Excerpt:
His (Colna's) path to George Washington was cleared by Andy Kalen, former Coaldale tutor, now backfield coach at the Washington, DC, institution. George Washington had a definite coal region flavor on its 1958 squad.
In addition to Colna, other "coal crackers" with the Colonials include Walt Ligenza, a guard from Nesquehoning; Ron DeMelfi, a center from Berwick; Ed Hino, quarterback from Mahanoy City; Joe Ozefovich, halfback from Coaldale; and Duane Whetstone, fullback from Tamaqua.
Several times during the season George Washington played with a complete coal region backfield: Hino as signal caller, Colna and Ozefovich at the halfback slots and Whetstone at fullback.
Full Article:
One performance was sufficient to convince Jim Trimble, coach of the Hamilton Tiger Cats, that Ted Colna has the ability to make the grade in professional football next fall – Canadian style.
The former Philadelphia Eagles mentor watched Colna climax his collegiate career in the Senior Bowl game at Mobile, Ala., last Saturday. Trimble signed the St. Clair product immediately after the game at a lucrative sum.
The 1955 SCHS graduate gave indication that he’ll know what to do with any money he earns from the Tiger Cats. He opened a savings account in the St. Clair bank last Monday with his share of the Senior Bowl proceeds. Colna played exclusively on defense in the game, making several fine open-field tackles.
Colna isn't big by college standards, but the 5-10, 178-pound halfback played a large role for George Washington University during the 1958 campaign. He led the Colonials in practically every defensive department.
Colna captured the fancy of Coach Bo Sherman as a junior when he gained total of 432 yards. He averaged 23.8 yards on kickoff returns this year and was on the receiving end of 11 passes, good for 139 yards and a touchdown.
It was Colna who sparked St. Clair to a six-and-three won-lost record in 1954 for the school’s first winning season in football since 1941. Colna also played a paramount role in victories over Minersville and Shenandoah in 1954, the first time St. Clair beat either rival in history.
His path to George Washington was cleared by Andy Kalen, former Coaldale tutor, now backfield coach at the Washington, DC, institution. George Washington had a definite coal region flavor on its 1958 squad.
In addition to Colna, other “coal crackers” with the Colonials include Walt Ligenza, a guard from Nesquehoning; Ron DeMelfi, a center from Berwick; Ed Hino, quarterback from Mahanoy City; Joe Ozefovich, halfback from Coaldale; and Duane Whetstone, fullback from Tamaqua.
Several times during the season George Washington played with a complete coal region backfield: Hino as signal caller, Colna and Ozefovich at the halfback slots and Whetstone at fullback.
Source: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19590111&id=xQ4rAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rJsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4742,3815694
