Charlie Gilligan (1953-1955)
Charlie Gilligan was a fine two-way halfback for MHS.
In 1955 the senior led Herm Hussey's offense, which included sophomore quarterback Ronnie Conn and junior halfback Dick Mesquita, with 36 points in a 4-4 season. He scored 5 rushing touchdowns, and a 70 yard pass reception touchdown on the first play of the game in a 22-7 win over Salem. Listed at 140 lbs., the smallest player on the starting team, he also did all the punting and threw a touchdown pass.
All that attended the Thanksgiving game on November 24, 1955 will remember his name. In one of the most exciting games in the long history of the series, Gilligan "ran wild". In a heartbreaking 19-18 loss, he gained 292 yards on just 6 carries, ran back a pass interception 52 yards and had a kick-off return of 76 yards. The great single game performance, along with that of Swampscott's Bobby Carlin, is regarded as "the best" by many.
Charlie Gilligan played three years at AlC.
Larry Upton (1971-1973)
Larry Upton played three years of football under Coach Alex Kulevich in 1971-72-73. After limited service as a junior in 1972, he emerged as a key player on the 1973 team which was 7-2 and Northeast Conference Co-Champs.
Upton was the starting left guard on a powerful offense that scored 195 points behind a strong running attack and the passing of Brian Buckley. He was even more recognized for his play on defense, mostly at end. He played a major two-way role in the 20-12 upset over Swampscott on Thanksgiving, ending their long winning streak. Upton's defensive calls were recognized by the Salem News as All Star Middle Guard and by team mates who named him defensive player of the year.
John Chew (1990-1991)
A fullback and linebacker as a sophomore at Lawrence Academy, upon returning to Marblehead for the 1990 (4-6) season under Coach Bruce Jordan, Chew scored 3 touchdowns, 9 points after, and 1 field goal for a total of 37 points. He scored the only points in 19-7 loss to Swampscott. A two-way starter in 1991, he was a co-Ccptain with Josh Commoss and Mike Sullivan and led team to 9-2 record, scoring 254 points. of those points, Chew scored 103 points - a then regular season MHS record - on 17 touchdowns and 1 point after. He was credited with 1,329 yards rushing for the year. He also did the punting.
On Thanksgiving he ran for 2 touchdowns and 211 yards in a 26-6 win. He was also credited with 16 tackles in his linebacker position, where he was a standout all season. He was voted the MVP of the Swampscott game.
Randy Rundle (1969-1971)
Sophomore Randy Rundle became the starting quarterback for Noel Reebenacker's last team in 1969 for the last two games of the season, moving star back Frank Legro back to his natural halfback position. He was one of the teams top players against a champion Swampscott team on Thanksgiving, completing his first five passes , two of which for touchdowns, to take a 14-0 lead before losing 15-14in the last seconds on a Mike Lynch field goal.
Rundle was new Coach Alex Kulevich's regular quarterback in both 1970 (4-5) and 1971 (5-4), generally regarded as one of the best passers on the North Shore. He also could move with the ball and was an excellent place kicker. He led the team in scoring both of those two seasons. Overall, in his MHS football career, Rundle threw 17 touchdown passes, ran for 5 touchdowns, kicked 3 field goals, had 13 kick point-after touchdowns, and 3 -2 point conversions for a total of 59 points. A fine all-around athlete and excellent baseball player, he later played quarterback at Tufts.
George Osgood (1958-1960)
George Osgood worked his way into the starting line-up as an 170 lb. tackle as a sophomore in Coach Herm Hussey's last season in 1958.
He continued as a two-way starter under new Coach Noel Reebenacker's 1959 team, now 205 lbs. and regarded as one of the team's best players.
Marblehead's 1960 team (8-1-1) is generally regarded as one of the town's finest--scoring 276 points-winning the Northeast Conference. Osgood was the offensive right tackle in a strong line which combined an effective running attack (Jake Healey-12 rushing touchdowns and Tom "Bucket" Manning's record-breaking 25 touchdown passes).
He was also an excellent defensive tackle and a key player both ways on the outstanding 1960 team.
