Stetson Collegiate

Srer. S *3i STETSON COLLEGIATE WEEKLY For and by the Students of Stetson. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1922 J. B. STETSON UNIVERSITY, DE LAND, FLOS^DA TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1922 $2.00 PER YEAR, 5c PER COPY Stetson vs St Augustine, Saturday, Oct. 14 THE LONE ROOTER INTERESTING STORY BY W. H. BACUS "Ouch, Doc, go easy!" "Well, if they don't hit you there I guess you -can play through the whole game," remarked the doctor. "Great news; it certainly helps," said the coach. "If^hat doesn't warm up that bunch of cold feet outside, I'll eat my hat!" "And if I do get hit on that spot, will it put me out?" despondently queried a husky lad of about twenty. The coach glared. "It won't if - you can stand the pain*-; but rest assured, I'd never play with a back as sore as yours is," .grinned the doctor. "Oh, well, they won't know you're hurt there, and you can be at.least a little careful. Nobody's going to pick out that particular spot and hit it," reassuringly put in the coach. "Hope not," and with an increase of life the fullback finished dressing. "Guess I'll have to go now—" "Slow up a little and I'll, be right With you," called the coach. '"'Let's go* eat, he remarked, and z together with the doctor he caught up with Rand. Arm in arm the three walked up to the commons, and soon were in an earnest discussion with members of the team, on plays, statistics, bits of news and the prospects of the game. But the coach was worried, , to this most important game, as Kempton wag oh the outer edge of the next state. But even those who usually "accompanied the team had hung back this time on various excuses; after two seasons of seeing their team defeated, their moral was low—they simply could not bear to see the team defeated again. So on this trip, the last and most important, not a single rooter from the college itself went along. It was this lack of support which worried the coaches about as much as Rand's injury. No support in the stands! A bugbear, sure enough, and one which affected good playing as nothing else could. That the team would feel it, the coaches knew, and the players -knew the coaches knew it, and both tried to appear visibly unconcerned, which made it so much the harder for all. And yet rumor had it that Bill Kelly, that brick-topped mischief- maker, was sure to be there. How or in what way nobody knew, as he was working hard to keep himself in college and was always notoriously short of funds. But nobody worried, because Kelly had shown he could well take care of himself .under practically any circumstances. He was also an always welcome rooter; his lungs seemed to be made of although only the doctor, his -running j leather, and he used them with ven- mate, noticed it. After supper some geance. little time was spent on blackboard "Oh, if only Kelly shows up!" drill and then the players were sent whispered the doctor, off with strict injunctions to be in The journey was most uncomfort- Lcd by ele able: and the team was irritable ^aJJ "We've got to win this game," I the -way. Eventually they arrived, suddenly^ burst forth, the coach. "It 1 and as they fell out of the train at means everything! It may be all eight-fifteen were met by the mana- right to lose once, and I can some- ger of Kempton and his lesser minnow even apologize for last year's de- j ions feat, but three times in a row is too much! And now Plug has a sore back. We've ^a partly phantom eleven, I know, but it's a good one, and Kempton hasn't such a wonderful team this year, either. I wish I could get the m°n feeling a bit more confident; they'll fight, but they haven't that necessary ounce of drive!" "I know, Sandy," said the doctor' quietly, impressed at this verbal obit- burst. "And because the teams are so evenly matched, the game 'is going to be an. unusually hard one." "Yes, if it were only on our own grounds, I'd feel more optimistic." "It'll be all settled day after tor morrow. Only wish I knew which way," mournfully" groaned the doctor. "All right, we'll show'them we're still a team to reckon with; but don't let_ any of our team suspect we're not absolutely confident, or they'll go all to pieces. We'd better take all the subs along. We'll probably need them." Then following a technical discussion on such and such a player's good and bad points. There were plenty of available substitutes in the line. But in the back field the case was different. Plug Rand was the only first-class fullback, and if he by any chance were injured the situation would be a serious one. "Well," wearily remarked the coach, putting on his coat and reaching for his hat, "we can only hope lie doesn't get hurt." For some o£ the players, as well as coach and physician, it was an almost -sleepless night, for was not the day after tomorrow the day of their annual death grip with their old and ancient rival, Kempton? And hadn't they been beaten two years in succession, and didn't the memory of those two defeats rankle? The next day was colder and held forth a promise of snow, worrying still further the already nervous football mentors, for what team would want to play on a snow-covered field with a slippery ball? But as the day progressed, the sun gradually broke through, and at eleven forty-five, the players, having worried their professors half to death that morning, met at the station, escorted by the whole college. Very low indeed was the percentage of rooters who' usually went along The Kempton manager introduced