The Washington times., 1916-11-20
Middles Rely on Hard.Running
BackfieId to Bring Triumph
at Polo Grounds.
0LlPHANT oUTsHINES ALL
Soldiers Refuse Suggestion
From Annapolis to Num-
Der Varsity Players.
BY II. r. RILEY,

iook string OF powerful, hardrunning
backs, the Naval Academy is basing
its strongest hopes of winning from
the Military Academy next Saturday 1
OF maintaining a sustained attack at |
q terrific pace from the beginning |
that some special plays are being |
worked upon daily, and that some
recourse Will be had to the forward |
pass. but the great strength of the
navy team this season, undoubtedly,
lies IN the fact that IT has at its dis |
posai more good backs than at any
time In Its recent history.
Admitting that oliphant is a strong |
eI BACK than any man at Annapolis, |
the Navy people think that the aver.
ago strength of their backfield Is |
greater. and that in the larger num-
per or first class men they have the
assurance that they can keep the pace |
up In spite of possible accidents or |
loss OF form on the part of some |
or the PLAYERS
average ability, but no really great
players inside of the ends Every |
man will be in the game bothering |
MS opponent all that he can, but
tnere is little doubt that the Army
are recognized as In the front rank,
VIII nave the edge. In age, weight,
strength, and experience, the Army
line has the distinct advantage. This
70 overcome. but added to 1t is the
brillfancy OF Oliphant in the back.
field, and considerable additional
strength behind the line.
Has Possibilities.
Competent judges. as we'll as casual
observers, would be inclined to say
that the Navy had a very small chance
OF victory this season, but the DOS.
sfbilitfes OF the Annapolis team must
not be overlooked in view of its ac.
sasin,s opl,shmsnfs me tn, season Its game
IN the middle of October, when the
Pennsylvanians won by 20 to 10, was
mndoubtedly its greatest performance.
Inc midshipmen played a wonderful
that Pittsburgh should be rated high.
sP than the Army.
The Navy has put up a strong con.
test IN every game played this year
three weeks ago. 1t was the NsVy's
on day of the season, and, since, II has
won from the North Carolina Aggies
~ 90 to o, and villa Nova by 81 to I,
90 that its slump appears to be only
temporary. Now everything is being
uone to bring the team to its greatest
stienEth next Saturday, the day of
The game.
Piebes Winning Out.
There Is a peculiar situation at the
Naval Academy. Lieut. Jonas Ingram
assumed the responsibilities OF the
season. His material was verY raw,
but during the season, he developed
some hne PLAYERS, and II was thought
that these men would become very
by failing to remain in the institution,
but most or these are available at
:, oddly enough. however, most of
than. inclndinQ an he koc
held men. have been displaced by
youths from the entering class con
eidered by the coaches even more
they had worked last season. ~
Among the players who were cx-
pected to do brilliant things this year
we're Orr, quarter; Martin. Davis,
Ali OF these are on the squad. but not
one 10 playing as a first choice back.
Roberts: from Colgate. and Butler.
a Phiiadelphia high school lad, have
the line. Wheichel has taken orr's
place at quarter. while Perry is win
the iine,
Finally, the third brotns- 70 enrs,
sent the Navy on tho footbpu Gcl. ts
showing wonderful ability IN rsaHfAF
nsnta Of the game. The first choice
TO- a baekfieid will undoubtedly be
Iudue from tnGRe live, Wnlle MAT
tin. pavin, Westphal, Orr, Won Helm
berg, and others there are splendid
men 20 run In if needed.
BaIks nt Numbers,
Efforfs % the Naval Academy a..
letlc pIthorl.|gE 70 have ...e players
numbered during the service contest
at the Polo Grounds, in New York next
Saturday have been frustrated by the
Army's refusal to agree. Two years
cilned TO adopt the suggestion, bur
those In charge at present at An
napolis are convinced that the specta
tors should be accommodated by th'
matter up with the West Point rep
resentatives. They have received
reply from Lieutenant DAILY, heac
ward player. finally declining to mum
II is thought that the Army is TAX
Ing the stand announced by Harvard
in the matter. Lieut.. e. T.. Smith, ath
1etic director at the Naval Academy
and Lieut.. Jonas Ingram, head coacl
Of the team, both favor the number
ing OF players.
WEST POINT. N. Y. Nov. Goth,
Army eleven now enters the fina
stage of preparation for the battl
New York next Saturday The mel
came through the contest of Saturda,
in good physical condition, but ther,
is some apprehension as to whethe
Butler viii get back for the Nav,
game. The Army's giant tackle is I'm
proving slowly, however, and ever!
effort is being made to get him Ii
ahape TO play. .l
While the cadets have been cominI
through with victories An their las
few games, the form displayed ha
been unsatisfactory TO the coaches
ball. especially on punts, and tn,
ragged and uneven playing OF tn,
linemen are some OF the things tina
will get special attention this weel
before the team leaves for New York