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The Football Tradition for the Prep League in
1949

1949 was the start of a new era of prep football in New Orleans, the advent of television in the city in 1948, the emergence of new schools, and changes of league alignments would combine to change the flavor of the game.  The gigantic crowds of the 1930's and 1940's would give way to smaller ones in the 1950's and beyond.  Despite this trend, there would still be some major crowds and major games that captured the enthusiasm of the loyal alumni and parents.

In 1949 Holy Cross would dominate the league.  This was the middle of a streak of wins over archrival Jesuit.  The Blue Jays were in a three-year slump, but would be back for more glory very shortly.  Lou Brownson came back to coach his Tigers after spending two years as and assistant at VMI.  In that same year, Jesuit assistant Eddie Toribio took over the head job at St. Aloysius and would go on to bring them to their first title before returning to his alma mater in 1953.  Jesuit's 1948 record of 1-7-1 would be their worst ever, and, although they hoped for more in 1949 and got it, it would not be a satisfactory year, especially when it came to playing against the Holy Cross Tigers.

The Tigers were loaded with talent and would go on to win the prep title with one of their greatest teams.  Joe Heap became one of the all century halfbacks and would go on to have a fine career at Notre Dame.

After winning the invitation to the annual CYO bowl, the Tigers were compelled to turn it down, due to their state playoff schedule.  They took care of Bogalusa by 35-7 and went to the state finals, where Byrd High prevailed by 34-13 for their fifth and final state title of the 1900's.    

The 1949 game was played on Saturday, November 13, 1949
Copyright © 1949 The Times-Picayune Publishing Company

Clarence Zimmerman’s Aerials Give Holy Cross 33 to 13 Victory over Jesuit

  Victory gives Tigers Right to Participate in CYO Bowl

Chaney Scores Both Jesuit Touchdowns

By Joe Englert

Lou Brownson’s Holy Cross Tigers went home from City Park Stadium Saturday night with a double triumph – a 33-13 merciless whipping over arch-rival Jesuit and an automatic bid to the annual CYO Bowl game to be played next month.

Tiger Coaches Lou Brownson and Larry Frey work on a play with 
backs Joe Heap and Hayden Mayeaux in 1949 season
(Photo from Holy Cross Archive)

Earlier victories, 39-6 over Redemptorist and 25-0 over St. Aloysius leave Holy Cross as the outstanding Catholic team in the city.  It will mark their fourth appearance in the seven years that the bowl has existed.

The Tigers got a spirited first half and final few minutes’ battle from Gernon Brown’s charges before approximately 6,500 fans, but made it look easy in the second period and most of the third period.

After a scoreless initial stanza, Clarence Zimmerman tossed 42 yards to Ray Heap for the first Tiger score.  Heap caught the ball after Joe Shirer of the Jays deflected it.  Lloyd Bertrand failed at the try for point.

The Blue Jays would be willing to throw out the third period if they could.  Holy Cross garnered the kickoff and moved 67 yards down field to make it 13-0.  Bertrand covered the final eight yards on a sweep and Hayden Mayeaux added the extra point.

A few minutes later Bertrand returned a Jay punt to the Tiger 46 and in five plays they struck again.  Bertrand took a hand-off from Zimmerman and pranced 13 yards to the end zone.  Joe Heap smacked over for the extra point to make it 20-0.

George Groetsch fumbled a fourth-down pass from center and the Brownsonmen found themselves on the Jesuit 20.  Lou Jung lost 10 to the 30, but Zimmerman then calmly took to the air lanes, Joe Heap taking a touchdown pass n the next down for 30 yards.  Zimmerman faked the handoff and plunged through the middle for the 27^th point.

Holy Cross then recovered their own kickoff on the Jay 35, and with the aid of a 15-yard penalty, scored again with Zimmerman tallying on a five-yard fake handoff.

Jesuit was down, but not out.  A pass, Chaney to Duvigneaud, brought the ball to the HC 14 from where Chaney dodged around end to cross the Tiger goal and climax a 61-yard march.

The next time the Birds took possession, Chaney tossed to Duvigneaud on first down and Duvigneaud outraced the HC secondary to tally.  Ray Rocker’s placement brought the final count to 33-13.

The victory was a bit costly to Cross.  Two key linemen, Chester Doll and Mike Badalamenti, had to be helped off the field in the second half and the extent of their injuries was not determined.

Holy Cross outran Jesuit 182 to 85 yards and gained 190 yards through the air to the Jays 149.  That meant a total advantage for the night of 372 for Cross and 234 for Jesuit.  The Tigers also led in first downs, 13 to 7.

Joe Heap, a main factor in the Tiger 55-0 rout of Jesuit last year, was the best individual gainer.  He chopped off 93 yards in 11 carries for an 8.5 average per try.  Ray Rocker picked up 37 yards in 11 tries for Jesuit.

Zimmerman completed 11 out of 18 passes for HC and Chaney was on the throwing end of 11 out of 15 completions for Jesuit.

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