Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-10-15
THE FOOTBALL GATE.

DloaSd nlIl6SS dll dDOub US. LII COuSe-
quence many farmers and people from
neighboring villages drove to the twin
cities to do there shopping and our
towns presented lively appearance.
But by far the most animated scene to
be found here that day was up at the
football grounds after 80 p. m. when
the Howe High School team entertained
the second eleven from the Stevens
Point Normal School on the gridiron.
Normal students came to our city by
bicycle and carriage in goodly numbers
to encourage their players. They
didn't forget the tin horns either, and
as the opposing organizations appeared
on the field noise and flying colors pro-
claimed many advocates for either side
among the audience.
Captain Bulls won the toss for Grand
Rapids and chose the east goal, Cap
tain Pray of the Normals taking the
kickoff. Then twenty-five Tarriors
anchored their hearts and hopes on
opposite ends Of the field and settled
down to win their way to them. 1t was
evident at the start that the balance of
age and weight was literally in favor of
the visitors and any one of the High
School boys might not improperly
have referred to the Normal center
rush as papa" Henry, so far as the
difference in years on earth was con-
cerned. But this was expected and the
boys started in undaunted by the
"papas" or the moustaches, for the
latter are but frail things in a football
push whatever may be said of the
former.
Game was called promptly at $3.50; the
pigskin was kicked we'll into Grand
Rapids territory, returned about to the
center of the field and downed. High
School had the ball and made few
gains, failed to make five yards and lost
it to Normals. The Normals lost the
ball on tumble after Is yds. gain and
High School took 1t. At the end of the
first minute they also fumbled. 1t was
near their goal and a Normal man
picked up the oval and crossed the line
for touch down. Fumbling seemed to
be in order and the locals had spent the
first minute playing in rather loose
form. Pray kicked goal. Score Normal
6, High School 0.
The round thing was kicked into play
once more, both sides worked hard, but
High School slowly and steadily ad
vanced over Normal territory until
they reached the Is yard line and
things looked as if they were certain of
a touchdown. At this moment
calamity o'ertook them and misfortune
crossed their efforts with the stroke
that lost them the game. High School
still had the ball and il making their
play fumbled it. The active oval
bounded back of their line, free from
all. In an instant King had the ball
under his arm and with a clear field be-
fore him made pretty dash of 80 yards
and scored the second points for visitors.
Bulls and Will Smith gave desperate
chase across the field but were not fleet
enough to overtake him. Goal was
kicked. Points, Normal y, High
School 0. Time minutes.
High School renewed their work with
determination and from this out dis
PLAYED the material that is in them. No
more fumbles, no more errors-their
efforts were replete with brilliant plays.
On the aggressive aud defensive their
work was strong, Vigllant, encouraging.
They had just awakened-but too late.
In 81 minutes Green crossed the Nor
NAL line for High School points and
Briere kicked the oval over the posts in
proper manner. Score Normals u.
High School 6. Time 81 minutes.
The remainder of the first half went
on interesting and exciting, and time
was called with the score still standing
II to g.
The second half was an evenly
matched affair and the most stubbornly
fought battle ever witnessed here.
Every inch of the ground was hotly
contested and back and forth the two
forces swayed to all parts of the field,
first on the territory of one side, then
on the other, but neither scored. The
crowd went wild with enthusiasm.
Every little gain brought deafening
blasts Of tin trumpets. Handkerchiefs,
hats, canes went up in the air, when
for brief instant some chance opened
before sturdy man of padded attire.
But to no purpose-atthe end it was
found that the game had been decided
during the first ten minutes of the first
half and the victorious visitors cheered
themselves hoarse.
The Normal Jrs. are Il very good