How the play that won 1952 state title was born

It took me 64 years, but I found out what gave birth to the touchdown play that gave Monongah High its first state football title in 1952.

Julie Angelucci, wife Stella

I went to the guy who would know, Julie Angelucci, the quarterback who threw the game-winning pass against Winfield for a 20-14 victory.

Monongah High also won state football titles in 1955, 1968, 1969 and 1973, but the first always is the most memorable in life and sports.

The play was a pass from Julie to Dennis Jones, who later played three years at WVU before becoming an Army major general, who lateraled to the late Larry Rankin.

Let Julie explain how the play was born.

“Coach (Earl) Keener used it against us and almost beat us that year when he was coaching Rivesville,” Julie said.

“I remembered it and made up that hook and lateral play in the huddle.”

When Julie got to the sidelines, Coach Jim Feltz said: “Where did you get that?”

Coach Earl Keener, Coach Feltz’ friend back to their Fairmont State days, was on the sidelines. Julie said, “I went over to the sidelines and thanked him for that play.”

Coach Feltz replied: “Nice job.”

Added Julie: “Me, Coach Feltz and Coach Keener are the only ones who knew” how the play was created.

And now everyone who reads the Monongah High Alumni blog knows.

Coach Feltz also won the 1955 state title. Coach Keener came to Monongah and won the 1968 and 1969 championships. Coach Feltz’ son, Jay Feltz, quarterbacked the 1973 team to the fifth state title for the Lions.

Julie didn’t return my phone call for a while because he spent 10 days cruising down the Mississippi River like Mark Twain, but in a much larger paddleboat.

Julie’s first wife was the late Juanita McNece, Class of 1956. His current wife for 26 years is Stella Kootsikas Angelucci, a widow from Mitchell, South Dakota – famous for its Corn Palace -- that he met in Baltimore.

Julie was a teacher for 37 years, mostly in the Anne Arundel County school system in Maryland. Julie and Stella moved from Glen Burnie, Maryland, where they lived from 1992 to 2012, to Severna Park, Maryland.

Between them they have 6 children, 17 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Julie and Juanita’s sons are Jay Angelucci and Rocky Angelucci, both living in Texas.

And memories of a play made up in the huddle that started Monongah High on its way to five state football championships.