1982 Ringgold Rams
Team of Yesteryear, Football
Under head coach Bill Connors, the 1982 Ringgold Rams football team went 12-1 overall and capped their historic season by winning the WPIAL Quad-A Division II championship. Setting the eventual goal of winning the WPIAL championship as sophomores, the turnaround was not overnight. Ringgold’s record in the four previous seasons was 10-29-1. However, the ’82 Rams would surpass the previous four-year cumulative win total in one memorable autumn which culminated with a brutal 6-3 victory over New Castle in what would be the last WPIAL championship game contested at Pitt Stadium before the title games moved to Three Rivers Stadium. After opening with a 28-9 victory over Belle Vernon, the Rams posted wins over McKeesport (26-7), Baldwin (21-7), Seneca Valley (35-0), Canon-Mac (15-8), Chartiers Valley (33-19) and Trinity (21-0). The most important decisions were over Aliquippa (16-12) and nationally-ranked New Castle (29-14) at Donora’s Legion Field. The lone loss was to Upper St. Clair. Ringgold opened the playoffs with a win over Fox Chapel (27-0) in the quarterfinals and a tight 18-13 victory over Plum in the semifinals which featured three third quarter touchdown passes by Scott Henson. The defensive-dominated rematch with New Castle was sealed late with a fumble recovery by defensive lineman Harry McCullough deep in Rams territory. Ringgold was loaded with other talented players including lineman Sid Campbell, receiver/safety Larry Holley, tight end Vernon Kirk, flanker/defensive back Robert Adkins, starting linemen Eric Higgs, Mike Boyle, Allen Burnisky and Bill Milesky, end Gary Wain, and running backs Glenn Davis, Alonzo Roddy and Jim McCrae. Other starters were defenders Rick Jones, fullback/linebacker Craig “Tuffy” Amatangelo, Mark Brice, George Zarlino, Mark Bundy, Bevin White, Chuck Poland and Lynn Price. Other contributors included running back James Carlock and linebacker Matt Kurilla. Connors built a staff that included Jan Haiden, Bob Keys, Al Piscitelli, Don DiNardo, Tony Ruscitto and Jim Lacko.