Acton Boxborough Regional High School - Torch Yearbook (Acton, MA)

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34 THE TORCH eiiorts. May it be added in passing that the trophy Tewkshury received for winnin, more than a dozen games in the Lowell Sub-League was identically the same as the one we got for winning two. Note should be made that on the second day of the three-day tourney, a bus load of about forty pupils tripped to Fitchburg and saw their boys come out ulieud. The support of the school is to be admired. To those who were unable to be amongst the crowd and to those who may be a victim of short-memory, the scores may be glanced over in the space below. Opp. A. II. S. St. Joseph ., ,. ...11 40 17 16 Johnson , ,,,. .. .. , Willllillf-rton M .. 20 8 Lawrence Catholic High 31 20 MGUIUGI1 . ,.. .......... .... , 13 15 Chelmsford . ,..... ,.... . ...., 13 14 Wilmington , , 15 14 Methuen , , ..... . .. 33 16 Howe ...,. ..,. . .. . . 28 16 Lawrence Catholic High , .. 14 21 Chelmsford ,, . ... . . ... 28 19 Johnson ,., , 15 10 Tewksbury . . 27 14 Howe ........... 15 10 Tewksbury .. . ,. 15 10 'w HASKE'I'BAllIl TEAM Bur-k Row: ll. dill1'D0llLZllil. ll. Jenks. F. Oelsclllegel. Il. Gray, R. Bl':u-ks-H. Middle Row: XV. Anderson. P, Whitt-onih, XY. Stevens. J, Nichols, I. l'f-nlvrson. lx. ilnpp, .l. tall nnnn, R. Ilolxuitilozu-lib. Front. Row: J. Perry, fManngerJ. R, Taylor, Il. Hmlfra-y. .l. Smith, E. Mzu'llong:1ll, H. Knight. ve.

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THE TORCH 33 FOOTBALL The record of the 1937 season shows eight defeats chalked up against no wins for Acton. This record, however, does not tell the entire story. In every encounter it was a case of Acton not having reserve strength enough to withstand the pressure of four ten minute quarters. Despite the handicap of few reserves, Acton played some games that deserve praise, namely, the contests with Weston and Wayland. Both of these teams were ln high standing among high schools of their class when the season closed. If one were to mention the outstanding players in Acton's cause it would be a matter of mentioning the veterans headed by Captain Spinney. The names immed- iately come to mind in recalling the games played are H. Knight, J. Smith, L. God- frey, and R. Montague of the backfleld, and R. Spinney, G. Gilbert, R. Taylor, and M. Locke in the line. The others showed signs of promise as the season progressed and should profit by the experience gained this year. Coach Dolan deserves credit for fielding as good a team in spite of the limited reserves. It is very evident to anyone, who saw one game or all eight played by Acton this year, that the future of football for Acton High School is very futile unless a greater number of boys have interest enough to come out and try for the team. There is as much football material in Acton as in any town of like population, yet the boys have failed to show interest enough, in recent years at least, to try for the team. Without competition it is difficult to keep the spirit of the team at the proper level to win games, and without reserve strength it is impossible to win a majority of the contests. BASKETBALL V To make this article interesting it would be wise to start at the end of the basketball season and come back to the beginning. Or it would be better not to mention at all the earlier conflicts we held on the courts. It may be remembered that as the season wore on, the Acton quintet became more and more skilful in handling the sphere. It also may be remembered that dur- ing the flrst week of March about ten boys representing Acton journeyed to Fitchburg to enter into the tournament. The first game resulted in defeat against the Ashby foe, who later won the class B finals. The second meeting, with a team running under the scrib of W. Boylston, proved to be a little different. Ed. MacDougall, our high-scoring left forward, came through with 17 points of the 26 made. The re- maining baskets were made by Capt. Smith, Knight, Godfrey, and yours truly. When the final curtain came down, we found ourselves qualified to enter into the finals the following night. The score board read, Acton 26, West Boylston 23. It wasn't long before the time rolled around when back to Fitchburg went the golden clad quintet of Seniors to meet a Hollis outfit. Yours truly had his eye on the basket and sank several from mid floor while Ed slackened his usual pace and dropped about eight points. Hank Knight failed to score, but played his best de- fense game of the season, which was tops. Capt. John Smith came up with a brace of hoops, while his running mate, Butch Godfrey, carved a few more notches on his gun. When the adding machine was dug out and scores totalled up the rejoice- ful throng of followers from Acton soon found Hollis on the short end of a score of 28 to 18 and saw Coach Dolan stride out on the floor to receive a trophy for our

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THE TORCH 35 BASEBALL After a rather disheartening season last year, Acton withdrew from the Sudbury Valley League and entered the Wachusett League, composed of seven teams: West- ford. Pepperell, Groton, Lunenberg, Littleton, Ayer, and Acton. In looking over the squad at practice it was soon learned that many positions would be open to competition. Russ Hayward, for three years Ace pitcher, was elected captain for the 1938 season. As the time rolled around for the initial tilt of the season with Ayer. Coach Dolan was still in doubt as to the first team line-up. The first game proved to be a decisive victory for Acton, winning by a 6-3 score. After the first inning when Ayer scored two runs on two hits, Captain Hayward was complete master of the situation, allowing only two more hits in the rest of the game. During the nine innings he was credited with fourteen strike-outs. Acton will field an inexperienced team, however, but it makes up in hustle and fight what it lacks in experience and they should be well up among the leaders when the decisive contest begins. With these two attributes, hustle and fight, Acton should have a season that can be looked upon with some degree of pride and pleasure. BASEBALL TEAM Burk Row: l . 04-lst-lllvgel, G. Smith. R. Brackett, J. Nelson. XV, Merriam, lb, Jenks, K, Downie, Middle Row: R. Montague thlunagerl, W. Anderson, U. Flint, W. Stevens. J. Callunnn. L. Jules. R. llolun tt'oru-lil. Front Row: J. Merriam. H. Knight, lt. Huywnrtl ttlnptainl, J. Smith. E. Mau-Dougnll, lfl, Mt-NHT.