The result was that C.H. and L. was readmitted to the Senior League, and for this year at least the two schools will be represented by a single eleven. It is greatly to be hoped, however, that the young man who captains this year's team will make it his especial business to find out all about the men under him, and to know whether they attend the High or the Latin school, or neither. In this way he will avoid making the rather unexplainable mistake which occurred last year.
The decision of the committee has infused new life into the many football-players of C.H. and L., and active practice has been begun by the various squads. Warnock has been elected captain; and as this move was made upon the advice of a number of graduates, it is probable that the new leader will prove to be a man competent to avoid the pitfalls which proved so disastrous to his predecessor.
Not more than four or five of the men who played on last year's team are back in school this year. Among them is Estabrook, who will retain his old position at centre. One of his guards will undoubtedly be Usher. The tackles will probably be Fletcher and Simmons. Captain Warnock will undoubtedly go in and look after one end of the line. Back of the line we shall probably see Clarkson at quarter, and the other positions ought to be divided among Donovan, Lewis, and Hill. But it is too early to make much of a prognostication, as football was somewhat disorganized at C.H. and L. in the early part of the fall on account of the uncertainty in the future, which has now been settled by the executive committee's action.
The Hartford High-School team, after its rather poor showing a few weeks ago, has taken a big brace, and is displaying somewhat of its old-time form. The eleven went up to Springfield a week or so ago, and defeated the High-School eleven there, 18-10. The team-work on that occasion was much better than Hartford had done at any time this year, and the general snap of the players was noticeably improved.
This good work was followed up a week ago Friday in the game against Hillhouse, in which the latter was defeated, 16-4. The weakest spot in the Hartford team was right guard, which is filled by Costello. The Hillhouse men made all their gains through him, with hardly any exception. Captain Sturtevant was unable to play at quarter on account of injuries received in the Springfield game, and this may possibly account for the many holes made through guard. Had Sturtevant been at his usual post, it is probable that he could have headed off some of the runs that got past Costello. Two of Hartford's touch-downs were made by Bush, who is developing into a strong player.
The Hillhouse players fumbled badly, and many of their fumbles proved most expensive. They had gotten the ball to within one yard of the Hartford line, when they lost it through inability to keep their fingers on the leather. The New Haven men's defence was weak too, and Hartford had little trouble in getting around the ends. Their best work was done by Morris, Sternberg, and Wolfe. For Hartford the best playing was done by Bush, Strong, Twichell, and Allen.
If this improvement in the Hartford team continues, New Britain will not have such a sure thing of the championship as we all had reason to suppose a few days ago. The line-up for the rest of the season will probably be as follows: Whaples and Gillette, ends; Allen and Morris, tackles; Weeks and Costello, guards; Smith, centre; Strong and Bush, half-backs; Sturtevant, quarter-back and captain; Twichell, full-back. This team will average about 154 pounds, and, unusual as it is, the backs will average 156 pounds, two pounds heavier than the rush-line.
ENGLEWOOD HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM.
Cook County Interscholastic League.
The Cook County High-School Football League's season began October 10. If we may judge from the initial game, there are four strong teams and four weak teams in the Association. Englewood H.-S. so badly out-classed Northwest Division in the first half, scoring 30-0, that the Northwest men did not care to play out the second half, which was exceedingly unsportsmanlike. Teetzel did not play for Englewood in this game, but Ferguson went in at right half in his place, and did good work. He made a number of long runs, and proved a clever substitute. The Northwest eleven did not have sufficient team-work to prevent Englewood's plays.