Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-10
THE v. p. I. TO PLAY SATURDAY,
BIacI<sburg Boys Will Meet Rich'
mond College on the GrIdIron.

Next Saturday viii witness what prom'
ises to be one of the best football game,
scheduled for Richmond this season. The
Virginia Polytechnic Institute team, q
Blacksburg, VIII meet the Richmond Col
lege team at the Baseball Park on hs
date. The institute team, accompanied
by Manager Carl Il. Hardy, will arrive
In Richmond over the Norfolk and West.
ern railway at $50 Friday evening, and
will stop at either the Jefferson or Mur-
phys Hotel
The Virginia Polytechnic Institute team
has during the past few years made an
excellent record. In 1885, the team was
coached by Mr.. J. A. Massie now play
ing guard on the Hampton team, and
won five Of the six games played mat
season. The Improvement since then
has been rapid In 1895 still better
showing was made. Under the coaching
of Mr.. Saunders Taylor and DR.. a. c.
Jones. every game that year was won.
except the one with the University OF
Virginia and the one with The University
of North Carolina. The Virginia Mill
tary Institute was defeated on Thanks
giving at Lynchburg by close score OF
to l. This, however. was victory
where the year before a defeat had been
recorded, and Of purse there was a boom
in Blacksburg stock.
Last seasons team. coached by DR.. Arle
Jones, Of the University OF Nlrslnh'
showed still further Improvement. IL
defeated Allegheny Institute. Roanoke
College, Hampden-Sidney, and MaiyFlle
College by large scores. played lie
game with the University OF North caro-
lima, In which neither side scored, ana
lost only to the University OF virginia
and the University OF Tennessee, the lat
ter defeat being due almost entirely 70
carelessness and overcOnhdence. the score
standing 6 to 4. The Virginia POLYTECHNIC
Institutes ancient rivals, the ElrslniS
Military Institute, proved easy blaeAs-
burg taking the Thanksgiving game a.
Roanoke by score OF "a TO 0.
The Virginia Polytechnic Institute mas
this season the best team In its history
No efforts have been spared 20 place ~
the field a team which would be able 70
cope successfully against any others OF
its class. So far these efforts have beeh
well rewarded. OF the two games pay
ed. the Virginia Polytechnic Institute mas
defeated King College. OF Bristol % d
score OF "a TO 0, and on October SOth oe-
feated the University Of North Carolln'
at Danville by a score OF TO G Inc
work OF the team has been OF such q
character as to inspire Virginia Polyteeh-
mic Institute supporters with confdencs'
The greatest credit Is due Coach Chef.es
Firth and Captain Johnson. on "hose
shoulders the bulk OF the work mas ial'
len. Mr.. Firth took charge az The team
rather late In the season about Oetoos'
lst), but he has made wonderful prosfes'.
and has proven himself most efnc'en'
trainer His manner Is quiet and uhNs-
Stunning. yet he handles the men WIN
firmness and determination that 9an.i.'
OF no questioning. lie Is extremely popu-
lar at the institute among the students
both on and off the team. Mr.. Firth
comes from the University Of Chicago. on
which team he played last year. frlo,
20 the last season he played epd os1
quarter back on Buckneil University no
is a refined and cultured gentleman.