Browns Valley High School - Thunderbird Yearbook (Browns Valley, MN)

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Foot Ball Team—Top Row—Gordon. Mr. Yeager, Me Lane, Mr. Klson, (Coach) Anderson.—Center Row—V. Anderson, Barrett. Nelson. Bottom Row—Strasburg. Shandorf. Ashbaugh, Lowry. Bangle.

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A REVIEW OF OUR FOOT BALL TEAM BASE BALL ’09 The year Nineteen Hundred Nine stands out bright as a year to which all those interested in baseball look with pride. In the spring, when practice started, we did not look for so success- ful a season as we enjoyed on the diamond. The material at hand, however, developed rapidly and, bv the time our first game was due, we were in first class shape. We defeated, twice, the Beardsley and Grace- ville high schools and once, the Wheaton high school. It was only in our last game with Orton- ville, for the championship of Western Minne- sota, that we were defeated. Nelson, R. E. Anderson, L. E. Bangle, R. T. Shandorf, L. T. Becker, C. Barrett, Q. Strasburg, F. Anderson, L. H Gordon, R. H. Aldrich, R. G. Lowry, L. G. The above list of names not only represents our football eleven, but stands for a gentlemanly and scholarly group of loyal players of whom we may all be proud. Due to our location, few games were played during the last season, but this did not discour- age the candidates. Every night, they assembled on the field of play, ready for the evening’s cam- paign, and each one, filled with the spirit and enthusiasm of the game, strove to do his level best. This spirit existed from the very first, as was manifested by the unanimous election of R. T. Gordon as captain. Gordon assumed a position hack of the line, which gave him an opportunity to display his ability of advancing the ball; and this he did upon eveiw occasion, both in line smashes and in

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eutl runs, lie was speedy, sure of tire ball and ever alert. In formations, he was always there, ahead of the ball and ready to aid its advance. The forward pass, drop kicks and punts were always executed by either Gordon or Anderson. On the defense, the other side kept a constant eye on him and, after learning his tactics, usually shifted their plays. Gordon, no doubt, was our strongest player; due to his constant practice and past experience. Fullback's position was usually an undecided one. McLane was the man intended for this place, but several obstacles prevented his enter- ing into the match games, lie was, however, faithful in practice and would have been a strength to the team, as he possessed many good points. Much will be expected of him next year. Strasburg filled McLane’s place during the games; tho, not having practiced regularly for this position, he was unable to do as well as he would have otherwise. As it was, however, he always made good gains. With his head low, yet possessing fearless coolness, he would plow his way thru the line. Possibly, one of our strongest plays was to send the fullback thru between guard and tackle, with the two halfbacks to act! as interference. Another strong play was the forward pass, thrown by Anderson out to L. E. Anderson was one of our fastest men. I n the Sisseton game, he had several opportunities to exhibit this, two or three touch-downs being made on long end runs from the center of the field. Good interference was usually afforded him to clear his way and give him a start, but the scattering opponents were either dodged or passed by tin stiff arm, which he frequently used to advantage. The most important and responsible position on the team is that of quarterback. This posi- tion requires, among other requisites, a person with a cool head, one who can quickly discover the weak points of his opponents and direct cer- tain plays at the right time as will bring the greatest gain. Barrett ,who filled the position, possessed all of these qualities, lie was, as it is termed, “cull out for his place.” Being on good terms with all of the boys, his influence was shown in the corraling of them for practice and