Unbeaten: The 1964 Madison Football Dodgers – the Season That Changed Everything

Each morning, the team ran together to the field, crossing over a painted sign on the pavement that shouted:

Practice began with stretching, conditioning, blocking and tackling drills, and seemingly endless running. There was no water on the field in those days. Relief came in the form of a single shared sponge—dirty, sweaty, but blessedly wet. Players would sponge their heads. Some even sucked on it for a few drops of moisture.

The drills tested strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination. But what was really being built was discipline. Grit. Mental toughness. The raw ingredients of a championship team.

Certain drills burned themselves into memory. One in particular: a full-speed tackling drill between two upright dummies placed just a few yards apart. The offensive back ran through the chute; the defensive player had to meet him and bring him down. When Jilleba ran the drill, he was a force of nature. Bigger, stronger, faster than anyone else, he struck fear into even the most confident teammates. The only respite? Watching others take their turn. Unless, of course, you were next in line.

Not everything went to plan. During one early sled drill, Coach Monica climbed aboard the eight-man blocking sled to add weight. But when the linemen slammed into it, they disturbed a nest of wasps. The swarm took out their fury on Coach Monica. In that moment, even Monica, the toughest man on the field, showed he could be rattled. But only for a moment. True to form, the ex-Marine shook it off, shifted to another drill, and the practice marched on.

After each morning session came refueling and chalk talks with the coaches. Then came the afternoon grind. Blisters were common. Soreness was constant. But camaraderie deepened. The hard days forged bonds stronger than any chalkboard scheme.

By the time the final two-a-day ended, these boys weren’t just in shape. Different backgrounds, one jersey—they had become a team. Not individuals anymore, but a unit built for November battles.

The season awaited.

South Side

Dodgers Open Season With 28-0 Win Over South Side

September 26, 1964 – Madison, NJ

Pregame Rituals

On the morning of the opener, Madison’s Catholic players attended Mass together, with many teammates joining out of solidarity. In the locker room, coaches taped ankles and handed out new warmup tops, giving the Dodgers a sharp, professional look. Then came the quiet reflection: players stretched out on the gym bleachers as Duane Eddy’s guitar echoed through the speakers, the ritual that steadied their focus before every game.

South Side Silenced

By the final whistle on a sunlit Saturday in The Rose City, the scoreboard told the story: Madison 28, South Side of Newark 0. But the real meaning of the win was what it foreshadowed: the rise of a team whose toughness and speed would define one of the most remarkable runs in Morris County football history.

The Dodgers, often dismissed as a small-school power in a Group II world, opened their 1964 campaign with a bold challenge: Group III South Side of Newark, a team brimming with size, speed, and swagger. During warmups, the Newark squad entered in black uniforms, jogging in a long single file around the field, clapping in rhythm—a clear attempt to intimidate. But Madison wasn’t rattled. Coach Monica reminded his players: “They’ve got more players than us, but only eleven can play at once.”

Inspired by Monica’s words, the Dodgers struck hard and often, unleashing a relentless offense and a defense that refused to yield.

Enter the Super Jet

The day belonged to Pete “Super Jet” Jilleba, Madison’s do-it-all back and returning state scoring champion. Wearing No. 17, Jilleba erupted for more than 200 total yards and three touchdowns, including an 18-yard gallop and a leaping airborne score captured on camera. His performance served early notice that his junior year dominance was no fluke.

South Side had no answers—not for Jilleba, not for Bob Gero, who added speed and power to the backfield, not for quarterback Dick Herbst, who completed 12 of 16 passes for 164 yards, and not for Doug Hale, who stretched the defense with big catches. Above all, South Side had no answer for Madison’s offensive line, which opened lanes and protected Herbst with discipline and aggression.

Defense Sets the Tone

This wasn’t just an offensive showcase. It was a defensive statement. Madison’s front seven smothered South Side’s vaunted backfield duo of Richie Booker and Bruce Bevins, holding them to just 112 yards rushing and 3 yards passing. The defense was anchored by Bob DeSombre, Wayne Willis, Carl Caskey, and Bob Stehlgens, who imposed their will from the first snap to the last.

The turning point came early in the second quarter. With Madison leading 7–0, South Side drove deep into Dodger territory and looked poised to tie the game. But a ferocious goal-line stand using the Alabama 6-5 defense killed the drive. Madison answered with a long march capped by Jilleba’s second touchdown.

From there, it was all Dodgers. Gero added the final blow with a 71-yard scoring dash that sent the home crowd into a frenzy and the visitors packing.

A Price Paid

The win carried a heavy cost. Senior Homer Meade, a three-sport letterman and emotional leader, suffered a devastating knee injury in the second quarter that ended his season. Monica, visibly shaken, later said: “I would rather have lost the game Saturday than have Homer injured.”

