who entered the fray with a 1-2 record, having lost to De La Salle and Jesuit and defeated Holy Name of Mary.
Sunday, October 12: St. Aloysius vs Redemptorist @ City Park Stadium 2:30 pm
SA
0
0
6
14
 20
Red 0
0
0
 0
0
TDs: Arms, Leaumont, Bouche; PAT: Marks 2 (PK)
1st Downs: SA 5, Red 10; Penalty yds: SA 45, Red 10
SA lineup: Ends - Mathews, Picou, Ward, Gray, Murphy, Couvillon; Tackles - Wilson, Marks, Margavio, Foret, Briuglio, Schwaner; Guards - Macaluso, Breaux, Bode, M. Bourgeois, Worringen, Gentile, A. Bourgeois; Centers - Callihan, Gaudet, Powell; Backs - Clark, Arms, LaCava, Bouche, Lacoste, Leaumont, Noullet, Summerlin, Estrada, Lumbley

You'd think the depleted Crusaders would wilt in the second half, but the opposite occurred.

  • First half: The Rams kept the Crusaders on the defensive, holding them to just 21y on 10 plays. But Joe Galliano's crew were unable to score.
  • Q3: Aloysius wasted no time in getting on the board. On their first play from scrimmage, captain Eddie Arms raced 63y to pay dirt, thereby gaining three times as many yards on one snap as the Saints gained the first 24 minutes of action. Later in the period, Jules Lacoste passed 33y to Murphy, who ran an additional 15 to the Ram 18. Walter Leaumont broke loose from there for the second TD.
  • Q4: After Curtis Summerlin intercepted a John Guillot pass at the Ram 40, the Red and White drove to the 5, but a 15y penalty set them back. They moved inside the 5 again but were stopped on fourth down at the one foot line. Redemptorist punted out to the 42 from where SA was set back by a penalty and a loss. But sophomore Charles Lumbley, "with all the coolness of a veteran" (Wicker), tossed to Bouche who gathered in the pigskin at the 27 and ran in untouched with just two seconds remaining.

Eddie Arms
Eddie Arms
Walter Leaumont 1954-5
Walter Leaumont
The Crusaders needed to get well fast as Holy Cross loomed.
  • The Tigers had just opened their Prep campaign with a 64-0 slaughter of Fortier. That gave HC three straight wins after starting with two losses.
  • Lou Brownson's club possessed arguably the best passer in the league in the person of Gerald Heap as well as a trio of running threats in Charles Cooper, Earl Schneider, and Donald Carriere.
Friday, October 16: St. Aloysius vs Holy Cross @City Park Stadium 8 pm
SA
0
6
0
6
12
HC
0
0
6
12
18
TDs: SA Clark, Noullet; HC Cooper 2, Lee
1st Downs: SA 10, HC 7; Penalty yds: SA 45, HC 35
SA lineup: Ends - Mathews, Picou, Gray, Murphy, Ward; Tackles - Wilson, Marks, Foret; Guards - Macaluso, Breaux, Worrigen; Centers - Callihan, Gaudet; Backs - Clark, Neyrey, Arms, LaCava, Bouche, Courrege, Lacoste, Leaumont, Noullet

John Breaux
John Breaux
Charles Noullet
Charles Noullet

The Crusaders dominated for almost three periods.

  • Q1: The Saints outplayed the Tigers from the opening whistle. With LaCava leading the way, Aloysius moved like a bulldozer from their own 25 to the 5 before turning the ball over on downs.
  • Q2: The Crusaders took advantage of a huge break to take the lead. Bouche punted to Heap who muffed the catch, Breaux recovering on the 1. On the first snap, Clark sneaked over. Before the halftime break, SA again penetrated to the 4 before running out of gas.
  • Q3: Leaumont put the Saints in position to score again by bolting 49y to the HC 20. However, the drive stalled. Then Cooper, held in check to that point, broke loose and raced 81y to tie the score just like that.
  • Q4: Charlie put the Tigers ahead with a 25y ramble. HC struck again on a 30y aerial from Henry Keim to George Lee to seemingly put the game away. But Noullet immediately reduced the margin back to 6 points with a spectacular 82y kickoff return. However, SA could pull no closer.

La Cava ended the evening with 104y, just 4 less than Cooper. For his efforts, Jimmy was named Player of the Week.

The Saints continued the toughest stretch of their schedule with Warren Easton.

