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The Save-An-Eye Game Carries On — November 26, 1942

As World War II reshaped daily life across America, the Save-An-Eye All-Star Football Game continued its mission on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1942. Even amid uncertainty, the Erie Lions Club pressed forward — using football as both a unifying tradition and a vital fundraiser for children’s vision care .

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New Rules for a New Era

Newspaper coverage leading into the 1942 game reflected both the competitiveness of the event and its growing maturity. For the first time, officials announced that overtime play would be used if necessary, underscoring how seriously the contest was now taken and how invested the community had become .

The Save-An-Eye Game was no longer an experiment — it was a staple.

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West Stays Perfect in Wartime Matchup

Under the guidance of longtime head coach Lowell Drake of Academy, the West All-Stars earned a 13–0 shutout, their third win in four years, continuing a dominant stretch during the early war years .

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Scoring Summary

• First Quarter:
  Strong Vincent quarterback Don Fabian capped a 72-yard drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Bud Sedler of Girard, who broke two tackles on the way to the end zone.

• Second Quarter:
  After a blocked punt gave the West excellent field position, Fabian connected again — this time a 21-yard scoring strike to Ray Winslow of Millcreek.

• Extra Point:
  Don Bevilacqua (Strong Vincent) added the conversion, accounting for the final 13–0 margin.

The West nearly struck again on the final play of the game when Jim McVay and John Wiley of Academy teamed on a dramatic 51-yard pass, stopped just inside the East’s 20-yard line as time expired .

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Standouts on Both Sides

While the scoreboard favored the West, Les Patmore of Lawrence Park stood out for the East with his versatility, contributing as a runner, passer, and kicker in defeat — a reminder that individual excellence continued to shine even in a lopsided result .

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1942 All-Star Rosters

Representing Erie County Together

Despite wartime pressures, the 1942 rosters once again brought together athletes from across the region:

East Schools Represented:
Wesleyville, Tech, Lawrence Park, North East, Harbor Creek, East, Waterford

West Schools Represented:
Strong Vincent, Academy, Fairview, Albion, Girard, Millcreek, Cathedral Prep, Edinboro, McKean

(Full official rosters preserved from the 1942 Save-An-Eye Game)

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More Than Football

By 1942, many former Save-An-Eye players were already serving — or preparing to serve — in the armed forces. The game had quietly become a record of a generation, capturing young men at a pivotal moment before life carried them far from the stadium.

Even in wartime, the Lions Club remained committed to its founding mission: protecting sight, supporting youth, and strengthening the community through sport.