Patsy Combine
Patsy Combine was a former Sharpsville High athletic standout who went on to set become a record-setting quarterback at Thiel College, Greenville.
Patsy played football for four years under coach Tom Lally at Sharpsville. At quarterback, he broke into the starting lineup as a junior and was the leader of the Blue Devils offense his senior season. He graduated in 1966.
At Thiel College, he shined under coach Jim McCullough, leaving his mark by posting several records in the Tomcat books, even though the team played only eight games in those days. While many of the records have since been passed, he still is high in the ranking as one of the top QBs in Tomcat history.
Included on that list are:
• Passing completion percentage: Season - 7th, 1969, 50.8 percent; Career - 4th, 1966-69, 49.1.
• Touchdown passes: Game - Tied for 1st, 6 vs. Carnegie-Mellon, 1969; Season - Tied for 5th, 1969, 11; Career - tied for 6th, 16, 1966-69.
• Passing efficiency rating - Career, 4th, 110.8, 1966-69.
That is quite a feat considering the number of talented quarterbacks who have worn the Blue and Gold since.
He established himself early as a leader with the Tomcats. As a freshman, the Tomcats trailed Bethany 14-6 late. Combine, starting at the Thiel 15, guided the team downfield to a TD. That score came on a fourth-down play. Combine then found a receiver for a two-point conversion for a final 14-14 tie on the road against the heavily-favored Bison.
Patsy went on to play two years of semi-pro football with the Shenango Valley Blasters.