But Meade’s presence lingered. At his hospital bedside, teammates vowed to carry on with the fire he embodied. The injury, coming so early, forged a deeper bond and a clear purpose: they would play for the brother who could no longer strap on the pads.

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Setting the Stage for A Season to Remember

With the victory, Madison staked its claim as the team to beat in Morris County. The shutout over a larger, faster opponent confirmed what insiders suspected—this was no ordinary team. This was a championship-caliber squad, forged in discipline and united by purpose.

Each Monday, the team crowded into a small room off the gym, folding chairs packed wall to wall. Film study was not optional. There was nowhere to hide as Monica broke down every snap—rewinding missed blocks, pointing out blown coverages, and nodding at plays well executed. After the critique came the honors. Offensive Player of the Game: Bob Gero. Defensive Player of the Game: Bob DeSombre. The team applauded, then got back to work.

One game down. Eight to go. The road to perfection had begun—with a statement.

Final Score: Madison 28, Southside 0

Hanover Park:

No One-Man Show: Madison Humbles Hanover Park 34–6

October 3, 1964 – East Hanover, NJ

A Team Effort

If Week 1’s dismantling of South Side was Madison’s thunderclap, Week 2 at neighboring Group III Hanover Park was the echo that shook the county. On a brisk fall afternoon, Coach Ted Monica’s Dodgers silenced skeptics and sent a clear message to the Suburban Conference: Madison was no one-man show.

Facing another larger school with home-field advantage and a defense built to stop Peter “Super Jet” Jilleba, the Dodgers rolled to a commanding 34–6 victory. It was a team win from start to finish.

Gero, Herbst, and Hale Take Over

Hanover Park’s plan was to stop Jilleba. They held him to one touchdown but left the rest of Madison’s arsenal free to dominate.

Halfback Bob Gero was unstoppable, piling up 144 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His first capped a 58-yard opening drive in just five plays. His second came on a 20-yard burst, set up by Jilleba’s 45-yard punt return.

Quarterback Dick Herbst played with calm precision, completing two touchdown passes to Doug Hale: a 20-yard strike and a 6-yard rollout touchdown that pushed Madison’s lead to 27–0. As one reporter put it, “Herbst and Hale dazzled the Hanover Park crowd with some mighty pretty heroics.”

The Super Jet Still Soars

Even when keyed on, Jilleba made his presence felt. He rushed for 167 yards on 21 carries—nearly eight yards per touch—and broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He also provided field position, blocking, and constant pressure that opened the field for others to shine.

It wasn’t his flashiest outing, but Jilleba’s contributions—field position, blocking, and relentless pressure—opened the field for others to shine.

Defense Locks Down

The Dodger’s defense again set the tone. Led by Carl Caskey, Wayne Willis, Bill Notte, Bob DeSombre, Bob Gero, and Ralph Artigliere, the Dodgers smothered Hanover Park’s attack. The Hornets managed only 122 total yards, with their lone touchdown coming late on a 64-yard run after Madison had cleared the bench.

The starters were stingy, holding Hanover to just 38 rushing yards. The most telling stat: Madison finished with 17 first downs to Hanover Park’s 2.

County Takes Notice

As local columnist Lee Romano wrote, “Saturday’s brilliant efforts by Bobby Gero, Dick Herbst, and Doug Hale simply underlined the fact that Madison is loaded with talent.” What began as a campaign to stop Jilleba had turned into a chess match—one Monica was winning with an abundance of pieces

In the Monday film session, Herbst was named Offensive Player of the Game, while Carl Caskey earned Defensive Player of the Week.

After two weeks, Madison stood 2–0, outscoring opponents 62–6. Next up: Caldwell, and with it, the Dodgers’ march toward the Suburban Conference crown—with the quiet confidence of a team no longer just chasing respect, but history.

Final Score: Madison 34, Hanover Park 6

Caldwell

Caldwell Crushed: Jilleba’s Historic Day Overshadowed by Chaos in 47–0 Rout

October 10, 1964 – Twombly Field, Madison, NJ

Domination on the Field, Chaos Off It

On the scoreboard, it was a masterpiece: Madison 47, Caldwell 0. On the field, it was sheer domination. But in the stands and along the sidelines, it turned chaotic—a game marred by fights, ejections, and a fourth-quarter melee that forced police to intervene and officials to end it early. It was a Saturday remembered as much for brilliance between the whistles as for the senseless bedlam that followed.

Jilleba Ascends to Legend

Before tempers flared, Pete “Super Jet” Jilleba delivered the greatest individual scoring performance in Madison football history. The senior halfback accounted for six touchdowns, rushed for 205 yards on 30 carries, and kicked three extra points for 39 total points, breaking his own school record and setting a new Morris County single-game mark.

