Sachem High School Football: The History of the Flaming Arrows

By Fred Fusaro and Christopher R. Vaccaro

"Sachem High School Football: The History of the Flaming Arrows" is the first ever full-length history book about a Long Island high school football program. From the early years with head coaches Kiernan Lawler and Brian Smith, to the dynasty years under legendary head coach Fred Fusaro, this book captures every moment, player, game and detail about the Sachem High School Football program. It discusses the political, social, educational and athletic frontiers of one of Long Islands most storied institutions and is written by a Sachem graduated.

Chris Vaccaro is an online sports editor for the New York Daily News with extensive experience covering high school sports for a large part of is career. This is Vaccaros second book.

"Vaccaro had the great fortune to sit down with coach Fusaro and hear story after story, lesson after lesson. For Sachem Football alums, this will take you back to your past and for fans it will make you feel as though you were there. Outstanding." - Dave Falco, current head coach at Sachem North

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 12, 2008
• ISBN: 9781465319661

Book preview

Copyright © 2008 by Christopher R. Vaccaro.

Foreword By Fred Fusaro.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission

in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

51718

Contents

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER 1

Kiernan Lawlor, Brian Smith and the 1960s

CHAPTER 2

Fred Fusaro: The legend begins in the 1970s

CHAPTER 3

The 1980s, a decade of dominance

CHAPTER 4

The 1990s: James O’Neal and the Long Island Championship

CHAPTER 5

The 2000s: An end of an era and the start of a new age

CHAPTER 6

Top players

CHAPTER 7

Top games

CHAPTER 8

Timeline of major events

CHAPTER 9

Talkin’ Sachem Football

CHAPTER 10

Red, Black & Gold A-Z guide

CHAPTER 11

Team records

CHAPTER 12

Individual records

CHAPTER 13

Year-by-year rundown

CHAPTER 14

Program award and letter winners

SACHEM LETTER WINNERS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

PHOTO CREDITS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

To the greats: Thompson, Morrison, Franklin, Reilly and PriceSachem’s Fight Song

Here’s to Red, Black & Gold

It’s a story often told

Sachem beat em’ Sachem win

On to victory rah rah rah

Flaming Arrows steady in their aim

Hit that bulls eye win that game

Bulls eye

Take another shot

Lets give it all we got

Sans Egal with out equal

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of Chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

FOREWORD

Sachem Country . . . a friend from a neighboring district once told me that when our buses appeared at an athletic event emblazoned with those words, you could almost hear an audible sigh—We’re in for it now! Sachem—a tradition born of pride, determination and hard work.

When I began my tenure at Sachem in 1971, we were the new kids on the block. We had some very lean years but the determination to succeed was always present in our players and coaching staff. So, we worked at it, and worked at it some more. We developed our unique traditions—the Red, Black & Gold, our team circle to begin each game, our Flaming Arrows mascot and a fight song . . . Here’s to Red, Black & Gold, it’s a story often told, Sachem beat ’em Sachem win, on to victory! . . .

We got there. This book will tell the story in detail—all of the successes as well as the disappointments. What this book cannot do is to tell you what it felt like to be the football coach during those incredible, irreplaceable years . . . 1971-2003.

Our success was due to three important elements: the young men who wanted to be a part of Sachem Football, the dedicated and talented coaches who worked with these young men and the support of the families, fans and administrators who were ever present on the sidelines, cheering us on.

Our players, year in and year out, were phenomenal young men. Some players were extremely talented, many were incredible motivators, some had bulk, some had speed but they all had Sachem pride. That pride got us through many a tough games and that same pride kept each head high when victory eluded us. My wife once asked me if I could choose one player as the best young man I’ve coached. Impossible. There were just too many. The pride I feel as a Sachem coach is directly related to the pride and thanks I have for the privilege to have coached these incredible young men. I truly cherish the memories and traditions we created together over the years. No coach has been more blessed than me.

Something happens to a coach when he steps on the field at Sachem wearing the Red, Black & Gold. He becomes Sachem Football. Again, I have been blessed over and over again with coaches who were willing to put in whatever amount of time I asked of them to ensure our success. (My wife once commented that she could write a cookbook on how to make delicious meals that can be kept warm for up to four hours!) Our coaches came in early to look at film, we stayed late to set up the next day’s practice and we spent all day Sunday preparing for our next challenge. We argued, we laughed, we vented our frustrations, we celebrated, we cried—we were family. No words could ever be sufficient to thank all of these dedicated men, but I’ll try. Thank you. You made my job so much more fulfilling. I could not have done it without you. Each one of you is irreplaceable.

