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The Nov. 9 issue of “Blue and Gold Illustrated,” which is a magazine devoted to Notre Dame sports, mainly football, had an article listing the school’s All-Pennsylvania team. The headline read “The Keystone State has been kind to Notre Dame over the years.”
A total of 24 players were named, including a kicker and a nickelback. Three of the players were former high school stars from Wilkes-Barre and one from the Scranton area.
Raghib Ismail from Meyers High School was selected as a wide receiver and return man, Joe Perkowski from Coughlin was listed as the kicker and Bob Williams from GAR as nickelback. Tim Ruddy from Dunmore was included as an offensive lineman.
Here is what was said about each of them: “Ismail became the first player ever at Notre Dame to eclipse 1,000 career yards in three different categories, receiving rushing and returns, and he did it in three years. The 1990 Walter Camp award winner’s 2,210 yards per catch ranks No. 1 in school history. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry and his six touchdown returns (five kickoff and one punt) are tied for the school record.”
“Joe ‘The Toe’ Perkowski made the famous 41-yard field goal to defeat Syracuse in 1961.”
“Our nickelback would be Bob Williams, quarterback, who also intercepted seven passes during his career, including near the goal line on Oklahoma’s final play to end its NCAA record 47-game winning streak in 1957.”
“Ruddy shined on the 1992-1993 units that won 17 straight games and then was a 10-year center for the Miami Dolphins, in which he started all 140 games he played in his last nine seasons.”
Bill Stavishak
Wilkes-Barre