BRICK – They’re still talkin’ about this one – even though it took place way back in 1974.
The Brick Township High School football team was undersized. No problem for the Green Dragons. They lacked speed. No problem. The team had heart. Big problem for the Camden Panthers. The Green Dragons had grit. Big problem for the Panthers.
The teams clashed in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association South Jersey Group IV championship game on a temporary grass field in front of an estimated 5,200 decibel shattering fans at Convention Hall on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
The Green Dragons out-gritted the heavily favored Panthers 21-20 on Friday night, Dec. 6, in the first playoff game in New Jersey high school football history. Big problem for the Panthers.
“We had helmets and pads on and they had just their jerseys on prior to the game,” said Sam Riello, a Brick assistant coach who starred at running back for the Green Dragons before graduating in 1962. “They were bigger than our captains. Camden was favored to win, but it didn’t bother us. We knew we were methodical.”
“We were very disciplined,” Brick senior running back Chuck Mitchell said. “When our coaches taught us something, we listened. We were like the E.F. Hutton commercial. We were all ears.”
“We had great coaches, outstanding coaches,” said sophomore nose guard Pat Boylan, whose brother, Shaun, played for Brick and later coached the Point Pleasant Boro Panthers. “They really knew their trade.”
A celebration of the title’s 50th anniversary took place on a recent Friday night at the Warren H. Wolf Athletic Complex, named for the legendary Brick coach who died at the age of 92 in November of 2019. The Green Dragons swapped memories and enjoyed hugs, handshakes and high fives at Keller Memorial Field where Brick fell 37-6 to Brick Memorial in the regular-season opener for both teams. A gathering followed at the Arrowhead Inn, Brick.
The champions watched the game from white chairs near an end zone near the scoreboard. They were introduced prior to the game to cheers from fans of both clubs. Donovan Brown, a senior offensive guard, did the coin toss. Standing at midfield during halftime, the heroes were introduced.
Highlights of the epic battle and the Green Dragons’ 10-0 and Shore Conference Class A championship season were read by the public address announcer during halftime to cheers from fans of the teams. One assistant coach waved his hat to cheers from the Green Dragons’ fans. Ranked third in the state by the New York Daily News, the Green Dragons filed off the field after the ceremony, again igniting cheers from fans of the clubs.
Nicknamed the Purple Avalanche because of their flashy purple and gold uniforms, the Panthers (6-3-1) oozed talent.
One player was Art Still, a 6-foot-7, 253-pound linebacker who was to star at defensive end in the professional and collegiate ranks. Still played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1978-87 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2022. He played for the Buffalo Bills in 1988 and 1989. He was a four-time Pro Bowl – the National Football League’s All-Star Game – and a two-time second-team All-Pro.
He finished his career with 80 sacks and 992 tackles. He was chosen second in the first round of the 1978 NFL Draft. The College Football Hall of Fame member was a unanimous first-team All-American selection in 1977 at the University of Kentucky.
There also was Derrick Ramsey, who played tight end for the Raiders (1978-83), the New England Patriots (1983-85) and the Detroit Lions (1987). He caught 188 passes for 2,364 yards and scored 21 touchdowns through 122 games at tight end. He was chosen by the Raiders in the fifth round (136th overall) in the 1978 NFL Draft.
Ramsey was a third-team All-American at quarterback at Kentucky in 1977. He was the first black starting quarterback in Kentucky history. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder also played tight end for the Wildcats. He enjoyed a distinguished career in Kentucky state government.
Throw in defensive end Calvin Cook, a bruising fullback named Frank Green (6-2, 247) and the speedy Anthony Brown, a quarterback-kick returner, and Brick was in deep trouble. Or so the so-called experts thought. Again, no problem for the Green Dragons.
Displaying that Special Brick Spirit, the Green Dragons swung ahead to stay 20-14 in the second half.
Quarterback Paul Durkin, who was to serve as a colonel in the Marine Corps and became the operations officer for the 2nd Force Support Group in 2005 when the United States invaded Iraq, tossed a touchdown pass to end Dale Koch. Tony Aulisi’s third extra point of the game pushed the lead to 21-14 in the fourth quarter. Kerry Matson, who picked off two passes, set up the touchdown with a leaping interception on Brick’s 49-yard line.
The Panthers responded with a 68-yard scoring drive that consumed nearly five minutes. Green scored from three yards, pulling Camden within 21-20 with 2:52 to go as the Panthers’ fans roared their approval.
Earlier in the game, Camden running back Walter Nock scored on a sweep for a two-point conversion. Brick defensive coordinator Vic Kubu figured the Panthers would again try the same play and the Green Dragons turned back Nock just shy of the goal line, igniting pandemonium among their fans.
