Seymour stats man hangs up clipboard

SEYMOUR, Conn. (WTNH) -- The high school football season is winding down, and so is the career of a legendary figure in Seymour.

John Commune has been roaming the Wildcat sidelines since 1968 and now the man affectionately known as the "Raven" is ready to hang up the clipboard.

For 45 years he's walked the Seymour sidelines, with one eye on the action.

He's never made a tackle. He's never scored a touchdown, but in these parts his numbers are legendary.

"He's been true," said Paul Sponheimer, "he's a true wildcat."

They call him Raven. Since 1967, John Commune has been writing it as he sees it. Every pass. Every run. Every yard of every Seymour game.

"I did it because I wanted to help the kids and coaches," Commune said.

"Do the kids ask you to pad the stats?"

"No. No, I do it anyway though," Commune said.

Commune started keeping stats when he was a junior at Seymour High. He never stopped, until Monday, his last home game.

"I'm getting old and it's time to hand it off to another person," Commune said.

His dedication hasn't been lost on the community. The press box bares his name.

Childhood friend Paul Sponheimer was one of four coaches Raven worked for.

He playfully refers to Raven, who has one glass eye, as the one eye statistician.

"Do you like that?"

"It's okay, I've been called worse," said Commune.

One thing he's never been called is for a flag. Although he's argued a call or two.

"All the flags weren't on me," said Sponheimer, "some were on this young man."

"They were all on him," said Commune.

That's the thing Commune will miss the most: the relationships.

"The camaraderie with the kids and coaches, even other coaches," Commune said. "Football is a great sport."