The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-19

A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PLAY
ING OF THE MEMBERS.
They Are Exceptionally Brilliant i'm
Individual Play-Preparing for
4. III. 8. Game.

The NJ. T. III. s. football team, in it's
balanced. The defense Is much stronger
than the offense. In defensive work the
team is probably as strong as any school
team of its weight In the country. but the
offensive work falls far short OF this high
standard. To improve the attack must be
the main object of the coaches between
now and Nov. "a. If they hope to defeat
the High School. Just why the offense
should be so poor is a hard question TO
answer The backs all strong, fast
men, who know how each play should be
run But they do not seem to be able TO
put their theory into practice. The inter-
ference starts with a lack of dash. and
struggles badly when once started. There
is woeful lack of harmony and compact
ness. In all the games so far the ball has
been advanced rather by brilliant individ-
ual work than by concerted team play
The man carrying the ball has a fatal ten
dency 10 get between his interference and
his opponents. thus leaving himself un-
protected.
and IL the backs can only get together
between now and the 24th they will give
a good account of themselves in the High
School game.
Krull, the full back, is fast improving
In his punting. He has almost overcome a
tendency to kick low, and at present is
getting good distance and sufficient height
TO enable his ends TO get down under his
kicks. In Diddel, left half back, NJ. Il. III.
8. has cool and reliable drop-kicker.
Pickett and Shideler, who handle punts
In the back field. are becoming more re-
liable every day. Both OF these men are
mr. ntafo nd arI 70 NIB
tain Hotz barring tendency to be slow in
calling signals, runs the team WELL and
has the faculty of inspiring his men. One
of the best features of the team is the
fact that there isn't gutter on 1T. 1t
is fair TO say that the players get together
and play better game when things seem
70 be against them than at any other time
The football enthusiast should bear this
In mind in figuring out the result of the
M. T. III. S--High School game. that the
training school boys have been playing
much stronger teams this fall than has the
High School. This ought to prove
Of great benefit to them the 24th, for
as a result of this the M. T. II. S. boys
tackle hard and viciously. II NJ. L. II. s.
beats High School. it will be because she
has heavier, stronger and better line.
Granting that the High School backs play
well together, they will have hard work
to advance the ball IL the NJ. T. III. s. for
wards break through, as they should do.
Reed, at left end tackles WELL and sell
much of a gain. His chief weakness is a
tendency to overrun his man when going
down under punts. Coval, left tackle, is a
natural football player. He can be relied
upon TO stop plays directed at him and
to break up interference for his end. He
is a sure ground gamer when he carries
the ball. Kaylor and Steele, guards are
heavy, fast and aggressive. and run well
with the ball Raffensperger, the center,
Is very fast for his weight. He never loses
his head. and has not made a bad pass to
Krull during the whole season. Kittle, at
right tackle is a splendid ground gamer.
He is very aggressive and hard tackler.
On the defensive he Is inclined to be too
anxious and overrun q play directed at
him. Shideler plays right end on the
offensive and full back on the defensive,
is very fast and tackles we'll in the open.
HotZ (captain) plays right end on the de-
fensive, and right half on the offensive.
He seems to know instinctively how to
break up the interference and nab the man
with the bali. At half back he runs hard
and fast but relies too much upon his own
Individual effort TO advance the ball.
Krull's kicking has been mentioned. He
is improving in his line bucking, but his
work In the Interference is not what il
should be. Wheeler left half is the best line
bucker on the team, and has a wonderful
faculty for keeping his feet. On end plays
he is little slow. but he Is hard man
TO get around in the interference.
Pickett, the quarter back, is good man
for the place. He knows the game thor
oughly and plays for all there is in him.
He puts snap and life into the team and
is always in every play. Dddei, left half
is an experienced player, but lately has
done a good deal of furnbling. Woodbridge
makes an acceptable substitute Cor either
half or tackle Dennis plays a fair game
at half considering that he Is to the
game. Cooper makes a fair substitute at
tackle. The physical condition of the men
Is very good