Apr 30, 2006 By Jim Kriek For The 4 min read

In a previous column, some sports trivia was noted for Connellsville in keeping with the city’s observing its 200th birthday this year. Those items were found over the years, while digging through the files for other information, and were duly noted just for such occasions as will be taking place this weekend, and at various times the rest of the summer, in Connellsville.

So, how about a few more trivia items for your own information (and more to come):

-Ten football players have graduated from Connellsville schools and then went on to play professional football. They were John Lujack, QB, Chicago Bears; Jim Cunningham, Washington Redskins, a strong blocking back for record rushing leader Don Bosseler; Jim Braxton, Buffalo Bills, who was not only an outstanding RB, but was even a bigger asset as blocking back for the record-setting rushing years by O.J. Simpson; Ralph (Cleo) Calcagni, who lived in Smithton, but graduated from Connellsville High, played line for the Steelers; Robert (Bo) Scott, running back for the Cleveland Browns; brother Wilbert Scott, linebacker, who also played in the Canadian League; Al Oleszewski and Gary Feniello, Steelers. Lineman John Denvir graduated from Connellsville IC and never played football scholastically, but played in college and then professionally for Denver and San Diego.

-According to the Encyclopedia of Pro Football, there was one other pro player from Connellsville. The book lists Metzger (Metz) Smeach, born in Connellsville, on June 1, 1895, who played in 1921 for Washington. He died in May 1985, in Garrettsville, Ohio.

-What school was involved in the longest high school basketball playoff tournament game ever played in the state of Pennsylvania? In 1977, Geibel High lost to Shanksville-Stonycreek, 95-94, in four overtimes. Geibel rallied with a 22-11 rush in the fourth to tie, 68-68, then rallied with five to tie the first overtime, 78-78. S-S scored two at the buzzer to tie the second OT, 84-84, rallied again in the third to tie, 88-88, then won in the fourth extra session.

-In 1965, Connellsville High beat North Union, 15-0, and Dunbar Twp. whipped Blairsville, 40-19, for their ninth win in a row. Those were the last wins by the two schools prior to their merger into the present Connellsville Area School District. The late Stan McLaughlin coached Dunbar Twp., and Bill McCandless coached Connellsville.

-The last Connellsville basketball win prior to the merger, was 50-36 over Hempfield, with Ray Forquer as coach. Dunbar, coached by Tom Sankovich, got its last win over St. Joseph, 62-54.

-The new Connellsville Area team, coached by Hal Weightman, lost its first three games, and then got its first basketball victory, 68-62 over Albert Gallatin.

-In 1989, when Connellsville won the WPIAL baseball title, who pitched the win, then played professionally in another sport? Jason Tyska, who hit two home runs and drove in three runs, his second homer clinching a 13-11 win over Mount Pleasant, went on to play professional golf.

-Who were the three players from Connellsville who went to major league baseball? Gene Hasson, Philadelphia Athletics, 1937-38; Bob Bailor, Baltimore, Toronto, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers, played 2B and SS in 11 major seasons, pitched in three games, and was a DH; and Bob Galasso, pitched for Seattle and Milwaukee.

-What were the only two positions Bailor never played? Bailor once said, “I never played first base because I was too short for the position, and I never caught because I was too scared to play there.”

-Actually, it can be said that four Connellsville players went to the major leagues. Cecil Cole, who was also a World Series winner, pitched for the Newark Eagles in the Negro Baseball League, before the majors were integrated. Newark won the World Championship of the Negro Leagues in 1946 with Cole pitching against Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Monarchs.

Jim Kriek is a Herald-Standard sports correspondent.