Westerner 2.1.4., Story 2

Maine West gridders, led by senior Keith Conolly, rallied from a fourth quarter 19-7 deficit, to nip a strong Peoria Central eleven, 21-19, before a hysterical crowd of West backers, September 16, at Maine East.

Trailing 19-14 with just four minutes left in the game, Conolly and junior Ray Leonardson, with the help of fine blocking, battered their way down to the Lion one-yard line. On the next play, Connolly took it over for the touchdown to make it 20-19 in favor of Maine. Chuck Badalamenti then converted for the third straight time that night to put the Warriors ahead to stay, 21-19.

Tonight the Glenbrook Spartans play host to the Warriors in Maine West's first Interim contest.

First Quarter

Peoria's kickoff traveled to the Maine West 20-yard line where a Warrior was downed immediately. After an incomplete pass and two short gains by Conolly, the West squad was forced to punt. Later in the first period, the Lions had the ball on the Warrior nine-yard line with third down and five yards to go for a first down. The next play found Peoria halfback Hunter slicing through the right side of West's line for the score. The extra-point try was no good, so the score at the end of the first quarter stood 6-0 in favor of the Lions.

Second Quarter

Most of second quarter's action came late in the period. Peoria recovered a Warrior fumble in Maine territory with five minutes left in the half. From there they drove to the Maine 19

where they hit a brick wall. But on fourth down, the Lion quarterback found a receiver alone in the end zone. This time the kick was good and Peoria led, 13-0. Following the kickoff, the Conolly-Leonardson duo brought the pigskin to the Lion 12-yard line with one minute remaining in the half. Then, Jim Humay tossed a perfect strike to Leonardson waiting in the end zone for the tally. Badalamenti kicked the extra-point, and at halftime, Maine trailed by six points, 13-7.

Third Quarter

The third quarter saw the Lions increase their lead to 19-7, resulting from an end sweep by a Peoria halfback, Matarelli. Elsewhere in the third period, West intercepted a Lion pass but failed to capitalize on it.

Fourth Quarter

The quarter began with Maine West in possession of the ball on the Lion 39-yard line. Conolly ripped off 16 yards to the Central 23. Leonardson gained four more to the 19. Then, Conolly, this time to the 12-yard line. Conolly again, now to the 2. With second down, one yard to go for a first down, two for a TD, West fumbled and lost the ball on the six-inch line. Peoria's fullback tried the center of the Warrior line on their first play. He was met head on by two Warriors resulting in a fumble recovered by Maine's Rich Samlow in the end zone. Badalamenti converted to make it 19-14. Then, with one minute 20 seconds remaining in the game, Conolly bulled over for the winning touchdown making the final score, Maine West 21, Peoria Central 19.