himself, and, directing the team to follow, led them to^their hotel. In a ten-minute chat with the visiting team's coach, the latter through the others' courteous words, felt an additional pang of, apprehension. But once again among his own boys, there was a feeling of do or die in the air, and the coach began to breathe more freely. The teams were pretty evenly matched. If he could only say the same of the grandstands, Central's victory would be assured. Of the two teams, Kempton probably enjoyed sleep most, but Central arose more grim and determined. The coach spent the morning in discussing plays and players, in exhortation and entreaty, while the players hung over each word with compressed lips, or wandered belligerently around the hotel. At twelve o'clock sharp they had dinner, and soon after went down to the field house in a body. The process of donning football togs was gone through with unusually exactitude. Every ankle was taped just so, every shoe laced right, and every' strap carefully buckled. Especial attention was paid to the strapping and padding for Rand, and everything was. done most thoroughly and completely. Two-thirty came, and the players ran through the open gates in a body. They missed the applause that their home grandstand would have given them. "Doesn't make you feel very ambitious," said Howard Case, the left guard. "Oh, keep still, you're not thre^ only one who misses it," rebuked the captain. The subs split off and ran to their benches, where they were joined by coach and physician. At two-forty, the Kempton team came on the field and received a tremendous ovation; cheer after cheer rang out, intermingled with individual exhortation to each Kempton player. Both teams ran through their signals, and, when at three o'clock, the whistle blew, it found the men on their toes. Kempton won the toss and elected to defend the north goal, from which direction an almost negligible breeze puffed occasionally. "Ready, Central?" Rand raised his hand in assent. "Ready, Kempton?" "Thud!" went the ball, and »the game was on! It was a most gruelling contest. Central was clearly outweighted, but twice her speed and the uncanny ability of little Eagan saved them from being scored on. That Central was much faster was clearly evident. Her players slipped through where an opening was invisible to the stands, and more than once a trick play was smothered before it naturalized by the speed of the end. At the very beginning of the second quarter, after a particularly rough scrimmage, Plug Rand was led off the field with a badly strained back. Rand refused to leave the field, however, but sat down on the bench. His absence immediately told on the team' and in spite of all big Larry Dort, the captain, could do, they were driven back to their five-yard line. There a lucky fumble saved them for a time, and the ball was punted back to Kempton's forty-yard line. Central was clearly weakening. The inexorable march began again, and when the ball was finally shoved pver, the Kempton rooters went mad with joy. When the goal was attempted a slight puff of wind caught the ball just as it was about to inch past one of the uprights, and veered it to one side. It hit the post and bounded back on the field. Score stood 6-0, favor Kempton. The Kempton coaches, however, breathed more freely, for until Plug was injured the game had been . too uncertain, Central's speed easily balancing Kempton's superiority in weight. But now their smiles broadened perceptibly. During the intermission, Sandy, instead of criticizing his players, spoke quietly and confidently to them, which had as much eftect as any neTy* speech he might have made. He picked out Frankie Neilson, who was trying gamely to fill the gap left by Rand, and made him feel that, though doing well, he was expected to do better. Each player, grey-lipped and stern, .heard the coach's final word. "Say to yourselves, T will not be denied!'-" he finished. "Listen men, don't give the stands a thought. Play the game as you never have before, and never mind anything else." But silence was his only answer. Plainly, spirit was at low ebb. At that moment, about two miles away, and coming for the field for all he was worth, was a red-headed figure, with clothing grimed and torn. Yes, it was Kelly, sure enough. He had left the night before on a freight which passed through Kempton, but rigWrf or a point about eight hundred miles away. At Kempton, Kelly trusted to luck to get off safely, as the train did not stop there. But a hard-hearted local constable had spied him in the coal car; which he was riding, and spoiled all his calculations. He was uncermoniously [ urled off at Pacific Junction, a little tank town about sixty miles from 'vempton; and as court did not sit vill ten o'clock, the constable led him t-wards the hoosegow." But Kelly protested so loudly that he was not an ordinary tramp, and explained his •nee on the car so clearly, that the constable at length let him go, t-ven apologized. * "Oh, that's all right," said Kelly, airily waving his good-bye. Finding I the main road to Kempton, which was •lain in name only, he started walk- ■ lgj as no other train was due till seventeen that afternoon. As .jet is was early, about h*alf past Bght. - Bad luck seemed to follow Kelly, and he was forced to walk mile after mile, with only a few respectable lifts. Finally about twelve o'clock, as was picked up by a man bound for jrtandish, a small town about seven Spiles from Kempton. It took them j about three