“Signal!” Following which, Fred rattled off some numbers which called for a play entirely different from that agreed upon.
A bit confused, Tuttle snapped the ball to Sage, who passed it instantly to Grant. The confusion of the center was likewise felt by every member of the team, which led to faltering and gave the enemy a chance to overwhelm them and bear them back for a loss of more than five yards.
In the midst of the untangling mass Stone reached Sage, grasped him by the shoulder and almost snarled into his ear:
“What’s the matter with you? What made you do that? You know we had arranged to work three plays without signals.”
“I—I forgot,” said Fred. “I’m sorry, but I forgot, captain.”
“Well, you messed things finely! It’s too late now. Get into action and see if you can make up for the blunder somehow.”
Apparently Sage tried hard to atone, and for a time he displayed a return to his best form. His blunder, however, had greatly disturbed the others, and the entire team betrayed such uncertainty and lack of cohesive, united action that the home crowd was dismayed. In a few moments Oakdale was compelled to surrender the ball on a kick.
After this the quarter was heartbreaking in many ways. Twice the visitors threatened Oakdale’s goal, and twice they were repulsed. In her turn Oakdale had an opportunity that set her supporters into a frenzy of hope and enthusiasm. An end run that netted thirty yards was followed by a trick play that yielded ten more, and then came a forward pass which placed the locals within striking distance of the enemy’s goal.
Right there Sage once more dashed Oakdale’s hopes. The team had two sets of signals. This was necessary to enable them to switch from one set to the other in case their opponents should get wise to the signals in use. Now, however, Sage put them all into confusion by mixing the signals himself in such a manner that it was impossible to tell which of two plays he had called for. Then he made a bad pass, which was followed by a fumble, and Barville, coming through Oakdale like water through a sieve, got the ball.
Immediately Stone ordered Sage out of the game. Nelson was placed at quarter, and his position was filled by a substitute.