~ Football ~
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Though the football season had a bad beginning for O.H.S., at its close we had one of the fastest teams in this community. Mr. Carr, who coached the team for the first games, was so over-burdened with other work, that he was unable to give the necessary time to drill the team into first-class shape. Most of the boys were new at the game, only two lettermen of last year being with us. Later, "Eddie" Goldsmith, a former O.H.S. "star" took charge of the team and drilled them, until the team worked with machine precision. "Eddie's" efforts were untiring, and we have to thank him for the winning team we had at the close of the season. We went into our first game against Gardner, one of the best teams in Eastern Kansas, with only one week of practice, and our quarterback, Ray Gray, was out because of a broken collar bone. We came out of that game with sprained ankles, black eyes, wrenched hips, and the bottom end of an 86-0 score. After Eddie had drilled us awhile, we went to Spring Hill and gave them a 35-0 "walloping;" Gudger making three touchdowns, Ricketts two and Gray one; while Jolley kicked every goal. We then went to Pleasanton, where we were asked how we expected to win a football game with such little men. We soon showed them, the final score being 13-0 in our favor. Our final game with Paola was a hard fought game from the start to the end; the only score being a drop-kick by Paola. Hugh, playing half, carried the ball for a touchdown but was called back by the umpire. We picked up our pep again, and had carried the ball within three feet of the goal when the whistle blew. This is one game we can count as ours though we haven't the score. A summary of the season shows:
Hugh, "Screwdy" Phares, who played half, also plays on the line. He was one of the best plungers, and was great on the defense. He is the big boy that treats them rough. He is a Senior, and it wouldn't make us a bit sore if he'd flunk. Homer "Gillis" Ricketts, our fullback from the Sophomore ranks, showed us he could handle a football as well as a plow. He was a great scoring factor and will be "raring to go" again next year. Roy "Buck" Manchester and Ralph "Rowdy" Fee work well at half and were always tearing thru for a touchdown. "Buck" is a Freshman, so will be here next year. Rowdy is a Senior, but he had a heart and dropped Physics, so will be with us next year. Harold "Happy" Reynerson has the making of an "All American" center, but he thought he wasn't big enough so he also dropped Physics, for another year at O.H.S. The "Eddy Twins" and Fat Laird held them out at guards. All were Freshmen and "Fat" will at least be here next year. Eugene "Sam" Bush was a main cog in the defense. He played tackle and he always slipped through. Raymond "Pete" Moore, our other tackle, made his opponents wish they had never seen a football. He is coming back next year to avenge the black eye he received in the Gardner game. Jolley and Gray were right there at ends, and they "nipped" the passes at any angle, sometimes taking them for a touchdown. Both Buck and Ray will be back next year. Last but not least (by any means) is Hearn "Glut" Gudger. "Glut", captain of the football squad this year, proved his worth in every game. He played with teamwork, was a good sport, and a fast clean player. |