hours to cover the thirty- fight miles to Standish and there ,Kelly, with a brief word of thanks, •parted off. ' Alternately walking and running he finally reached Kempton, and headed for the field. He heard pie cheers, and surmised rightly that be was not, as yet, too late. As he oed the entrance where the ' peket teller held post, he was plainly '•■•iiided. "Come to see the slaughter?" And Is Kelly proffered a dollar bill, "Oh, 'fever mind, games almost over, walk |fight in." U Kelly chuckled internally. "Much obliged, he said, and then i'-i a lower tone, to himself, "Wait till he hears me yelling for Central." . The third quarted had ,in the meantime, passed scoreless, for in spite of ,L^1 Kempton could do, Central's sup- ^^"V are in.ii. ball out of danger. A punting duel also took up several minutes of precious time, and so it was that at the beginning of the last quarter, the score stood only 6-0, favor Kempton. Central, with spirits low, wishing the game over, so they could disappear, was about to open the final quarter. Suddenly they were unexpectedly aroused out of a gloomy semi-lethargy. "Yeh! Central! Let's g-o-o-o!'{ . "Kelly!" breathed the coach. "Kelly!" said Larry Short, glancing up. "Well, I'll be hanged!" "Kelly!" came from the other players, who stared toward the stands in glad wonder. "Now rip 'em up, Central, tear ,'em -to shreds! Touchdown!" "Let's show him fellows!" exhorted Short, suddenly waking up, and on the first signal, rooted a hole through- the astonished Kempton line which netted six yards. "Oh you Short!" from Kelly. "Again, team!" was Short's reply, and again a hole was torn in the line, Continued From Page 2 Grid Sports Attracts Many. Three Teams Out This Week. Prospects Better Than Ever. HAIL! STETSON! The spirit of the students of John B. Stetson University is going to have a challenge this year, unparalleled in any recent year. There is not a question in the minds of those who love old Stetson as to how this spirit is going to show up. The at- tidude of the new students, as well as the fellings of the old ones, shows that nothing will be lacking when the testing time comes. But the testing time has come! Our first football game is scheduled for Friday. Elsewhere in this Collegiate you will find a story entitled, "The Lone Rooter." Read this story without fail. After you have read it, make the proper application of it with regard to the school you love and want to see go forward. No football player can tell you the effect of the Kellys in a game, but they will all tell you how they feel about playing when the Kelleys are there with them. College spirit can not be explained and its action can only be related. The same feeling comes to a true Stetsonite when the faithful warriors are lined up to protect the glorious colors, green and white, as comes to a loyal, patriotic American when he sees the boys clad in kahki rallying to the support of his nation. Who can describe that strange feeling, the feeling that nothing can stop you, that comes when you hear the national anthem being played? Who can explain the feeling you have towards the antagonist of Stetson when the "green and white" is being sung? This urgent appear goes out to the loyal supporters of Stetson. Attend the cheer practice, Wednesday at noon. Regardless of the way our team may play, the old Stetson spirit must never slack up. These yells and songs must be repeated in your sleep. If these are kept in your mind at all times, you can't keep from yelling on the field. Who knows what effect the little yelling you may do will have on the faithful fighters for Stetson? Where is there a Kelly among us? This appeal is made with the great end in mind that we may boost Stetson. When the cheer leader begins the first practice, be there with one thought in mind—1to yell for Stetson! On Friday afternoon when the game is called, be there in great numbers lined up on the side line. May the spirit be shown in this initial game of the year. "Stetson, we're for you!" Stetson has a real bootball team out there on the gridiron. For several years such material has not been seen and everyone is looking forward to a real ball team this season. Three teams out daily increase the competition so that any one man will have to work hard to make a position on the first team. The second team is going to be a good team, better by far than the team of last year. Keep coming out all you who have been out and those who have not been out, come on out'. Let us put Stetson on the athleic may as she is on the educational map. Athletics build a school and this is no exception. Get out and let'^ all* go for a championship game. All we have to do to get a game with Florida who will be in the final game for the,state championship, is to win over Rollins and Southern. We don't know what Southern has there, but we do know what Rollins has and what she has had. We don't know that we are going to win over her, but we are going to make the biggest try that was ever made. During the past week with three teams on the field of excellent material, there has been daily practice. A little advancement is made each day in the program and toward the later part of the week scrimmage was begun. Signal practice began Tuesday, not real earnest signal prac- • given out till Thursday. There are two teams on the field which are nearly equal. One is heavy and the other light. No man has made his position yet and will not make it till the last game of the season. Nothing is sure except that you must