University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

Page 16 text:

6 THE REDWOOD. team center, was a big man and experienced, but sIoav and a quitter. However, they determined to turn out and cheer Hig- gins to a sense of self-forge.tfulness, to sustain, if possible, the terrible onslaughts of the Hudson center, whose only rival in the state was Dreary. But fumbles, bucks through the center, blocked kicks in spite of all their determination floated around in each rooter ' s mind and obscured the enthusiasm. The dreadful moment had come. The Hudson team has ar- rived and the air is rent by the cheers of their followers. The big center smiles confidently at the bank of red and white rib bons and makes more than one hand itch to humble him for his assurance. The Ohesepeake team now appears on the field, sig- nals are given and the fast, snappy practice before the game is over, almost as soon as begun. Hudson wins the toss up and takes the west goal. While the particular field rules are ex- plained to the officials, the busy chatter of the onlookers is all about the new center, Higgins. At last the teams are lined up, the Avhistle blows and the Chespeake quarter sends the ball far down the field into the arms of Hudson fullback. He is downed by Captain Burke, al- most where he receives the ball. Four! Five! Ten! and the Hudson right half tears through tackle for three yards ; their left half around the end for five; then a systematic hammering through tackle for thirty more. They have found the weak spot and they go through the center with ease, never failing to gain. Poor Higgins ! He means well, but it is no use, he cannot stoi the sturdy men from Hudson. Despair reigns supreme, the coach is looking anxiously for somebody when a smile of con- tentment suddenly lights his countenance, for he sees a well built football player running down from the college towards the field, Brown, he cries, fake for wind. No one heard him bat Brown. The ball is passed and five yards are gained. There was a pause. Time out! ' ' Somebody is hurt! echoed from mouth to mouth, and in truth there was Brown stretched on the broad of his back panting heavily. In the meantime the captain of the Chespeakeans and the coach are holding an earnest conversation with the new player who had just arrived. I ' m ready, said the newcomer, as soon as Brown is off the field, and Brown was accordingly carried to the grand-stand, where he recovered his lost breath without much difficulty and the whistle again called game. The new player is given his position as center, Higgins is put back of the line.

Page 15 text:

THE REDWOOD. 5 and the captain had determined once for all, as he said, to use grass and fair words, ' but failing these he meant to try stones. ' So, Jim, you ' re resolved not to play, he said, after a pro- longed process of reasoning. That I am, was the reply, as long as I cannot play with gentlemen, and I ' ll not consider your team in that light until you get rid of Brown. He meant it, and Jack saw that he did. And then all the captain ' s indignation n found vent to a volley of abusive words. Well, you don ' t have to play ; that ' s all ! Why in the name of common sense, who ever told you you could play? Heavens above! You have a swelled head, so go ' way back; we ' ll struggle aloig without you. The last remark had a cutting effect on Jim ' s big heart and he was tempted to resent it somewhat manfully, but his better nature came to the rescue and he walked off without saying a word, leaving the indignant captain alone. During the entire season no one was more enthusiastic in his applause than Jim. From his conspicuous place on the grand- stand he would toss his hat on high and with shouts of Bravo ! Hit ' m again I and Good boy, Charlie ! would signify his ap- preciation and keen interest in the game. On only one or two occasions was his face seen to wear a look of dissatisfaction and chagrin, and that was when Brown tried a foul tackle or gave a straight arm with closed fist. Even after a victory when sneer- ingly told that we wasn ' t the whole thing, no expression save one of gladness escaped his lips. The season drew to a close. Six victories out of seven rested on the side of Chespeake. If they gained the seventh, the pennant would float for the coming year over their gymnasium. But to gain the seventh was no easy task. The Hudson boys whom they had to face Avere giants and were sure of victory, still the Ghes- peakeans were no less confident. Day after day they went through the usual drill and when the fatal time drew near were in fine condition, but, unfortunately the very night before the game. Dreary, the old reliable center, was injured in a street accident, and there was no one to take his place. The tower of strength was gone from their line and there was no one to replace him, and so the dignified seniors and the careless underclass men went about moodily in groups of twos and threes discussing the outlook. Gonsternation was rampant, melancholy had taken pos- session of all. Who could be substitute? Higgins, the second

Page 17 text:

THE REDWOOD. 7 Who is that new center? asked the despairing Chesepeal e- ans. No one knew, for his headgear and nose-guard effectually masked him. First down, five ! There is a fumble, because some one has broken through ,the line. Second down, six ! ' The fullback with all his men behind him plunges at the center, but is stopped and thrown back. Third down, eight ! The signal is again given and tlie anxious crowd sees Hudson ' s halfback pushed back five yards from the coveted goal. Who is it? The new center! ' ' shouted the jubilant Chespeakeans. The ball changes hands and in a moment it is sent back towards the middle of the field and the half is over before the goal is menaced again. While the sponging of the trainer and the hurried advice of the coach is given under the bleachers, the grand-stand is a confused Babel of voices of all keys and pitches. In the Hud- son quarters all is confidence and two touch-downs in the next half is the general opinion of the knowing ones. The phenomenal tackle was but an accident and could not be repeated. But now the teams are lining up again for the second half. The ball is booted back to Chesapeake ' s full and with good in- terference he runs it in for ten yards. It is now bucked off tackle and carried around the field for fifteen yards, where after a ralh the Hudsons hold it on downs. Once more the Hudson quarter signals for a center buck and once more they strike an iron wall. Again they give the signal, when, with one mighty bound, the Chesapeake center lands on the side of the enemy and catches the half before he has time to squeeze the ball. There is a fum- ble and the two quarters make a dive for the pigskin, the Ches- apeake lad securing it. A moment after and he is seen running with all his might down the field towards the goal with every free man in close chase. Down, down he goes, and is but five yards from the goal, when the Hudson full, diving through the air, brings him to the ground. But all is not over. Another Ches- peake man is there and with the strength of a Hercules he raises both from where they lie and drags them over the line for a touch-down. The whole place goes wild with joy. Hats, canes, umbrellas fly through the air! Victory is on the side of Ches- peake and the wild, frantic joy of the rooters echoes through the surrounding hills. The game goes on, but neither side is able to score. When the referee blows his whistle the students of the victorious college gather about the hero of the day. It ' s Jim Defney ! shouted one. Jim Defney ! answered a hundred, and