Ensley High School - Jacket Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

Page 26 text:

24 THE GLEAM Ensley va. Phillips-Yellow Jackets Tie Crimsons in Great Battle Saturday morning. November 3. witnessed one of the greatest games ever played in Ensley history. The game Jackets, fought, buzzed and stung their way to a 0 to 0 draw, giving the highly-touted Crimson Warriors the surprise of their young lives. In a sea of mud, partly through a drizzling rain, the Ensley lads outplayed themselves, every man a star. In spite of the bad weather, four thousand fans witnessed this hectic battle. A chill wind blew throughout the game, and rain drove the rooters to the stand in the first period. Both teams on emerging from the battle, were soaked wet and were covered with a heavy coat of mud. The dope gave Ensley a 21 point defeat. The Jackets, however, opened the game fighting, and fought till the final whistle. Cheered on by their loyal followers, the boys put all they had in this game, and handed Old Man Dope a great surprise. The ball was heavy and slippery, all of which tended to slow up the game. There was no chance for any brilliant field running or passing. Ensley’s punting, bucking, and ability to hold the ball, combined with their spirit, was the reason for this score. Phillips won the toss and Mayhew kicked off. Phillips failed to make first down, and punted to McDowell, who returned five. The ball seesawed back and forth, but by penalties and plunges Phillips had the ball on Ensley’s eleven-yard line as the quarter ended. Early in the second period, they advanced the ball to our two-yard line, where our line showed its true worth, and held as a line had never held before. They ball was ours, and Marston punted out of danger. The remainder of the half was mostly punts, mixed with a few bucks. The half ended with Ensley’s ball on Phillips 35 yard line. The third period opened in hard rain. Hardy kicked off again for Ensley. A punting duel ensued, with Ensley getting much the better of it. The quarter ended with Ensley in possession of the ball on her 35-yard line. McDowell punted and it was the Crimson’s ball on their 15-yard line. Phillips endeavored to complete several forwards, but in vain, for McGonagle or Mayhew broke through to spoil this little game. About the middle of the quarter, Holder raced around right end for 80 yards and a touchdown but J. Smith was caught tripping Lowery from behind and the ball was brought back to midfield. This was one of the prettiest pieces of work of the morning, but fate handed Phillips a hard blow and the referee rightly decreed that the score shouldn’t count. For the remainder of the game both teams tried hard to score, but in vain. The game ended with the ball in Phillip’s possession on their own 25 yard line. In this muddy scrap, it was hard to find a star, because all the lads played the game of their lives. However, it was the grim, bull-dog-like tenacity of '‘Country ’ Lowery that kept our team going. He it was who backed up the line and held back the charging Crimson Warriors. He it

Page 25 text:

