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

pared to advance the ball Al they
leaned over, seady to have IL snapped
back, he pattvd Ali 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 a rock except
where the hole was to be made, and
they easily gained five yards. Ahl 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 Ahl's 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
work. Like flash the team fell into
the combination. The institute team,
having blocked easily, did not expect it,
but was prepared for another plunge
through the line. The result was a gain
Of 20 yards.
Again the academy team plowed
through the center for steady gains,
and, just before time was called for the
first half, the captain, who was playing
full back, carried the ball across the
line for touchdown, making the score
tie.
Time over, the teams lined up for
the final struggle Of the second half.
The Hazen institute boys were conf
dent of success, depending ON their rush.
es though the center. But these plays
did not turn out 80 successful as in the
first half. Again and again they were
blocked, and after the tackle had been
made in almost every case it was John
Ahl who rose from the struggling group.
He was playing superbly, and the crowd,
noticing his remarkable tackles, cheered
him at every attempt.
The game was evenly fought, the
playing being near the center of the
field most of the time, though now and
then it would sway toward one goal or
the other.
As time went on the excitement grew
greater and greater until it almost
reached fever heat.
For awhile the Hazen institute men
seemed to be getting the best Of it; by
short, close rushes, by combination
plays, by runs round the end, they
steadily advanced the ball. Time was
drawing to close, and as the score was
still a tic they played desperately. They
had advanced some distance into the
territory of the Fairfield academy team
when they lost the ball.
The academy captain at once made
an attempt to advance with it, but was
unsuccessful, and he dropped back for q
kick. The ball was soon flying through
the air toward the opponents goal.
The teams lined up quickly, for there
was no time to lose. The Hazen institute
men at once prepared to again advance
the ball on their quick combination
plays; 6-18-7 was the signal given, and
the half back, head down, rushed for
ward as the ball was passed to him. A
moment latee he struck the line, and it
became pushing, struggling mass Of
bodies. Suddenly the ball shot out Of
the heap; it had been fumbled. Now
was the time for ALL. Now was the
time to use the dexterity he had gained
by constant, lonely practice. Quick as q
fash he hSs seized the ball, hugging it
tightly to his chest.
His small size, his quickness, his
agility, all help him now, and he is
through the line like dart Of light, a
clear field before him, for the backs Of
the Hazen institute are playing close to
the line in their efforts to advance the
ball He dodges two outstretched hands,
he hears fall as tackler hurls him.
self forward in the effort to grasp him.
He feels rather than hears the rush Of
feet behind him, his own men blocking
the other team as best they can. Above
it all is the roar Of the crowd, sounding
in his ears like the rush Of some huge
mass Of water over fall
Ahl is running as he never ran be-
fore. He knows his pursuers are gain
ing and the goal line seems so far away.
Twice his captain has saved him by
blocking off tackler, but at last he
goes down himself.
The goal line is drawing near. Will
he reach it? His breath comes in great
gasps; the field seems to be spinning
round like top A few more steps only
now. Suddenly he is seized from be-
hind, but, with superhuman exertion,
he hurls himself forward and slides
over the goal line with two of the op-
posing team upon him.
They have him at last, but it is too
late. The run is made and under his
breast the football rests upon the ground
beyond the goal line There is barely
time to kick a. goal, and the game is
won.
John ALL is substitute no Gonger.
His fellow students do not snub him
now, but whenever the Fairfield acad-
emy team plays you will see him where
the battle RACES hottest, and it is said
that it now seldom loses eama.-Den-
yer News.