To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first Pioneer team to play in the Cape Ann League, I am taking a week by week look back at the 1973 season.
September 12, 1973 - There was an early indication that this 1973 team would be special, but it had nothing to do with play on the football field. Instead, one of the first actions of the team highlighted the outstanding character of its members.
With the news that captain Jim Peterson would not be able to play his senior year due to a blood clot suffered during the summer, the Pioneers first order of business was supposed to be electing a new captain. However, that is not what happened. The squad, led by its seniors, had other ideas on who should lead them.
According to the report in the Villager, the seniors "conferred secretly with each other and then approached coach Bill Rodan with a unanimously agreed upon name. They chose Jim Peterson."
"It was one of the greatest things I've ever seen in my coaching career," Rodan told the Villager. "They all came to see me one day and told me they didn't want a new captain. They said they wanted to keep Peterson as team captain and name a game captain each week."
Rodan added that Peterson would be an assistant linebacker coach as well.
The coach seized on this outstanding character of his team in assessing their chances in their upcoming inaugural season in the Cape Ann League.
"They've all got an excellent attitude," Rodan said of his team as they prepared to face North Andover in the CAL Jamboree to be played the following Friday. "Quite frankly they all look good. The mistakes we're making now are physical, not mental."
Rodan was optimistic about his team's chances.
"I've never been able to say it before but we now have some depth at every position," the coach told the Villager. "We've never been a throwing team before but this year our passing game is as good as it's been in the past three years."
Rodan singled out quarterback Steve Olsen and receivers Bobby Olsen, the quarterback's brother, Lyle Mitkus and Lindsey Ross as reasons he was so upbeat about his aerial attack.
The Pioneers easily defeated Tewksbury in a scrimmage and looked good in a practice loss to Acton.
The coach had praise for several other members of his squad.
"Bob Olsen at wingback and Mark Stone at tackle have both been surprises," Rodan told the Villager. "So has Jimmy Neuman, the defensive end."
Rodan predicted the matchup with North Andover in the jamboree would be "a tough game."
Next: Explosive debut at the Jamboree
1973 Flashback
The cost of Adult Education classes was reduced from $14 per course to $7 per course in an effort to boost enrollments.
You could drive away from Herrick Buick in Wakefield in a brand new Buick Riviera for $6,500. The powerful V8 402 cubic inch engine would deliver you a robust 14 miles per gallon. No big deal considering the price of a gallon of gas was about 40 cents.
If you played on or were involved with the 1973 Pioneers and would like to share a memory, please pass it on to me at tcondardo@gmail.com.
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