Tom "Teem" Rhoades (1927-1930)
When a genuine football fan of Marblehead thinks of Dick Wells, he automatically associates Wells with McGuinness. However, there was another combine with McGuinness, and that was his all scholastic center, Tom Rhoades. Under Coach Burnham, Tom was trained as a guard. The dean of sports writers of the North Shore, Harvey Southward, said at the time Coach McGuinness converted Rhoades that McGuinness had developed one of the finest centers in North Shore football. Opposition to Tom Rhoades had to play two linemen against Rhoades' skill in demolishing their offense.
Tom Rhoades' skill saw him filling the center position on a powerhouse St. John's Prep in Danvers. After graduation from High School, Tom followed his love for football into the semi-pro ranks of the day. He matriculated on the famous Swampscott town team with Ty Anderson and renowned wrestler, Jim Wallis. Under today's conditions, Tom would undoubtedly have received an athletic scholarship.
Tom's climactic claim in high school days when he blocked a punt on an undefeated, unscored, untied Beverly High on November 11, 1930. The blocked punt knocked Beverly under the undefeated class to the tune of 7-0. Pandemonium broke out in the throng of 10,000. How do I know? I was there.
Tom's mark in life was more than his football fame. Many of the adults of today owe their outstanding character and reputation to their acquaintance and instructions received from Tom Rhoades, while performing as a member of the famed OKOS Bugle and Drum Corps.
James "Soapy" Waters (1938-1940)
James Waters was a classic 'triple threat' star back of the single-wing offense. An outstanding runner, passer and kicker he led Marblehead to an 8-2 record in 1940 and the Northeastern Conference championship (4-0-0), scoring 53 points on 8 touchdowns, 3 conversions and a safety tackle.
"Soapy" Waters was on Coach Charlie McGuinness' last MHS team in 1938 (7-3-0); scored his first touchdown as a halfback and was the team's punter under Coach Trim Robarts in 1939 (2-5-3); and emerged as an All-Scholastic back in 1940 under first year Coach George Moriarty. The 1940 team lost only to Coach Warren McGuirk's Malden team 13-0 and to Coach 'Buzz' Harvey's Saugus eleven 9-0.
Waters was cited by the Boston papers as 'one of the best backs to come out of Marblehead in years' in 1940. Ably assisted by the Carey brothers, captain Art and his brother Herb, who was switched from tackle to the backfield that year, Waters and company scored 145 points to the opposition's 50. He scores all three touchdowns in a 19-6 win at Newburyport, including a 94 yard run, as the headlines read 'Soapy got in Joppas' eyes'. He scored two touchdowns and passed for another in a 22-2 win at Salem; caught star halfback Pydynkowski twice from behind and scored the winning touchdown in a 13-7 victory over Danvers; and dominated the Gloucester game with his punting in a 6-0 win.
On Thanksgiving Day 1940, a day after a heavy snowstorm, Marblehead blanked Swampscott at Blocksidge Field 27-0. Waters closed out his impressive MHS football career by scoring one touchdown and running and passing for two conversions, as MHS clinched the Northeastern Conference title for the fifth year in the league's seven year existence.