1959
The Inaugural Season
The new high school that was built on 17 acres on top of a hill in Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania, and connected with the existing Junior High was finally was ready for the students. The name of the new high school is Thomas Jefferson High School.
The 1959 season would also be the first season for Thomas Jefferson Jaguar Football, but would have to wait a few years before becoming
official members of the WPIAL. The team was coached by Art Conner, and scored a great victory in its opening game versus Snowden 22-14. Snowden would later go undefeated in class "B" in the WPIAL. The team averaged 165 pounds across the offensive line, and a small but fortunately fast backfield. Their offense was a ground oriented offense. The team would ultimately end the first season of Jaguar Football at 2-6, but the record does not represent the caliber of guts and skill the team displayed.
The playing roster included approximately 60 players in the initial campaign. Such players as the Castagna brothers, Dom and Bob, FB’s Carmen Sporio and Milan Vucin, Tony Canterna and John Kosar, and lineman like John Magiske, Dale Saller, and Rich Foreman began to make their mark.
Videos:
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Photos:
Articles:
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Coaching Staff:
Art Conner-Head Coach
Coach Jardini- Assistant Coach
John Hall- Assistant Coach
Season:
TJ 22 vs Snowden 14 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 13 vs EF 26 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 0 vs North Braddock Scott 47 (Pictures, articles)
TJ 0 vs Wilmerding 10 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 6 vs Bethel 26 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 6 vs Monongehela 33 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 6 vs FT. Couch 0 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 13 vs Brentwood 20 (Pictures, articles, video)
Stats:
Points scored per game: 8.3
Points allowed per game: 22.0
Total Yards per game:
Rushing Yards (TD's):
Receptions/yards (TD's):
Passing Yards/ Completions-Attempts (TD's):
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Roster:
Seniors:
Jim Bernard
Dominic Castagna
Bob Gecani
Tony Canterna
Ronnie Grubeski
Jack Inglemohr
Jack Ackman
Doug Mabon
Junior:
John Kosar
Gerald Bogges
John Magiske
Dick Ehringer
Ronnie Weher
Dale Saller
Benny Bowman
Richard Foreman
Tom Ifft
Phil Caligiure
Sophomore:
Carmen Sporio
Bob Castagna
Larry Kalcevic
Freshman:
Milan Vucin
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