The headline read: “Falconer Rolls To Its Sixth Successive Football Victory.” Accompanying the story was a photograph of senior Steve Garvey, wearing jersey No. 25, running for a touchdown, arms raised towards the heavens with the pigskin in his right hand.

It was one of four TDs for Garvey, who finished that evening with 135 yards on 13 carries, highlighting Falconer’s 39-13 win over Maple Grove.

Mrs. Scofield was apparently so impressed with his performance that she cut out the article and photo, glued them to a piece of orange construction paper and presented it to Garvey days later. Although it’s been 51 years since Mrs. Scofield’s act of kindness, Garvey still has the newsprint memory in his possession.

I know that to be true because he messaged me a photo of it several years ago. At that time, he wondered if there was any chance I could find the negative of his TD run, scan it and send it to him so that he could make a print of it. Surprisingly, I uncovered the neg in a Post-Journal file cabinet in a matter of minutes.

Steve Garvey holds his Lifetime Golden Falcon Award. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Most importantly, the discovery — and Garvey’s reaction to it — provided me with a glimpse of how, I assume, countless others have felt about all the support he has given through the years, not only to Falconer, but also to the western Southern Tier through his photographic prowess.

Although assigning even a ballpark “membership” number to the Garvey Fan Club would be impossible, Falconer athletic director Dave Nelson and Falconer executive principal Jeff Jordan are happy to be among that fraternity.

“My biggest memory is when our basketball team traveled to Buffalo State for a sectional final,” Nelson said. “Steve was there to take pictures after the victory, and many of those pictures were put in a book that all athletes received at the (postseason) banquet. Those kids will have that for a lifetime.”

Jordan, meanwhile, described Garvey as a “fixture” at all of the school’s home and away athletic events.

“He is dedicated to our students and community, willing to step up when needed,” Jordan said. “During COVID, Steve helped us by taking pictures for our graduation ceremony on Bill Race Field and shared the photos with our families and community. I still have some of those photos hanging in my office.”

In this September 1974 file photo, Falconer’s Steve Garvey, wearing jersey No. 25, runs for a touchdown, one of his four TDs in a 39-13 win over Maple Grove. At right, is teammate Joe Mistretta (40). P-J file photo

In recognition of those talents and his love for his hometown, Garvey was presented the “Lifetime Golden Falcon Award” on Friday night before Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove’s football game against Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton at Bill Race Field.

Falconer High School principal Adam Erickson said the recognition was a “thank you from the generations of individuals he has impacted.” And maybe for the first time ever, the surprised Garvey was standing in front of the camera for a photo, this time with Nelson, the Falconer AD.

But then it was back to “work” for the 1975 Falconer grad as he took photos for all four quarters of the game — won by the Eagles 42-0 (see story on Page B1) AND during an extended halftime in order to accommodate the homecoming ceremonies for Falconer, Cassadaga Valley and Maple Grove.

And, as usual, Garvey was at the right place at the right time.

Apparently, as someone was attempting to take a photo of the newly crowned king and queen from one of the schools, she was blocked from doing so by a crowd of people. Yet, instead of becoming upset at the missed opportunity, she noticed a familiar face with a camera pointed at the honorees, prompting her to say in a calm, relieved tone:

“Steve’s got it,” she said. “Steve’s got it.”

He sure does.

He always has.