New-York tribune., 1906-11-19
NAVY ROUNDS INTO FORM.
Confidence IN ability of Team to
Defeat Army Steadily Increases.

Annapolis Nov 18-The overwhelming defeat
administered by the Naval Academy team TO the
University of North Cardinals heavy eleven has
greatly encouraged the team. coaches and the
whole brigade Of midshipmen
The eleven has been about selected for the army
game. and from this time on they will practise to-
gether so that when the whistle blows for the start
of the game in Philadelphia on December l, the
midshipmen's team will have had the advantage of
at least two weeks training without change in
the personnel This should give the men chance
to get team work down to fine point, for by that
time they will have become thoroughly acquainted
with each other and know each mans Individual
style OF play.
From a state OF deepest gloom. the last three
weeks have seen the hopes of the team and Navy
well wishers rise steadily, until now they are
counting defeating Captain Hill and his Army
team
The advent Of Douglass the great halfback, was
the thing that turned the tide. With Douglass in
his old position the team seemed to take wonder
ful brace and evidenced it by beating Swarthmore
the following Saturday by a close score.
North Carolina the next victim. The score
of 10 to in this game. Navy sympathizers point
out. shows that the team has developed an ex-
traordnary offence and has a variety Of scoring
plays.
Paul Dashell, head coach, is worrying over
the lack a goal kicker of ability. Homer Norton.
whose prowess in this respect alone earned him
tie quarterback position the three years
ago seems TO have lost all his cunning in this lne
although he has improved steadily player.
Douglass and Spencer both are fairly good punt
ers. but goal kickers dismal failures. How
ever, the Army has no goal kicker of exceptional
atthty so in this respect the teams are fairly
equal.
The betting on the Army-Navy game here has
been very slight, but has steadily changed from
TO on the Army To TO at which 1t Is at pres-
ent.
The Navy this year has exceptionally heavy
and fast baclIted. Captain Spencer. Douglass and
Ingram make trio OF big, husky, plungng backs;
Both Douglass and Spencer close to ten-secoad
men, and would be difficult to Overtake should
either happen to get away with a clear field in
front of him. Norton weighs about los pounds,
is a speedy man. and makes good field general
From tackle TO tackle the midshipmen have the
heaviest line PERHAPS IN the history G Of Nay
class man has played steadily good game
throughout the season He has been the bulwark
ball back with unerring accuracy, and his great
weight and speed make him a good man at break
ing through and upsetting his opponents play be-
fore il is well under way.
The teams record this year has been one OF
off with playing a tie game with Dickinson. they
gave the Tigers hard struggle were defeated by
the powerful SWarthmore aggregation, and finally
w9mPed the of North caToa re ina
team to he faced before the most important game
Of the schedule-the Army game on Franklin
The officers attached to the academy have become
success of the team They have confidence in
Dashiells ability as coach and believe that he
on Se5 Of am oba p1 f0F
Richardson has developed into an end of unusual
be called back constantly to carry the ball. and
! this he has done with good success He and
forward passes, and this play it is executed by
the Navy, is constant danger to their opponents
Magruder has been finally displaced at tackle by
Simpson. a green man, but the red headed second
class man has not yet given up the fight There is
the last two weeks OF play may be such that he
will yet win out