Merry Christmas

EagleBank Bowl Game: Navy - Wake-Forest Preview

Navy Football 2008: EagleBank Bowl Preview      Observations from an Olde Poolie

Eagle Bank Bowl at RFK Stadium, Washington .DC. 11:00 am Saturday Dec. 20, 2008

Navy (8-4) versus Wake Forest (7-5) ESPN.

The Naval Academy's Athletic Director Chet Gladchuck was involved early on in the planning for a bowl game in the Nation's Capitol. He committed Navy to play in the first bowl if they had a winning season. The opponent would be from the Atlantic Coast Conference. Not a top finisher in the conference but a bowl eligible team.

On September 27 Navy traveled to Winston Salem, NC and upset Wake Forest 24 - 17. Wake was undefeated at the time and ranked 17^th. The Midshipmen picked off four interceptions and recovered two fumbles. Navy led 17 - 0 at the half. QB Kaheaku-Enhada pulled up lame when he re-injured his ham string in the second quarter. Back-up QB Bryant had a terrible third quarter as the Midshipmen only gained 18 yards and muffed a punt deep in their own territory allowing WF to get an easy TD. An interception followed by a 57 yard burst by Eric Kettani led to a TD that made the score 24 - 10 late in the game. Kettani had 175 yards rushing. The Defense won this game.

Wake Forest will be anxious to get even with Navy and to salvage what started as a promising year. Kaheaku-Enhada, who was ready to quit in November, worked hard to rehab his leg and had a great game against Army. Navy's defense is really playing well. Wake Forest is favored by three points. Should be a good game on a cold day.

Wake Forest Record (7-5)

Aug. 30 WF 41 @ Baylor 13

Sept. 6 WF 30 Mississippi 28

Sept. 20 WF 12 @ Florida State 3

Sept. 27 Navy 24 @ WF 17

Oct. 9 WF 12 Clemson 7

Oct. 18 @ Maryland 26 WF 0

Oct. 25 @ Miami 16 WF 10

Nov. 1 WF 33 Duke 30 (OT)

Nov. 8 WF 28 Virginia 17

Nov. 15 @ N. C. St. 21 WF 17

Nov. 22 Boston College 24 WF 21

Nov. 29 WF 23 Vanderbilt 10

GO NAVY! BEAT WAKE FOREST!

Next Year. Gladchuck hired Niumatlolo a few days after Paul Johnson announced he was leaving for Georgia Tech. This allowed the new coach to retain all but three assistants who defected to Atlanta. Big shoes to fill but the Navy coaching did a great job. Hopefully they will be successful in recruiting. The revised staff has been together for one year so that is a positive. The schedule for next year is really challenging with five of the first seven games on the road - that includes opening at Ohio State. Some excellent players graduate but there are good players returning. Four offensive lineman who started will return. The center and one guard will graduate. Three wide receivers are seniors but alternates had experience. Quarterbacks Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada and Jerod Bryant both graduate. Soph. Ricky Dobbs and Jr. Greg Zingler return at QB. There were five plebe QBs on the JV team. Some may be switched to other positions. FB Kettani and S/B Shun both graduate. There does not appear to be a big strong FB like Ketanni on the roster so that might be a concern. Shun White is an exceptional runner and will be hard to replace.

The defense returns nine of ten down linemen. Three linebackers are seniors and two DBs will graduate. Nevertheless that are experienced linebackers and defensive backs returning. The defense should be solid. Extra point kicker senior Matt Harmon has had a great season. Hopefully plebe Jon Teague can take his place. Punter Delahooke is only a sophomore. If the offense can come together early on Navy should do OK.

2009 Schedule

Sept. 5 @ Ohio State

Sept. 12 @ Temple

Sept. 19 @ Pittsburgh

Sept. 26 Western Kentucky

Oct. 3 Air Force

Oct. 10 @ Rice

Oct. 17 @ SMU

Oct. 24 Wake Forest (HC)

Oct. 31 Georgia Southern

Nov. 7 @ Notre Dame

Nov. 14 Delaware

Nov. 21 @ Hawaii

Dec. 12 Army (Phil.)

