The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-30
No Other Explanation of
His Poor Headwork on
Saturday.
NAVY PROSPECTS
ARE NOT BRIGHT
Heavy Loss of Veterans by Gradu-
alton Leaves Small Nucleus
for 1909.

ANNAPOLIS. Nov. s0.-.The Navy
people are still somewhat dazed over
the defeat Of the Naval Academy foot
b~ll team by the eleven Of the Military
Cadets and are hardly "a shape TO dis
cuss It calmly or account for the en-
tirely unexpected defeat.
In a sense only was the Navy team
a victim OF overcOnhdence. II did ex-
pect TO win, OF course, but not for
one moment was II thought that the
Nav would meet weak opponents from
West Poial. The midshipmen were
filled with TIE idea that they had a bet
ter team and could win II they played
up TO their best standard. They lost,
not because the Navy players did not
play well, hut because the Army men
played wonderfully well and also out
Unanswered their opponents.
Ea1ll credit IS given to the Army play
ers. an those vino have handled them.
for the way which they have overcome
the faults OF previous years. which con
tributed SO much to their defeat. Al
ready, the Navy is thinking about next
year and planning to turn the tables.
However, present prospects are far from
bright, and the material VIII probably
! be the poorest that the Navy mas mad
Tor three seasons The only hope il
I that tie Navy Will be able TO 90 next
year what the Army did this year take
q lot OF green men and with 2 few We
terans. turn out a winning team.
Does This Excuse LANCE?
No one attaches any blame TO any
member OF the Navy eleven for the de-
feat Of Saturday. except on account OF
the numerous and palpabIe errors of
judgmen- The opprobrium OF this is
laid by 5 me at Lange's door, bat it
| must be remembered that both LANCE
and Northcroft were probably bound by
Instructions which mapped out the line
OF play for them This must certainly
have been the case in the worst blunder
I OF ALL the failure 20 use Richardson.
VINO mas gained against every team that
the mldshlpmen have met tdis season.
This was remarked af.er the first half.
but he Was used even less in the sec
end halts and plays which actually lost
ground were attempted time after time
l. Is hardly possible but what this was
<.yon tne orders OF the higher auLhori-
tless or they were as much 10 blame
/ for not directing him after the first half
that Richardson should be used more.
Prospects for 1909.
The Navy viii have a nucleus for
team next year in Reifsntder, Clay, DaI-
ulars. There are q number Of coed
men on the squad who have played in
parts OF some OF the games during a
period Of two or three years Mason,
who received a badly sprained ankle
early in the season. is likely 10 develop
into an excellent quarterback, and Hob
bard has also done good work in that
position Brand, at center, and Reinicke
at guard, have had much experience
against the regular team and in parts
Of games Anderson, Grafton, and AIer-
ring are other good men for the line
positions from tackle ia.
For end there are Cobb, Blschoff, and
King, az promising players. Back Of
the line there are. besides those men
TONED, elmer and SowcIl, new men who
have done some good work this season.
Both aIe strong, stocky fellows with
los OF spirit. These with what the
new class may bring, form a tolerabIe
nucleus for the team OF 1893, though II
viii be hard 70 iii the places of the six
men who wiz graduate
The captain Of next years eleven Will.
Of course be taken from the first class
Those eligible are Reifsnicer, right end.
Meyer, left guard, and Richardson. full
back.