"Play for time," was Badger's signaled order.
Not much in the delay line is possible under a vigilant referee, yet all the time that strategy could gain was taken advantage of.
Thrice the ball was fought over the center of the gridiron. Then it settled slowly toward the High School goal, making slow, stubbornly fought advances.
Three minutes left to play!
Gridley H.S. got the ball once more, under the distance rule.
Now Badger called out the same signal that had been used for that most effective fake kick.
Captain Halsey smiled as he saw the High School fighters spread out swiftly, just as they had done before.
Halsey thought he knew this time! That same old ruse of dashing around the left end; then a fake kick and a dashing race by Stearns. Halsey's swiftly telegraphed orders disposed his men to meet the former dodge more effectively.
The whistle sounded, and the ball was passed. But what Halsey didn't know was that, the second time this signal was called it meant the players were to do exactly what they seemed spreading out for.
So the ball actually went around the left end this time, Evans making the best sprint that was left in his stiffening muscles.