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1931 Middlebury “Orange and Black” Gridders Remembered

photo by Mike Cameron L to R Ralph Emilo’s High School letter jacket and 1931 era football are displayed by his daughters Tina Emilo-Dragon, Roxanna Emilo and Nina Price. Not pictured is Ralph’s other daughter May Ann Gonsalves. Ralph’s sons Ralph, Edwin, David and Michael are also very proud of their Dad. Mr. Emilo passed away in 2000 on New Years Day. He will always be remembered as one of Vermont’s most talented and hard working high school athletes. Mr. Emilo helped his local high school team win a state footbal title in 1931. Our thanks to the Emilo Family and Roch MacIntyre for their help and information with this article.

Tuesday October 18, 2011

By Mike Cameron

   Not much has been said about them over the years in public records but thanks to the diligence and the love of one player’s children, the legacy and the legend lives on 80 years later.  Along with the 1961 MUHS Tigers who went undefeated, the 1931 MHS Tigers will also be remembered for their remarkable run of historic proportions.

   It is a story about very difficult times when people in Addison County faced hardship and uncertainty.  They were able to find some relief from the harsh reality of The Great Depression by following and finding something to cheer about within the exploits their extraordinary high school football team.

   The team didn't disappoint them.  They won all their games during the regular season in an almost  magical campaign that year.  The players coaches and the fans became one strong and resonant voice for their school and their community.   Learning about this team has been a special privilege.

   Imagine if you will an awards ceremony where the members of the high school football team are each given a gold painted football and are included in a special poem.  Lets meet some of the members of the undefeated 1931 Middlebury High School “Orange and Black,” in verse.  Ben Stewart an MHS student at the time was the author and each of the players is honored with a verse.  The poem appeared in the Middlebury Register, then the paper of record for the county.  Not every player is mentioned here not all were mentioned in the clipping we shared for this story...but all are remembered for their special exploits that year.

   “Bill” Oney  You've led our gang to victory, with pep and power and will and if the ladies call you Willie Don't fret, we'll call you “Bill”.

   Roger Kenworthy The guy who hesitates is lost, He isn't worth a penny, So when we need a yard or tow, We're going to call on “Kenny”.

   Lyle Billings  A lineman does a lot of things , That are not seen 'tis said, But we have seen enough to know, You're worth a million “Red”.

   Erwin Warren I heard they called him Erwin,  But found it was his gal, For when he opens up those holes, His backs call him “Pal”.

   Michael Lengyel  As slippery as an eel they say, We never saw the like, Hot Dog! He's off  for twenty yards, Who could it be but “Mike”.

   Clifton Cobb  Our roving all state center puts all rivals to the mat, Let his mother call him Clifton, You and I will call him “Pat”.

  Lyle Sunderland  An interference buster, Is the land who earns his money, Catching passes, dodging tacklers, We appreciate you, “Sunny”.
Earl Johnson He grabs 'em right; he grabs 'em left,  Eleven men or forty, His reach is over fourteen feet, That's why we call him “Shorty”.  

   Raphael Emio  All the tigers, lions, catamounts, Will soon run out of gas.  If they try to stop our Raphael, Better known abroad as “Ras”.

   Donald Perrin  Not much noise about it, He simply carries on, Always in the thick of it You'll find our big boy “Don”.

   Robert Page  These endless ends are ending, But they're always on the job, Be it George or john, or Robert, Your moniker is “Bob”.

   Elmer Novak  The bull moose is an animal, With physique that's tough and brawny, But he'd sure be up against it, If he tackled little “Swanney”.

   George Farrell  We have seen determination written on his face so ruddy, Yes, we like the little speed boy, And we're proud to call him “Buddy”

   Paul Vancelette  To be fortified for injuries, When you need a steady man Is a coach's dream of Paradise and Dick had “Van”.

   Harold Gero  And another end has ended up, Yet hasn't made a fuss, He's there in a pinch, It's a proven cinch, But why do they call him bus?

   Perry Vincent  Here's another little halfback, Who is very far from dead, He's been there whenever called on So here's looking at you “Red”.

   Donald Caul  A horse for work, the manager, a horse who does not winny, He's worked off all his surplus flesh, that's why we call him “Skinny”.

   Don Preble  You've heard of the man with a smile, Who's considered to be worth while, But to my mind, He's way behind, The guy that plugs and hopes to find Reward in success for his pals.
Don we will find.

   Raphael “Ras” Emlio who passed away in 2000 on New Year's Day was a key to the team's amazing season that year.  Mr. Emilo, known locally as Ralph or“Ras” was a High School All American in Football, Baseball and Basketball.  At 5 feet 6 inches tall he was not a commanding presence until he ran for a first down, stole a base or drove for a lay-up.  “Ras” was blessed with speed, power and a “never say die attitude.”  He loved the game and reveled in his abundant natural gifts.  We were introduced to his legacy by his daughters and it is through the memories of Tina, Roxanna and Nina  during a recent interview, so that we can share this story with you.

   A story about the “Orange and Black” can not ring long and loud with out statistics so hold on to your seats and check out these numbers.  

   Port Henry New York  one of the best teams in the country at the time a 0-0 tie there.  Lyndon Institute another power house defeated 26-0, Springfield; read about their exploits back in the 30s, Middlebury wins 47-0.  Then came Hartford, 56-0, Winooski 115-0, that is correct one-hundred-fifteen to nothing.  Ticonderoga scored a TD 25-7, 44-0 Proctor falls to Middlebury and so does Black River 26-0, not to mention Burlington 29-0.  Prior to this, the Norwich freshmen and Middlebury College freshmen were defeated by this team according to our sources but we could not verify those scores.  
Then came the Vermont State Championship Game against Bellows Free Academy of Saint Albans played before almost 4000 fans and the Governor of Vermont at Middlebury College's Porter Field.  It was one for the ages and Middlebury won the biggest game of the year. It was a close hard fought contest with “Ras” Emilo scoring one TD with three Bobwhite defenders hanging off his back and legs.
And after their high school days?  Many became members of the community and some moved away.  Some fought in WWII.  All are part of local sports history.            

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