Central High School - Centralian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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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

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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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terference. His aggressiveness made him a very valuable man on defense. He was generally able to break up the opposing interference before it was under way and gave his end excellent opportunity to tackle the man with the ball. Clarence Bidlake probably should be mentioned in this group as he at times played a very brilliant game, but he was too much inclined to be listless. He could play either in the line or behind it very acceptably and his punting was the best of the year, in fact, it was by his good work in this respect that Central was able to defeat Duluth. The only men in 1902 that could be put in this class were Harry McCarthy and Fred Hunter. Like bis brother, McCarthy played center and was the best of the year, outplaying his opponents, all of whom were larger than he. He played a game very much like his brother, but was not quite so fast. Hunter at half-back was probably the best that the school has produced. For so short a man his speed was wonderful, and his dodging in a broken field put him in a class by himself. His defensive work was fine. He tackled very fiercely and was able to down the largest men. After leaving Central he played one year at the U. of M. where he made a record almost equal to that of Sig Harris. The following two years the teams were below the average and were devoid of star players, but the next year gave them a new start, and another championship team was developed with Schroeder as the leading light. His playing as full-back was the best of the year. He was heavy and used his weight to the best advantage, being able to make his distance thru any team and doing it often. He was called to take the ball six and eight times in succession, and although receiving some severe handling, he never quit. He should make a good man for the University. Farnham at center also played a great game. His passing was always sure and on defensive he was like a rock. He was very quick at getting thru and stopping plays before they were started. Central took another slump in 1906 and developed no player worthy of especial note. Without a doubt Central has developed more good men for the University than any other school in the Northwest, and her players that have made the U team have excelled the others in most cases. HARRY LOOMIS. Page iwenty