Five of Jilleba’s touchdowns came on the ground; the sixth was a 16-yard reception from quarterback Dick Herbst, who completed 6 of 12 passes for 91 yards. Madison’s offense rolled up 298 rushing yards and 390 total. 

The defense, led by Wayne Willis, Bob Gero, Bill Notte, Doug Hale, Ralph Artigliere, Carl Caskey, and Bob DeSombre, was equally suffocating, holding Caldwell to just 36 total yards.

The Game That Got Away

With five minutes left and Madison’s reserves on the field driving toward yet another score, the game unraveled. A series of personal fouls escalated into shoving, then a full-scale melee. Two Caldwell players and one Madison player were ejected. After one particularly rough tackle, benches cleared and fans spilled onto the field.

More than 20 police officers rushed in to restore order as coaches and administrators joined the effort. After ten tense minutes, the schools agreed to end the game. Madison Dean Harris Bonnel defended the team: “I was proud of their behavior. There would be nothing accomplished by continuing the game.”

The Aftermath: Applause and Alarm

Despite the ugly finish, the press was unanimous about Madison’s performance. One headline declared it “One of the best football games ever played by a Madison High School grid team.” Another quipped: “With numbers like this, who wouldn’t be mad?”

Still, concern followed. Superintendent David McLean met with Caldwell officials to ensure such chaos would not be repeated. Columnist Lee Romano summed it up: “Everybody is still talking about the donnybrook that spoiled Madison’s resounding 47–0 victory … and not all the stories seem to jibe.” His reminder was pointed—don’t let the fight erase the feat.

For three straight weeks, Madison hadn’t just won—they had obliterated opponents by a combined 109–6.

Three Games, One Message

With a record-setting running back, a disciplined quarterback, a hard-hitting defense, and depth across the roster, Coach Monica’s Dodgers had announced themselves as a team with championship intent and the balance to get there.

The crowd may have spilled onto Twombly Field in chaos, but when the dust settled, the takeaway was clear: the 1964 Madison Dodgers weren’t just good. They were historic.

Final Score: Madison 47, Caldwell 0

Not surprisingly, at the Monday meeting Pete Jilleba garnered the offensive award. The defensive player of the week was linebacker Bill Notte.

Boonton

Dodgers Overcome Boonton in Mud and Grit, 19–0

October 17, 1964 – Boonton, NJ

A Rivalry’s Final Chapter

The sky was gray, the field was soaked, and the stakes were high as undefeated Madison traveled to Boonton for the final chapter in a rivalry that had spanned four decades. Boonton was led by standout Jim Kiick, destined for stardom at Wyoming and in the NFL, and had not allowed a point at home all season.

In a contest more trench battle than football showcase, Coach Monica’s Dodgers gutted out a 19–0 win. It preserved their perfect record and proved that champions win not only with fireworks, but with fundamentals and fortitude.

Natale and Jilleba Carry the Day

Madison’s rhythm was disrupted early. Quarterback Dick Herbst was sidelined by illness, and halfback Bob Gero left with a leg injury. That left the offense in the hands of backup quarterback Paul “Goog” Natale—and Pete “Super Jet” Jilleba.

Natale responded with calm command. He completed 6 of 9 passes for 85 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown strike to Jimmy Johnson on Madison’s opening drive, leading the offense throughout the game. Columnist Lee Romano later wrote: “He came back in the second half and threw a scoring pass… then three more passes out of the fire.”

Meanwhile, Jilleba shouldered the load on the ground. He carried 37 times for 172 yards, scored twice, and added an extra point. Boonton made him fight for every yard, but his power and endurance wore them down.

Defense Leads the Way

Madison’s defense once again delivered a clinic. They intercepted two passes—one each by Bill Notte and Bud DeBiasse—recovered a fumble, and held Boonton to just 60 total yards. The Bombers never crossed midfield in the second half.

Wayne Willis, Rhys Foulkes, Ralph Artigliere, Carl Caskey, and Bob DeSombre anchored a front seven that controlled the line of scrimmage from the opening snap. Through four games, Madison’s defense had yielded just six points.

The End of a Rivalry

The 19–0 win marked Madison’s fourth straight shutout of Boonton, extending their win streak in the series to three. With Boonton moving to the Jersey Hills Conference, this game marked the end of one of the region’s longest-running rivalries.

It had all the hallmarks of old-school football—mud, muscle, and momentum. And in the end, Madison stood tall—bloodied, perhaps, but unbeaten.

