Philadelphia High School Football
History of St. James in Chester, PA

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 This page details much of the football history of St. James High in
Chester, PA. The Bulldogs joined the Philadelphia Catholic League
for the 1943 season and remained there through 1992. The school
closed in June 1993.
  Please note: The school first played football in 1929. It was known
as St. Robert's through the 1939-40 school year. This page details
the school's Catholic League seasons.
  If corrections/additions are needed, please contact Ted Silary at
tedtee307@yahoo.com and provide verification of new information,
if possible. Thanks!
  Thanks for help to: Joe Smagala,
  Some research is still being conducted/cross-checked. 
  (Information prior to 1976 was provided mostly by Dr. Roger B. Saylor,
a famed Pennsylvania football historian. He passed away in 2013.)

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SCHOOL RECORDS

Most Wins Season
          12 in 1972 and 1991
Longest Unbeaten Streak
          17, all 10 games in 1953 (9-0-1), first seven games in 1954 (6-0-1)
Most Losses Season
          10 in 1982
Longest Losing Streak
          15, last four games in 1981, all 10 games in 1982, first game in 1983
Most Points Scored
          Season: 387 in 1972 (12-0)
          Game: 63 vs. Ridley in 1953 (63-7) and North Catholic in 1969 (63-14)
Most Points Allowed
          Season: 273 in 1977 (2-9)
          Game: 50 vs. O'Hara in 1973 (50-20) 
Fewest Points Scored Season
          56 in 1951 (1-6-2)
Fewest Points Allowed Season
          47 in 1953 (9-0-1)
Most Shutouts Season
          6 in 1953 (9-0-1)
Most Times Shut Out Season
          6 in 1965 (2-6-2)
Biggest Winning Margin
          58 vs. Roman Catholic in 1964 (58-0)
Biggest Losing Deficit
          47 vs. Neumann in 1952 (47-0)
Longest Shutout Streak
          4, three games to end 1945, first game in 1946
Longest Streak Times Shut Out
          4, games three through six in 1950
Longest Streak Without Being Shut Out
          36, last four games in 1961, all 31 games from 1962 through 1964, first game in 1965
Longest Streak Without a Shutout
          63, last 10 games in 1977, all 52 games from 1978 through 1982, first game in 1983
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CATHOLIC LEAGUE TITLES

1953, Overall: 7-0, 9-0-1 . . . also tied for overall City Title
1972, Overall: 7-0, 12-0  . . . also won overall City Title 
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RECAPS OF WINS IN CATHOLIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

1953
Decided in Regular Season
St. James (7-0-0)
    Dick Christy played a part in all five TDs -- running for three,
passing for two -- as the Bulldogs, CL members for 11 seasons, bashed
West, 34-0, to win their first title. Christy's two longest TDs covered
73 and 88 yards. One of his TD tosses, to Don "Ducky" Van Horn, came
on a fake punt. South went 6-1-0 for second.

1972
Overall
At Villanova Stadium
St. James 29, Kenrick 27
    On an end-around double reverse, Dave Kasarsky threw a 50-yard
scoring pass to QB Kevin Dare to erase a 14-13 deficit and give St.
James momentum. Dare threw a 49-yard TD pass to Bill Warrington and
Tony Serge ran for two TDs. For Kenrick, Jim Genuardi carried 15 times
for 124 yards and a TD while Jordy Hinkle ran for one score and passed
for another.

RECAPS OF TIE/WIN IN CITY TITLES

1953
At Franklin Field
St. James 20, Northeast 20 (tie)
    St. James franchise Dick Christy carried 16 times for 131 yards
and a 79-yard TD, but he left the field dejected after his sure score in
the final moments turned into a fumble and end-zone recovery for
Northeast's Don Jones. Christy finished the season with 1,520 yards and
19 TDs. He also passed for 692 yards and six TDs, made nine
interceptions and punted for a 41-yard average. Don "Ducky" Van Horn
carried five times for 75 yards and two scores. For Northeast, Ed Kramer
ran for two short scores, passed for one and kicked two PAT. The leading
rushers were Bill Rushing (25-117) and Paul Boldin (18-85).

1972
At Franklin Field
St. James 42, Frankford 0
    Tony Serge rushed 17 times for 154 yards and two TDs and Dave
Lansberry added two more scores while rushing 20 times for 134 yards.
St. James rang up 507 yards total offense and 23 first downs. Gus
Fernandez kicked six PAT. For Frankford, Gary Hegh was limited to 43
yards on 12 carries, but he finished his career with 2,595 yards.