Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-11-20

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handsome captain, entered from the otb-
er end Of thetfield.
"My, isn't he fine 'lookingl" a pref
ty girl said to her neighbor as she spied
the captain.
''Yes, but look at that cute little fell
low" her friend replied.
Sure enough, the last one of the team
was John Ali, who, taking advantage
Of his privilege to Gary the ball, had it
clasped tightly under one arm As his
team advanced toward the center of the
field Ahl dropped the ball, his foot
touched it, and it sailed high in the air.
"My, what kick for a little fell
low!' some one said.
Then the teams began to fall upon,
kick and pass the ball. No one among
them seemed to do it better than Ahl
Several people remarked it, and great
surprise Was expressed when, on the
teams lining up for the game, ALL was
seen to retire to the side lines.
The game began with the Fairfield
academy having the ball at the kickoff.
The teams lined up: the captain of the
Fairfield academy raised his foot, swung
his leg forward, and the ball shot to-
ward the Hazen institute goal, only to
be caught by player who made ten
yards before he was downed by the
end rush of the Fairfield academy. This
was followed by a gain Of five yards
through the center, five yards more
around the end, three more between
tackle and guard and two more through
the center.
The Hazen institute team was work
ing like machine in perfect unison,
and carrying the ball rapidly down the
field toward its opponents goal line.
The Fairfield team, weakened by the
absence of two of its regular players
whose places were filed by substitutes,
seemed unable to stop the onward rush.
On the 10 yard line the Fairfield
eleven made a desperate rally and
held the enemy until they secured the
ball on downs. On two trials they fail
ed to gain, and the captain fell back for
kick. The ball was passed to him, and
in moment more it sailed Just over the
heads of the players, and the academy
goal was for the time out Of danger.
But only for a time. for again the
opposing team used its rushing tao
tics for good gains. On it came, and
this time there was no stopping it.
On the ten yard line the Fairfield play
ers held them for two downs. Then
there was a terrific struggle, and the
ball was carried over the line for a
touchdown. A goal was easily kicked,
and the score stood: Hazen institute, 6;
Fairfield academy, 0.
When the ball was taken back for
the kickoff, it was secured by the Ha-
zen institute team, who began by max
ing gain, then short, sure gains.
To John Ahl the day seemed black
indeed. Though he did not play every
faculty was centered on the playing of
his team. He hoped against hope that
it would stop the steady advance of
the opposing players. There seemed no
chance of doing this. Again the ball
was near the academy's goal line. For
time they stood firm, but in a scrim
mage George Green, who was playing
quarter back for the academy, hurt his
weak ankle SO badly that he could play
no longer.
This was. bad indeed, for. there was
no one to put in his place. Already two
substitutes were playing on the team,
and there was no one left but little John
Ahl, for the football material had been
very scarce in the academy that year.
What should they do? The captain
knit his brows in anxious thought. The
game would have to go on, and they
were almost beaten as it was. With
John Ahl at quarter back there would be
no hope of winning.
"Well, suppose I shall have to take
him." he muttered to himself, "and
yet it is the same as giving the game
away" He approached the side lines
abruptly, and in a surly voice called,
"John Ali" p"
"We are certainly lost now, one Of
the team remarked, and the faces of
most of them wore discontented and
hopeless look.
Ahl was by the captains side in an
instant.
"You will play at quarter back" the
captain said.
Again the Hazen institute men prepar-
ed for plunge, but this time they did
not make yard, for as their half back
dashed for the line Ahl sprang forward
to meet him, where, judging from the
plays he had seen q moment or two be-
fore, he would try to break through. AS
he struck the line Ahl grasped him with
quick low tackle.
Once more the teams lined up, and
again the Hazen men tried to break
through, but again their half back was
met by Ahl, who seemed to be every
where.
The crowd cheered at the last tackle,
as it stopped what the Hazen institute
team thought to be sure gain on
trick play. This tackle, owing to a
tumble, secured the ball for the Fair
field academy team.
The surprise of the captain Of the
academy team at these tackles was
great. He knew that they could not
have been done better, and he saw that
through them the advance of the oppos
ing eleven was for a time checked.
Calling in his backs, the captain pre-
pared to advance the ball. AS they
leaned over, ready to have it snapped
back, he patted Ahl on the shoulder, and
said, GOOD work, old man good
work. -
The team seemed to have gained new
heart, and as the signal was given for
the left half back to try between tackle
and guard they held like rock except
where the hole was to be made, and
they easily gained five yards. ALL saw
this was weak place in his oppo-
nents' line, and again he shouted out
the same signal in different numbers.
Slowly but surely the Fairfield acad-
emy men began to push the ball up the
field and away from their own goal The
captain, who had been directing the sig
nails up to this time, now allowed Ahl
full sway, as he noticed the steady gains
that came as result of Ahls Judgment.
Suddenly Ahl gave the signal for a
run round the end, using the half back
who had up to this time done but little
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