By the Numbers

Final Score: Madison 19, Boonton 0

Key Stats:

• Jilleba: 172 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 1 XP
• Natale: 6/9 passing, 85 yards, 1 TD
• Madison Defense: 2 INTs, 60 yards allowed, 1 fumble recovery

With the win, Madison improved to 4–0 and turned its attention to the Suburban Conference title chase. The next test: a surging Verona team.

Player of the Week Honors:

• Offense: Paul Natale
• Defense: Ralph Artigliere

Verona

Jilleba Scores 22 as Madison Steamrolls Verona, 40–6

October 24, 1964 – Twombly Field, Madison, NJ

The stat sheet read 40–6, but the real story was in the manner of Madison’s dominance: explosive touchdowns, bruising runs, precision passing, and two perfectly struck field goals off the right foot of Pete “Super Jet” Jilleba.

The visiting Verona Hillbillies arrived with grit and size—but left outmatched and outclassed by a Madison team evolving from great to downright dominant.

Jilleba Does It All

Jilleba’s legend grew larger. The senior star piled up 234 rushing yards on 27 carries, scored twice on the ground, and added field goals of 16 and 40 yards. With three PATs included, he accounted for 22 of Madison’s 40 points, pushing his season total past 100 through just five games.

His first touch set the tone: a dazzling 58-yard touchdown sprint. Later, after Paul “Goog” Natale guided a drive inside the 5, Jilleba finished it off with power from four yards out. His versatility—rusher, kicker, field-position weapon—underscored why he was the centerpiece of Madison’s championship chase.

Natale Continues to Impress

With starting quarterback Dick Herbst still sidelined, Natale once again proved Madison’s depth at the position. He completed six of 12 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard strike to Doug Hale and a 16-yard toss to Jimmy Johnson.

Columnist Lee Romano praised him: “Paul Natale guided the Madison offense the rest of the way like a seasoned pro.” Coach Monica agreed: “If there’s one position we’re strong at, it’s quarterback.” Natale’s leadership turned the second half into a showcase of Madison’s balance.

Battle of the Trenches

The Dodgers dominated line play on both sides of the ball. Madison’s skill players thrived behind powerful blocking, as the line—Ralph Artigliere, John Mantone, Hale, Carl Caskey, Rhys Foulkes, and Wayne Willis—controlled the trenches wall to wall.  

While the offense dazzled, the defense smothered Verona. Once again, the front line—Artigliere, Willis, Bob DeSombre, and Bob Stehlgens—dominated, holding Verona to just 48 rushing yards and five first downs.

Total Control

Madison finished with 288 rushing yards and 148 passing yards, more than tripling Verona’s output. They scored in every phase—quick strikes, sustained drives, and special teams—and by the final whistle had outscored opponents 168–12 on the season.

The Dodgers stood at 5–0, firmly atop the Suburban Conference and looking every bit the title favorite.

Final Score: Madison 40, Verona 6

Key Performers:

• Jilleba: 234 yards rushing, 2 TDs, 2 FGs (16, 40 yds), 3 PATs
• Natale: 6/12 passing, 150 yards, 2 TDs
• Hale: 45-yard TD reception
• Johnson: 16-yard TD reception
• Defense: 5 first downs allowed, 1 score in garbage time

Next up: Summit—the team that handed Madison a rare defeat the year before. This would be a chance for payback.

Summit

Dodgers Exorcise 1963 Demons, Roll Past Summit 40–6 for Sixth Straight Win

October 31, 1964 – Twombly Field, Madison, NJ

In football, revenge is best served fast, physical, and relentless.

Facing one of the two teams that beat them in 1963, the Madison Dodgers erased any lingering doubts with a 40–6 rout of Suburban Conference rival Summit before a crowd of more than 3,000 fans. It may not have been their sharpest effort, but it was their most meaningful: a full-circle triumph that avenged last season’s heartbreak and reaffirmed Madison’s place as New Jersey’s top small-school power.

Sluggish Start, Explosive Finish

Missing starters Bob Stehlgens, and Bobby Gero to injury, Madison looked flat early. Still, they led 14–0 at halftime on the strength of two big defensive plays.

• Carl Caskey scooped a Summit fumble and rumbled 72 yards, setting up Pete Jilleba’s short touchdown plunge.
• Bud DeBiasse picked off a pass at the 35 and raced it back untouched for another score.

A fierce Summit goal-line stand before halftime jolted the Dodgers awake. From that moment, the momentum never shifted again.

Second-Half Onslaught

The third quarter belonged to Madison. Jilleba carried seven straight times on one drive, finishing with a 2-yard touchdown. Quarterback Dick Herbst, back from illness, then hit Caskey on a 33-yard pass and found Hale from 11 yards out for another score.