Olde Poolie appreciates the kind comments from a number of classmates. These reports are intended for those who live in areas where it is difficult to even find the Navy score. GO  NAVY!.

DEATH OF FRANCES LEITCH on Monday Dec. 15 " an Exceptional Drag House Mother for the Class of '54 & '55"

I received the following from Barney GREISEN

Hi Will,

Dick Damico and myself were in the hospital during the later part of Plebe year because of injuries in soccer & baseball.Mike Quartararo of '52 was there with a leg injury & took the two of us to visit Fran & Tom Leitch at 63 Franklin St. to see if she would be interested in having drags stay at their home. We three did not make the cruise that summer.

This was the start of great relationship with Fran & Tom during the rest of our time in Annapolis and continued to this day.Some of the those who had drags there and who married the ladies are: Dick & Mildred Damico, Steve & Barbara Eisenhauer, Jim & Ruth Hay,Bob & Marion Schlenzig, Jack & Eleanor Perkins, Dick & Joan King, Ken & Carolyn Hume, Fred & Marge Franco, Dick and Dorie Olson,& Pete and Magro Blair.

Those of us who had drags stay there were: Maury Desseyn, Dubber Fullam, Willie Hunter, George Knutkowski, and myself. I'm sure that I've left out a number of people so if you know, please call those other guys and let them know about Fran's death.

The info about Visitation, Church service, Burial are in the following web page:

www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.comOrbituary for Myra Frances Leitch

As ever,
Barney Greisen

Season's carols

Bill Peery's Annual 54 Christmas Luncheon

Our annual Christmas was held this afternoon with about 60 classmates and Ladies attending.

USS Freedom LCS-1 visits Annapolis from 12/10 to 12/15

Received the following from Jerry Krumwiede






Will,

Maybe old news, but recommend that you remind folks that may be coming to the Luncheon that the USS Freedom LCS-1 visits Annapolis from 12/10 to 12/15.

USS Freedom represents the new Surface Warfare Navy

We hope to visit the ship Wednesday, or come back over the week end, if it is not having visiting hours.

Of interest to me, because we support the LCS Mission Package Office.

Jerry Krumwiede, PMP
Alion Science and Technology Corporation

EagleBank Bowl Announces Navy-Wake Forest Matchup For Inaugural Game

7Dec08 - Game will kick off 2008 bowl season and will be carried live on ESPN

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sunday, December 7, 2008) ­ The EagleBank Bowl is proud to
announce the U.S. Naval Academy will take on Wake Forest in the inaugural
2008 EagleBank Bowl which takes place Saturday, December 20th, at RFK
Stadium. The announcement was made by Steve Beck, President and Executive
Director of the EagleBank Bowl.


"We are thrilled with the two teams we have for our inaugural game," said
Beck. "There will be tremendous regional interest and on the field we think
this will be a great contest."


There was some concern whether Wake Forest could play Navy due to a no
rematch clause in the contract Navy signed with the EagleBank Bowl. However,
the no rematch clause never came into play because there were not two teams
to select from after the NCAA ruled North Carolina State was an at large
team. The EagleBank Bowl's agreement was to receive the ACC¹s 9th place
selection, which this year is Wake Forest.

For Army Navy Pictures click Here!!!

Observations from an Olde Poolie

Navy Football 2008: No. 12 Observations from an Olde Poolie

December 6, 2008. Navy 34 Army 0. Before a crowd of over 69,000,that included President Bush, on a cloudy and cold (Near freezing) day in Philadelphia, Navy out maned, out played , and out-coached the Black Knights from West Point. The Midshipmen played well in all categories but Old Poolie believes the strong play of both the offensive line and the defensive line was the big difference. This was a record seven straight wins over Army and the first shut out since 1978 when Navy won 28 - 0. It was also the second shut-out in a row this season This was an emotional day for the Navy team as senior cornerback Rashawn King' s 48 year old father, a retired Army major, died of a heart attack in Raleigh, NC on Thursday. Major King did not miss home games and was close to many of the Navy players.

