Central High School - Centralian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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their excellent work that landed the championship for their school in 95. Cole at quarter and Woodworth at half proved puzzles for the opposing teams, and their defensive work was of the highest grade. They both tried for the quarter-back position on the Minnesota team and their battle was an interesting one to watch, they being so nearly equal. Woodworth won out for a short time but had to give up on account of injuries. But while he played he was noted for being a cool general and strong defensive player. After Woodworth was injured Cole was given the position which he held for four years, being elected captain in his Senior year. For a small man, (he weighed one hundred and twenty-eight pounds when in condition,) he was a wonder. He not only ran the team well but was extraordinarily fine at carrying the ball for such a small man. He played in the back field on defense and was seldom passed, often tackling and downing his man when such a thing seemed impossible. The two years following were void of men that could be put in this class, but in 1899 and 1900 they semed to all come at once, and with one or two exceptions the whole team was composed of players who were in a class by themselves. In these two years Central did not loose a game and were scored on only once, playing besides the Twin City high school teams those of the U. of M., some smaller colleges, and also the champions of Cook County, Illinois, Elgin High School. On this team were Roy McCarthy at center, Evans and Gray tackles; Boardman, Buffington and Marshall ends, Harris quarter-back. Kayser and Martin half-backs and Jack Bidlake full-back. With this aggregation of stars there was not a high school team in the country that could defeat them. Harris at quarter was probably the most wonderful player, with the exception of Heffelfinger, that Central has ever produced. He was not only a great general but was exceptionally fine carrying the ball, and on defense and punting he ranked among the best. After leaving Central he entered Minnesota where he was ranked as the best quarter-back in the West, if not in the country. Next to Harris comes Marshall who always played a wonderful game on defense and in getting down on punts was almost always sure to tackle his man without letting him gain. He also made the Minnesota team and for his high grade work was put on the All Western and second All American teams. He is probably the best end that the West has ever produced. He was a thorough student of the game and knew all its finest points. Evans and Gray were both very valuable men and their defensive work was of a high order. During their last two years the tackle position was the main point of attack, and they deserve a great deal of credit for the way they stopped the great number Page eighteen

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All Stars from Central ENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL has produced more stars in the football line than any other school in the Northwest. By stars, I do not mean men that play a brilliant, showy game at times, but those that can be depended upon to do good work at all times, no matter what the circumstances may be. They form the back-bone of the team and are always sure to be where they are most needed in a crisis. I have picked those that 1 think starred above the ordinary players for the last fifteen or more years. First and foremost, of course, is Pudge Heffelfinger, who is known in all parts of the United States where the great game is played. He was one of the pioneers in this line at Central, but did not get more than started before he entered Yale where he received his most valuable experience. He played the guard position during the whole of his college career, and is admitted to be without a peer, and it will be difficult to find his equal. He was a heavy man, weighing about two hundred pounds, and this with his wonderful speed, for one so large, and his aggressiveness, made him feared and respected by all of his opponents. In this early period also was Geo. Belden, who, while not being a wonder was considered one of the best at that time as he made the Minnesota team shortly after entering that institution, where he played full-back. Minnesota at that time held the championship, not losing a game, and each member was considered a star. It was not until 1893 that Central got down to systematic football and were under the direction of a coach. This year produced two stars, Harrison and Guilbert, both of whom made the Minnesota team. The former was full-back at Central when they were champions of the Twin Cities. He played four years at Minnesota and was considered the best end in the West. His wonderful speed in getting down under punts and in carrying the ball, placed him away ahead of his opponents in this position. He was captain for one year at Central and for two years at Minnesota. Guilbert was half-back at Central where he was the mainstay of the team; his speed making great gains when they were needed. He played one year at Minnesota in the half-back position. The years 1894 and 1893 was productive of small men. It was in this period Cole and Woodworth showed their value. Each man weighed less than one hundred and forty pounds, but it was PȣC wcntrrn

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of plays that were directed at them. Evans moved West after graduating but Gray entered the U. of M. where he played a good game at end on one of the champion elevens. Roy McCarthy at center was the best men that Central has ever had at that position. For a light man he was a wonder. He was especially good at getting thru and catching the runner behind the line, and in getting down on punts, often beating the ends. Behind the line this wonderful team had a trio that were invincible. With Norton and Kayser at half-back and Jack Bidlake full-back they were almost always sure of gaining. Norton and Bidlake were powerful line plungers, and with the assistance of Kayser there was not a team in their class that could withstand their attack. Kayser’s strong point was at end running, where he excelled all the others. He was a hard fighter and never knew what it was to quit. Bidlake was captain of the 1900 team. He afterward went to the U. of M. where he played full-back and made a name for himself. Besides Marshall this team had ends that fought hard for his position, and while in high school, Boardman and Buffington were his equals in every respect. They were sure tacklers and both excelled in advancing the ball. Boardman was handicapped a great deal by injuries, but was a star when it was possible for him to play. He and Buffington were elected to the position of captain. The former in 1899 and the latter in 1901. Following the year of this all star team Central had to build up an entirely new team, and brought out such men as Brown, Merrill and Castor. Brown at tackle was the backbone of the 1901 team, playing a great defensive game and being the surest man on the team at advancing the ball. He deserves especial credit as he worked a long time without a chance to make the team, but when he did make it he seemed to improve very rapidly. He was handicapped by injuries, but it did not seem to affect his play much. When Buffington was disqualified by the rules committee Brown was appointed captain and made one of the best Central ever had. Castor was one of the best defensive high school ends in the Northwest. He was not very heavy but he used every ounce of weight he had and could break up heavy interference and get his man besides. He allowed very few gains around his end during his career. He was also sure running down on punts, of catching the man as soon as he received the ball. Merrill at half-back was the life of this team, and by his never-quit spirit, saved the team quite a few times from defeat-He was a power in advancing the ball, being very quick to take advantage of an opening and always made the best use of his in- Page nineteen