Summit answered with its lone touchdown on a short run by Carl Wilkerson, but Madison struck right back. Jilleba fielded a punt at his own 30, slipped three tacklers, and sprinted 70 yards for his third touchdown of the day—his 16th of the season. Sophomore Spencer Hoppin capped the rout with a 5-yard plunge.

Strength Up Front

Even shorthanded, Madison once again controlled the game. The offensive front kept the ground attack steady and protected Herbst’s return, while the defense once again dictated terms, forcing four turnovers and holding Summit to five first downs. The battle in the trenches was fierce, and Madison never gave Summit room to breathe.

By the Numbers

• Final Score: Madison 40, Summit 6
• Jilleba: 145 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 1 punt return TD, 1 PAT
• Caskey: 72-yard fumble return, 33-yard reception
• Herbst: 8/13 passing, 112 yards, 1 TD
• Hale: 4 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD
• Defense: 4 turnovers forced, 5 first downs allowed

Madison totaled 288 rushing yards, forced four turnovers, and held Summit’s offense in check until garbage time. It was a reminder that the 1964 Dodgers were defined not only by speed and scoring, but by resolve, focus, and line dominance.

Season Snapshot

With the win, Madison improved to 6–0, outscoring opponents 248–30. Jilleba surpassed 1,200 rushing yards for the season and pushed his scoring tally to 118 points, cementing his status as Morris County’s leader. More importantly, the Dodgers remained unbeaten in Suburban Conference play, with just two league hurdles left: Chatham and Millburn.

With revenge secured and confidence rising, Madison was no longer just winning—they were chasing history.

Next up: a nonconference clash with scrappy Cedar Grove.

Cedar Grove

Dodgers Prevail, But Lose Their Star: Jilleba Injured in Emotional Victory

November 7, 1964 – Cedar Grove, N.J.

What was expected to be a routine win for undefeated Madison turned into one of the season’s most emotional afternoons. The Dodgers left Cedar Grove with a 26–6 victory and their seventh straight win—but also without their brilliant halfback, Pete “Super Jet” Jilleba, whose season ended with a fractured leg just before halftime.

A Rocky First Half

Madison struck first. On the opening drive, Jilleba capped a steady march with a 2-yard touchdown run. The missed PAT left the door open, and Cedar Grove answered. Using field position advantage, the Panthers pushed inside the Madison 5, only to be stuffed by an Alabama-style 6–5 front. On fourth down on the two yard line, Bob Stehlgens and Ralph Artigliere knifed through to sack quarterback Jim McAndrew, keeping the lead intact.

They had to. This was shaping up to be Cedar Grove’s half—and maybe their game to win. Cedar Grove kept pressing. McAndrew hit Bill Brannan for 24 yards, then pulled off a stunning fake punt. The play was only recognized only by defensive end Carl Caskey, who dropped back but was left alone in a depleted secondary. The punter lofted a 40-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 6–6.

Then came the moment that changed everything. With 2:53 left in the half, Jilleba fielded the ensuing kickoff near his own 10 and slashed through traffic to midfield before being upended awkwardly by Marty Cooney. The silence in the stands told the story. X-rays later confirmed a broken fibula. Madison went to halftime tied 6–6, without its star, and with its season suddenly in doubt.

Second-Half Surge Without the Super Jet

The Dodgers returned with purpose. Their defense—anchored by Artigliere, Stehlgens, Bill Notte, Bob DeSombre, and Bud DeBiasse—seized control. Cedar Grove miscues set up short fields, and Madison capitalized.

• Midway through the third, DeBiasse recovered a muffed punt at the 11. Two Jim Johnson runs later, Madison led 13–6.
• In the fourth, McAndrew fumbled under heavy pressure, and Notte scooped it up at the 16 for a defensive touchdown.
• Moments later, Carl Caskey deflected a pitchout that Jimmy Johnson snagged and sprinted 40 yards for the clincher.

By game’s end, Madison’s defense had scored as many touchdowns as its offense.

By the Numbers

Final Score: Madison 26, Cedar Grove 6

• Madison outgained Cedar Grove 156–106 on the ground
• Passing: 4/9, 2 TDs, no INTs
• Defense: 5 fumbles forced, 1 interception, two fumble returns for TD

Jilleba’s Season Ends—But His Legacy Stands

Jilleba’s season ended with remarkable numbers: 1,227 yards on 160 carries (7.6 yards per rush) and 126 points in seven games. Scouts in attendance left disappointed, but Madison left determined.

The team delivered a signed game ball to Jilleba at home. Notes of support came in from across the county—including Hanover Park’s Booster Club. Coach Monica, shaken, told reporters:

“I’d rather lose the rest of our games than have this happen.”

