There have been a number of squabbles among the High-School teams of Chicago, and most of the disputes seem from this distance to be of a most childish nature. The true reason for all the trouble appears to be a fear of defeat, which evidences, on the other hand, an unhealthy desire for victory that bodes no good to the welfare of sport in that section. I am glad to learn that the Board of Managers at the recent League meeting decided that English High and North Division must play out their game which was scheduled for two weeks ago but was not played.
All of the Games played in the Cook County League on October 22 were won by large scores. North Division defeated Northwest Division, 48-0, but the latter team was so poor that the game was devoid of interest. Johnson made several splendid runs, one for 100 yards and another for 90 yards, both resulting in touch-downs. Friedlander showed himself as expert, as ever as an end, although he did not have many chances. Manual lost to Hyde Park, 42-0. Hyde Park's team-work was excellent, and the best individual play was done by Ford, a new man at end. The other games, of the day, at least those that were not forfeited, developed no good men, and displayed little of interest to football enthusiasts.
Contrary to expectations, Shady Side Academy and Kiskiminetas, of the Pittsburg Interscholastic League played their first game on October 24, and the latter won by the large score of 20-0. To be sure, Shady Side was handicapped by the loss of Beeman, who was unable to play, and who is usually one of the strongest ground-gainers of the eleven; and Arundell, their full-back, ought never to have gone on the field, while Dravo was in about as equally poor condition.
From the start the play was mostly in S.S.A.'s territory, and a very few moments after the ball was started Kiskiminetas had scored a touch-down and kicked a goal. Shady Side made a desperate effort to stop the game of their opponents, but the Saltsburgh men were a heavier lot, and sent their interference around Humbird's end for continual gains. Their system of interference was excellent, and Shady Side found it almost impossible to break into it. Thus before the end of the first half the home team had scored two touch-downs, kicking both goals.
In the second half, although S.S.A. worked hard, Kiskiminetas gained gradually and pushed the ball slowly down the field, until McColl scored another touch-down. The Pittsburg half-backs, even when they had the ball, were apparently unable to advance it very far, Geer not being hardened to the game yet, and Dravo, as already mentioned, being in poor condition. The line also did not hold together as it should, and Kelso, the Kiskiminetas right tackle, went through it frequently for good gains. Toward the end of the second half, however, Shady Side made a desperate stand and held their opponents well.
The Kiskiminetas eleven is unusually strong this year, averaging over 150 pounds. Montgomery is a wonderfully good end rusher, and prevented any runs being made through his territory by breaking up the interference every time and downing the runner. Kelso is a splendid ground-gainer, and dashed seemingly at will through the Shady Side line. McConnell did good work for the Pittsburg team, and by his fine tackling prevented Kiskiminetas from scoring on more than one occasion. The playing of Kirke, S.S.A., was one of the features of the game; he repeatedly broke up the magnificent interference of the opposing eleven, and worked hard from start to finish.
In the second half G. McConnell was put in at full-back, and it is to be regretted that he is not heavier, for he has the making of a good player. When he has put on a few more pounds he will make a good running full-back or a plunging half. He is especially good at starting quickly. The next game between these two elevens will be played on the Shady Side Academy grounds, November 16, and should be very interesting, for between now and then the Shady Side team ought to be able to develop some team-work, in which at present they are slightly deficient.
Harry Logan, Pine Grove, Pa.—Yes.
Albert Currier, Iowa City.—Rule 9 of the Football Rules of 1896 states that "A goal consists in kicking the ball in any way, except by a punt, from the field of play over the cross-bar of the opponents' goal." For greater detail see Lewis's Primer of College Football (Harper and Brothers, 75 cents).