Middletown High School - Optimist Yearbook (Middletown, OH)

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Hughes Two touchdowns in the first eight minutes of play at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati took much of the fight out of Hughes, and the Middies proceeded to run up a 45 to 7 count before the final gun. Soon after the opening kickoff, McMann raced 62 yards to Hughes' eight yard marker, then sent Romans across. A few minutes later McMann ripped off 35 yards more. and two passes, one to Lawson and one to Wendt. added the second score. Wendt and Strong covered most of the ground in the third Middie march, and McMann's passes were the main factors in the fourth tally. Art Strong intercepted a Hughes pass, starting the Middie drive for the first touchdown of the second half, and an 80 yard march down the field culminated in another Purple score. Then with only four minutes to play, a fumble by a Middie back gave Hughes a chance for a score, which they quickly put to their advantage. Springfield Despite the fact. that Springfield had not been consistently in the win column, the Middies went to their stamping grounds with some fear. The Lingrelmen showed a little hesitation in getting started, but they soon began to hit their stride. From then on the game was practically on ice , for the line mowed down all opposition, and with the aerial attack and running plays working smoothly the Purple warriors romped home to a 31 to 0 victory. The Reaper City eleven attempted to stem the tide of defeat with repeated substitutions, but it was of little avail. Portsmouth On a cold October afternoon the Middies pitted themselves against the fast and shifty Trojans of Portsmouth at the Universal Stadium along the Ohio River, and suffered their one defeat of t.he season, 13 to 0. Though the Purple twice forced Portsmouth to their goal, the Trojan quarter both times punted out. of danger, and in the second and third quarters a fast running attack, much the same style as that of the Middies, scored touchdowns for the Trojans. Regardless of their defeat, the Purple put up a good battle and left an impression in that city. Lima Central Following their defeat at the hands of Portsmouth, the Middies returned to home soil to play for charity's sake. For a time it looked bad for the Lingrel machine, but after getting down to business they scored twenty-one points in the first half, and added twenty more to that total in the second half. The defeat the previous week seemed to be good medicine for the Middies, for they ran over, under, and through the Bean City eleven. Lima gained one single first down on a forward pass. Roosevelt A big second quarter, in which the Middies three times crossed the Teddies' goal, was largely responsible for this victory, 38 to O, in the Middies final tilt at Lincoln Field. Merle Wendt garnered honors for the afternoon, marking up three touchdowns, while Lawson, Romans, and Strong each contributed a score. The Middie forward wall maintained their usual standard and allowed the visitors a lone first down, part of which was a five yard penalty. This was the last home game on Lincoln Field for many of Coach Lingrel's warriors, the whole first team with the exception of Merle Wendt, being seniors. Hanlilton The Middies brought a very successful season to a close by taking their old rivals. Hamilton, to town by a 38 to 6 score. The game was played at Oxford on neutral territory, and a large group of friendly rooters turned out for the encounter. Gallop- ing Ghost Romans brought his career to a close by adding three touchdowns to his credit with sweeping end runs. Wendt, Strong, and McMann also turned in good performances in the backfield. Captain Lawson's line work was outstanding. Hamilton scored late in the third quarter after they had completed a number of passes. This game brought to a close the career of another successful grid team. l119j

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