Finally, I must recognize and thank our families, fans and fellow Sachem teachers and administrators. Without your support and encouragement, your enthusiasm and yes, your prayers, we could not possibly have been as successful as we were. The marching band was always there to rally us on. The cheerleaders, Arrowettes and student volunteers all played a huge role in adding to the atmosphere of pride and healthy athletic competition at our games. Our administrators saw to it that we had what we needed to protect our players and keep up the traditions of the Sachem Flaming Arrows.

And finally, our fans. The fans that yelled and screamed encouragements, the ones with cowbells and boom boxes, blaring, We will, we will rock you! The fans that sat in the cold and rain and never lost hope—nobody can match the Sachem fan. They became our heart. They filled our games with encouragement and excitement. They cheered with us and cried with us. No young man who ever wore the Red, Black & Gold will forget the magic that they added to our days on the gridiron.

My days at Sachem are over and new and talented players and coaches have taken the field. They will be successful, I am certain, as the tradition that is Sachem will never die. I wish all of them the very best. I must also say a special thank you to my wife Ellen, my daughter Ellen and my departed brother Anthony (Satch). They were my biggest supporters throughout my entire career. Also, thanks to Chris Vaccaro, who has spent so much time and energy researching and writing the history of Sachem Football.

—Fred Fusaro

INTRODUCTION

At the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association dinner in December 2007, I originally planned on staying a short while to market my first book, The Dynasties: Long Island High School Football, which came out in May 2007. However, I ran into current Sachem North head coach Dave Falco and a new project was presented.

It was pretty simple. Falco and I exchanged pleasantries, he asked how the sales on my first book were going and broached the idea of a book about Sachem High School Football.

Being a fan of Sachem, (it is my alma mater) I quickly jumped at the opportunity. The following day he posted a note on the Sachem Football website saying I agreed to write this historical perspective on the football program and here we are.

I never played football at Sachem, but covered it as a journalist and felt as close to the program as I could be. There has not been a day without a momentary reflection of my time roaming the hallways in the high school that has taught so many good people. There hasn’t been a day where I don’t think about the power of the Red, Black & Gold and the fondness I have for the coaches, athletes and tradition of the Flaming Arrows.

People often joke about the Sachem moniker, but in all honesty, there may not be a more tough-as-nails type logo or team name on Long Island. A flaming arrow is literally a weapon used by Native Americans. They used it to survive and care for their families. It’s a symbol of sacrifice and honor, a depiction of diligence and grace and those are the same laurels the Sachem Football program are built on.

Fred Fusaro, a hall of fame Long Island coaching icon and legend, built Sachem’s program from the ground up and was the main reason for the success the Flaming Arrows had for three decades. He’s a no-nonsense, intimidating figure that commands a lot of respect.

I knew him as a student and spoke to him briefly on a few occasions, but always got a little nervous in his presence. Not because of his size, which isn’t overwhelming by any means or because of his demeanor (he’s a really kind individual), but because of his swagger, which is powerful and classy, yet dominant. Those traits resemble his football teams as well.

In the moments prior to our first meeting for this book, Fusaro took me aside and expressed his feelings about my first book. It was like a scene from the Godfather, except he didn’t have an offer I could not refuse and he is in much better shape than Don Corleone. He was upset that Sachem was not listed as one of the top 10 dynasties and that the honorable mention selection really did not do the program justice.

After that, the meetings were golden. Coach Fusaro opened up his life to me, spilling years of stories that fill these pages. From memorable games to favorite plays and players, Fusaro truly is a legend of football. He has a Joe Paterno like mind on the field and the winning prowess with loads of discipline seeping through the cracks of his program’s foundation like a Tom Landry figure.

While many viewed Fusaro as a tough-guy physical education teacher and coach, he really is a humble and hard working individual. After reading this book, you’ll also realize he had to work for everything he achieved and nothing, literally nothing, was handed to him easily as a coach at Sachem.

