A ’73 Mustangs reunion with Coach Vandy (center); none recall Thanksgiving Day 1973 and facing the ’46 Mustangs.
As Ritoch starts to leap at Pityo, he’s grabbed by Kleber, who wrestles him away. “Calm down, Truck,” Kleber says. “We need you—don’t get thrown out.” On the next play, the 1946 squad goes back to the run, with the determined Pityo opening a hole for Boettcher, who races in for the touchdown. The extra point by Boettcher is good, and the game is tied, 7-7. The game remains knotted until halftime. Despite two long drives, the 1973 Mustangs cannot score. After a 66-yard run by Dom Fego to the 1946 team’s ten yard line, Oosdyk drops the snap where it is recovered by Kukowski. After stopping the 1946 Mustangs on their next drive—the highlight a bone-jarring hit of Lennon by Paul “Mooch” Millar—the 1973 team is again halted by a tipped pass interception by Del Favero. At halftime, the coaches meet with their teams. Outside of the mistakes, Vander Closter is pleased with his offense, but worries his defense has not yet adjusted to stopping the single wing (Boettcher already has 147 yards rushing). Vandy again explains stopping the offense, his chalk breaking several times on the blackboard as he pounds out where his players must attack. Grecco knows his boys are in for the fight of their athletic lives. He now sees the 1973 team is big, strong, and fast, and knows only a methodical ground attack chewing time off the clock will give his team a chance. “Men,” he says, his voice rising, “when you look across that field, know you are the inspiration for their
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power, their numbers, and this field. But also know there can be only one victorious team. Will it be you? Will you show them why we are the real Fighting Mustangs? The 1946 team lifts their chins, forgetting their fatigue. They rise as one and begin to cheer, running past their coach onto the field. One of the hinges on the visitor’s locker room door gives way, and the door hangs crooked after the team rushes through—as it did in 1946 against Nutley. Grecco whispers to himself, “That’s a good omen.” Unwelcome Guest Word has spread through the city of the strange game going on, and fans rush to the stadium. More tickets are sold during halftime than before the game. The fans fill up the stands and ring the field before the Clifton police finally shut down the ticket windows for the day. More than 15,000 are there now—many to cheer the Mustangs of the past. Outside the stadium, fans ring the stadium, some climbing its brick walls and sitting on top to watch. With the crowd now split almost equally behind each team, the 1946 Mustangs take the kickoff and begin another drive. Spurred on by the fans’ cheers, Lennon directs his team down the field with Grecco and the rest of the 1946 players roaring from the sideline, urging them on.