Dover, Bob

 

Bob Dover – (1992)

 

BOB DOVER

At 5’9″ and 160 lbs., Bob Dover was built in the same mold as Paul Kromer, Lorain High’s premier running back of the 1930’s. Tonight, Dover enters the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame as a high school running back in the same stature and class as Kromer.

Not quite as fast as his predecessor and not particularly blessed with an All-Star supporting cast in three seasons at Lorain High, Bob was considered one of the brightest football stars in the school’s firmament. Many believed him to be the top running back in the whole Cleveland area during his three-year career from 1945 through 1947. Bob Dover certainly had the credentials.

Blessed with speed, cat-like quickness and a baffling change of pace, Bob possessed an uncanny ability to pick his way through a broken field for long touchdown jaunts. Most every game was sprinkled with Dover’s spectacular dashes and when closed in he could power run. Known best for his electrifying end-sweeps, Bob could burst through the middle and cut to daylight. He served as both, the punter and punt returner at Lorain High. His punting average was 42 yards and on a number of his returns he exceeded that yardage.

Bob was an aggressive defensive safety on the other side of the ball. A sure tackler, he was also respected for his pass coverage. Opponents would shy away from his territory fearing the inevitable interception and long return. His longest interception return covered 77 yards and put 6 points on the scoreboard for the Steelers.

Somehow, the measure of a Steeler back was his performance against the Elyria Pioneers. In 1945 Dover led the Steelers with three touchdowns as they trounced the Pioneers. Year 1946 brought Elyria’s second straight shellacking by the tune of 33-13. The Pioneers were chasing Bob all evening while he piled up 223 yards in 25 carries, collected 2 passes for 44 yds. and returned an interception for 37 yds. His total yardage for the game was 304 yds. as he again romped for 3 touchdowns. The succeeding year brought an Elyria victory 7-6. Elyria’s touchdown came when Janowicz fumbled, accidently kicked the ball about 15 yds. to the Lorain 1 yard line where a Pioneer fell on it. Elyria scored on the next play. The extra point brought Lorain’s defeat, although Dover scored for the Steelers and was the leading ground gainer.

The jubilation and despair of the Elyria games have dimmed for Dover. Of all the thrilling moments on the high school gridiron, his most vivid recollection was in the 1947 game at Lakewood. Unable to whip Lakewood in 1945 and 1946, the Steelers were behind 6-0 with about five minutes to go in the fourth quarter and Lorain in a fourth and ten at their own 30 yard line. Coach Pryor sent in instructions for a fake punt and a Dover run. As Bob dropped back to punt he kept thinking, “Coach must be crazy!” When he received the center, he paused to assess the situation, then tucked the pigskin under his arm and set sail. Elusive as he was, this run seemed like “No Contest” and when he reached the end zone 70 yds. away, he looked back upfield to find that there were no other players left standing. Lorain went on to win 7-6.

When his Steeler football career was over, the record showed Bob Dover was Lorain’s high scorer in 1946 and leading ground gainer – high scorer in 1947 – leading ground gainer – co-captain and signal caller. He was All-Lake Erie First Team in 1946 and 1947, All Cleveland First Team and Honorable Mention All-Ohio INS in 1946 and AP Honorable Mention All-Ohio his senior year and was selected for the North Squad in the 1947 All-Ohio All-Star Game. In addition to his 3 football letters, he had sprinted to 3 track letters and collected 2 more at outfield-third base in the diamond sport.

Upon graduation Bob moved on to Bolus Prep in Silver Springs, MD. Bolus was a prep school for those wishing to attend West Point or Annapolis. Playing the Army and Navy Frosh and leading prep schools, Bolus was undefeated and Dover was a large cog in their machine. He was the leading scorer and ground gainer in the east. He romped for a record 5 TD’s in one game and averaged 45 yds. punting, his longest 65 yds.

Enrolling at Michigan, it was not long afterwards that Bob was called to serve as an infantryman in the Korean War. He served two years in Korea and upon his return earned his degree at Wilmington College in Ohio.

Dover now resides in Hawthorne, Florida with his wife, the former Shirley Steele of the Lorain area. They were married in 1948 and begat 3 children, David a vice president with the Retailers Athlete’s Attic, Keith is an electrician in Painesville, Ohio and daughter, Kendra is now a housewife in Virginia. Bob expects to retire shortly after 16 years of teaching math at Interlachen High.