  • The Eagles had split their four games, losing the first two (Bogalusa 8-6, Istrouma 27-13) before copping the next pair (Catholic High 12-9, Nicholls 52-0).
  • Hoss Memtsas faced the prospect of taking on the Crusaders without several of his starters. QB Ronnie Stevens did not practice during the week. If he couldn't play, Bobby Marks would move under C from his E position. Also questionable were FB Jack Willard and lineman Don Egan. Furthermore, C Andy Fritscher had just had the cast removed from his broken hand.
1953 Warren Easton Eagles
Sunday, October 25: St. Aloysius vs Warren Easton @ City Park Stadium 2:30 pm
SA
0
7
0
7
14
WE
7
14
0
6
27
TDs: SA Murphy 2; WE Marks, Boyd, Stevens, Gale
PAT: SA Marks 2 (PK); WE Shaeffer 3 (PK)
1st Downs: SA 3, WE 15; Penalty yds: SA 40, WE 20
SA lineup: Ends - Ward, Picou, Mathews, Gray, Couvillon, Murphy; Tackles - Wilson, Sanders, Marks, Foret, Margavio, Briuglio; Guards - Macaluso, Breaux, Worrigen; Centers - Callihan, Gaudet; Backs - Clark, LaCava, Noullet, Leaumont, Neyrey, Arms, Estrada, Lacoste, Courrege, Bouche, Summerlin, Lumbley

Stevens not only played but earned Player of the Week for his performance. He guided the Easton machine with near perfection.

  • Q1: Bobby Marks (who would play for Bear Bryant at Texas A&M) scored the first TD on a 5y end around.
  • Q2: The Crusaders got their first chance when Breaux recovered a bad pitch from Stevens on the 35. However, SA could go nowhere and had to punt, the ball going into the EZ for a touchback. After a 5y penalty for offside, Stevens threw 33y to Don Boyd who continued the remaining 52y untouched to the Promised Land. The 5'7" Old Gold and Purple QB added another tally when he received a 27y pass from Marks. During the period, the Crusaders struck on back-to-back 35y passes to Murphy, the first thrown by La Cava and the second from the hand of Clark for the score.
  • Q3: This proved to be the only scoreless period of the afternoon.
  • Q4: Easton changed their side of the scoreboard for the last time on a 5y plunge off tackle by Al Gale. A Stevens-to-Boyd pass for 23y featured the drive. In the closing minutes, the Saints made the final score more respectable when Neyrey fired 28y to Murphy, who covered the final 42 on his own.

Stevens completed 6-of-8 for 159y, which was more yardage than Aloysius gained in the game.

Stanley Tom Murphy
Tom Murphy
St. Aloysius-Easton Action
Aloysius-Easton Action
Aloysius would finish against three of the weakest teams in the league, starting with McDonogh.
  • The Trojans were in their second year of football after the Esplanade Avenue school changed from all-girl to coed.
  • The Thursday night game attracted the smallest crowd of the season, less than 1,000 paid.
Thursday, November 5: St. Aloysius vs McDonogh @ City Park Stadium 8 pm
SA
6
12
7
0
25
McD
0
6
0
0
6
TDs: SA La Cava, Noullet, Murphy, Arms; McD Woods;
PAT Bouche (PK)
First downs: SA 9, McD 10; Penalty yds.: SA 80, McD 0
SA lineup: Ends - Gray, Picou, Gares, Mathews, Murphy; Tackles - Worrigen, Foret, Wilson, Briuglio, Margavio; Guards - Macaluso, Breaux, Bode, Bourgeois; Centers - Callihan, Gaudet; Backs - Clark, LaCava, Neyrey, Arms, Courrege, Noullet, Bouche, Lumbley, Summerlin, Estrada, Lacoste, Leaumont
Dave Macaluso 1953-4
Dave Macaluso
  • Q1: After an exchange of punts, Clark shot a screen pass to La Cava, who raced 46y to give the Crusaders a 6-0 lead. The Trojans made a serious bid to score when Leonard Cassioppi passed 32y to John Bye to the 8. But after four downs, McDonogh surrendered the ball.
  • Q2: A 78y gallop by Noullet early in the period produced the Crimson and White's second TD. Later, Murphy made it 18-0 when he picked up a partially blocked punt off the toe of Cassioppi and returned it 57y to pay dirt. Not giving up, the Trojans got on the board when Cassioppi passed 41y to Terry Bordelon to the 7, from where Charles Wood scored.
  • Q3: Dave Macaluso intercepted Cassioppi's pass on the first play from scrimmage to set up the Crusaders on the 32. Arms charged in from there on the next snap. With Marks injured, Bouche kicked the conversion.
  • Q4: Cassioppi thrilled the sparse crowd when he picked off an Aloysius fumble in midair and tore 50y to the 5. However, the Crusaders walled off the EZ.
1953 Aloysius-McDonogh action
Bobby Neyrey runs against McDonogh.

Needing to take both remaining games to finish with a winning record, the Crusaders set their sights on ruining Nicholls' homecoming.

Friday, November 13: St. Aloysius vs Nicholls @ City Park Stadium 8 pm
SA
6
0
0
14
20
Nic
0
0
0
0
0
TDs: LaCava 2, Gares; PAT Leaumont (pass), Marks (PK)
First downs: SA 9, Nic 6; Penalty yds: SA 65, Nic 65
SA lineup: Ends - Murphy, Gares, Picou, Ward, Gray, Couvillon; Tackles - Wilson, Marks, Foret, Margavio, Briuglio; Guards - Macaluso, Breaux, Bode, Worringen; Centers - Callihan, Gaudet; Backs - Noullet, Arms, Clark, LaCava, Courrege, Leaumont, Neyrey, Estrada, Lacoste, Summerlin, Lumbley, Bouche
David Gares 1954-5
Dave Gares

A small crowd watched the Crusaders pitch their second shutout of the season.

