The Save-An-Eye Game Draws 14,000 Fans — November 21, 1947

 

By 1947, the Save-An-Eye All-Star Football Game had firmly entered a new era. The post-war years brought larger crowds, deeper rosters, and increasingly sophisticated football — all while the Lions Club’s mission remained unchanged.

Played on Friday, November 21, 1947, the ninth Save-An-Eye Game was watched by an estimated 14,000 fans, one of the largest crowds in the early history of the series .

 

West Pulls Away Late

After a tightly contested opening three quarters, the West All-Stars defeated the East, 21–7, using power running, big-play passing, and overwhelming yardage to take control late in the game .

The contest was tied 7–7 after three quarters, but the West broke the game open in the final period.

 

Statistical Dominance — Despite Turnovers

The West’s performance was remarkable not just for the score, but for its production:

• 381 total yards of offense

• 245 yards rushing

• Limited the East to 3 rushing yards and 8 passing yards on one completion

The margin could have been even wider, but the West fumbled eight times and lost six, keeping the game competitive deep into the night .

 

Scoring Highlights

• Jack Campbell (Strong Vincent) scored twice on short touchdown runs of 1 and 3 yards

• Vitus Kaiser (Cathedral Prep) threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Chaney Johnson (Strong Vincent)

• Lou Penna (East) accounted for the East’s lone score with a 7-yard touchdown run

West standouts included:

• Chaney Johnson

• Herman Hedderick (Millcreek)

• Butch Silverthorne (Girard)

• Ray Barczak (Tech)

 

Coaching Depth Reflects the Game’s Growth

The 1947 game featured one of the deepest coaching staffs to date, illustrating how seriously the Save-An-Eye Game was now taken across Erie County.

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East Head Coach

Jim Hyde – East High School

Assisted by a wide cross-section of county coaches, including Ed “Peewee” Thomas, James Hall, Robert Lytle, Joe Sivak, Russell Yost, Hienie Anderson, Ed Poly, Frank Dennison, and Jim Manafo .

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West Head Coach

Cy James – Cathedral Prep

The West staff included a notable list of future and former Save-An-Eye figures, among them Sam Kramer and Eddie Abramoski, underscoring the continuity between the game’s early leadership and its post-war era .

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1947 All-Star Rosters

County-Wide Representation at Full Strength

The 1947 rosters once again brought together athletes from across Erie County and neighboring communities:

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

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

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Why 1947 Matters

This year stands out because it shows:

• The explosion in attendance (14,000 fans)

• The rise of power football and big-play offense

• The depth of coaching involvement county-wide

• The Save-An-Eye Game firmly established as a major regional event

From modest beginnings in 1939 to packed stadiums less than a decade later, the growth was undeniable.