Brick’s hands team recovered the onside kick and the Green Dragons ran out the clock as their fans burst into cheers that could be heard from Atlantic City to Brick Township High School.
Brick went up 7-0 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Don Gethard. Brown blazed 60 yards with a punt return to draw Camden within 7-6. Anthony Brown sped 65 yards up a sideline with a punt return for a touchdown, but an illegal block wiped out the play. Matson sped 44 yards with a Camden fumble to send Brick ahead 14-6 at halftime. Anthony Brown scored on a third-quarter punt return and the Panthers’ two-point conversion tied the game at 14.
Anthony Brown wasted no time showcasing his speed, jetting 87 yards with the game’s opening kickoff for a touchdown. However, it did not count as the referees ruled the kickoff took place before the ready for play whistle. Brick re-kicked and stopped the Panthers.
Joe Aulisi, a Brick senior wingback, recalled that the Green Dragons’ captains were he, Ed Smith, Gethard, Koch, Donovan Brown and Frank McKevitt. They were elected by their teammates.
“We were a family,” Aulisi said. “We were together. We loved each other. We were so close. Coach Kubu told me during a driver’s education class that we would be the worst football team in Brick history and we took it to a Varsity Club meeting.”
“Dale Koch said we were so close that we dated each other’s girlfriends,” Mitchell recalled with a laugh.
Brick senior free linebacker Kevin Hughes, 67, said, “It was a good game. We stopped Nock on a reverse to the left. We had four guys on him. The crowd was electric. There were so many people that you could not hear the referee’s whistles. Two Camden touchdowns were called back because of penalties. We made fewer mistakes than Camden. It was real exciting.”
“It’s great,” Donovan Brown said of the gathering. “It’s great to be back on the field with the boys. It’s an honor to be back on that field.”
Brick had just one high school when it bested Camden. Brick, which often dressed around 100 players for a game, was known as the University of Brick. The NJSIAA limited Brick and Camden to 50 players per team, according to Brick junior left offensive tackle Warren Charles Wolf. No Green Dragon played offense and defense in the game.
“One player wore the number 117 on his jersey,” Donovan Brown said. “We had 13 assistant coaches and a lot of kids. Everyone worked extremely hard. We began beach practices on the day school got out. We ran and lifted cinder blocks at Brick Beach I during the whole summer and dedicated ourselves to winning and that’s what we did. There was no slogan. We just played football.
“We had tough, hard-nosed kids. That’s what we were and still are.”
The field presented a challenge.
“Once the game started, the turf was always moving,” young Wolf said. “It was crazy. You would push off and all of a sudden you would slip as a whole piece of sod moved. People ran from the sidelines on every play to put the sod back. Does it feel like 50 years? Not really. I can’t believe it has been that many years. It’s crazy. Time flies.
“Our coaches took it as another game to play. We made the plays when we had to.”
Young Wolf, breaking into a hearty laugh, made light of the Green Dragons’ disadvantages, stating, “We definitely were quicker and bigger.”
Young Wolf alternated with Fell at bringing the plays to the huddle.
“I was standing near my dad,” he said, “and I’d run to him for another play. It was not a father and son feeling at all. I was a part of the team and I did my job.”
Courtesy of its booster club, Brick, its cheerleaders and marching band were treated to a celebration also attended by friends at the Smithville Inn, Galloway Township.
“We were exhausted,” young Wolf said. “I relaxed and listened to AM radio on the bus ride home. I took it easy and looked forward to getting home. I had ice hockey practice the next day.”
Coach Wolf enjoyed a long, successful career in municipal, Ocean County and state politics.
“This proves that the Shore Conference can play excellent football,” he said. “It was even better than being elected Freeholder. Before the game, I was afraid we were going to get blown off the field. That’s how big and strong they were and how good they looked. Their quarterback is one of the best quarterbacks I have ever seen.”
Why were the Green Dragons successful?
“Can I say luck?” Donovan Brown said with a laugh. “Teamwork.”
Donovan Brown said he and his wife, Carol, host annual gatherings for the champions at their family’s home. Some 30 players and coaches attended this year’s event, according to young Wolf.
“They are awesome events,” Donovan Brown said. “We have great turnouts. We spoke to coach Spada (Bob, an assistant coach) via Facebook. He played for Duke in the Cotton Bowl.”
Brick senior defensive end-linebacker Paul Panuska said the Green Dragons struggled as freshmen.
“We were either 0-8 or 0-9,” he said. “We were like, ‘What are we gonna do?’ When we made the varsity team, our coaches were great. They put us in the proper positions. Our coaches were unbelievable. They were the best coaches in the state.”
