1948 Southern Division Eastern Conference Champions - Ashland H.S.
- nssite8
- Aug 22, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 13
Introduction
The Pennsylvania Eastern Conference was organized in 1922. Since that year a championship game has been played as the climax to the regular season. From 1922 until 1941 the annual title game involved with the Eastern Conference champion against the Western Conference champion. The winner of the playoff game was regarded as the Pennsylvania State Champions. After the 1940 state championship game, the old system was dissolved. The Pennsylvania Eastern Conference champions are decided by the playoff game between the Northern Division and Southern Division of its member schools. The Eastern Conference was your highest honor as state champions during this time as Ashland was in the final game with Blakely. There are two times in Ashland High School football history that Ashland played in the state championship game. The Black Diamonds were claimed State Champions when they beat Western Conference Champion Altoona 6-2 back in 1935, and runner ups, after being defeated by Blakely 19-6 for the 1948 Eastern Conference championship.
This 1948 aggregation won Southern Division Eastern Conference title in "Cinderella" fashion with a 9-2 record, then lost to Northern champions Blakely. In front row (left to right); Tom Weidensaul, Harry Brocius, Arthur Boyer, Jim McCarroll, Bill Hornung, Walter Kahn, Marvin Beck, Harold Sausser, Chester Ernst, Bill Dando, and Roy Allison. Second row, (left to right); Charles Umlauf, William Meyers, Willie Pratt, Dixie Cuff, Vincent Mendler, Red Reismiller, Robert Hepler, George Leibig, Robert Slotterback, George Schneider, Frank Knock, and Bob Baur. Third row, (left to right); Ronald Kehres, Paul Evans, Myron Sausser, Eddie Koch, Ray Keller, Pete Ruller, Jim Wagner, John Hornung, John Weaver, Ron Kahn, and Robert Neetzow. Fourth row, Coaches: Willis Pratt Sr., Stan Hino, head coach; Lester Hebert, and Charles Stief, equipment manager.
The 1948 Pennsylvania Southern Division Eastern Conference Champions team photo was originally in the trophy case at the old Ashland/North Schuylkill High School that was located at North 9th Street. The Ashland Post Office is at that location today.
When the new North Schuylkill Jr./Sr. High School opened in the 1976/1977 school year. It took the school district until 1981 to have a trophy case in the lower lobby of the school. The 1948 Southern Division Eastern Conference team photo was on display in the trophy case in the lower lobby for years. Due to lack of room in the North Schuylkill trophy cases. The trophy had to find a new home.
The 1948 Southern Division Eastern Conference team photo is currently on display at the Ashland Borough Hall/Museum of Anthracite Mining located at 401 South 18th Street. The trophy and other artifacts about the state championship game are courtesy of the North Schuylkill School District and the Borough of Ashland. All are welcomed to come see this history during borough hours.
Stan Hino was outstanding in baseball, football, basketball, and track while playing for Shenandoah High School. He played and coached professional football and baseball. He also was a very popular football coach for Ashland and outstanding math teacher for the Ashland School District and later the North Schuylkill School District. Stan Hino was Ashland High School's head football coach for 12 coaching seasons. He guided the 1948 Black Diamonds football team to win the Pennsylvania Eastern Southern Division Championship finishing with a 9-3 season.
Inducted into the Jerry Wolman Sports Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
Shown above are the Ashland High School football players who lined up against the Blakely Bears during the Pennsylvania Eastern Conference Championship Game. Front row, left to right: Robert Slotterback, Tommy Weidensaul, Harry Brosious, Chester Ernst, Arthur Boyer, Walter Kahn, James McCarroll, Harold Sausser, and Marvin Beck. Second row, left to right: Head Coach Stan Hino, Bill Dando, Roy Allison, Dixie Cuff, George Schneider, Bill Hornung, George Leibig, and Assistant Coach Elton Hunsinger.
1948: BLACK DIAMONDS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SOUTHERN DIVISION EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
Date | Team | Location | Ashland Score | Opponent Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sept. 11 | *Schuylkill Haven | Home | 12 | 13 | Loss |
Sept. 16 | Gilberton | Home | 39 | 6 | Win |
Sept 23. | Kulpmont | Away | 20 | 0 | Win |
Oct. 1 | Shenandoah | Away | 13 | 7 | Win |
Oct. 7 | Mount Carmel Twp. | Home | 7 | 6 | Win |
Oct 14. | Mahanoy City | Home | 25 | 0 | Win |
Oct. 21 | Saint Clair | Home | 55 | 0 | Win |
Oct. 29 | Mount Carmel | Home | 12 | 8 | Win |
Nov. 6 | Frackville | Away | 27 | 7 | Win |
Nov. 14 | Shamokin | Home | 20 | 6 | Win |
Nov. 25 | Coal Twp.¹ | Away | 6 | 7 | Loss |
Dec. 4 | Blakely ² | Away | 6 | 19 | Loss |
RECORD: Won 9, Lost 3, Overall.
HEAD COACH: Stanley Hino.
ASSISTANT COACHES: Willis Pratt, Les Herbert.
¹ SOUTHERN DIVISION EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
² PENNSYLVANIA EASTERN CONFERENCE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
*Schuylkill Haven football program was a non-conference game, and they joined the Eastern Conference Southern Division for the 1949 football season.
Source: The Plain Speaker - November 29, 1948
Eastern Conference Championship Football Game Program
1948 Southern Division
Eastern Conference Champions Trophy
The 1948 Pennsylvania Southern Division Eastern Conference Champions Trophy was originally in the trophy case at the old Ashland/North Schuylkill High School that was located at North 9th Street. The Ashland Post Office is at that location today.
When the new North Schuylkill Jr./Sr. High School opened in the 1976/1977 school year. It took the school district until 1981 to have a trophy case in the lower lobby of the school. The 1948 Southern Division Eastern Conference trophy was on display in the trophy case in the lower lobby for years. Due to lack of room in the North Schuylkill trophy cases. The trophy had to find a new home.
The 1948 Southern Division Eastern Conference trophy is currently on display at the Ashland Borough Hall/Museum of Anthracite Mining located at 401 South 18th Street. The trophy and other artifacts about the state championship game are courtesy of the North Schuylkill School District and the Borough of Ashland. All are welcomed to come see this history during borough hours.
Ashland's Head Coach Stan Hino addresses his football squad at Memorial Field in Ashland. Left to right, Pal Beck, Harry Brocious, Bill Dando, George Schneider, Bill Hornung, Chester Ernst, Snooky Allison. Kneeling, left to right, Art Boyer, Jim McCarroll, Boots Kahn, and Tom Weidensaul.
