Middletown High School - Optimist Yearbook (Middletown, OH)

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. E 9, ,4, 1 g vc- KX, f f--glie Bob Roberts ' . Bob didn't have much opportunity to play thisl year. afiid failed, to get his letter, but the fact that he was sitting on the bench dmlingjiie fgames did not slow up his playing in practice. Roberts is a backiield .man ogvthe plunging, hard-driviilg type, and can give any opposing man a jolt when it comes to tackling. These points, togegther with his kicking ability, should land him a Varsity post next fall. Boll Draut ' Draut is another lad who, despite the fact that he didn't get to perform much this year, has a good chance of moving into a regular berth during the 1932 season. Bob is a center, and with the graduation of the two other pivot men, is the most likely candidate for that position. A sure passer, and hard-driving defensive man, Draut gave the first. string passer-backs some worried moments this year, and can be counted on for next year's line. Harold Vlfeikel A leg injury handicapped Lefty from the start of the season, or the fans might have seen more of him. Despite the fact that he had a bad leg, Weikel could always be counted on to give all he had when he was called to replace a regular linesman. He possesses all the good qualities of an end-speed, drive, and fighting spirit, and if he were coming back next year the Middie fans would see him continually in the lineup. Millard Bechtel 'tBeef was all his name implies. He was the stocky lad who substituted at guard. When called upon he performed his tasks ably and enthusiastically. Although handi- capped by his small stature he made up for this with lots of drive. He was every inch a football player, and could always be found in the midst of the scrimmage, making the Varsity play its toughest brand of football. Beef didn't mind the bumps and bruises, for he always paid them back with interest. M143

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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

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1, 2 I If I X ,. . 'WSI ,.. Dick Woods Dick was one of those persistent, fighting players who kept trying for the team for four years, but always fell just a trifie short of making a regular position. He was always dependable and ready for anything on the battlefield or at practice sessions. Woods was shifted between center and halfback, but his light weight handicapped him in both positions. Richard Fink Persistence seems to come with the name Dick, for Fink also tried doggedly to make the grade. Dick's weight was what kept him from gaining a position on the Varsity. He was a utility man, but did some good work at quarterback. It is men like these who make the Middie success possible. Bill Sheets f i Easy-going most of the time, Bill developed into a hard-charging fullback before the season ended,' and gained a lot of experience during the last few tilts of the year. With another year of play, Bill may be counted upon to make a name for himself, for he has all the attributes of a football playerg size, speed, strength, and a shiftiness are all in his favor. l ' Bill Mcflonigle Bill was a bit too light to play on the Varsity, but a scrappier little guard never lived. Bill tried out for the squad for three out of his four years in school, and, though he had but slight chance to get into the games, was not deterred a minute by that, putting up plenty of fight in opposition to the first team at the practice sessions. Irwin Butterfield Another guard, and one of the fastest of the linesmen, Butterfield showed great promise early in the season, but due to an injury he was forced out of active compe- tition. Regardless of the fact that he could not play, he showed up at practice every night, and took an interest in all the proceedings. 51153