The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-01
ALL THENEWS AND GOSSIP or SPORTS
TECHNICAL'S COACH
COMMENTS ON GAME
c. w. Hecox Would Exonerate Team
From Blame in Game in Which
Player Was Paralyzed.

G. ~. Hecox, coach of the Technical
High School team. which won the foot
ball championship OF the high schools
from Central High SChOol. Tuesday a
week ago, in a game III which two play
ers were injured. ona of them tenn
porarily paralyzed, takes occasion to
strenuOusly deny the ACCUSATIONS made
by the public against the Technical
team and himself.
Mr.. Hecox acknowledges forcing the
Central team to play thirty five-minute
halves. but contends that this time is
not too long for two high school
teams 20 play, provided both are in
condition. AS proof of this, he points
out the fact that during the entire game
not a Technical man was changed The
reason for the injuries TO the Central
players. Mr.. Hecox says. is that they
were not in condition, as result Of
their hard game against Gallaudet Col
lege only a few days previous to the
championship game.
In the history OF high school football,
Central is the Dnly school that has
ever defeated a college team. Its style
Of play is quick and snappy, and be-
cause of this fast play. Coach Hecox
asked for thirty-fve-minute halves, in
order that Tech should not be carried
off her feet By her opponents swift
ness. Again he points out that the
second half was called after twenty
four minutes of play, making the battle
only four minutes more than the aver
age high school game.
When questioned about the game. Mr..
Hecox said:
THE facts of the case are miscon-
structed
seT,, +bo e--+ v,Iaoa 80 teams dTd NOT
play two S5-minute halves. It is true
that i demanded the regulation time
for the halves, but the actual time
played was thirty-five minutes in the
first half and twenty-four in the sec
ond. making a total of fifty-nine min
utes. which is only four minutes more
than the average time for a high school
/ football game.
My reasons for asking for 35-minute
/ halves are obvious. In the first place,
knew that my team was to be pitted
against the only Washington High
! School eleven that has ever defeated
a regular college team, and 1 desired TO
give it time to do its best.
IN the second place, 1 knew that our
opponents were asking for short halves
not because they felt themselves un-
able to stand so long a strain, but be-
/ CdQSG AilEt hlAGW AAltAA SNADAS PptAAt Aeil
in hard brisk play for short intervals
owing TO the fact that their men were
| experienced players. Had I been in
their place, with a team OF experienced
men against new ones at the game.
should have taken the stand they took
I AS II was, l naturally and rightly con-
sidered the best interests of my team
and asked for longer halves.
u do not feel that / subjected thu
| boys to too great a strain Not
! Technical man was changed during tn
/ game. and no Central man until af,c
the game waS won Techs men ar
| younger both in years AMI experience
| than Centrars. and hence not so wei
fitted to endure the strain OF long play
/ The fact that they did stand it prove
| that the length Of time the teams play
ed was not too great 4 strain on grow
ing youths. provided they are in goo
| condition
According to CentraTs own state
ment. made the day following the game
CertraTs men were unfit for the cham
pionship game, on account of their har
game with Gallaudet. surely, If tn
| management of the team thought i
best TO teopardize it's chances Of winnin
the high school championship by giving
1t so hard a game to play shortly be
fore 1t was to meet the Tech team
Tech and its coach should not be held t
account for the exhaustion of Central
men"