The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-01-30

ana DoQrag0l leo, carrying the Dall close
under one arm, and with the stern, re-
solute look still upon his face, entered
the school buildings, and the field was
at last deserted.
The much talked Of event Of the year,
the football game between the Fairfield
academy and the Hazen institute, wan
about to be played. The grand stand
was maze Of color, and an immense
crowd Of spectators surrounded the field
on all sides. The delegations from the
rival schools were cheering themselves
hoarse. The day was perfect one-the
sky cloudless, the air crisp and cool.
A wild shout came from the Hazon
institute boys as their team began kick
ing and falling on the ball. Then an
other and greater shout went up as the
Fairfield academy team, headed by their
handsome captain, entered from the 9TH
er end Of the field.
"My, isn't he fine lookingr pret-
ty girl said to her neighbor as she spied
the captain.
Eyes, but look al that cute little fell
low" her friend req lied.
Sure enough, the last one Of the team
was John Ahl, who, taking advantage
Of his privilege to carry the ball, had 1t
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.
- o.
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, Ahl 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 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 bali rapidly down the
field toward its opponents goal line.
The Fairfield team, weakened by the
absence of two Of it's regular players
whose places were filled by substitutes,
seemed unable to stop the onward rush.
On the 15 yard line the Fairfield
eleven made 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
a kick. The ball was passed to him, and
in moment more 1t sailed just over the
heads of the players, and the academy
goal was for the time out Of danger.
But only for time, for again the
opposing team used it's 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 terrific struggle, and the
ball was carried over the line for
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
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.
swell, i suppose 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 surly voice called,
"John Ahl''
"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 ALL sprang forward
! to meet him, where, judging from the