For None Can Rank Above Thee:
A History of Cal-Mum Red Raiders Football

by Thomas E. Pullyblank

ISBN-13: 978-0-9856926-1-2
ISBN-10: 0-9856926-1-8
LCCN: 2012950243
Product #: SCP-0044
Retail Price: $19.95
Physical: 216 pages, 7.5" x 9.25", softcover, B & W interior, illustrated, indexed
Publication Date: October 12, 2012
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Library Distribution: Click link for info

Publication Information Sheet

Softcover - $19.95
Ordering & shipping info

Book Summary

In 1929, the Caledonia Red Raiders high school football team went undefeated and unscored-upon, an accomplishment matched by few other American football teams at any level. From then on, the Red Raiders of Caledonia (Caledonia-Mumford after 1950) have enjoyed a remarkable string of gridiron achievements: 15 undefeated seasons, 22 Livingston County Championships, 14 Section V Championships, 9 New York State Championships, and a 49-game winning streak (currently the longest in Section V and the second-longest in New York State).

For None Can Rank Above Thee is the story of how generation after generation of boys from a small community in Upstate New York tried, and often succeeded, in living up to the precedent of greatness set by the1929 team. Included within is a complete history of Cal-Mum Red Raiders football from 1925-2003, detailed descriptions of some of the most exciting games in Cal-Mum football history, team statistics and complete game-by-game scores from 1925-2011, and a roster full of vintage and modern photographs and memorabilia.

Book Preview (230KB PDF)

Reviews

“When one thinks of community one must decide what holds it together. Even before I was coaching at Cal-Mum it was football. In my travels around upstate NY, when I say I'm from Cal-Mum the first thing they say is, “That football town?” I feel so blessed to be part of it. Talking to old players, their roses in life are the playing days and the feeling of pride having been a member of a Cal-Mum team. As Bob Pullyblank said in the D & C many years ago, 'It's the only Game in Town.'”

Bill McAlee, Red Raiders varsity coach, 1973-1987

“Wow! Pullyblank has written a book that took me on a good trip down memory lane. I couldn't stop reading until I was finished.”

Mike Monacelli, Red Raiders varsity coach, 1988-2010

Media Coverage

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• Book chronicles Cal-Mum’s finest football years - article in Livingston County News (October 3, 2012) by Sally Santora

About the Author

Thomas Pullyblank, born and raised in a Caledonia football family, was the starting tight end on the 1985 Red Raider team. His grandfather played on the undefeated, unscored-upon 1929 team, his father and uncles played on the great Bob Freeman-led teams of the late 1940's and early 1950's, and his older brothers and cousins played on the McAlee powerhouse teams of the 1970's and 1980's. His mother baked Cal-Mum football cookies, his sisters led cheers, and now his nephews carry on the family tradition of wearing the maroon and white. A teacher, writer, pastor and farmer, Pullyblank lives outside Cooperstown, NY with his wife and son.

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