Week five in Ross football history.....1951

ROSS 19, SANDUSKY 14

Week five of the 1951 season saw the unbeaten Little Giants taking on the unbeaten and fifth ranked Blue Streaks of Sandusky. The Erie County rivals had what many thought was the best Sandusky team in 15 years. Ross had revenge on their minds as the Blue Streaks has knocked the Little Giants off in 1950 by a 29-7 count.

A record crowd to that date, over 7,000 fans, jammed Harmon Stadium for the rivalry game and they got their moneys worth. Well, the Fremonters got their moneys worth. Sandusky fans may have wanted a refund after the contest ended.

The powerful Blue Streaks took control early and rolled out to a 14-0 lead. The first Sandusky score came after a 78 yard drive. The drive was capped by a Jude Thelbert to Chuck Acierto touchdown pass of six yard. The PAT was good and the hated rivals led 7-0. With 3:26 left in the first quarter Sandusky defender Dee DeVees intercepted a Ronnie Whitcomb pass and returned it to the Ross 38. Thelbert capped the short drive with a run into the endzone and the Streaks led 14-0 at the end of one.

What would be an amazing Little Giant comeback started in the second quarter. Ross capped a 79 yard drive on a great play. Ross great John Lewis took a pitch from Whitcomb. Big Thunder then lofted a pass to Jerry Porczak in the endzone. The PAT was no good but the Little Giants had trimmed the Blue Streak lead to 14-6 which was the halftime score as well.

Legendary Little Giant coach Mal Mackey undoubtedly gave his charges a rousing halftime talk because they came out with a full head of steam in the second half. The purple and white narrowed the Blue Streak lead to 14-13 in the third quarter. Jerome "Little Thunder" Surratt capped a 78 yard drive with a 31 yard TD run.

In the fourth quarter the gritty Ross defense halted a Sandusky drive at the Little Giant 14 yard line. That's where the winning Giant drive started. Big Thunder, hampered the entire game by injuries bulled his way in from the one yard line to give the Little Giants a 19-14 lead. Mal Mackeys defense held the Blue Streaks at bay the rest of the game and the Little Giants won their ninth straight game.

Despite his injuries Lewis led all Little Giant rushers with 137 yards. Surratt wasn't far behind with 114 yards toting the ball. Thelbert led Jeff DeHavens Blue Streaks with 101 yards.