2022 Tigers Take Shot at History
Following its 20-14 victory over Perth Amboy at Jost Field on Friday night, South Plainfield improved to 7-0 on the season, and have not been undefeated this late in the season since 1972. The only undefeated team in school history was the 1965 Tigers coached by Phil Graham, and led by senior QB and three sport star, Wally Cirafesi.
Schedule
- September 25, 1965 – Highland Park (Won 13-0 at home)
- October 2, 1965 – Watchung Hills (Won 26-7 on the road)
- October 9, 1965 – West Orange (Won 46-7 at home)
- October 16, 1965 – Franklin (Won 24-6 on the road)
- October 23, 1965 – Metuchen (Won 31-6 on the road)
- October 30, 1965 – Hunterdon Central (Won 27-14 on the road)
- November 6, 1965 – J.F. Kennedy (Won 35-0 at home)
- November 13, 1965 – J.P. Stevens (Won 27-6 on the road)
- November 25, 1965 – North Plainfield (Won 26-20 at home)
Statistics
- Final Record: 9-0
- Home: 4-0
- Away: 5-0
- Points For: 255
- Points Against: 66
- PPG: 28.3
- PAPG: 7.3
- Largest margin of victory: 39 points vs. West Orange
- Closest margin of victory: 6 points vs. North Plainfield
- Most points allowed in a game: 20 vs. North Plainfield
- Two shutouts vs. Highland Park and J.F. Kennedy
- Seven games where SP held opponents to 7 points or less.
Key Players
- QB Wally Cirafesi
- RB Richie Toot
- FB/DB Bobby Yackanin
- WR/DB Jimmy Anderson
- SE Doug Parker
- SE Tommy Mairiano
- SE Russ Thompson
- SE Hal LaVigne
- C Steve Shave
- G Joe Indico
- K/DB Gene Malpas
- LB Ritchie Versocki
- LB Ed Clark
- LB Ron Lipka
- LB Bill Trieshmann
- S Ed Saillo
Coaching Staff
- Ralph Demech
- Pete Falzarano
- Baron Hicken
- Tony Santoro
- Matt Kuuskvere
NOTE: South Plainfield had a pre-season scrimmage versus Scotch Plains, and won easily. The win over North Plainfield was the third straight win by the Tigers in the series after the Canucks won the first 7 games from 1956-62 including the last four by shutout. All games were played on either Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon. Start times were either 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, or 2:00 PM. No Friday night lights. No playoff games either.
