Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-03

Saturday on Franklin field defeated the
cadets from West Point in their annual
football game. 10 to 0. with goal from
placement and a touchdown and goal.
1t was the fifth victory for the Mid
dies in the history of football contests
between the two fighting branches or
the United States government, and the
SECOND time that the boys from the
hanks of the Hudson had failed TO
cross the goal line of the lads whose
temporary homes are on the banks OF
the Severn river.
Probably not in the history of the two
institutions has there been more spec
tacular game than that which Satur-
day electrified the 5000 spectators. and
surely none was more uncertain as to
the final outcome until the linesman's
whistle put an end to hOstilities.
The climax was remarkable. For full
" half an hour after the close of the
contest the spectators sat almost mo-
tionIess as the Annapolis lads, delirious
with joy, marched around Franklin
field. waving flags, casting hats. canes
miniature megaphones and nearly ev-
erythlng they could lay their hands on
into the air.
ming to end Yet there was no unneceS-
sary roughness. The navy boys. handi-
capped by stiff wind in the opening
half, played fiercely. Nearly the entire
first half they were forced to the ut
most to prevent the West Point eleven
from crossing the coveted Goal line.
Time and again they were driven to
within few feet OF their goal. but
there the line would hold and Douglass
would boot the ball out Of Immediate
danger.
For the first 30 minutes the Navy
was on the defensive. But when the
second half opened there was an entire
ly different proposition.
The West Point eleven was pushed
back foot by foot, yard by yard, until
the Navy had the ball within striking
distance o: the Army's goal
beavers. for West Point sent 4 high
SPIRAL from his Toward mark to Spen-
Ger on the Nays 40-yard line. Spencer
quickly grasping the situation, heeled
the catch, emitting the Navy to Il free
kick.
The ball was within 10 yards of the
line on the south side of the field. and
at remarkably difficult angle.
Eorthoroet, who was called upon 10
make the attempt for score. gave the
pail terrible boost, and the ball went
as straight az an arrow between the
posts.
Scarcely had the resultant jubilation
of the Annapolis rootcrs ceased when
there was cause for another explosion
Of enthusiastic joy.
The Navy had. on exchanges rf
punts. worked the ball We'll into the
Army's territory. With the third down
and four yards to gain. Norton drop
ped back as though to try for goal
from the field.
He had done this once or twice dur
in the half. and the West Point eleven
was not anticipating the play that was
to develop.
Ingram, fullback. had been drawn
close to the line, OStensibly to protect
the kicker But the instant that Sling
huff snapped the ball. Ingram was off
like shot. He grasped NOrtOn's beau
tiful forward pass and dashed for the
Army's goal.
One West Point man got within
striking distance and he was warded
off and touchdown was the result.
The dclirium of the Annapolis boys
begun all over again and never ceased
until the game was over, and with
parching Threats and lost voices they
danced their way to the special trains
for Annapolis.
The West Point Cadets Joined in the
spirit of rivalry good naturedly.
The two elevens were evenly match
ed, but the Army failed to take ad
vantage of the wind to such an appre-
.l,l1 Ia in, tIx, inor hal
did the Navy in the closing period.
Norton ran the Annapolis eleven bril-
liantly and the handling of kicks by
himself and Spencer was almost per-
feet On the other hand both Johnson
and Mountford. who came on late in
the game as the formers substitute,
were weak.
Time and again johnson fumbled
Douglass high twisters and Mountford
was a good unstudy in this respect.
II any one man deserves. more than an
other. a niche in the football hall at An
napols. 1t Is Dague. the right end of the
Navy team. He followed the ball beau
tifully. was On Johnson every time ne
caught a punt, and broke up interference
in remarkable style.
Spencer Douglass and PicrsoI also
played primarily Tor inc navy, Wnlie
Hin, Beavers. Stearns and Weeks did
good work for the Army.
The drizzle. which began a few min
utes after l o'clock. continued until u
few minutes after the game had started.
It was not enough. however, to mar tie
brilliancy OF the great social football
function. which Is looked upon by society
as the event par excellence of the season.
Every seat In the great ampnitheatre
MAS filled and there were hundreds stand
ing around the railing. which circles the
gradiron.
Everybody was decorated with the old
gold and blue of the navy or the black.
COLO and gray Of the army, and the
STANDS were myriad of brilliant colors.
Tho social side of the match was ,s
brMiiant as the game itself, although tn.
absence Of the President of the Tinted
States. the secretary Of war and tho COO
rotary OF the navy was regretted.
IT was the first time since the Arr,,,
ano Navy game has been PLAYED or
Franklin field that all three were r,assna
from the annual contest of the cadets
Oespite their absence. it seemed a e,