Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-11-09
HUMBOLDT AND
WEBSTER CITY TIE
Rival High School Football Teams
Play z to z Game at River
side Park in This City.
VISITING TEAM 0UTCLAssED
Locals Gain 231 Yards in Scrimmage
to Humboldt's 125-Excel in
Other Ways.

Luck and ragged playing at criti-
cal moments, cost Webster City a
victory Friday afternoon at Riv-
erside park, when the eleven from
Humboldt held the locals to a to
tie. The score in reality should have
been to 7 for the locals, inasmuch
as the visitors goal-kick rested up
on an erroneous Interpretation of
the official rules governing the man
ner of receiving the kickout.
Statistics of the game show that
Webster City gained 231 yards in
scrimmage as compared with their
opponents 1876: made first downs
ten times to Humboldt's five; were
thrown for losses 23 yards to their
opponents 65; gained 80 yards in
forward passes to Humboldt's O; and
were penalized Is yards to Hum
boldt's 80.
In spite of these evidences Of Web
ster City's superiority, the score is
probably indicative of the merits of
the game. For one thing, it serves
to emphasize the desperate, and at
times brilliant, character of the
Humboldt offensive, which never re-
Taxed, and which was sufficient to
carry the ball over the locals goal
early in the first quarter for touch
down. 1t also throws into the lime
light the ragged work of the Web
ster City full-back, right half and
tackle, and guards.
The remainder of the local team
put up plucky exhibition of foot
ball, and at times were able to make
consistent advances. Gilmore at left
half, although making some costly
!fumbles, was the best ground-gain-
err for Webster City, and with the
aid of any kind Of support in block
ing the opposing defense, would
have put the game on ice for the To-
Gals early in the combat. AS 1t was,
his interference was as useful to him
as the traditional last years birds
nest. At center, Britson played his
usual excellent scrappy game, and
Simpson, back in the lineup after a
weeks absence, was also among the
dependable "stand-bys'' for the Pur-
pie and Gold. In addition Boysen at
right end and Lane at quarter, dis
played some real football caliber,
France at left end was not up to his
usual standard. However, he de-
serves much of the credit for Web
ster's only touchdown, and but for
an unfortunate tumble of long pass
during the last quarter, he would
doubtless have decided the contest
with second tally.
Humboldt's fast backfield put up
one of the classiest exhibitions seen
here this year, Fitch, Jaqua, and
Loverin all starring. Anderson at
right end was also able to brush
aside Webster City's interference
again and again.
The game. in detail:
Webster City won the toss, and
chose to defend the south goal. Two
plays made first downs for Webster
City, but losses by France and
Greenwood gave the ball to Hum
boldt on downs. The visitors won
their ten yards in two smashes, but
an attempted drop kick from Web
ster City's 40-yard line was blocked
and the locals recovered the ball.
The local offense failed miserably
here, and after again losing the ball
on downs, 20-yard smash through
Webster City's right tackle netted
the visitors a touchdown.
The kick-out was the occasion of
protest., SluCc lue hlCh was WIN ohu
the receiver was forced to take over
six steps in order to obtain possess
sion of the ball, whereas the official
rules grant only two steps for this
purpose. Protest was not allowed and
goal was kicked, making the score
z to 0 for Humboldt.
ironing fumbled the kickoff and
returned 20 yards. Successive gains
of II yards by Clark and 10 by Gil
more twice made first down for Web
ster City. Quarter ended.
The second quarter saw an end
put to this advance, when the ball
was again lost on down. Humboldt
was again forced to kick when Boy
sen dumped the runner for 5-yard
loss. A brilliant 55-yard pass from