be on the field every daj. Every man get on his war togs and get out for a good loosening up. Keep in trim and you can't get a scratch. Unity and co-ercion will win the game. You have to work together. Without team work there can be no gain. Always be self possessed, never nervous. That is the cause of fumbles. Signals are being worked and the teams look as if they were out for somebody's scalp. Self confidence is what you want and not confidence o| victory. Many teams lose because of overconfidence of victory and they go into a game carelessly and within a quarter the game is lost. Falling on the ball is good for the player, it not only, hardens the muscles, but makes to the flexibility of the body for the terrific strains and turns which tackling makes a necessity. Cutting the ball is better than a dummy, as it teaches the man to cut low. A low cut usually gets the man if done at the proper time. Of course any cut out of time will do but little good. But to get the man low will get him. Nothing is prettier than a good cut less it be a pretty tackle. Plunging from the line of scrimmage is to gain uniformity and speed. Without either the team woud be lost. Passing .the ball, both short passes to the halves and ends, and long passes will help to gain accuracy. Every man needs to know how to catch a ball. Some time every man gets a chance to intercept a ball. A tackle often, or a guard, will be in position to catch a short pass from the opponent and it pays to know how to pull it down and make a getaway. There is nothing in football that every man needs not to know. While a guard may never have opportunity to use the knowledge which a half back has, he should know it anyhow. Good stiff practice being duly administered each day the team is gradually evolving into more proper shape. Hard workout is the program each day and the men out usually get enough by the time to cease for the day, has arrived. Two teams have been formed and the remainder of the men are called in as errors are noted. Every man has his chance and will continue to have his chance. Possibilities are wonderful for a banner team this year. A great deal of competition is shown and that is what makes a good team. A gradual and slow picking of the right man for the right place. Each day brings a new star into the field. Three more . days and the Palatka Legion will be played. We wonder who is to participate. They are known generally but most of the men who have been keeping up to the mark, both in training and in practice, will take part at their time. Stetson should take all games this season and by a little hard work and strict obediance to the rules and directions of coach, there will be the desired results. There are a number of men yet out of training. Get into training if you wish to take part in any of the games played this year. You are not so good that you can get out of training. Not one man can ever hope to make good without explicit following of the directions of the coach. There are some on the field that are sure of a position. Don't think for a moment that you have any one corner of the eleven nailed down. Pug knows what he wants and is not at all a respector of per-1 sons. The best and only the best can get on that team. Among those who I show some improvement or who shine are, a large number of those out. Bowen is better than ever this year. . . ' .■ ■ ■ ii He is strictly in braining and is ruii of endurance. Bowen has the stuff that carries and keeps a man through a game of football. Big Schu looks stronger and stronger each day. Schu has more endurance than any man on the field. He has the make up of a first class tackle. He is versatile, however, and can play other positions with the same strength and ease. Gunby is getting the pass down to a fine point and n%s every indication of being a real center. He has the form which Bus Rasco used with such ability. Gunby is going to be one of -the best as I see it, and he looks strong for the center job this year. Keep the good work going Gunby. Theo Hon is trying to get the hang of punting. Theo is a line plunger and is fast too. He has the same stuff that the afore mentioned have in regard to real football playing. It takes a lot of that to keep in the game. Layton is going strong for tackle. He showed some good tackles here last year. Layton has a nice figure for tackle. He can get the man on the spot too. Scott is traveling as fast as I have ever seen him and is working hard. Scott is one of the fightingest men on the campus and not only knows the game, but can play it. Sledge Tatum is developing speed and also is sure of his play. He seems to know the game and can play a good back field game. He should make good here this year. Morgan is built for a full back and his looks do not belie him. He has what it takes. Plesance for half back is going strong and he seems to have a good bit of speed. Wainer, of North Carolina, is a . hard worker and has some wonderful possibilities. He can get there. Gordon Hayes works hard and is a good prospective for guard. He will bear watching. Turner is back. We hope that he will stay as he seems to be a good man. He is fast. Hendry is making a good showing at guard and tackle, he has the makings of a good line man. He has played football for some years. King, while light, is fast and "is always on the job. Bradly and Edmunds are out for the first time and are doing exceptionally well for first year men. They have the right spirit. Tribble is showing a handy Continued on Page 4