THE GLEAM 23 Ensley vs. Baylor On October 20. Ensley visited Baylor Academy, in Chattanooga only to receive a heart-breaking defeat to the tune of 31 to 7. Baylor had a good, fast team which plunged, passed and ran its way to victory aided by bad referee-ing. Ensley fought a game, uphill fight with the odds in Baylor’s favor; that is, the muddy grounds, being away from home, and having been on edge the week before. Baylor scored several times in the opening quarter. They got away to a good start, and played Ensley off her feet for a while. Our boys, confused at first by the dirty playing and refereeing, could do little. They fought gamely, but couldn’t seem to get together as they should. In the first half, the ball see-sawed back and forth; when Ensley did get the ball she didn’t keep it long. However, in the second half the Jackets came back in their old spirit and gave Baylor a hard fight. Baylor scored again in the third quarter. A penalty on Baylor once gave Ensley the ball on Baylor’s seven-yard line. Lowery smashed off six yards in two plunges, but Baylor stood firm and the visitors didn’t score. Ensley’s touch down came in the fourth stanza. McGonagle picked up a Baylor fumble and raced 15 yards for a touch down. Lowery kicked goal. For the remainder of the game neither team scored. Hard feeling was manifested throughout the game by both teams. The referee called no penalties on Baylor for offsides, cutting down from behind and interfering with receivers of forward passes. In the fourth quarter, a free for all fight was started, when a Baylor man slugged Lowery; and May hew, standing by his captain, after being hit in the back of the head, returned the blow. Players of both teams rushed together, and play being on Baylor’s side of the field, her subs came out to engage in the fight. The officials quieted the disturbance, however, and play was resumed. It was a dirty game throughout,, and it is supposed that athletic relations will not be resumed with Baylor. On Ensley’s line. Mayhew starred, the big tackle breaking through to spoil many of Baylor’s plays. Faircloth, Scott and McGonagle put in some good work also. Lowery was the backfield luminary, and Pearson gained well, too. Marston punted well against Witt. For Baylor, Gfoerer and Bush performed brilliantly in the backfield. Both were fast, elusive and hard-hitting. Alley, Butler and Landress put in good work on the line. The Ensley boys were out-weighed, out-aged and partly out-played; however, they put up a game fight. Baylor certainly has a classy team, one equal to that of a small college. The Ensley team stayed over night in Chattanooga, and visited Lookout Mountain on Sunday morning. The trip was altogether an enjoyable one. Touchdowns: Ensley—McGonagle. Baylor—Bush 2. Gfoerer, Alley, Landress. Points after touchdowns: Witt 2, Lowery.

Page 27 text:

THE GLEAM 25 was who hit the line time after time for gains. Give “Country’' his credit. Buck McDowell ran the team in a wonderful manner; he handled punts in a way that put Phillips to shame, and his punting saved Ensley many times when it looked as if the Crimsons might get in scoring distance. He also carried the ball for good gains, despite his size. The outstanding defensive star for both teams was Charlie McGonagle. Phillips found in him a worthy opponent. Charlie broke through to spoil passes, to break up plays before they were scarcely formed, and to throw the Crimsons for a heavy loss. He deserves special credit, for he played the last part of the game with a badly spiked eye. Oh yes, Charlie was a hero. Campbell Pearson was a consistent gainer and his running was a feature of the game. Time after time his gains gave Ensley first down and he was a large factor in our near victory. Phillips encountered in May-hew. a stone wall, and it was futile to get by this big tackle. Barnett, Scott and Hardy, did their share and more, while “Pup” Fayet was to be seen in every play, here, there, and everywhere. The same can be said of Fair-cloth; and Marston’s services in the backfield, especially his punting, were indispensable. Zeigler, Jackson, Andrews and Inman made good, while Johnston, during the time he was in the game, did great work. Game little “Bud” Walker seems to be following in Zac's footsteps, if he continues as good as he showed up on Nov. 3. He proved a great prospect. For Phillips, Harry Holder was the outstanding star. This lad was the backbone of the entire team. He it was who kept the Crimsons in the fight, and whose punting kept them out of danger. Bowden, McAuthur and Guavelee were also good. Phillips has a great fighting machine, and we give her that credit. However, our Gold and Black line proved the superior, and our entire team, outweighed 10 pounds to a man. made eleven first downs to Phillip’s five. It was in all, a fine game. The spirit exhibited was fine, and the rivalry, though keen, was not so bitter as had been anticipated. Ensley backers were satisfied, after the years of defeat to have this tie, in which the Old Gold and Black outplayed the Crimson. While we work and hope for a victory next year, we will never forget this fighting, gritty team of ’23. directed by Coach Bryan and led by Captain Lowery. The game was fought beyond our dreams and held the over-confident Phillips men to a scoreless time. -------------:o:---------- The Girls’ Gymnasium The Girls’ Gymnasium of the Ensley High has a record of which it is proud. Led by Miss Kathryn Smith, the girls have accomplished great things during the year and a half that the “Gym” has been open. There are always reasons for success, and ours may be attributed to the wonderful leadership of our director, together with the cooperation of the girls. Each gym class is an organization within itself. There is a president, elected by the class, a vice-president, selected by the president, and a moni-