1946: Defense, Drama, and a Blocked Kick

The Save-An-Eye Game Moves Forward — November 23, 1946

The 1946 Save-An-Eye All-Star Football Game marked the first full post-war continuation of the series — a return to normalcy, tradition, and high-level football after years of disruption.

Played on Saturday, November 23, 1946, the game featured a dramatic upset, a single decisive play, and one of the strongest defensive performances in early Save-An-Eye history .

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East Shocks the Favored West

In a game dominated statistically by the West, the East All-Stars pulled off a 6–0 upset, scoring the game’s only points on a momentum-changing special-teams play .

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The Decisive Moment

Late in the fourth quarter, Chuck Brasington of East blocked the punt of Len Kubiak of Tech and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown — the only score of the night.

That single play flipped the game and sent the Stadium crowd into a frenzy.

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A Defensive Masterpiece

Despite being outgained 122 yards to 29, the East defense stood firm throughout the contest.

Key contributors included:

• Chuck Brasington, Bob Bender, and Leo Beill — dubbed the East’s “Burly B’s”

• Jack Wilson, who sealed the win with a late interception and repeatedly pinned the West deep with precision punts

Wilson’s fourth-quarter sequence — punt to the 13, interception, punt to the 10, and final interception — iced the victory and preserved the shutout .

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West Effort Goes for Naught

The West controlled much of the game between the 20s and featured strong performances from:

• Johnny Arkelian

• Pete Panetta

• Adam Gorski

• Gary Orr

• Fred Schroeck

But turnovers, field position, and the blocked punt proved decisive .

1946 All-Star Rosters

A New Generation Takes the Field

The 1946 rosters reflected a new post-war generation of Erie County athletes:

East Schools Represented:
East, Academy, Harbor Creek, Lawrence Park, Union City, North East, Waterford, Wesleyville, Cambridge Springs, Corry

West Schools Represented:
Strong Vincent, Tech, Cathedral Prep, Millcreek, Fairview, Albion, Edinboro, Girard, Conneautville

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