Springvale village had plenty of confidence in its team, and almost a hundred rooters had accompanied the young gladiators to Fardale to cheer them on to victory.
On the other hand, the villagers at Fardale had begun to believe the academy team could not be defeated, upon which their interest in the games waned, for which reason but a few of them came out. The cadets were on hand as usual, but the bleachers and ground were not crowded.
Springvale, like many of the other teams, had an almost entirely new line-up of players.
| FARDALE | SPRINGVALE | |
|---|---|---|
| Shannock | Right end | Grant |
| Jolliby | Right tackle | Clark |
| Dare | Right guard | Hooper |
| Tubbs | Center | Foster |
| Bradley | Left guard | Rowe |
| Kent | Left tackle | Osgood |
| Buckhart | Left end | Dodge |
| Smart | Quarter-back | Emery |
| Merriwell | Right half-back | Wellington |
| Darrell | Left half-back | Phelps |
| Singleton | Full-back | Thor |
At a distance Thor looked handsomer than big Bob Singleton, but closer inspection showed that Singleton was of a higher order of intelligence. Thor was a fine animal, in almost perfect condition, delighting in physical contests, but he lacked a certain something that showed in Bob’s mild eye and lazy, well-modulated voice.
Phelps was a lively, slender fellow, while Wellington was swift on his feet and a great dodger and punter. Emery was a trifle larger than Smart, but not a whit quicker witted or capable. Springvale’s line was heavier than Fardale’s, but not a great deal heavier.
The game began with Fardale having the kick-off, and Singleton booted the leather to the twenty-yard line, where Wellington took it and sent it back with a magnificent kick that dropped it into the hands of Singleton. Big Bob started to run, found himself cornered by a tackler, and passed the ball to Dick Merriwell as he was dragged down. Dick went on, taking the ball to the thirty-five-yard line.
Then Fardale lined up for the attack, and Springvale prepared to hold the home team in check. The game was on.
The first assault on center was hurled back, and an effort to go around the left end was repulsed, a funnel-play directed at the right wing was a complete fizzle. Springvale seemed to anticipate every move and meet it quickly, destroying its effectiveness.
“They have our code!” muttered Dick. “The Spaniard was right! They know our plays!”