St Johns Ravenscourt School - Eagle Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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COACH’S REPORT Defensively, using the top eighteen players, the ’64 squad was as capable as any the school has fielded. Offensively the team was limited; mainly it lacked driving, accelerating backfielders. A passing attack existed in name only; the end run, unlike previous years, was relatively ineffective, likely be¬ cause of poor fakes, and definitely because of un¬ fulfilled blocking and failing to head upheld, but the guards, tackles, and plunging backs gave the team its consistent gains. However, three accidents and injuries did pre¬ vent the “green Machine” from showing a Very definite seasonal improvement. The key game was against St. James on the Fathers’ and Sons’ Week¬ end. The loss of two prime plunging backs just before the opening whistle and of a third within five minutes of starting shattered a carefully practised offense. Every rugby season has its compensations, and in ’64 practice weather was gorgeously warm and sunny; there were more players than ever before to keep busy, and tougher problems to struggle with. But the deepest impression is of a remark¬ ably co-operative, team-centered group, a com¬ munity of players. S.J.R. vs. ST JAMES Although regular league play between S.J.R. and St. James until late in the season, an exhibi¬ tion game was arranged so that the two teams could gain experience against each other. The first half of the games consisted of hard-hitting defen¬ sive play with no scoring. Early in the second half, however, St. James received our kick-off and went down the field in six plays for a touchdown. Their convert attempt was blocked. S.J.R., not to be outdone, received the St. James kick-off and marched down the field. Craig Lamb ended the drive with an end run, carrying the ball over the St. James 25-yard line. The convert attempt went wide, and the game was tied, 6-6. The game re¬ mained tied until late in the fourth quarter when St. James kicked for a single, and the game ended in a disappointing 7-6 victory for them. S.J.R. vs. PORTAGE Portage started things off with a sustained drive from midfield, which gave them an unconverted touchdown, the second time they got the ball. The rest of the half was a well-matched battle and ended with S.J.R. holding Portage on a first down at the six-yard line. S.J.R. came back strong after the half, and controlled the ball for most of the third quarter, but was unable to score. The fourth quarter was fairly even although Portage made a 70-yard drive which ended in a converted touchdown to add to their score. The game ended 13-0 for Portage. 32

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Gardner—148—Quarterback Third string quarterback and the whole point of the year was preparation for ' 65. Bill ran the wrong way, threw the wrong way, and made lots of mistakes to laugh at and learn from. If his play in the House series was next season ' s indication, then the team has a promising player. Goiightly—Halfback -f- L.B. A great chunkering bull of a runner, he could — if he works to acquire speed, stamina and deception—set up next year ' s offence. He ' s tough on defence, too. A foot¬ ball coach ' s dream player. Gray—Def. End Another learnee stationed at end and tertiary where he could see the flow of the game. Bill has the chance to play full-time in the Fall. Meredith—168—D. End A learning year at defensive end and punt returns in practices, Muir ought to be a regu¬ lar next Fall. Moncrieff—145—Quarterback + Tertiary Monty didn ' t enjoy the general q ' backing success this year that he deserved, for which there may be a host of reasons; but his in¬ dividual offensive running and tackling were of the highest calibre. Nanson—171—D. Tackle John played remarkably well for his first year with the senior team; he has astonish¬ ing strength and is fiercely competitive; good backbone for the next squad. Hammond—185—O. Centre + Guard + L.B. A frustrated back himself, that ' s why he mashes ' em so; still he opens great gaping holes through and will start earlier this year to get his shin muscles on a par with all the others Neal—173—O. Guard + D. Centre A centre defender and entirely satisfactory in dealing with heftier opposition; bemused Jim just outfights them; his third year should be outstanding. Hartley—165—Halfback + Tertiary A top end-runner with more than average speed and very shifty in the open field; a reliable punt returner; not used too much on tertiary—where he was a sure defender—for these reasons. Purdy—145—O. End Another sure-handed end who with Everett and Funnell, the coach thought would give the team a working pass attack, and the hope was that all three would learn to hold a block firmly and long enough around the ends. Neither attack developed success¬ fully. Honeyman—1 65—D. Tackle Popped into this slot in a practice, Don pro¬ ceeded to cut down all the blockers and ball¬ carriers that came his way; he did the same in games; a loose-ball hawk and apparently indestructible guy. Roper—1 79—Halfback -f- Cor. Def. Perhaps the most reliable work-horse of the team, a quick-hitting, ground-gaining plung¬ er, an effective blocker, a stand-in quarter¬ back, a rock-like defender on the corner or behind centre, a staunch team-man. Hunter—148—O. Guard D. Corner A small tough package; too light and slow to handle the cor. def. with maximum security, but entirely reliable at off. guard and one lineman who came up with that second downfield block. Sanders—1 67—D. End Bob found his spot midway through the season—defensive end—and guarded the position as well as anyone else ever has, even with a broken hand. Lamb—1 50—Halfback + Tertiary The fastest man on the team and in fact our only dangerous scoring threat, Craig made some exciting runs and tremendous punts, but an easy-going individualist, he played in offensive spurts and didn ' t give the team the steady life and fire it should get from all graduates. Macdonald, Doug—136 Doug didn ' t make game grade, but he has fair speed, he can catch; although he is lean and light, if he steels his courage, he has end run and tertiary potential. McDonald, Jamie—159—Halfback + D. Corner The football isn ' t sticky enough for Jamie to catch, but he has more than average speed, powerful leg-drive and will be a top-notch back; a first string defender at corner tertiary. McBeath—146—O. End Another first year senior who saw enough game and practise to learn the demands of football and to make a real contribution next season. Matthews—1 72—Q’Back -f- Corner L.B. The coach spoiled Rick ' s chances for a red- hot offensive year by moving him from plunging back to the quarter-spot; but the ability to run, throw, and take charge was there although it didn ' t develop fully. A first- class defender, excluding the fault of some¬ times roll-blocking instead of shoulder- tackling. Sprague—173—O. -j- D. Tackle Modest, soft-spoken, and quiet in manner, but quick, strong and relentless on the field, defensively or offensively, Stu could play first string on any high school team. Toy—1 56—Corner Defense Garry learned a lot in practices and was beginning to uncover a genuine flair to¬ wards the end of the season; with some additional weight and a summer ' s striving for speed, there could be a regular halfback and corner man here. Walton—1 87—Halfback Mike never really let himself go and in¬ hibited what could have been long, long gains through the line; not from Jack of drive but lack of experience; a creditable first year performance. Wattam—191—O. Guard + D. Centre A solid, stolid lineman, roundly proficient at centre defense; more drive-out thrust needed to do as well at offence, but for those arches he could be an offensive plunging back. Weir—193—O. Guard D. Centre A thinking, self-made and confident foot¬ baller, improved as much this year as last because he always worked to find out why he got beaten; a very difficult body to dis¬ lodge; a firm anchor at centre.

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S.J.R. vs. ST. JAMES Down twelve points in the second game of a two game total point series, and with five losses behind us, Mr. Bredin fielded the best team possible. The team was unable to keep up the drive it started with, and although we moved the ball consistently, we could not score. St. James took the lead in the first quarter with two uncon¬ verted touchdowns, adding a converted T.D. in the second quarter. S.J.R. fought hard in the second half but could only gain a single point on a good punt by Lamb. St. James scored once more before the end of the third quarter to make the score 25-1. With no scoring in the last quarter, that’s how the game went to St. James. While this last quarter seemed the best for our defense, the offense just couldn’t click. S.J.R. vs. GRANT PARK To get more practice before the important games with St. James, Mr. Bredin arranged for a game with Grant Park. Rick Matthews opened the scoring when he crashed over the goal-line from the three-yard line, in the first quarter. The touchdown was converted by a pass Moncrieff to Hartley, who ran in from the ten-yard line. Grant Park scored their only touchdown of the first half on a long pass play. The half ended with a punt for a single by Craig Lamb, making the score 8-7 for us. There was no further scoring until the fourth quarter when Grant Park faked a punt on their third down and ran in for a touchdown. Late in the quarter, Moncrieff completed a 25-yard pass to Sam Freed, for a touchdown. However, Monty missed the convert, and the game was tied 14-14. On the very last play of the game, the Grant Park quarterba ck passed to his halfback, who managed to kick for a single point, and ended the game in a 15-14 victory for Grant Park. S.J.R. vs. PORTAGE This time the seniors thought they were ready for Portage, but when the game got started, it soon became evident that they weren’t. Portage capitalized on a fumble in the first quarter for a converted touchdown and had two more T.D.’s, one converted, before the half was over. Still spirited, and ready to go after half-time, the de¬ fense set to work to stop further scoring. This toughening up of the defense showed point-wise, for the Portage team managed to eke out only one converted touchdown in this half. However, our own offense still couldn’t score and Portage took the game 27-0. 33