Harper's Round Table, December 24, 1895

by Various

The one feature of the year that is to be regretted was brought into conspicuous prominence by this very closeness of the games. That feature was the poor umpiring that occurred in some of the games. One or two of the schools resorted to the trick of securing officials who could be relied upon to give them an advantage of decisions. Cambridge Manual was the worst offender in this line, and Hopkinson the most successful. Hopkinson owes one of its victories to an exceedingly unjust decision made by a referee whom they had appointed. All the other teams, however, seemed very anxious that impartial and competent men be secured; and that honesty is still the best policy is exemplified in the case of English High, the champions, who were more in earnest about good judges than any other school.

One of the unpleasant features of many of last year's games—the darkness that interfered in the second half—was done away with this season. That was because the Captains were sensible enough to see that short halves of twenty minutes were much better than the full thirty minutes, and because all the teams were willing to make an effort to begin the games early enough so that they could be finished about sunset. The result has been most satisfactory. No disputes have arisen from this cause, and the spectators have not crowded on to the fields to add to the delay of the game. Another of last year's unpleasant features—the bitterness between some of the teams—was lacking. While the rivalry was much more intense, the feeling was much more friendly. The disputes that have arisen have been settled most amicably, and the meetings of the Executive Committee have been free from the recriminations that have heretofore characterized them. Everybody seemed to be working for this "era of good feeling," Captains, managers, players, and graduates all lending a hand to smooth over any petty troubles. One bit of courtesy will bear mentioning. When two teams were playing, the players of the other teams were always furnished tickets to the game free of charge.

All the teams have been managed in a very business-like manner. The schedule was made out carefully, and was very just. The arrangements about securing grounds, providing police, advertising, and the other details necessary to a successful game were promptly and well attended to. Altogether, the season must please the Harvard football management and the Boston Athletic Association, under whose joint patronage the League is conducted. Harvard must see in the League a great and reliable feeder for her Freshman and 'varsity teams, and after a few seasons like this one the university will be able to place more reliance than ever on the preparatory schools.

English High must feel an immense amount of satisfaction in winning the championship after such a hard struggle. The fast gait that they struck early in the season they kept up to the last game. They played the game as never before. Quick starts, hard interfering, sure tackling, a spirit of "do or die," and just the right amount of confidence in themselves; their Captain and their coach carried them through the season, and earned, as a reward, the custody of the silver bowl. The team was excellently managed, nothing being left undone that could help the team to victory, and the support the boys received from the school and the graduates was very flattering.

Boston Latin, who came so near defeating the winners, deserve the greatest amount of praise for the season's work. They started out in September by beating Andover—a feat never dreamt of before by a Boston school—and tying St. Mark's. That gave them an idea that they could win the championship. It was the first time the school had ever had that idea; as usually they have been contented with finishing near the foot of the list. They put in some hard practice, and succeeded in making third place. This is a remarkable feat, considering that they went through the season without a coach. The only instruction they had was from their Captain, who devoted an immense amount of labor to his team, and was rewarded by gaining the admiration of every boy in the League, and seeing Boston Latin finish better than it had ever finished before.

Hopkinson's team this year was remarkable more for its even, steady, plucky playing than for its stars or brilliancy. They pulled out more than one game by displaying their sand at the critical moments. They played excellent team-work, and, thanks to a very competent coach, were up to all the latest tricks of the game. They had more luck than any other team, and that accounts for their standing second.

Brookline won the junior championship last year, and, by defeating Newton, earned the privilege of playing in the senior league. They were counted as winners by a great many wiseacres; and indeed started in with good football. But they were really outclassed. They were the lightest team in the league, and averaged the youngest in years. They found the season too hard for them. This, together with their losing the services of a valuable coach, caused a marked falling off in their play. Their backs and ends were, taken together, the best set in the League, and they had at one time the best interference; but their defence was not always reliable, and they were sadly in need of a quarter-back who could do something besides pass the ball.

Cambridge High and Latin, with the best team they have had for years, are tied for last place. They were very much hampered by restrictions imposed by their school committee, and by unnecessary interference on the part of the masters. To this they attribute their poor showing. They undoubtedly had material for a fine team, and it was being handled in a most careful and vigorous way. Their Captain was the sort of fellow who gets an immense amount of work out of his men, and puts all kinds of ginger into them. After beating Hopkinson and Boston Latin, they were looked upon as the only team that could possibly beat English High. But before that decisive game the school committee got in its work, and the little nerve left to the players was lost when the Executive Committee of the League deprived them of their two victories, on protest.

The first steps toward the formation of a National I.S.A.A. will be taken next Saturday at a convention to be held at the De La Salle Institute. I hope every association that can possibly afford to do so will send one or more representatives to this convention. The interest all over the country is growing greater every day, and I feel that the association, when formed, is bound to be a success. I am informed by the president of the Iowa State H.-S.A.A. that in view of the formation of a National Association the schools of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota have abandoned the plan of forming a large Western league, which I spoke of last spring. In speaking of this my correspondent says:

"The matter was brought up, but as soon as they found out that a National Association was to be formed they dropped it. They would rather have their State meet, and then send a team to the National meet. They will do nothing towards the formation of such an association till they find out whether they can join the National Association or not. It will cost but little more to go East, and they are all willing to go. The Clinton Association will, if they can become members, send one of the best teams that any Iowa High-School can produce. They have already engaged Mr. Moulton, the veteran trainer, who has handled Crum so well in his running-work this year. The school means business; they have the entire support of the business men of the city, and have a course of entertainment laid out which will bring them in ample means to pay all expenses."