Central High School - Helios Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MI)

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First Row f lirnest Phillips, Robert Spr-lul. Victor Nlelrher, linell l'hm-lps. llernard Simi-tr, Darrell lJnw'nn1g, XYalIace Clow, ll--ward Koninu, Marcus llall. Tl'lE'lll'Il'E .-Xssznley, R--bert llarbcr. Second Row -XYiIbur XYarren, If-seph XYeiner. Donald Benton, Sanford Farrell, Charles llalhert, C--llins Clark. Carl Henriksen, Peter Labanow:-ki, llean Brown, Xlillarml llultnian, Jack Birse. Third R4-wihlr, Mathews, Assi-tant Cr-zach: Lyle llall, R--bert N-ltt, liekclal Buys, Jack Bas-fnnl, jack lYilson, XYesley Fr-x, Ll--yd Connors, Carr:-ll Fitch, Payne Bayes, Bob Switzer, Coach llarold U. Steele. Football East Grand Rapids .,.......... 0 Central ......,,.,,,.. l9 Ottawa ...................... 16 Central .............. fl Lansing ,..a.....,........... 6 Central .............. ll Catholic - . ................... 20 Central .............. ll South ...v...........,e...... 6 Central .............. U Tech ....................... 0 Central .............. 8 Creston .. ,.,.........,,..,... 13 Central .....,,....... 0 Union ...................... 2 Central .............. tl Muskegon ...............e... l I-3 Central .....,........ tl Opponents ...,...A........... Sl Central .............. 27 Games won ........... 2 Games lost ........... T HEN the Candidates for this yearis football team assembled at Houseman Field on the opening day of school. it was found that veterans from the previous team were scarce. In fact. there were but three regular varsity men to whom equip- ment was issued - Connors. Bassford. and Downey. As the days of practice passed. however. some new recruits out of the large number that turned out seemed to be developing into players worthy of upholding Central's name on the football field. Among these promising players were Melcher. Farrell. Wlilson. and Benton. After many trials and substitutions. Coach Steele at last had organized a team which was put to the first test of the season when it met East Grand Rapids. The result was not unsatisfactory, as Central won 19-0. Both teams showed the hesitancy I Y One llundred Nine

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is 4-.V l .::.:'. ' 1E1t4fjff-+ve -5.- Mu. lflmsm Mn. Swrrzuu Mu. Evvs The Athletic Board of Control ROM an ash dump to one of the hest playing fields in the state. marks the progress made lvy the Athletic Board of Control in developing Houseman Field. Little did Central realize that. when Mrs. Amherg deeded Houseman Field with its auxiliary practice grounds to our school, it had received a gift that was to provide an incentive which would serve to hind all its students in a great project which is now only in its lirst stages of development. Today Houseman Field provides one of the finest gridirons in lVlichigan. Witli the rehirth of interest in the spring sport once so popular at Central. its track leaves little to he desired. One would almost feel that the Athletic Board of Control might well fold its hands. satisfied with its labors. But they have a still greater dream of what Houseman field may some day he. Why not. they say. some day have a Houseman field guarded by a great crescent- shaped memorial gateway of red hrick and iron work. On either side there will he fine ticket booths and rest rooms and in the center of the crescent, a memorial foun- tain which some class may erect. Behind a screen of student planted Michigan trees and shrubs, will he school tennis courts. Of course this plan will require money, hut much of the planting and landscaping of the grounds might he done by Central- ites of the same spirit as those who tiled and sodded the playing field. If Central wants this field of the future, badly enough. it will become a reality just as the Houseman field of today hecame a reality to those who were Centralites in the past. -vi 'il- ' One Hundred Eight

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lf T if i Q 23. .3 F2 a. - . .- From the Tech game. and greenness so often displayed in early season games. but that was to be expected. Although the team was new and inexperienced. the game was thrilling. and Central showed that it had some potential stars in its lineup. Central's traditional enemy. Ottawa. stormed Houseman Field on the following Saturday. and carried away a hard-earned 16-0 victory. For three quarters the game was hotly contested. but in the final period the experience and ability of the Indians weakened the Central defense. and the visitors put over two touchdowns. A safety was scored in the second quarter as a result of a blocked punt. The following week Central rooters had the novel experience of witnessing a game played at night. The contest was held at Lansing. against Lansing's Big Reds. The cool night air seemed to inspire Central to play a game worthy of a seasoned team. Neither side could get a suitable advantage. and it looked like a scoreless game. However. Lady Luck cast her lot with Lansing. and that team got the one and only real break of the game in the second period. What is more, they capitalized on it. and scored what proved to be the winning touchdown. tit was a tough game to lose. but it was also one that no one regretted having seen.l After the Lansing game. it seemed as if Central had started down the path to a rather successful season. It was because of this that the next game proved to be somewhat of a surprise and shock to Central rooters. Our opponent was Catholic Central. and the game was rated as a toss-up. but the Cougars upset the dope and scored the second victory it has ever made against Central. Catholic found it could not gain through the line with any success. and therefore resorted to passing which was unusually successful. and which brought about devastating results. Central seriously threatened to score in the last quarter. but lost the ball through a fumble. and the final score was 20-O. .lust as the Catholic game was bad in all respects. so the South game was good in all respects. except the score. which is. after all. the main issue. The team played good football throughout the entire first half. After South had thwarted Central at the 8 yard line, the team came back for what seemed a certain touchdown. However, One Hundred Ten