The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-12-02

season has been exceptionally clean as far
as rough work by the players themselves
is concerned and consequently as far as
injuries received. The umpires have as a
rule been stricter as regards "piling on"
that most dreaded feature of modern
football. The referees have followed the
ball so we'll that it is downed and the men
lined up before an opportunity has been
afforded for the rough work to creep in.
As a result of the seasons work every
thing points to Wisconsin's men as West
ern champions and not even Stagg's pets
care to dispute the claim, despite the Won
derful victory over Michigan Thursday by
score of q to -. Wisconsin cinched
all claims to the title when her lively,
well-trained canvas-backs showed North
western under by score of % to 0 at
Evanston Thursday.
The West has been unusually weak in
tackles. Holmes, Forrest of Wisconsin,
Sweeney Of Illinois, Lockwood of Michi
gan, Mortimer and Webb Of Chicago and
Rheighans of Lake Forest would certain
ly be candidates for the all-Western team.
OF these, Holmes, for his work against
Chicago, Minnesota and Northwestern
in making holds, in defense work general
ly, is perhaps the first choice, with Swee-
ney close second. The cares Of captain
have weighed on Sweeney considerably,
but in all he has more than held his own
in the big games played, with the posi-
be exception Of the Indian match.
On the ends, the work of Michigan's
and Wisconsin's ends, Dean and Ander-
son and Teetzel and Bennett, and that of
Hamil, mark them as candidates. Sickles
Of Lake Forest, for a light man, has been
much in the play, and on heavier team
might be considered. Of these, Bennett,
Teetzel and Hamil and Dean would be
the four to choose from. Hamil's work
in the Michigan game in following kicks
marks him something of favorite. Teet-
zel's work in driving the play in would
mark him as a favorite. Bennett for ex-
perience and Hamil and Dean inter-
changeably seem to be the choice.
Behind the line, telver, Hunter, Schu-
ler and Clarke are for quarter. Felver,
barring two very bad fumbles in the Chi
cago game, should have first choice. Hunt
er, a good tackler, is too slow in running
the game. Clarke fumbles badly, al
though he got over the fault in the Mich
igan game. Felver is perhaps the favor
ite for general, hard, heady work, and
the fact that he can be used as full
For the backs, Herschberger, O'Dea,
Gardiner, Peele, Johnston and Jackson
of Lake Forest are perhaps the cream
Herschberger is the choice for full. Not
only can he punt, but in the interference
in line plunging and place kicking he
would overshadow O'Dea, who is never
in the play except to kick. For halves
Peele and Jackson would make an ex.
tremely strong pair.
Northwestern, losing to Chicago and
Wisconsin by big scores, is out Of the race.
Michigan's defeat by Chicago, overawed
by the mighty opposing full-back, yielded
all claims in her only big game Of the sea-
son. Poor Illinois, who was forced to
compete for championship honors before
her team had reached the climax of devel-
opment, was put out Of the showing early
when Chicago ran her down the field.
Next to Wisconsin, Chicago has fairly
won the right to stand a good second.
After her Michigan and Illinois must dis
pute for the honors Of their place, with
the advantages in Michigan's favor, be-
cause of cleaner, harder, all-around work
to the last in the face of certain defeat.
After Illinois must be placed Northwest
ern, with her beefy eleven, with Oberlin
following because of her showing against
Michigan, and Purdue and Minnesota at
the tail end Of the procession.