Army won the toss and elected to receive. Three and punt. On Navy's third play Shun White took a pitch-out from Kaheaku-Enhada, got some good blocks, and raced 65 yards down the right side line. Navy 7 Army 0 after three minutes. Army drove to Navy's 35 but lost two on fourth and 2. Navy got the ball but the Cadets held and Navy had to punt. A bad snap sailed over punter (Soph,) Kyle Delahooke's head. He chased it down in the end zone then got off a 50 yard punt to midfield where the Army receiver was immediately tackled. Again Navy's defense forced a punt. This time the Midshipmen traveled 78 yards in 6 plays and four minutes with Matt Harmon kicking a 23 yard FG to extend the lead to 10 – 0 with less than three minutes left in the quarter.

In the second quarter, the teams exchanged punts then; Navy started on the 20. QB Kaheaku-Enhada then directed a 11 play, 80 yard drive that ended with a 18 yard pass to White for a TD. Navy 17 Army 0 with 3:18 left in the half.

The Midshipmen began the second half with a 72 yard drive in 14 plays that consumed almost seven minutes. Eric Kettani scored on a 5 yard run. Navy 24 Army 0. Early in the fourth quarter Navy started on the 26, used 13 plays to reach the Army 25 where Harmon kicked his second FG (36 yards) to make it 27 - 0. With less than a minute left in the game LB Ram Vela intercepted an Army pass and raced 68 yards to the end zone. Navy 34 Army 0.

A big win. Kaheaku-Enhada who was not 100% played an excellent game; no turn-overs for Navy. Starting LG senior Gaskins was hurt in the first quarter and Navy's offensive line consisted of one senior, two juniors, and two sophomores. The Midshipmen - in addition to King - had to use back-up defensive players as Buffin and Merchant were also injured in the first half. Nose guard Nate Frazier (Jr.) Had a big day and consistently plugged up the middle.

The Midshipmen controlled the ball for over 34 minutes to Army's 26 minutes. Navy, the nation's rushing leader, had 368 yards on the ground. White had 148 on 13 carries, Kettani 125 on 25 carries. Enhada was 3 - 10 for 62 yards passing. Army was held to a total of 164 yards for the day. Matt Harmon converted on 37 of 39 extra points for the year and was 17 - 19 on field goals.

Next for Navy: The Eagle Bank Bowl at RFK Stadium in Washington at 11:00 am on Saturday December 20. ESPN. Bring your long johns. The opponent has yet to be decided. It is supposed to be from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

2008 Navy Schedule ( 8-4)

Aug. 30 Navy 41 Towson 13

Sept. 5 at Ball State 35 Navy 24.

Sept. 13 at Duke 41 Navy 31.

Sept. 20 Navy 23 Rutgers 21

Sept. 27 Navy 24 at Wake Forest 17

Oct. 4 Navy 33 at Air Force 26

Oct. 18 Pittsburgh 42 Navy 21

Oct. 25 Navy 34 SMU 7

Nov. 1 Navy 33 Temple 27 (ot)

Nov. 15 Notre Dame 27 Navy 21

Nov. 25 Navy 16 at Northern Illinois 0

Dec. 6 Navy 34 Army 0.

Dec. 20 Eagle Bank Bowl. RFK Stadium: 11:00 am ESPN.

GO NAVY BEAT Wake Forest (Maybe ??)

Cadets drop 'Sink Navy' propaganda

Times Herald-Record
December 07, 2008

WEST POINT — Army cadets and aviators from West Point waged an aerial ambush over hapless midshipmen and sailors at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis this week.

