Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-17
GOSSIP OF THE GRIDIR0N
omaha High School Foot BaIIists Are
Rapidly Getting in
Good Trim.

Tho Omaha High school has lust cause
to feel proud Of the achievements OF its
grldiron representatives in the past, but the
chrysanthemum show of the purple and
white for the year OF 1899 bids fair to ex-
Gel even that Of last year. Already the
toozled-topped Rugby knights are kicking
up the dust of the local gridiron in hard,
conscientious practice preliminary to the fall
struggles.
The success OF last years eleven Is already
bearing fruit, as tho candidates now being
daily instructed for the fall campaign far
ontnumber those OF past years. Even now
the mercury Of the enthusiastic bulb has
reached the boiling point and all the stu
dents that have not donned moleskins are
out every afternoon cheering the boys, while
the new principal has fairly won the
hearts of all by his display of athletic in
terest.
The outlook for the first two or three days
was far from encouraging as the old mem
bers were late in arriving, but now many
a familiar form may be recognized in the
pile of wriggling arms and legs, and, with
but few exceptions, all the old men will be
in line once more. Among the old men who
Will once again seek the privilege of rep
resenting the school are: Captain Tracy, last
years left half; Left Guard Roberts and
Left End Thomas; Freeman, center; Full
Back Engelhard, Quarterback Pritchard;
Griffith, right end, and Right Halls Davi-
son and Lehmer.
Right Guard Cathroe OF last years team
and Tackles Morse and Dickinson will not
be with the team this year, but there is a
host of material to fill the vacancies. Among
the most promising of the new men are
WEIGH, Hall and McCrae, tackles; Martin
and Lehmer, quarters; Clarke, Fairbrother
md Ga~z1. L1te -~l-.. n--- -
Secrist, guards, besides a large number OF
freshmen who have no definite position, but
wish to play.
Although many of the men are new to the
game in the short practice most of them
have showed exceptional talent and with a
little coaching should develop rapidly. Nor
Will this branch be neglected, as Frank
Crawford, Lew Reed, Gordon Clarke. Esta-
brook. Barnes and Benedict have signiied
a willingness to aid in this department.
The members of the old Omaha High school
teams are also taking an active part and
every afternoon one or more of the alumni
may be seen on the grounds working with
the boys.
The team selected will represent Omaha in
the Iowa-Nebraska Interscholastic Foot
Ball league and the entire school has sworn
by Venus and Cupid and all the dear old
heather deities, who are such remarkably
convenient myths to take oaths upon, that
at the close of this season the pennant will
fan the gentle breeze from the pinnacle of
the High school tower and that by no means
shall there be a repetition OF last years
tie.
The schedule of the league includes games
with Red Oak, Counc Bluffs and Lincoln,
and, besides. the management has arranged
games with Hastings, Mapleton and Tabor
college. and possibly West Des Moines and
Tarkio college. These will all prove most
interesting and enjoyable contests, especially
a game with Tarkio, as Tarkio Is still smart
ing from a base ball defeat and Is anxious
to redeem itself. AS an encouragement to
the High school lads large crowds should
be the rule to see them play. Every grid
iron enthusiast in the city should attend
each and every game and cheer the wear
ers of the royal purple and pure white on
to victory. Let the citizens show the boys
that they have an interest in the school
and its every work.
Captain Branch of last years Williams
college eleven has been secured as coach
OF the University of Nebraska team for this
fall and from what can be learned he is a
splendid choice and an excellent man.
The prospects for foot ball In the Missouri
State university are better than were pre-
dicted. Many very promising men have ar
rived and work was begun Monday. Coach
White Of Cornell is here and is well pleased
with the material. Mr.. White coached the
University OF Buffalo last year and has
been a player and a coach for the last ten
years. He has the cooperation OF the
students and faculty IN putting out a good
team this fall. Every place will be holly
contested. Captain Howard has been re-
elected captain this year and will be found
at center. Hartung OF Carrolton, weight