Wolf retired at Brick in 2008 as the state’s career wins leader.
“During practices, he’d shout, ‘Run it again. Run it again until it works,’ ” Donovan Brown said. “I remember those words.”
“Warren Wolf set the standard for everyone,” Brick defensive tackle Pete Liguori said. “Everyone committed to him as our leader.”
The Green Dragons sported t-shirts honoring their title at the celebration on their home field.
“To wear this shirt is an honor,” Brick junior offensive left tackle Norman Fell said. “Blood, sweat, tears and hard practices went into this.”
Gethard, a running back, paced the Green Dragons with 1,135 rushing yards and scored 16 touchdowns on the season.
“He was not a big back at about 5-7, 150 pounds or so,” Riello said, “but he was very quick off the ball and had great balance. It was hard to get him down.”
Gethard often burst through holes opened by Brown.
“Donovan was a pulling guard,” Riello said. “He would knock down the defensive end and cornerback and Gethard was right behind him.”
Brown also provided intangibles.
“Donovan Brown willed this team to win,” Riello said. “He refused to lose. He got angry and refused to lose. He was very quick. He had a never give up attitude. He hit one person and hit another person. He’d kick out the end, go up field and knock the defensive back out of the play.”
“Everyone on the team was afraid of Donovan Brown,” Mitchell said.
Riello enjoys attending the reunions at the Brown’s home.
“He has had them every year for 50 years,” Riello said. “They are a lot of fun, a lot of fun.”
Durkin completed 37 of 72 passes for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. He tossed just two interceptions. He became responsible for coordinating and planning the logistics of all Marines forces in Iraq.
Don Reid, a Brick assistant coach and the first Brick Memorial head coach in history, said, “It’s tremendous to see everyone. We’ve had them since they were 13 and 14 years old. We had them for four years. They didn’t have a winning season until they were seniors. They were 4-5 as sophomores and 3-6 as juniors and to go 10-0 is incredible.”
Mitchell offered the Green Dragons defensive advice during their loss to the Mustangs (led by Jason Lajara’s two touchdowns and 121 rushing yards), stating, “Fill the hole. Fill the hole.”
Mitchell recalled the practices on the beach, stating, “The drills ran for hours and there were no coaches. Ed Smith ran them. They got us ready and energized. Our practices were harder than our games.”
Mitchell also played baseball for Brick and Erskine College in South Carolina.
“Bear (Brick trainer Jack Roberts) used to call me, ‘The baseball player,’ ” Mitchell said. “He’d say, ‘Here comes that damn baseball player.'”
Mitchell enjoyed playing for Wolf.
“He had a big impact,” he said. “He never forgot anyone. When I was at Erskine, he learned I was homesick. He wrote me a letter that said, ‘Keep going. Keep going.’ Our coaches were very hard on us, but very fair.”
Mitchell said crowds were large at Brick’s home games.
“When we played, there was not a seat to be had,” he said. “People were five deep around the fence at this field. The town shut down for our home games. We did not take anything for granted. We did not feel that anything was owed to us. The only pressure we felt was that we did not want to let our coaches and ourselves down. We never quit. We had a lot to prove. We did not want to be the worst football team in Brick Township High School history. We had big chips on our shoulders. We worked hard. We worked real hard.
“Our folks were really close. A lot of our fathers hung out together.”
Mitchell said Brick had championship cheerleaders.
“Our cheerleaders were the best,” he said. “They called themselves the Rah-Rah Raiders. They decorated our cars before our games.”
Brick outscored its opponents 256-101 and posted two shutouts, besting Central Regional 36-0 and Montclair 20-0. The Green Dragons won Class A at 6-0.
Jeff Conner, a Brick senior tight end who caught six touchdown passes in 1974, said, “We were just playing ball. We had a bunch of guys who went through a lot of stuff. We had a good run for a while. We were closely knit. We were together since we were either eight or 10 years old. Football was a part of my life. There was unity between community members.”
“This is a great night,” Donovan Brown said. “It really is. We thank Dr. (Thomas) Farrell (superintendent of the Brick Township School District). He said he wanted to do this and he put the wheels in motion.”
Farrell informed the Green Dragons they were to receive vouchers for food and water at the game.
“This is great,” Farrell said. “I’m in my glory. I love the history. It makes me feel good. This is a big night for Brick schools. There is a lot of tradition in the football programs, a fantastic tradition. It’s important for the current staff and community to recognize that tradition. I was a kid back then. This is a privilege for me.”
NOTE: Nick Scerbo’s book, “48 Minutes Forever, the history of high school football in New Jersey’s Shore Conference,” contributed to this report.