  • Q1: With less than a minute to play, Clark threw to Dave Gares for the first TD of the evening. Back in the lineup, Marks failed to tack on the extra point.
  • Q2: The next time SA got the ball, they mounted a sustained drive that included a long TD run called back on a penalty. So no points were scored this period.
  • Q3: The teams resumed their punting duel. SA recovered a fumble on a punt return at the Nicholls 35, but the Rebel line continued its stubborn play. Taking advantage of a weak punt, the Rebs advanced all the way to the SA 43 before having to punt. The quarter ended with the Crimson facing fourth down on their own 8.
  • Q4: The tense game didn't break open until midway through the final period. With less than eight minutes to play, the Crusaders recovered a fumble on the Nicholls 5. La Cava plunged over from there to finally create some breathing room. Marks converted, but an illegal use of hands penalty moved the ball back to the 17. So Chubby shot a pass to Leaumont for the EP. With time running out, Clark completed a 60y pass to La Cava for the final tally. Marks's conversion completed the scoring.
Aloysius now had an opportunity to not only finish 6-4 for the season but clinch third place in the Prep league behind Jesuit and Holy Cross.
  • Fortier was ringing down the curtain on one of the school's worst seasons.
  • The Tarpons boasted just one league win, a 7-6 verdict over McDonogh.
Friday, November 20: St. Aloysius vs Fortier @ City Park Stadium 8 pm
SA
0
0
13
13
 26
For 0
0
0
0
0
TDs: LaCava 2, Arms, Neyrey; PAT: Marks 2 (PK)
1st Downs: SA 9, For 1; Penalty yds: SA 35, For 25
SA lineup: Ends - Mathews, Ward, Picou, Gray, Couvillon, Murphy; Tackles - Marks, Margavio, Briuglio, Wilson, Foret; Guards - Macaluso, Worringen, Breaux, Bode, Bourgeois; Centers - Callihan, Gaudet; Backs - Bouche, Lumbley, Courrege, Lacoste, Estrada, LaCava, Summerlin, Arms, Clark, Noullet, Leaumont, Neyrey, Celestin, Viloria

The Tarpons played the Crusaders to a standstill on a soggy field in the first half.
  • First half: Playing for a tie, Fortier punted early and often. 210 lb T Peter Fabacher's kicking matched that of Bouche. But the underdog threw a scare into the Saints when they drove to the 15 for their best threat of the half. It was at this time that the Tarpons completed a pass for their only first down of the evening.
  • Q3: La Cava finally broke away on TD runs of 31 and 38y to force the opponent to abandon their stall offense.
  • Q4: Arms sloshed 28y for six. Finally, a 36y pass from Clark to Neyrey completed the scoring.

Amazingly, the first down totals replicated those from the '52 game: Nine for Aloysius, a mere one for Fortier.

Jesuit represented New Orleans in the state playoffs. The Blue Jays defeated Istrouma 19-0 at LSU Stadium to earn the right to host Byrd from Shreveport in the finals. Given a shot at the state crown for the second year in a row, Toribio cashed in this time as the Jays prevailed 7-6.

The season's final stats showed this.

  • La Cava gained 481y on 83 carries for a 5.7 average.
  • Arms amassed 401y with a 5.9 average.
  • Clark completed 21 of 43 passes with 0 INTs for 344y.
  • La Cava threw 12 aerials, completed 4 for 112y, and had 2 picked off.
  • Lumbley connected on 4 of his 7 passes for 104y.

No Crusaders made the Times-Picayune's first team All-Prep and only one was listed on the second team, with two more on the third team.

  • Second team: Bobby Mathews LE
  • Third team: Dave Macaluso LG, Jim La Cava HB
  • Honorable mention: John Wilson T

The team enjoyed the annual Football Banquet, which was held at the St. Regis Restaurant on Airline Highway.

  • Tulane Coach Raymond "Bear" Wolf addressed the 200 in attendance. Other speakers included Jack Orsley of Loyola and Pie Dufour of the New Orleans States.
  • Eddie Arms won the MVP award while John Breaux earned the Most Unheralded designation.
  • 29 lettermen received their sweaters.

Summary

6-4 was a good record for Douglass's maiden voyage considering he inherited only six lettermen.
  • Winning the last three games, albeit against the weak sisters of the league, showed heart and bade well for the future.
  • The Saints held the final trio of opponents to a combined six points and put up three shutouts for the season.
  • With only eight seniors departing, Douglass had every right to look forward to 1954.

 

CONTENTS

1953 Season

Leon Godchaux

De La Salle

Catholic High

Jesuit

Redemptorist

Holy Cross

Warren Easton

McDonogh

Nicholls

Fortier

Summary