But the season wasn’t over. Madison’s defense had given up just two touchdowns in seven games. Now the load shifted: with their offensive star gone, the linemen and linebackers playing both ways would carry even more strain. The question was no longer whether Madison could win big—but whether they could finish strong.

Next up: Chatham—another Suburban Conference contender and a test of Madison’s resilience without the Super Jet.

Chatham

A Clash of Grit and Defense in Front of 6,000 Fans

November 14, 1964 – Chatham, N.J.

Chatham shares a border with Madison, and the rivalry was always fierce. The year before, Chatham tripped up a favored Dodger team. Now, on their home field, the Eskies looked ready to spoil again—especially with Madison missing its fallen star, Pete “Super Jet” Jilleba.

The question lingered: could Madison win without him? Before 6,000 fans packed into the Chatham stands, the Dodgers delivered their answer. They were more than a one-man team. They were undefeated for a reason.

The Turning Points

Gero’s Burst:  After a scoreless first quarter, Madison struck first. With powerful blocking up front led by Wayne Willis, Ralph Artigliere, and John Mantone, Bobby Gero slashed through the line on a draw play and sprinted 31 yards for the touchdown. Carl Pierce’s PAT made it 7–0.

Chatham’s Reply: The Eskies answered with grit, driving 60 yards behind quarterback Steve Pfeiffer and workhorse back Tim Keeley. Helped by Madison penalties, Keeley punched in from five yards out, and Al Boehm’s kick tied the score 7–7.

Notte’s Pick-Six:  Midway through the third, the play of the game arrived. Linebacker Bill Notte read Pfeiffer perfectly, jumped a pass, and streaked 60 yards down the sideline for a defensive touchdown. The extra point missed, but Madison had what proved to be the winning margin, 13–7.

A Team Effort Without Its Star

This was Madison’s first full game without Jilleba, and the rest of the roster shouldered the load. Gero carried 21 times for 98 yards, while junior Jimmy Johnson added 42 more. Quarterback Dick Herbst, steady under pressure, went 5-for-11 for 92 yards, enough to keep Chatham honest. Madison outgained the Eskies 237 to 124 yards and spent most of the second half in Chatham territory.

The lines—anchored by two-way anchors Ralph Artigliere, Wayne Willis, and Bob Stehlgens—played with relentless grit, prying open seams for the run game and collapsing pockets on defense. Without the “Super Jet,” the Dodgers’ backbone was in the trenches.

Defense Decides It

Interceptions by Notte, junior Mike Prudente, and Carl Caskey stopped Chatham drives. Chatham had chances in the fourth quarter to tie or take the lead. Each time, Madison’s defense answered. Time and again, Chatham was turned away inside the Dodger 30.

Coach Monica called it “a defensive war.” And Madison’s defense had won it.

By the Numbers

• Gero: 21 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD
• Johnson: 42 rushing yards
• Herbst: 5/11 passing, 92 yards
• Notte: 60-yard interception return TD
• Defense: 4 takeaways, 106 rushing yards allowed

The Stakes Rise

Madison moved to 8–0 overall and 4–0 in conference. Across the county, Millburn also stayed perfect, beating Verona 20–0. That set the stage: for the first time since 1933, the Suburban Conference title would come down to Thanksgiving Day between two unbeaten rivals.

Without their most celebrated player, the Dodgers were now one win from history. Forty-eight minutes on Thanksgiving morning would decide whether 1964 ended as just another good season—or a perfect one.

Next up: Millburn—an unbeaten showdown for the crown.

Millburn

Would There Be A Perfect Ending to a Perfect Season?

County-wide Anticipation

November 26, 1964 – Madison, NJ

On a rainy Thanksgiving morning, before a record crowd of more than 9,000 packed into Twombly Field, the Madison Dodgers prepared to etch their place in history. Across the muddy sideline stood unbeaten Group III rival Millburn. Watching on crutches with his cast wrapped in plastic, star halfback Pete Jilleba stood beside fellow injured senior Homer Meade—seasons over, but spirits unbroken.

The game had been billed as a toss-up: Millburn’s high-powered offense against Madison’s relentless defense. Sportswriters were divided. But championships aren’t won in print. They’re won in the mud, one punishing snap at a time.

A Shaky Start, a Defining Stand

The game began in disaster for the Dodgers. Jimmy Johnson fumbled the opening kickoff, and Millburn recovered at the Madison 20. Moments later, star end Brent Barth caught a pass and was shoved out of bounds inside the 10.

Then came the moment that set the tone. Madison’s defense, aligned in its familiar Alabama 6–5 front—just as they had seen on film in Coach Davies’ junior high locker room— repelled four straight runs. The line braced, the linebackers filled, and the secondary closed. It was a goal-line stand for the ages—grit and muscle transforming potential panic into pride.

