The Scranton Lions Club’s Dream Game got its start with about 4,000 fans looking on as the City and County met in a football all-star game for the first time on the snow- and ice-covered field at Athletic Park on Providence Road in Scranton on the Saturday afternoon of Dec. 7, 1935.
Early in the game, rain began to fall, just adding to the difficult field conditions.
The team’s combined for only seven first downs, including four by the County, which posted a 12-0 shutout behind the play of Jessup quarterback Jack Munley and Mayfield’s Harold Tallett.
With the exception of last year’s cancellation, forced by the pandemic, the game has been played every year since. The Dream Game, presented by Northeast Rehab and Riverfront Sports, makes its return Wednesday night at 7 at Valley View’s John Henzes.
The series of nostalgic looks back on the top Dream Games through the years continues with a review of that very first game in 1935.
Tallett recovered a mishandled punt at the City 24 late in the first quarter, leading to his touchdown on a pass reception from Munley a few plays later.
The game remained at 6-0 until the fourth quarter when Munley intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for the clinching touchdown.
As was often the case in the game’s early years, playing in poor field conditions after Thanksgiving, the offenses had their difficulties. They combined for just 83 rushing yards and were 6-for-27 passing.
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Read about the Dream Game through the years, specifically the 1935, 1937, 1941, 1949, 1951, 1954, 1961, 1967, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2019 games by going to … https://nepasportsnation.com/category/nation-nostalgia/.
