The Washington herald., 1916-12-03
By RAYMOND NEUDECkER,

BY IA MOND NECDEChEh,
HaK Back Of Vanderbilt University Football Team
Of lsn.)
As the walrus said to the carpenter II
Is time to name the mystic eleven.
In ordinary times, when the public mind
Is not worried by the H. c. Of L. this
would be hard enough task. But when
football impossibilities appear to add to
the vexations of living the enigma Is nc
longer capable of solution.
Turkey day surprises are stin fresh in
the mind of all gridiron experts who had
figured out a championship for Brown N
the East, for Tennessee in the South,
and for Nebraska in the Northwest.
With indecision in the air and Tennes-
see and Georgia Tech strenuously claim
ing titular honors with the odds favoring
the Crackers a general shifting Of sands
IL necessary to find the material for the
eleven that runs up the highest score oi
all in the Hot Stove League.
In an An-Southern back field many as
pirants had to be checked on the list cf
eligibles who can really play the game
made famous by Walter Camp. But the
one Of the first team presented above viii
stand criticism-and any amount OF 1t
from the best-informed.
OF Gilroy little need be said in Wash
ington or elsewhere for the feet ground
gamer OF the big Catholic University Is
beyond question material for an All
American team. Gilroy has demonstrated
this fact against opponents OF varied cali
ber. On wet fields and with dry footings
the Haverhill School boy has never beer
found wanting when a gain was desired
by his captain. Even last Saturday
against the Hatchetittes when the feld
resembled a muddy shambles Gilroy per
formed two OF the most remarkable feats
of his career-running ninety-seven anC
ninety-one yards through the whole op'
posing team, unaided by his team mates
Strupper has been said by critics who
/ viewed his work against Georgia, anc
against Auburn last Thursday. to be th'
| greatest half back the South ever pro
duced." Whether the boy from Crack
erdom deserves such a plum is matter
that might produce much argument
Built along the delicate lines Of Balu
more and Ohio box car. Strupper proved
a tower of strength during the season
tust past both on defensive work and al
a ground gamer.
In Curry, of Vanderbilt, no faster back
field man was ever seen on any South
ern gridiron. Overtaken early in thu
season. however, by injuries which i'm
paired his worth to the Commodores. the
fleet quarter back from Texas finished
his gridiron career Thanksgiving by
Watching his team played to a standstil
by an eleven confessedly weaker in every
respect than the clan that early this
season promised to bring championship
laurels again to Coach Dan McGugin
the Michigan veteran.
Young. of Washington and Lee. whilt
not given a chance to exhibit his wares
in this section, has proved by reputation
that his strength in the Generals bach
, field was responsible for the highly sue
cessful season of the Virginia eleven.
Getting back to local talent, in the Sc
lection of Cusaek, of Georgetown, for all
Southern end. makes one remember how
well this sterling nnesman showed upStr
all games played by the Blue and Gray
Cusack was exceptionally good in getting
down under kick-offs and punts, a feat
ure that was chiefly responsible for the
successful defensive playing OF the Hill
toppers.
In Cody, Of Vanderbilt. is seen one Of
the passing lights of the McGugin ma
chine. His work against Auburn will be
particularly remembered by all who saw
that contest. The big right tackle OF
the Commodores lead his mates to g
victory that for a time seemed far away
and not to be realized. Last year Cody
was named as second on an All-Ameri-
can team by Walter Camp. and the big
tickle's work this season has been such
as to elevate him from that pedestal.