The Grind and the Breakthrough

The first half devolved into a punting duel, each team battling for field position in knee-deep muck. Madison’s steady execution on snaps and kicks proved critical. Not a single exchange was muffed—a remarkable feat that capped off 18 games over two years without a short or long snap error. And this game would feature eight Madison punts and two important extra points.

That reliability paid off. Finally, with under a minute left before halftime, quarterback Dick Herbst dropped back at his own 42 and found Doug Hale in the right flat. Despite tight coverage, Hale somehow secured the ball and sprinted 58 yards down the sideline, sliding into the end zone as the crowd erupted. Carl Pierce’s extra point made it 7–0 at the break.

Control in the Second Half

Madison seized command on the opening drive of the third quarter. Herbst connected with Carl Caskey on a 40-yard strike, setting up Bobby Gero’s 7-yard touchdown run. Pierce’s kick pushed the lead to 14–0.

From there, the defense took over. Millburn advanced twice inside the Dodger 30 in the fourth quarter, but each time was turned back. Quarterback Don Hermiston, harassed all day, managed just 57 passing yards. Millburn’s vaunted run game? Sixty-four yards total.

The Dodgers dug in. They fought for each other. In the offensive huddle, team Captains Herbst and Hale, and veterans like Wayne Willis, Bill Notte, Ralph Artigliere, Rhys Foulkes, and Carl Caskey locked eyes, urging each other on. On defense, Bob DeSombre joined the trench warriors to repel every Millburn advance. Senior leaders Gero and Hale rallied the juniors in the defensive backfield. This was a team that would not break. Two-way players, caked in mud and pushed to exhaustion, leaned on September’s conditioning and sheer will. They dug in and finished the job.

A Complete Team Effort

The 14–0 win sealed Madison’s first-ever 9–0 season, clinching sole possession of the Suburban Conference crown and a Group II state title. It erased doubt. This wasn’t just one of New Jersey’s best small-school teams. It was one of Madison’s greatest squads—ever.

The victory showed how championships are truly won. Talent mattered—Gero and Hale found the end zone. But unity made perfection possible. Herbst, Hale, and Caskey delivered in the clutch. The lines owned the trenches. And the defense, battered but unblinking, stood tall from the opening fumble to the final whistle.

Herbst completed just two passes all day. Both broke Millburn’s back. When the Millers threatened, the defense responded—again and again.

By the Numbers

Final Score: Madison 14, Millburn 0

• Total Yards: Madison 258, Millburn 121
• Rushing: Madison 160, Millburn 64
• Passing: Madison 98, Millburn 57
• First Downs: Madison 10, Millburn 6
• Key Plays: 58-yard TD Herbst to Hale; 40-yard pass Herbst to Caskey;  7-yard Gero TD run

Legacy Secured

For Coach Ted Monica, the win was the payoff for a decade of discipline and vision. The Dodgers had weathered injuries, adversity, and doubt. On Thanksgiving morning, they silenced it all.

As the final seconds ticked down, fans surged onto the field. Players hoisted Monica, Jilleba, Hale, and Gero into the air as rain turned to celebration.

The record will forever read 9–0. But the memory is richer: of grit, resilience, and unity—of a team that proved, in every sense, perfect.

 

Postscript: Echoes of Perfection

A Perfect Season, A Lasting Legacy

The 1964 Madison Dodgers did more than win football games. They forged an identity. From the first brutal days of two-a-days in September, where sweat poured and lungs burned, to the rain-soaked triumph on Thanksgiving morning, they lived the lessons of discipline, unity, and resilience.

It was not a season without setbacks. They lost leaders like Homer Meade and Pete Jilleba—players whose presence on the field could never be replaced. But their absence revealed something deeper: the strength of a team that refused to be defined by one man, no matter how great. When called upon, others rose—Natale guiding the offense with poise, Gero pounding the ground game, Hale stretching defenses, Caskey steady under pressure, Notte and DeBiasse delivering defensive heroics. And always, the linemen—the unsung warriors in the trenches—who controlled games with grit and consistency.

The defense became their calling card. In nine games, Madison allowed just 30 points, shutting out six opponents. Again and again, when the moment demanded it, they bent but never broke—goal-line stands against Cedar Grove and Millburn, turnovers forced in flurries, pressure that left quarterbacks harried and hopeless. Their success was built not just on talent, but on relentless conditioning and unshakable trust.

When the final whistle sounded on Thanksgiving Day, the record book showed 9–0: Madison’s first perfect season, Suburban Conference champions, and Group II state champions. But numbers only tell part of the story. The memory lives in the roar of the crowd at Twombly Field, the mud-stained jerseys, the sight of teammates hoisting their coaches and captains on their shoulders as rain turned to celebration.

