North Park University - Cupola Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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« Hi ? :$ Row 1: E. Larson, G. Else. B.Matson.D. Hess. Row 2: J. Reeves, D. Nyquist, D. McCaughna, P. Svvanson, A. Bohenberger. Roiu 3: J. Rock, R. Fowler, B. Lake, E. Carlson.

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The Vikings ' 1952 football season was lull of surprises, thrills, and excite- ment. This year ' s squad compiled a season ' s record which had both ups and downs . The high points of the season were a 12-7 licking dished out to the Wheaton B squad, one of the top teams on the Viking schedule, and a 12-0 victory over a high-flying Thornton team. The low moment was a 50-0 drubbing by the powerful La Salle- Peru team. Mother Nature was good to Coach Yank Swanson ' s boys and provided them with ideal football weather con- ditions. Excitement ran high as the season started with prospects for a fine showing in the blue and gold ' s opener against Navy Pier. The team played heads up ball in the first half and led 8-0 when the gun ended the first canto. The hard charging line had dropped a Pier back in his end zone for a touch back and a Lake to Fay pass HAROLD YANK SWANSON Coach was for a touchdown. In the second half it was the Navy Pier depth that made the difference. Their 19 points in the second half made the final score 19-8. The following week, the Wheaton team faced an inspired North Park eleven at Winnemac Park. The teams battled to a scoreless draw in the first half. In the second half, a Wheaton fumble recovered by Adell set up a Lake to Goethe pass that scored. Adell stole the ball m the fourth quarter to again set up North Park ' s score which came on a reverse, Gotberg carrying, that caught Wheaton napping. Just before the end a Wheaton back broke away on a long run which made the score 12-7 as the Vikings won their first game of the sason. The next week, the team met the La Salle-Peru club. This power house was at its best that night as it handed

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the North Parkers a 50-0 setback. The up and down Vikings were up the fol- lowing week as they shut out a Thorn- ton team that had won its last two games 56-0 and 32-0. This game was probably North Park ' s best as Hess ' pass interception and line work of Ny- quist, Swanson, and Matson sparked the team. Rock scored and another Lake to Goethe pass was good for six points to make the final score 12-0. On the following Saturday the Vik- ings made Wright ' s homecoming a happy one as Wright won 12-7. The score tells the wrong story, for even with key men out of the lineup the North Park eleven was clearly the su- perior team. Breaks played a big part in the game as the team couldn ' t score more than Rock ' s touchdown. The 1952 Homecoming game was played against Wilson, the conference champion. The Vikings held this powerhouse in the first quarter, but Wilson opened up in the second quar- ter with 26 points. Add 12 in the third and 6 in the fourth, and you have the trend of the game. After failing to score on a couple of drives deep into Wilson territory, Captain Nyquist inter- cepted a Wilson pass and ran 23 yards to score. Swanson converted to make the Vikings ' homecoming score a lop- sided 44-7. The season ended at ]oliet where a weak defense accounted for 27 points before another Lake-Goethe pass broke the ice for the Vikings. This play went for a total of 62 yards. Lake scored North Park ' s other touchdown as Joliet won 34-12. V IZ th IK A v ■■■■ ■■■■HHHHi Pass intercepted by Dave Hess. North 1 ' .irk 12, Wheal