NEPA Sports Nation

NATION NOSTALGIA: County held City scoreless for four years

Football all-star game rules have evolved through the years with the intention of making sure the offenses have a chance to create an entertaining game for fans.

Blitzing is restricted, man-to-man pass defense is generally required and teams must use the same standard alignment for all but specific short-yardage situations.

The offensive shows of recent years were not always the case in the Dream Game.

Scoring was often at a minimum in earlier eras of the Dream Game, in particular during the early 1950s.

The December field conditions, combining cold, snow and the wear-and-tear of a recently completed season, worked in conjunction with the style of play at the time to make it difficult on the offenses.

The Scranton Lions Club-sponsored football all-star game nearly produced three straight scoreless ties.

Between 0-0 games in 1953 and 1955, the County managed a 6-0 victory in 1954 by taking advantage of field position to score the game’s only touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The County took over at the City 47 and scored in just two plays.

Dunmore’s Nick Bolick completed a 16-yard pass to Old Forge’s Nick Manzo.

Jim Needham, another Dunmore player, then ran 31 yards up the middle for the game’s only score.

There were only two touchdowns scored in four years and six touchdowns scored in six years from 1951 to 1956.

The County shut out the City four straight years from 1952 to 1955, then the City won by shutout, 13-0, in 1956.

The impact conditions were having on the game and, subsequently, attendance, led to a move to the summer in 1957.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The 87th annual Dream Game is scheduled for July 21 at Valley View’s John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville at 7 p.m. NATION NOSTALGIA will take a daily look at the game’s history between now and this year’s game, which is being presented by Northeast Rehab and Riverfront Sports.

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