The boys of Madison High became men that season—tested by adversity, strengthened by unity, and bound forever by the pride of perfection. Their story endures not only in the scoreboard but in the lives they carried forward, proof that on the “fields of friendly strife” are sown the seeds of character, loyalty, and greatness.

Key Stats:

• Record: 9-0 (5-0 in Suburban Conference)
• Points Scored: 230
• Points Allowed: 33
• Shutouts: 5
• Average Margin of Victory: 22 points

 By the Numbers (Season Snapshot)

Category	Madison Opponents
Record	9–0
Points Scored	273
Shutouts	5
Average Margin of Victory	22 points
Defense	Allowed only 2 TDs by first team all season

Pete “Super Jet” Jilleba

• 1,227 rushing yards on 160 carries (7.6 avg)
• 126 points in 7 games (season ended early with injury)

Other Standouts

• Herbst: Steady leadership at QB, key passing in Millburn game
• Gero: Power runner and defensive standout
• Hale, Caskey: Reliable receivers and two-way players
• Willis, Stehlgens, Artigliere, DeSombre: Dominant in the trenches

Team Captains: Dick Herbst, Pete Jilleba, Doug Hale, Bob DeSombre

Honors & Legacy

Team Honors:

• Suburban Conference Champions – Undefeated run through league play
• Morris County Team of the Year – Daily Record selection- First in school history
• Group II State Champions – First in school history
• Saylor Football Rankings – #6 in New Jersey (all groups) – only Group II school in Top 10
• Perfect Season – 9–0, the first in school history

Individual Awards:

Individual honors are, by nature, subjective. After a season like 1964, those recognized did so standing on the shoulders of teammates. Madison’s depth and balance meant many worthy players were left off all-state, all-county, and all-conference lists. Still, tradition demands such selections, and each accolade belongs to the entire squad, whose collective discipline and commitment made individual achievement possible.

Individual Honors

All-County (Morris)

• Offense: Pete Jilleba, Ralph Artigliere, Dick Herbst, Doug Hale, Bob Gero
• Defense: Wayne Willis, Bob DeSombre, Bill Notte, Bud DeBiasse
  ➡️ 9 of 21 spots – unmatched dominance

All-Conference (Suburban)

• Jilleba,
• Herbst,
• Gero,
• Hale,
• Notte,
• Artigliere,
• Willis

All-State (Newark News & Star-Ledger)

• Jilleba (1st Team)
• Hale (2nd Team)
• Gero (3rd Team)
  

NY Herald Tribune All-Stars

• Jilleba (1st Team)
• Artigliere (2nd Team)
  

AP All-State

• Jilleba (2nd Team)
  

Division II All-State

• 1st Team: Jilleba, Hale, Notte, Artigliere
• 2nd Team: Herbst
• 3rd Team: Gero

POST-SEASON ATHLETICS AND CAMARADERIE

The story of the ’64 Dodgers is not only about victory—it is about character. They remain a model of teamwork, toughness, and heart—a legacy that still echoes through the halls of Madison High School sixty years later.

As a small school, Madison relied on athletes to play multiple sports. The 1964 football team’s talent reached far beyond the gridiron:

• Wrestling: Led by Peter Jilleba, two-time New Jersey heavyweight champion, Coach Jack Davies’ wrestling squad included fellow football standouts Rhys Foulkes (District Champion), Bill Notte (District Champion), Doug Hale, Ralph Artigliere, and Bob Stehlgens.
• Basketball: Wayne Willis and Carl Pierce were co-captains and varsity standouts.
• Baseball: Carl Caskey, Pete Jilleba, Ralph Artigliere, Paul Natale, and Dick Herbst carried Dodger baseball to another strong season, with Jilleba, Caskey, Natale, and Herbst playing together since Little League.
• Track: Carl Pierce excelled as a stellar miler.

Off the field, camaraderie thrived. Bobby Gero, a friend to all and a ladies’ man, taught linemen like Ralph Artigliere dance steps for school socials. Bob DeSombre had his own signature moves, often drawing crowds on the dance floor with footwork that could rival today’s break dancers.

It was a special year in a post–World War II town. These young men grew into adulthood through grit, friendship, and shared purpose—a team for the ages.

Final Reflection

The 1964 Dodgers were more than champions. They were classmates, neighbors, and friends who carried each other through mud, sweat, and sacrifice. Their perfect season was not just nine wins, but a lasting lesson in unity and resilience. Decades later, the cheers have faded, but the legacy endures—in memories, in stories, and in the bond of a town that once came together to witness history.

Alembic Summary

This is how the 1965 Alembic remembered the season: