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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 13, 2023 ~ The Old Sachem ~ Page 7 The Golden Age of Saugus Football T By Bill Stewart he greatest period of Saugus football lasted from 1938 to 1950, in my estimation. During this period, the Sachems won three state championships, numerous North Shore Championships and two Exchange Bowls trophies and had many area All-Stars and State AllStars and a couple of players who went on to play professional football in the NFL. We will have to read this in installments; it is too much information to fi t in one column. We will start with the period of 1938 to 1941 and follow further in consecutive weeks. The team was 5-5 in 1938, but some young players were starting their career. The next year the team went 10-1, then 7-3 in 1940, and 10 wins and a tie in 1941. Stackpole Field was dedicated on Friday, Sept.16, 1938. Governor Charles F. Hurley attended as a guest and introduced the fl ag raising ceremony, and over 5,000 people attended. Mike Harrington was a sophomore back then, and he ran a kickoff back 78 yards to set up a touchdown, but Saugus fumbled. Mike intercepted a pass and ran into the endzone to put the Sachems ahead to stay. Among the players were Pratt, Warren, Ray Mansfield, Flaherty, Del Pitman, Merrithew, Vatcher and Earl Hanson. Harrington also played baseball. The Sachems had Cheerleaders and a Ski Club. The 1939 season started with a 12-0 loss to Medford, a Class A team. Saugus was in Class C. From that point on, with the exception of a tie, the Sachems defeated all – except for a tie with another Class A team, Melrose. The Sachems also defeated Class A teams Cambridge Latin, Woburn and Salem. They brought down Class B teams Wakefi eld, Gloucester and Danvers. Beating a Class A team earned 10 points in the standings, and a Class B victory was worth 8 points. A Class C win gained 6 points. The Sachems had 77 points, which gave them the Class C Championship. Art Statuto played his fi rst season and eventually went all the way to the NFL, where he played center for the L.A. Rams. Shipulski started his Sachem career here. Harrington earned the title “Iron Mike.” The team added two Wladkowski brothers and included most of the group from the prior year. The baseball team went 10-8-5. The 1940 season was slightly lower with 6 wins, a tie and 3 loss record. A big addition to the schedule was Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to Stackpole, and the Sachems won 20-7. This season was the last for “Iron Mike,” but the fi rst for Eddie “Shipper” Shipulski. New student teams were added this year for the Sachems. Girls Basketball and Boys Hockey were introduced, and the Sachems continued Golf, Track and Baseball. We had new coaches in 1941; Hank Toczylowsky, who earlier was the Boston College quarterback, installed a system that brought another Class C Championship to the Sachems. The team went 9-0-1, beating Chelsea and Woburn, tying Leominster, then beating Gloucester, Amesbury, Melrose, Revere, Swampscott, Marblehead and Michael J. Serino announces for Charter Commission I n our town election on November 7th, residents will be asked to form a charter commission, with the intent on changing our government from a “Town” to a “City”. A change to a city form of government would replace our elected 50 Town Meeting Members and 5 member Board of Selectmen, with an elected 9 member City Council. Currently, approving budgets require (26 votes) from Town Meeting Members. However, with a City Council, only (5 votes) would be required. Approval of zoning by-laws require (34 votes) from Town Meeting Members. However, with a City Council, only (6 votes) would be required. Under our town form of government, Selectmen appoint a qualifi ed Town Manager. However, with a city form of government, a Town Manager is elected. Consequently, it becomes a popularity contest in which the winner might not be qualifi ed for the job. I n 2009 , Vice-Chairman of the Town GRAND OPENING SPECIAL! Michael J. Serino (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Meeting Charter Committee. Town Meeting approved several charter changes which include: The Selectmen are the chief policy makers, the requirement of a fi ve year capital improvement plan, and the Selectmen would have to approve any leasing of town property. I do not support forming a I se r ved a s charter commission to change our “Town into a City”. Many towns have a standing Town Meeting Charter Committee that reviews their charters periodically. However, if residents do approve a charter commission, I feel it is important to vote for nine candidates with government experience. Wakefield. The Sachems shut out Chelsea, Woburn, Amesbury, Melrose, Revere and Marblehead. Swampscott was the highest scorer against Saugus, but their 13 points were overcome by the Sachems, who scored 34. Shipulski had an outstanding year and Eddie Koschei started his career. The boys added a Basketball team. The Girls’ Athletic Association was formed this year and played Field Hockey, Basketball, Bowling, Volleyball and Badminton. The boys’ Cross-Country team won the North Shore Invitational Championship. This period was the start of things to come, which we will look for next week. (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advo“The Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) cate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column about sports – and sometimes he opines on current or historical events or famous people.) GO TO REVERESELFSTORAGE.COM TO RESERVE ONLINE OR SCAN QR CODE • 100% Climate Controlled Facility • Newly Constructed Facility • 5000 Lb. 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