I wrote part of this introduction on an Amtrak ride home from Rochester, where I was covering the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Wrestling Championships and as I look out the window as snow covered houses and trees pass by, I can not help but think of the blue collar working man.

Sure, most of upstate New York is rural, spread out and drenched with tractors and trains hustling along, far different than Long Island. But, that blue collar mentality and workmanship is what Sachem is built on. More importantly, the football program was made of young, hard working individuals who got their hands dirty in more ways than just on the football field. It was a way of life to work hard and reap the benefits of it. Things are not like that so much anymore on Long Island.

The Sachem Central School District split after the 2003-04 school year, my last as a student at Sachem. Thankfully that was the case, because I love telling people I graduated in the last year of regular Sachem. The high schools are Sachem North, the old school where I went, and the newer Sachem East.

East looks like a college campus, but lacks the feel of tradition that Sachem North has. There is no athletic showcase like the one in the gymnasium lobby at North and nothing that resembles the old Sachem.

* * *

Every time a book is published, the process is likened to a long journey: the production, the note-taking, the hours of interviews, the quote transcriptions, the months of actual writing, editing, re-editing, re-re-editing. Eventually a box of books is delivered to your house and the smell of fresh new pages with the text that trickled out of your mind onto the keyboard and finally onto the 6x9 pages is set in print forever.

S.L. Price, a sportswriter for Sports Illustrated and somewhat of a journalistic idol of mine, wrote a wonderful book titled, Far and Afield, A Sportswriting Odyssey, which is about his career and stay in Europe covering athletics overseas for the magazine. He brilliantly captures the essence of sportswriting and touches upon his search of creativity and the expansion of thoughts as a writer.

The scary part is that I had similar thoughts of my own career the day before I read those pages in the book. It was sort of a journalistic epiphany, meshed with a knack of wanting to get the job done accurately with some fun on the side.

Price writes, no amount of writing, no amount of reading, no journalism school, no professor—and certainly not the most generous reservoir of energy and desire—can make up for what amounts to the writer’s moment of truth. With that, I think this is a stepping-stone on the journey to journalistic excellence . . . a blip on the screen of my yearning to buck the trend of mediocrity.

As you begin to turn this page in search of gaining knowledge about the Sachem Football program and how a sport can transcend generations, breakdown societal boundaries and graze the realm of politics, I ask you to enjoy the journey!

Bon Voyage and Go Arrows!

* * *

Please note, the words in this book are in no way a view of what the administration, school board members and coaching staffs of the Sachem Central School District think or feel. These are my own words and beliefs and most of it is a historical perspective, where I present facts and very little opinion.

Also, there are certain points where information from the Sachem East Football team—whether stats or award winners—seems to be left out, when in all honesty the information was unattainable. Towards the end of the book you’ll notice listings for various things and a majority related to North. Almost all of the history is within the North program and only six years of East history exists to the point of this book being published. If something was left out, it’s because it wasn’t kept or the coaches were unable to provide it. There is no biased towards or favoring of North.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book would not have been possible if Dave Falco didn’t approach me in December 2007. It’s been a privilege and honor to have written about Sachem Football and knowing that I know more than most about this program means a great deal to me. Family and friends of mine will tell you that I am absorbed by Sachem pride and really am proud to have been a part of the Red, Black & Gold as a student and even more with this work.

I have to thank everyone who spoke with me, either over the phone or in person, for interviews, especially Fred Fusaro, who spent many hours at the North coaching offices, going over his life and the program’s story.

Thank you to Xlibris for printing a beautiful book. It’s my second and I stuck with them for a reason. They are professional, courteous and thorough.

Now to the names on the dedication page . . . Hunter S. Thompson is my favorite writer and his Gonzo style of journalism is not evident in this book, but his work has mesmerized my psyche and it has been a thrill to have read his written words. He is a pioneer that will never die in the communications field.

Jim Morrison is idolized by millions and his free-spirit and knack for creativity captured me through his song lyrics, which is really from his poetry. James Douglas Morrison is a poet and a great mind of the 20th century. His early death was unfortunate, but his work will live forever.

Rick Reilly is a brilliant sports writer and his humor and sequences of writing on societal issues in sports and everyday life are magnificent. Sports Illustrated will never be the same without him, but ESPN will prosper.

