BARBERTON FOOTBALL 1964 Magics defense shines against St. V in only 1964 away game

Paul Okolish

(This is part of a weekly series that will continue through football season.)

By RANDY FORST
BGNN sports editor

OCT. 2 BARBERTON 10, ST. VINCENT 8
Akron Beacon Journal prediction: Going to be a tough one. Coach Tom Phillips has not had a lot of success against the Irish, says Magics will win. ABJ prediction: Barberton. ABJ record: 4-0

St Vincent’s Green Street Stadium has never been an easy place to play for the Magics. This year would be no different. Paul Okolish tackled the St. Vincent punter, in the endzone after the snap sailed over his head, for a safety. After the ensuing kickoff return by Sonny Pallija. The Magics took to the ground behind Ron Vargo, Ken Sennett and Okolish, who went the final two yards for the TD. The Magics offense struggled the whole game fumbling three times, so it was the defense that once again saved the day. After the St. Vincent score the Irish never made it past their own 49.

The Magics wore uniforms that said beat St. V on them. On the St. Vincent fieldhouse, someone painted Magics 4-0 and Beat St. V. The author of this prank remains a mystery to this day. This was the only away game the Magics played the entire 1964 season.

PLAYER MEMORIES
Terry Brown: We hated playing at Green Street, poor lighting and bad field conditions made playing there very difficult. St. V had full back named Ed Vuillemin who was a battering ram, but our D contained him. The difference in the game was a bad snap on a punt.

Paul Okolish: We knew Vuillemin would be tough, he was big, strong, and tough to bring down, but we did it. It was a great win for us, with Garfield up next!