The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-26

Rain or shine the beginning of the
end of the football season will be com
menced this afternoon when the blue
and white and the orange and black
will meet in a game which, for many
reasons, has brought local interest up
to the highest tension.
The game which Savannah wants to
win, and the one game in which the
players will, one and all, enter with
the full knowledge that they are OPP
posed by men whose long experience
has lent them the cunning and re-
sourcefulness which counts for so
much, will be played just week from
to-day. To-day's battle will almost
tell the story of next Mondays game
with Charleston, in which all Savan-
nah is so deeply interested.
The Jacksonville team arrived last
night at midnight and Immediately
went to the Pulaski House, where all
of the men were given the best ac-
commodations available. All will be
allowed to sleep late this morning, and
after a little light exercise will wait
for the hour when the shrill whistle
will start the fray.
Hogan Yancy, Worth Yancy, Kirby
Smith, Jones, Kennedy, Dodge, Ferris
and all the well-remembered athletes
here, were looking a little sleepy, but
in excellent condition. I'VE are ready
for long bruising game" said Yancy.
I cannot say that we will win, but
say we expect to win, and l also say
if we lose, Savannah lovers of football
Will see one of the best games of foot
ball ever played in the South"
About fifty Jacksonville supporters
came up with the team, and large
crowds are expected to arrive on the
morning trains. Manager Dozier said
that 200 had signed the list to come to
Savannah, and there will not be
scarcity of the orange and black in the
stands when the game is called.
Play Rain or Shine.
Manager McIntire stated last night,
in view of the threatening weather,
that the game would be played rain
or shine. Nothing short of a flood
will prevent the game being pulled off,
and all those who care to brave wealth
er conditions in the event they are
Objectionable. can be sure of a hard
fought battle.
In speaking Of the condition of the
Jays last night, Capt. Yancy said
while there had been some added
strength to the team, the chief i'm
provement was in the team work of
the men. 1--WE have worked hard for
this game" said Yancy, land believe
that in the plays which we will use
we will show good team work and con-
dition. / know that Savannah is much
stronger than when last we met, but
as matter of course we have made
-.Ts -
claim weaknesses. which do not exist
in order to make excuses for a possible
defeat. believe Jacksonville will win,
and unless Savannah shows surpris-
ing strength we will win"
Two Touchdown, Says Cope.
All of the members of the Savannah
team went to bed early last night,
after a vigorous bath and rub down.
Capt. Cope is confidence personified.
For those who want to know just
what we think of our team" he said
last night, Il would like to state that
/ feel certain we will win by at least
two touchdowns, and possibly several
more"
Betting last night was at even mon
ey, with little Jacksonville coin in
sight. Considerably more money has
been wagered on this game than on the
last despite the fact that Savannah
was oHer1ng ODDS freely at to 3.
The splendid showing which the Jays
made at that game seems to have in
splred some of their supporters with
confidence, for they have produced con-
siderably more this time.
Referee Butler will arrive this morn
ing from Augusta, and 1t is presumed
that Umpire Williams will also arrive
sometime in the early morning. Both
of these gentlemen are too well known
In Southern football circles to need
any declaration as to their efficiency
and absolute integrity. Mr.. Butler
was formerly captain of the University
of Georgia eleven and later captain Of
the North Carolina team. Mr.. Will
iiams is professor I'm the law depart
ment at the University Of Virginia,
and neither will allow any but the
cleanest of playing.
Jacksonville the Heavier.
In weight the Jays have the adj
vantage by about eight 10 ten pound
TO the man. The greatest difference
In weight is I'm the backfeld. which
averages about It's 10 the man. in