Central High School - Centralian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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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

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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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f h 0 and always be a help as a second team man until perhaps, not a few times either, he makes the first team as a good all-round conscientious player, one, who. from his constant and loyal work as a scrub, can be relied upon to play for the whole team’s good and not for his own individual glory. The actual bravery that such a battle means is far more to be valued than all the mightiest efforts and results of brilliancy, easily achieved. Playing the game the student takes upon himself the additional labors necessitated by the game without any credit to his school course and most times to his hardship because of the fact of the attention drawn to him individually in the school. Although additional time is required, he is usually found proficient in school work, for the ability shown in making his team proves him to be as able in school work as he is otherwise. Besides bringing himself open to more attention to teachers, his work as a player becomes a subject of public criticism, which, in many cases, is adverse to him should he be unfortunate in his efforts with his team mates. This he must learn to understand and withstand, working the harder as a result and continually at it, laying the foundation of a character able to face and master situations he will meet later on in life. What finer thing could we find than the spirit of a team fighting an up hill game? Many a time in contests you have noticed after struggling back and forth, one side scores. The faint heart proclaims ALL IS LOST . But seldom in a well trained team will you find the all lost spirit; the fighting qualities of each individual will come forth and even if physically exhausted, the men will take on new courage undaunted by the opponents having a temporary advantage, and will get together as eleven new men and start over again, backed up, if fortunate, by a student body in which the same spirit prevails. This spirit is made possibly only by the interest displayed for a great manly game which makes all feel players and enthusiasts, that they have a common cause the upholding of their school colors - a cause in which all classes intermingle on one basis. The great benefit one obtains from military training generally is said to be that the men are disciplined and are taught to receive commands and obey them implicitly. These same points are highly developed in a good football team. To have a first-class team? Candidates must be of a caliber to receive instructions and criticism with good grace. They must also be able to follow these instructions as every player must be in a certain position at a certain instant, and when he is there opportunities are presented of which he must take advantage. This requires keen observation and an ability to think quickly. P»gr twenty-two