Middletown High School - Optimist Yearbook (Middletown, OH)

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A 'H ' 5 N 4,' .bf XX I-lf' ff ' . , 4 or ,f f ' Y fl AJ Y. J ff- ,f J' ' ,ft N -. ft I 5 , it -'Xxx '- N X! lk , i N . ' ' Harry Burnett X.. ,' X F Nr ' x '- ' This is Tooty's first year at practical work on the tekani. He did himself credit in many games and should be one of the key men in next-year's eleven. Qurnett played the brand of football that is so desirablein a backtield man. He is a sure tackler and a good blocker. As a fast and elusive ballfcarrier, he coul nearly always be depended upon for a gain. Tooty played particularly well rat rtsmouth, and next year will greatly enjoy getting revenge-2 for the defeat.X X' X ' ' ' X x I l X, Howard Ward ' A X- tx X' Ward is the flashy quarterback who spurred the second' team on to victory. Also as relief man for McMann he put the grand finale on many 'of our victories. Not only is he fast and elusive, but he worked well on both ends of forward passes. Ward took particular delight in running back punts and kick offs and he achieved much success in this capacity. Although not a letter man, he is one of the M. H. S. hopes for the future. Harold Knepshielfl Harold saw much service this year, although he was not a letterman. He is the second Knepshield to shine on the gridiron. A hard-driving back, he plays hard and always shows a determined spirit. He is a splendid blocker and tackler, and also can be expected to gain consistently. In practice Harold caught many of those passes that worried the regular backtield. He will be here again next year. Walkei' Lewis Walker has been on the squad for three years, and this is his last for M. H. S. He played well at guard and helped the team to go through the season so successfully. There wasn't a time in the play that he wasn't shoving his way to the front in defense. An aggressive and determined linesman, he showed much ability and initiative in his game. Walker liked particularly well to b1'eak up the sho1't line bucks. f112j

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Alfred Dean Although he didn't get into many of the games this season, Dean took advantage of every opportunity, and made his presence felt in the lineup on every occasion. Al developed into an excellent blocker and tackler, and his smashing style of play ruined many an opposing backfield jaunt. His stick-to-it-iveness made him a good end, and had the season lasted longer, Dean would no doubt have seen more active service. Ernest Gehm Ernest was another of the Purple guards, and he was all that his name implies. Suifering from an injured ankle, Ernie was kept out of several games during the season, but when he did play, he made his presence felt. He possessed a do or die spirit in the games, and it was very seldom that an opponent took him out of the picture. In the Steele game he did some very good work, and his stellar defensive and offensive tactics did much toward putting the score on our side of the ledger. Tony Likiarthis Besides being a first-class ball snapper, Tony was a valuable man on defense, where his ability to diagnose plays aided him in intercepting passes and stopping running plays. In the Washington C. H. game, it was Tony who snagged the pass which paved the way for the final touchdown. Kicking off when Strong was not in the lineup, Tony consistently booted the oval far down the field. Although light, he always gave his utmost, playing a steady game at. all times. J. B. MCMSIIH ' McMann, whose excellent generalship played a prominent part in the team's success, is gifted as a place-kicker, runner, and passer. A spinner play or delayed buck was his specialty, and carried him many yards. When the ball had been pushed across the goal-line, it was usually the stocky quarterback who heaved the pass or booted the goal for the extra point. His dynamic presence will be missed next year. for no matter how tough the sledding, Jason's chatter always encouraged his teammates. 51111

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1 'X lf , .Y thllxlx - . Dan Corson Fessler was that long, lanky Hankman that just would not let. them pass. Corson wasn't a driving sort of player, but always managed to stop them at the scrimmage line. This was Dan's first year on the team, but he played like a veteran. Dan's energy and likeable spirit made him one of the most popular boys on the squad. He did his part valiantly toward stopping the Portsmouth machine and showing the Middie punch in the last quarter. He also did some good work in the Lima Central game. Leroy Heller Heller was the man Coach called upon time and again to replace a Middie linesman, or to bolster up the line when the regulars tired from the battle. Heller's slashing tactics and hard charging made many a first team linesman uncomfortable in scrimmage against the reserves. He possesses a ready wit and kept the squad in good spirits on many of the out of town games. It is impossible to pick the game in which he played his best, for he was always at his best. John Riner Although he saw little actual service, Johnny contributed much to the success of the team this year. Riner was one of those fighting substitutes who were Coach's best helpers, and at Lincoln Field he was one of those men who gave the Varsity their workouts, and who kept the regulars fighting for their positions. Riner was somewhat of a utility linesman, but he did his best work at guard. He will be back to help form the Purple machine next year. Frank Saylor Frank played half-back, and when he got into a game the opponents soon found out he was a tough player. He was a good ball carrier and a determined blocker who always did his best. Because of his size he received many hard knocks, but he always came back for more and put all he had into the game. His skill as a pass receiver made him particularly dangerous. l113:I