​

The third Save-An-Eye All-Star Football Game was played on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1941, just days before the United States would be drawn into World War II. While no one yet knew how dramatically the world was about to change, the 1941 game would become a powerful snapshot of a generation whose lives were soon redirected by service, sacrifice, and duty.

​

West Dominates as the Series Grows

Led by legendary Academy coach Lowell Drake, the West All-Stars shut out the East, 14–0, claiming their second victory in the young series .

​

Game Highlights

• Ted Morasky (Cathedral Prep) powered in for a 1-yard touchdown and threw a conversion pass to Phil Haendler (Academy)

• Joe Robasky (Academy) intercepted a pass and returned it 47 yards for the second score

• Morasky completed all six of his passes for 119 yards, orchestrating a wide-open West offense

Despite the loss, Joe Shannon and Ray Pomorski of East, along with Jerry Smith of Tech, stood out with strong performances on offense .

​

A Game Played with Meaning

One of the most striking aspects of the 1941 Save-An-Eye Game is how many of its players would soon enter military service.

Among them was Bill McCamey of Millcreek, who graduated in 1941, attended Penn State for one semester, and then joined the United States Navy. According to his family, McCamey spoke most often about two defining parts of his life — the Navy and the Save-An-Eye Game. He remained a lifelong supporter of the event, proudly wearing his player cap and attending games for decades .

​

“To us, he was just a great dad and husband… We were shocked when people talked about him as a football hero.”
— Linda Hackshaw, daughter

​

All-Star Rosters: A County-Wide Snapshot

The 1941 rosters once again reflected the Lions Club’s mission of uniting Erie County schools for a common cause.

East Team Schools

Wesleyville, East, North East, Lawrence Park, Union City, Harbor Creek, Tech, Waterford

West Team Schools

Academy, Strong Vincent, Cathedral Prep, Millcreek, Fairview, Albion, McKean, Girard, Edinboro

(Complete official rosters preserved from the 1941 game)

​

The Save-An-Eye Mission Endures

Newspaper coverage and program advertisements from 1941 emphasized affordability and access, keeping ticket prices within reach for families while supporting the Lions Club’s “Save An Eye” campaign, which funded eye care and glasses for children throughout the region .

This was football with purpose — and community impact at its core.