At 12:05 p.m. Thursday, as the midshipmen gathered for lunch formation, a green and white Bell UH-1 series Iroquois, better known as a "Huey," pounded into view. From its side door, soldiers launched exploding crates of propaganda, including hundreds of "Sink Navy" leaflets and inflatable plastic swords.

"They were all looking up at us and shaking their fists," said senior cadet Gary Haning, 22, of Maryland. He helped with the airdrop from the Superintendent's bird. The "psychological operation" was designed to rattle Navy before Saturday's annual football grudge match in Philadelphia.

Highly orchestrated pre-game pranks between academies are not unusual. Years ago, midshipmen airdropped foam boats on cadets at West Point, and over Thanksgiving break, someone snuck into the stables and dressed up one of Army's mule mascots as a Navy goat. Raider was found wearing a white shaggy rug, sailor's cap and gold horns.

West Point's retaliation was orchestrated by its aviation detachment, with some assistance from a mole at the Naval Academy. "The (aviators) paid for it out of their training budget," Haning said.

Unfortunately, the mind game didn't work. Navy beat Army 34-0 on Saturday.

ajames@th-record.com

George Knutkowski Obituary

George passed from complications following recent heart surgery on November 7, 2008 at Penn Medical Center located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He was born in Seattle Washington on March 25, 1931. He attended the United States Naval Academy where he played football for the Navy. George graduated from the academy with the class of 1954. After graduation he was commissioned as an officer for the United States Air Force earning his wings as an Air Force Pilot. He attended the USAF Experimental Flight Test School in 1961. This school was the foundation for America’s first astronauts. He served in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart. He retired as a Major from the Air Force in 1969. From 1970 - 1990 he worked for the State Of Delaware as Chief Engineer for Bridge and Road Design.

George loved to watch Navy Football games and his favorite pro team the Philadelphia Eagles. Other past times included fishing, watching New York Yankee baseball games, and enjoyed watching his two grand-daughters play sports.

George is survived by his wife Nonnie Knutkowski her son Mark Cross and daughter Junnie Cross, George’s daughter Zana Knutkowski, his son George D. Knutkowski II, and his wife Nancy Knutkowski along with 2 grand-daughters Stacy and Kelly Knutkowski.

George will be missed by all his family and friends.

Services will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

Ona King Services

I received the following email from Noel Smith

I would appreciate if you would post this announcement on the Class web site and by e-mail for our Classmates' information.

As I reported earlier, Ona King, wife of our Classmate Leonard A. King, passed away on her 74th birthday, November 24th, after a long bout with Leukemia.

I was just informed by her son L.A. King, Jr. that his mother will be inurned at the Columbarium on Friday, December 12th, at 1100. She will join her husband L.A. who passed away several years ago. Any Classmates that can attend the service are invited to be there with family and friends.

Noel Smith

RR Goes R Rated - Our Poet's Latest

MY NEW KENTUCKY HOM...
[Tune: The old familiar Stephen C. Foster melody]

"Armed forces chiefs may soon be faced with large discipline
and morale problems, if incoming President Obama keeps
his campaign promise to abolish the 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy." -- News item

The sun shines bright on the [insert suitable name] Naval Base,
'Tis summer, the sailors are g... [delete inappropriate sexual preference]
The Captain's steamed, as they throw it in his face,
While the chiefs just look the other way.
Chorus: Sweep no more, my laddie,
O sweep no more today--
You may skip dull chores as you frolic out of doors,
For the "closet's" open, hey-hey-hey.

No question's banned, you may tell 'em all you like,
They won't want to know what you may tell--
For females, too, they don't dare call one a d... [erase derogatory term]
But old salts moan, "Navy's gone to hell."
Chorus: Peep no more, inspector,
For fear of what you'd see--
The compartment's dark, if you listen you may hark
To the sounds of active s... [strike out all after active].

RR 12-1-08