Italian American Digest 7Italian American Digest FALL 2018 | Page 4

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Italians Enjoy Lofty Place in
Annals of High School Football
coaches designed a running play for him. His
son, Lou Jr., was an outstanding lineman at Holy
Throughout the 122-year history of high school Cross in the late ’60s.
The remainder of the elite Italian American of-
football in New Orleans, young Italian American
fensive line includes B.J. Pecoraro (Sacred Heart,
boys have stood among the elite athletes in the
sport. And as the 2018 prep season kicks off, new 1954) and Randy Randazzo (Arabi, 1949), tackles
Eddie Gatto (Peters, 1934) and Pete Calamari
names are sure to take their places among the
(Holy Cross, 1958), guards Joe Demma (Nicholls,
greats of the past.
Their stories are part of the Crescent City’s 1945) and Lanza (Easton, 1948), and center Vince
lore, and their achievements on the city’s football Guttuso (Holy Cross, 1954).
The All-Italian defense consists of linemen
fields have left an indelible mark on the sport on a
Bennie
Lampo (Fortier, 1938), Tyler Lafauci (De
local level.
La Salle, 1968-69), Mark Benedetto (Brother

During the 1940s, New Orleans high
Martin, 1978) and Ron Sancho (Shaw, 1985). The
schools won seven state championships. Jesuit
alone won four. Warren Easton won its last title in three best linebackers are J.T. Giardina (Easton,
1958), Lester Latino (Easton, 1964) and Mark
1942, Holy Cross its second in 1945, and Fortier
Olivari (Jesuit, 1970-71).
its only championship in 1948.
And the defensive backfield is filled by “Red”
Listing all the top individual athletes with
Italian surnames would creat another great debate. Rizzo (Jesuit, 1931), Phil Bruno (Jesuit, 1937),
Frank Romano (West Jefferson, 1967) and Mike
But certain names consistently come up among
Trapani (Redemptorist, 1968). Olivari doubles as
the best of the best.
the placekicker, Vince Manale (Chalmette, 1978)
Who else could crack the backfield of Eddie
Toribio (Jesuit, 1930-33), Tony DiBartolo (Jesuit, is the punter, and Gino Giambelluca (Holy Cross,
1999) punt and kick returns.
1940-41), Hank Lauricella (Holy Cross, 1946-
Who will step up this year to claim his spot
47) and Reggie Reginelli (Newman, 1975-78)?
among the great Italian American names like
Maybe Johnny Campora (St. Aloysius, 1939-41),
Dominick Lanasa (Jesuit, 1952-53) or Pete Asceni Lacava, Bianchini, Coco, Marchese, Galliano,
Ferro, Provenzano, Salsiccia, and Oddo? The
(Warren Easton, 1958)?
ball is about to be teed up.
Among the great linemen was Lou Lanza, a
Warren Easton guard who was so versatile the
by Ron Brocato
I talian A merican D igest
T
FALL 2018
Community
Partners reward
AICC members
he American Italian Cultural Center offers its
members discounts at selected local Italian
businesses.
Show your AICC 2018 membership card and
this page to receive perks! The AICC is proud to
present the following Community Partners:
Andrea’s
3100 19th St.
Metairie, LA
Free appetizer with
purchase of an entree Monday-Wednesday.
Angelo Brocato’s
214 N Carrollton
New Orleans, LA
Free espresso or
cappuccino with pur-
chase of an individual
pastry (one per visit
per member).
Fausto’s Bistro
530 Veterans
Memorial Blvd
Metairie, LA
10% off the check
or a complimentary
dessert to the mem-
bership card holder.
Gendusa’s Italian Market
405 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA
AICC members
receive complimentary
beverages with their
meal.
Piccola
Gelateria
4525 Freret St.
New Orleans, LA
10% off your
purchase.
Reginelli’s
930 Poydras St.
New Orleans, LA
Free glass of
Italian wine for our
Italian Friends: one free glass of Citra Pinot
Grigio or Straccali Chianti Classico with any
entree purchased (one per member).
Spirit Wine
3500 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA
10% off six bottles of
Italian wines.
The Warren Easton High School football team won the city and district championships in 1938.
If you’d like to be-
come a member or partner with the AICC,
email us at questions@americanitaliacul-
turalcenter.com, call us at [phone],
or visit www.AmericanItalianCulturalCenter.
com.