Best of the Decades, Part II
Submitted by Al Shipley, City Historian and Rahway Library Research Consultant
Rahway football has a long and storied history dating back to 1908/1909. Over the decades, there have been championship teams that became sources of community pride and individual players who excelled on state and county levels. The following is the second part of a two-part article presenting an account of the teams that were arguably the best of each decade, starting with the 1960s.
1960
The 1960 squad was the last team coached by Boaz “Buzzy” Firkser, who compiled an outstanding 21-2-3 record in his three seasons at Rahway High. After starting out at 1-1, the team won six straight. They were edged out by Springfield Regional 6-0 in the Thanksgiving Day finale, to finish the season with a record of 7-2. Bob Finn and Steve Deutsch were named to the All-County First Team. Bill Jaworovich, Tom Hoagland, and Tony Dinetta were also named to post-season teams.
1978, 1979
After almost 20 years of mediocrity on the gridiron, Rahway football charged back into the ranks of the state’s elite teams during the second half of the 1970s. Not since the “golden age” of Rahway Football (1940s and 1950s), had the red and black achieved such success, winning back to back state championships in 1978 and 1979. In the years 1977-1984, Rahway would win three state championships in ’78, ’79 and ’84 and also reach the finals in ’77, ’80, ’81.
The 1978 team (9-2) was guided by first-year coach Mike Punko, who in his 12 years as head coach (1978-83, 1993-99) won two state championships, brought his teams to post-season games seven times, and compiled a career record of 73-48-3. The biggest game of the season was a 23-10 victory over Phillipsburg to capture the Group 3 State Sectional Title. Quarterback Keith Hugger was named to the First Team All-State and All-County Teams. Ken Salters, Bernard Powell, Mike Powell, and Ken Lyons were listed on All-State, All-County, and All-Conference Teams.
In 1979, with several outstanding players returning and again guided by Coach Punko, the team repeated as the Group 3 State Sectional Champs and were ranked Number 4 in the state by the Star Ledger. The team finished with a 10-1 record and shut out six of its opponents. They repeated in besting Phillipsburg 14-6 in the state final played at Giants Stadium. The team was loaded with talent with Bernard Powell, Harold Young, and Tony Catillo named to All-State Teams. Others who received post-season recognition were John Rogiers, Alex Johnson, Herman Blanks, Dave Rankins, Frank Jacik, and Mark Addona.
1980, 1984
The 1980 team (9-2) might have been the best of the 80s, but the 1984 squad (8-2-1) won a State Championship, an accomplishment denied the ‘80 team. A bit of bad luck and a few costly fumbles prevented the ‘80 squad from giving Rahway its third consecutive championship. The 10-7 loss to Summit was a heartbreaker for the team and fans alike as they watched the clock tick off the final seconds before a tying field goal could be attempted. Harold Young, Tony Catillo, and Dave Rankins were All-State and All-County selections.
The 1984 team, under the helm of first-year coach, Ed Yergolonis, started the year with four shutout victories and would add two more on its way to a 8-2-1 record, a Watchung Conference National Championship, and a Group 3 State Sectional Championship. They defeated Morris Hills, 8-7, in an exciting state championship final. Donnell Powell, Tyrone McQueen, and Horace Baker made post-season honors. After two years as head coach, Yergolonis would leave coaching to become an administrator and serve as Superintendent of Schools (2011-2014).
1999
In 1993, Mike Punko returned to the coaching lines and six years later would end his coaching career by taking the team to the state finals. His 10-2 squad beat Scotch Plains 14-2 in the state semi-finals, but lost to Morristown in the championship game played at Giants Stadium. Steven Ellis, Stephen Brown, Danny Johnson, and Dan Garay were named to post-season teams.
2008
In his fifth year as head coach, Gary Mobley (2004-2014) guided the 2008 squad to a 10-2 record and the final game in the state playoffs. Taking an 8-1 regular season record into the playoffs, the ’08 squad defeated Roxbury (33-7) and West Morris (25-12) in preliminary contests. Unfortunately, they were defeated by old rival Phillipsburg, 20-6, in the championship match-up played at Rutgers Stadium. Post-season honors went to Troy Eastman, Richard Draughn, Phillip Newton, Giovanni Smith, and Octavio Bent.
2018
The 2018 squad lost its opener to Somerville, but then reeled off nine straight wins to earn a spot in the state finals. Although they lost to Summit in the state game, the team ended the season with a 10-2 record, only one of four Rahway teams to win ten games over the course of a season. Note: Prior to 1974 and the advent of state playoff games, teams in New Jersey played nine game schedules. Zion Pendleton and Shimei Paige were recognized on post-season lists. The team was coached by Brian Russo, who came to Rahway in 2015 and is now in his seventh year.
What team will end up the best of the 2020s?
