Central High School - Centralian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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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

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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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A Defense of Football FI ER playing the game of football for a period in excess of ten years, starting on unpaved streets, then on corner lots, under the color and name of a Grammar School, and finishing with years of High School and University playing, I feel justified in stating a few thoughts regarding football playing and a player’s attitude towards it. The struggle of midgets in some of my first experiences would be more than amusing to relate were it not that we can see these contests on almost every open piece of ground. But in those days chances for development were slower as the game was not as popular as it now is and was played by fewer enthusiasts. But it may be noted that the fences were then made of wood and the foundations did not extend a great depth so that all instructions offered were more accessable than nowadays, with stone walls surrounding the Gridirons. I feel pleased that our youthful efforts were of value to us and our further team connections, inasmuch as many of us remained together in the game for many years. In this tribe were Bobbie Marshall, Roy McCarthy, Roger Gray, Jack Bidlake and Billy Norten, all Central Alumni, and all now lying in the cabinet of the Has Beens . The enthusiasm and pleasure started in this way which will carry interest and continuation of desire for further connection with the sport for such an extended period, speaks for itself. Now, what are the elements of a good football team a High School team, a College team? Are they eleven men possessing mere physical ability, coached to play together? The selection of the eleven men of certain physical capabilities is in fact the basis, but the men must be more than physically able; they must be mentally and morally so. The germs of a staunch character must be there, though the character itself be undeveloped or undisplayed. The game as it draws out the individual, makes him display self sacrifice, diligence, (constant attention at practice), and an ability to stand tedious, oftimes gruelsome work, and that at times without much hope of accomplishing the end in view making the team. Then another quality comes prominently and imperatively to the front, and that is sticktuitiveness . Will the man hold on and play without those brilliant chances of making the team that others may display? Will he stick to it and learn a little more Page twenty one