Springfield-Montco’s undefeated 1970 football team to be honored
The Spartans outscored foes by 407-159 while going 10-0 and winning the Suburban One League crown.
Arguably the best team in in the history of the Springfield (Montgomery County) football program will be honored when the Spartans host Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in a nonleague contest at 7 p.m. Friday.
The 1970 squad, which averaged nearly 50 points per game while posting a 10-0 record, will be recognized at halftime and inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame.
Head coach Al Black's group netted 500-plus yards of offense in every outing, according to a Pennsylvania Football News article. The Suburban One League champions outscored foes by a combined margin of 497-159.
Black went on to be the head coach at Coatesville, where he won seven Ches-Mont League titles, and served as offensive coordinator at Widener, Millersville, and Delaware Valley.
Springfield's high-powered offense was spurred by quarterback Gary Henderson and halfbacks Paul Melzer, Pete Rambo, and John Witsch.
The surge up front was led by center Joe Lynch, guards Bruce Williams and Steve Caruso, tackles Rick Gehlhaus and Rich Acierno, and ends Glenn Salo and Rich Holmes.
Black's "Big Blue Brigade" achieved perfection when it rolled to a 55-30 victory over Thanksgiving Day rival Wissahickon.
Melzer, who rushed for 319 yards and four scores in a 58-8 rout of Suburban One League runner-up Upper Merion, earned all-state honors.