Geneva High School 1951 Football Team

The 1951 football team was comprised of only 2 returning starters Co-Captains Dewey Antinelli and Ray Ottman.  There were a number of individuals who contributed to the success of the 1951 Team: the Head Coach Edward R. Cuony, the defensive line Coach George Abraham (both members of the Geneva Sports Hall of Fame and combat veterans of World War II) and Assistant Coach Tom Jackson who scouted the team that was to be scheduled the following week and Assistant Coach John Pratt.  No one suspected at the beginning season that the team would have a special year in 1951 with unscored upon games against Corning Free Academy, Batavia, Auburn, De Sales, Ben Franklin of Rochester, Corning North followed by the only defeat in an unbelievable snow storm in Hornell most of it on the 50-yard line and the final game with GHS defeating Wellsville 15-2.  All of the games were played on Friday nights under the lights in the West Central Conference.  Truly an unbelievable season!

 

Many of the players from that team went on to play college football including Dewey Antinelli at Hobart College, Dick Guererri at the Citadel, and others.  Unfortunately, many are deceased but all remember that special year!!