Alma College - Scotsman Yearbook (Alma, MI)

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Hope-Alma game. i231 King of Alma. Cappaert of Alma about to make block. The varsity football team started out the season slowly this year, but gathered speed and drive as the season progressed until they became a vertiable avalanche as they ended the season by swamping Albion 21-O to even the score for the match which was lost to the Britons at the close of the 1940 season. Coach Macdonald's gridders played a seven-game, undefeated season, being tied but once by Hope early in the season. The power and aggressiveness of the Scots may be seen in the fact that they gained a total of 1,941 yards from rushing and passing as compared to their opponent's 917. This was the best combined offensive-defensive record in the state of Michigan. The Scot gridders started their pre-season practice September 8, in response to the call of coaches Gordon Macdonald and William Carr. Although hampered by condition- ing iniuries, and Kirby's pre-season absence, they were in top trim for their season opener at Grand Rapids. The Scot's season got under way to a slow start on September 27 as they downed the highly-touted University of Grand Rapids gridders, coached by Potsy Clark, to the tune of 12-O. The Alma offense was sparked by Jack Tait, who tallied the first Alma touchdown late in the second period, and the final counter coming in the fourth period as Bill Pink recovered an Alma fumble in the end zone. The Scots' defense was stiff, and credit should go to Cap Cappaert for his fine work in blocking and back- ing up the line. For more than three quarters the Hope team outfought the Mac-men when they met on Bahlke Field in their night game October 3. Hope scord on a pass play early in the game, and it was not until Tinker Kirby went into the Alma lineup in the second period that the Scots looked like possible champions. The Alma score came late in that period on a short pass from Tait to Kirby, with Kirby kicking the extra point to knot the score at 7-7. Such was the score at the end of the ball game, the second half being marked by an unsuccessful field goal attempt by Hope late in the fourth quarter, and by an Alma drive which was stopped by the final gun on the Hope eleven yard line. 49

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FOOTBALL Back Row: Standing, left to right: Don McKeith, Rex Holmes, Vernon Walters, Keith Carey, Robert Kirby, Robert Ruehl, Robert Higgins, and Charles Doyle, trainer. Third Row: Coach Macdonald, Ed Penner, Fred Hartt, Ed Baklarz, Ray Robertson, Wayne Dorsett, Frank Navarre, Andy Edgerton, and Victor Fox. Second Raw: Bruce Butler, Bill LaPaugh, Durell Emling, Marvin Fenner, Gayle Saxton, Harold Hartt, Jack Tait, Francis Cappaert, and Bill Carr, assistant coach. Bottom Row: Harry Dittmar, Robert Marx, Bill Pink, Bud Wilson, Rocky Walker, Max Tullis, Jack King, Charles Rodgers, and Jack Kelly. ALMA'S ALL - MIAA FOOTBALL SELECTIONS Captain Ed Baklarz, tackle Jim Hicks, guard Keith Carey, end Robert Kirby, quarterback 1941 SEASON Alma ,..,..., l2 U. of Grand Rapids .. 0 Alma ....... 46 Adrian ...... ..... , ,.6 Alma ,.,.,... 7 Hope ................,.....,... 7 Alma ....,.. 13 Kalamazoo ........,....... 0 Alma ...,.... 6 Hillsdale ...,.,.............. 0 Alma. ,..... 26 Lawrence Tech ,,..,,....., 6 Alma ..,... 2- Albion ....,.,,..... .,.... O 48 7

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Alma won a hard-earned 6-O battle with Hillsdale on the Dale's gridiron in a night game October TO. An 85 yard march in the second period netted the score. Two passes from Kirby to Carey gathered 80 yards, and Jack Tait went over from the one yard line for the score. The Dales threatened late in the same period when they drove to the Alma one-foot line, only to lose the ball on down through the great line play of Holmes, Navarre, and Harold Hartt. A strong factor in the second half was the running of Max Tullis, who replaced Tait after the latter was injured. Rain, mist, a slippery field, and the heaviest line in the MIAA failed to 'stop the Alma powerhouse as it gave the Alma Homecoming crowd a real show in routing Adrian, 46-6. Kirby scored two of the touchdowns and kicked three extra points, Tullis, re- placing Tait when injuries forced Tait from the game, scored twice and turned in a fine performance in his hard-running, Carey counted on a one-handed catch of Kirby's pass, Bruce Butler scored on a 39 yard runp and Bud Wilson scored in the last period to give Alma its best scoring record in six seasons. The lone Adrian score came on a long pass late in the second quarter. It was a sad Homecoming for the Kalamazoo Hornets as the Scots, sparked by Tinker Kirby, humbled the Hornets T3-O. Kirby put on a beautiful exhibition of kicking, pass- ing, and running to lead the Alma attack, all despite a serious foot infection and playing against doctor's orders. Kirby passed to Carey for the first touchdown, scored the second himself and kicked the extra point. Fenner and Robertson were strong in the Alma line. Playing an exhibition night game in Bay City's rain-soaked stadium October 31, the Scots played powerhouse football to down Lawrence Tech 26-6. Tait scored twice, Tullis once, and Carey scored on a pass into the end zone from Kirby. Alma's line play was sparked by Capt. Ed Baklarz and Ed Penner. The Scots wound up their season by steamrollering their old rivals, the Albion Britons, 21-0, to clinch the MIAA championship. Mac saw his boys win his first football cham- f3U Holmes, 1321 Bill l LaPaugh M61 Buck l Walters, f201 Max Tul- E lis, all of Alma. 50