Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-11-26
OUR HIGH SCHOOL
Closes a Successful Year in Foot
ball
MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON
Boys Won Nearly All Their Games
Playing Fast, Clean Football

After closing the most successful
football season Alma high school has
had in the past decades, little praise
and comment by the coach would be in
order.
1t was the aim of the team the first
of September to play football as
game respected by manhood and that
which people can enjoy. The game
does not train men to become rough and
cruel but trains them to refrain from
these feelings and play hard and clean.
There is not man on the team who
does not deserve due credit for our
string Of victories. Some men played
stronger in some games than others.
Unity was the one thing that was
sought for and particularly in the Ar
thur Hill, Lansing, Ithaca and Fenton
games it was the predominant feat
ure.
In but one game did the team do
what they were capable of doing
through the entire game. This was
in the Fenton game. The machine dur
ing the whole game seemed invincible.
Fenton made their downs but four
times. The Alma public saw for them
selves in the other games above men
toned.
Three things at least are necessary
for a steady team: First, good quar-
terback, who will direct unified ac-
ton. He must study the defense and
be able to see the play that is going
to be a gamer on the offense. Speed
counts with him as does also clear
head. All of these qualities did Smith
possess and many others, particularly
that of forward passing. He was
strong on defense in tackling and in
tercepting passes.
The second essential is fast back
field. Captain Handley won many
praises from his team by his ability
to gain ground. Handley made prob
ably twice as many yards as any 9TH
er player. He was fleet of foot and
fine at forward passing. At least four
touchdowns on hard teams were made
possible by his passes. Our last
touchdown on Arthur Hill was the di-
rect result OF this.
Mahr at fullback was a hard line
plunger, quick to see holes and good
open field runner. No one can realize
his strength until they try to stop
him. Through the whole season there
has not been a fullback more aggres-
sive on offense. On defense he was
quick to find the play and was a deadly
tackler. He tackled hard and low.
Banghart, the left half of the back
field, was equal to his task. He was
a good plunger and good ground gain
er. His interfering ability along with
Mahr's was what made it possible for
Handley to circle the ends. Banghart
played one game at left end which
proved he was as valuable on the line
as behind it, He was stronger on de-
fense than offense. At open center
he caused much worry on the part of
many quarters, getting him before he
disposed of the ball.
II. Handley was the utility man for
the backfeld and in two games Ar
thur Hill and Owosso showed his abil-
/ ity at quarter. This was his first year,
but his perseverance with the squad
made him a valuable man for Alma
High.
The third essential is the line.
Blaisdell at left end was strong line
man; he was good at blocking and re-
ceiving forward passes. On defense
he was very strong, being a sure tack
ler He played one game at left half
and proved to be a good line plunger
and exceptionally strong at breaking
defense. The "a" man could not have
chosen better captain for 1915.
Muscott was his mate at left tackle.
This side of the line was much strong
err. Mahr and Blaisdell went through
his tackle for long gains in the Fen
ton game. He could receive forward
passes equally as well as any one al
though his chances were few. Tink-
ham at left guard was strong on de-
fense and proved good at offense. This
part of the line is given but little cred
it for the work they do, when really
the offense as well as defense Of the
team depend on the linesmen.
Campbell, who has just completed
his first year at football, was a good
man at the pivot. He became an ac-
curate passer and due credit should
be given him. On defense his best was
at intercepting passes.
Wood & Wonders were the possess
ors of the right guard job. Wonders
played in most Of the games, being a
better defense man. Wood when GO
ing right, was better Extensively. Az
Fenton he won his place as the quail
fed man for the position.
Dutt at right tackle, put all his
strength at offense. He displayed
great ability here. His place on de.