Dear Don,



I am currently stationed at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma and the school year around here has already started.

Which means time for some good old-fashioned football. I have been to a few games out here (Mid West City High School Bombers) and they made me think of the four years I sat in the stands at Corlew Stadium.

Nothing compares to Ohio high school football. The passion by the students the players and the fans. What made high school football special for me was the never-say-die support we (the band) had for Edgewood, no matter if they were winning or losing.

Or me starting the Warriors fight song, pounding away on my bass drum as the football team ran down the tunnel.

From painting our faces with red-and-gray war stripes to the Edgewood students decorating themselves with any Edgewood attire. To the cheerleaders and the Warrior getting the fans on their feet when our guys needed to make a play.

Nothing compares to the four great years I had being in the Edgewood marching band.

But I’m not just talking about Edgewood here. The fans and the support for all of the area high schools in Ashtabula is the reason why I say nothing even comes close to Ohio high school football.

We may wear different colors and support different schools, but we as a whole are what makes Ashtabula area high school football what we all know and love today.

GO WARRIORS!... and good luck to all.



Sincerely,

Brandon Poturica

Airmen First Class



Don,



What makes high school football special to me... it’s a family thing!

Over many years, I have followed my brothers playing for the Madison Blue Streaks!

What excitement looking forward to Friday night football!

In the late ’40s, oldest brother, Ted Bukky, played throughout his high school years. Those were the Steve Ruzich years… Steve went on to play for Ohio State and then to Green Bay before retiring. (I was a bit too young back then to really understand the game).

Then came two other brothers, John Bukky, 1961 graduate of Madison was first-string QB from the time he was a freshman, made All-Ohio honors, played North-South game, after many offers, had a full ride to University of Dayton, played there, went on to teach and coach at a high school in Tennessee from which he is now retired.

Tom Bukky, Blue Streak fullback, graduating in 1964, played North-South game at Fawcett Stadium, honorable mention All-Ohio, had college offers but decided not to pursue a career in football.

Now… the real pride and joy is this year! My Grandson, Ty Law, a senior at Madison playing defensive end and fullback for the Blue Streaks, first string since he was a sophomore.

Ty has the “Bukky blood” in him, so hopefully, he can exceed like my brothers.

But hold on… there’s another grandson, Nick Law, age 12, plays Little league upper division for the Madison Cowboys at quarterback.

Few more years for me to looking forward and enjoying the Madison Blue Streaks Friday night football!

And I must say, Madison High has it all going for them… great fans, coaching staff, outstanding band and the excitement has already begun!

Thanks! GO BLUE STREAKS!



Norma Scott

Madison



Don,



Friday night football is special for many reasons.

1. The smell of french fries from the concession stand.

2. The band playing “Hang on Sloopy.”

3. The first time you hear “The Fire of the Dragons!” from the mysterious voice at halftime.

4. Watching all of the kids who are there who have no idea there is a football game going on.

5. Just being there.



Thanks,

Charles Sunderlin





Mr. McCormack,



I remember the late ’60s, my friends and I attended the last football game of the season.

After halftime, it started to rain toward the end of the game and it had turned into a light snow.

Everyone was headed to the concession stand to buy something hot to drink, but to no avail — all the coffee, hot chocolate, hot items, etc. were sold out!

Some people started to leave, but most of the crowd stayed.

By the way, the Ashtabula Panthers won the game.



Judy (Olson) Perkins

Class of 1971



Don,



I’m a Geneva High School 1964 graduate. Jack Renner was our GHS Marching Band Director from 1960 to 1963.

As an OSU grad, Mr. Renner patterened our GHS marching band halftime show after the OSU Marching Band, right down to our script-G. GHS was the only county marching band to do an OSU-like script performance.

That was our magic moment.

Everytime I see the OSU Band’s “Script Ohio” and hear the strains of “LeRegiment,” it’s Friday night again, I’m playing the sousaphone and praying for no collision at the script-G crossover.

And there never was.



John D. “Jack” Sargent

Geneva on the Lake





Don,



My memories of magic moments were in 1994 when Pymatuning Valley and Berkshire went into triple overtime in a hard-fought game that featured some fantastic passing and rushing plays.

There were some amazing catches and runs in that game.



Dave McNamara



Hi, Don,



I want to give a big hooray to all the program sellers, concession stand workers and folks that sold 50/50 tickets at all the games.

I spent almost 10 years working the games selling 50/50 tickets with the Edgewood Athletic Boosters and it gave me a great opportunity to help raise money for the kids as well as chit chat with tons of great people. I also worked the basketball games in the winter.

It was an experience that I really enjoyed and will never forget.

My best to you and your staff.



Dave Farina



Don,



My magic moment was back in 1975. We had just defeated Akron Springfield to go 10-0 for the season. The first Geneva football team to do this.

The experience of having over 5,000 fans watching us (Geneva Eagles) was life changing.

Coach Bob Herpy and his staff had a great effect on my life’s adventure.



Jeff Covert