BHS FOOTBALL 1964: Magics opened season following 1963 7-game win streak

 

By RANDY FORST
BGNN sports editor

SEPT. 11 VS. ELYRIA 6-0
Akron Beacon Journal prediction: Magics lost last year but Elyria didn’t get to see much of Ken Sennett, Magics to prevail. Beacon record 1-0

Here come The Magics! The excitement was back in the city for Barberton football. The 1963 Magics had finished 6-2-1, it was only the second winning season since a 4-3-2 season in 1955. They had finished the 1963 on a 7-game unbeaten streak, the only blemish in that streak was a 14-14 tie against state-ranked Akron Garfield. Their last defeat was a 0-14 loss in the third game of the year to Akron Hoban.

Adding to the excitement was the return of starters such as Joe Suboticki, Terry Brown, Paul Walker, a great offensive line, and a bevy of very good running backs. But the best of all was the return of 1963 All-District quarterback Ken Sennett. Sennett was a do it all QB, he could run, and he could pass, and he could lead a team. Barberton has had a lot of great quarterbacks over the years and Ken Sennett was well on his way to joining that list.

Also adding to the excitement of the upcoming season was the fact that of the nine games on the schedule, 8 would be at Magic Stadium. The first game was against one of the top ranked teams in the state in the Elyria Pioneers, who they had fallen to in the opening game of the 1963 season 16-22.

With the wind rendering Sennett’s passing game particularly non-existent, the Magics kept the ball on the ground. But they wouldn’t be able to push across into the end zone until the fourth quarter, when Ron Vargo scored on a one-yard run. It was a huge victory, Elyria would end up ranked third in the final state poll, finishing behind perennial powers Canton McKinley and Massillon. On the year the Pioneers outscored their opponents 290-32. The Magics were on their way!

Player memories:

Junior running back and defensive end Paul Okolish, who was instrumental in the touchdown drive against Elyria: “I knew I was going to get called on to run on certain plays, but ten minutes before the start of the game I was told I was also starting at defensive end. I knew this wouldn’t be easy against a tough Elyria team.”

Okolish was outstanding, and the following week the Beacon Journal awarded him with the Unsung Hero of the Week award.

Terry Brown: “We knew Elyria would be tough. They had two great running backs in Al Campbell and Houston Love. We were fortunate to have Joe Suboticki as our punter, as he kept Elyria pent up inside the 20-yard line all night. Our D was tremendous as they only crossed the 50 once and that was called back by a penalty.”

(This is part of a weekly series that continues through football season. Subscribe at www.thebarbertongazette.com to view all past BGNN editions.)