S.L. Price is my other favorite sportswriter. He’s still with Sports Illustrated and is a common man. He’s a regular writer who is humble and at the top of his game. His career is basically what every young sports writer should aspire to obtain. He travels, lived in France, writes mind-bending interpersonal feature stories that matter, has covered Michael Jordan in college and the pros and has covered major national and international events.

Ben Franklin was Ben Franklin and that says it all. I read his biography and was simply awestruck by him. I thought I’ve taken on a lot at an early age, but he was considered the best American writer by the time he was 23! He had a great mind and went outside-the-box in his principles on life.

I’ve modeled my thoughts and work and even basic life philosophies on these men and they mean the world to me in one way or another.

Finally, my family and friends. My mom Annmarie, dad Robert and brother Bryan have always been there for me and help make me who I am. They are my teammates.

CHAPTER 1

Kiernan Lawlor, Brian Smith and the 1960s

I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle—victorious.

—Vince Lombardi

The 1960s were a decade marked by extreme change in culture. It was a time like no other in American history and as the country was changing rapidly, so was the Sachem Central School District and its athletic program.

The American educational system was booming. College campuses became centers for rallies and breeding grounds for opinions and protest. The Civil Rights movement was happening. There were books written like Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mocking Bird, which broke down the issue of race relations in society and is still a major corner stone in American literature today. Some of the greatest musicians and athletes thrived during that time. Jim Morrison was changing the way people heard the sound of words and rhythms. Jimi Hendrix was rocking out to strong politically stirred songs. Of course, there’s The Beatles and Beach Boys and the Grateful Dead.

Shea Stadium was built and the New York Mets were born. Muhammad Ali was winning heavyweight titles, while Joe Namath was calling a Super Bowl victory for the New York Jets. Sandy Koufax hurled no-hitters for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Those same Mets went on to win the World Series in 1969.

Classic movies like The Sound of Music and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid left lasting impressions. The baby boomer generation got off the ground and culture as we know it today will always be triggered greatly by what happened from 1960-1969.

The Sachem area was growing quickly and Lake Ronkonkoma was slowly assimilating into a regular suburban area as opposed to the beach resort-like feel it had for most of the early 20th century.

Aside from the Hawkins Nine, a baseball team, which had six Hawkins brothers, and the family for which Hawkins Road is named after, there were not many sports teams or organizations. They played all over Long Island and it was remarkable, considering the difficulty of travel, which was by horse and carriage or by the railroad. They played as far away as Hempstead, Bridgehampton and Mattituck as early as the late 1800s (Curtis 114).

Before there was a Sachem Central School District, a few small districts made up the area that we now call Sachem today. The Holbrook School District, extended from Sunrise Highway north to Portion Road, west to Knickerbocker Avenue and east to Holbrook Road, according to Marie Wesemann Pederson, who gave her accounts of the early days of Holbrook in Memories from Holbrook by Gurtha H. Strand. The current Sachem administrative offices are at the same site as the old Union Avenue School, which opened in September 1926.

Responding to internal forces of government and rapid growth of population in the towns of Islip and Brookhaven, the Sachem Central School District was officially formed on April 21, 1955 after a vote in which the majority in favor of the centralization plan won by a landslide, 707-26. There had been a few plans thrown around, including combining certain parts of Sayville, Bohemia, Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson Station, as well as Lake Ronkonkoma, Holtsville, Farmingville, Holbrook and Lake Grove. The current system, minus the split which occurred in the 2004-05 school year, has not deviated much since 1955.

Central Long Island grew to be a crowded suburb, with people moving from a condensed New York City to a spacious piece of property with picket fences and newly started educational systems and opportunities. Sachem was a gem of chance and hope, a glistening star bursting with energy before its time.

Between 1940 and 1960, the Town of Brookhaven’s population grew from 32,117 to 109,900 and it keeps growing (US Census 1960). Even the existing elementary schools in Holbrook, Holtsville-Farmingville and Lake Ronkonkoma were all expanding every year. In 1944, Holbrook had 64 students in its elementary school and 119 by 1948 (NYS Library).

The beginning: Kiernan Lawlor

Lawlor’s coaching tenure at Sachem lasted seven years (1961-1967) and resulted in a 17-32-7 record. Lawlor was your typical old-school coach. He put his