The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-11
BIG GRID. SEASON
VeiOck Picks Football Stars of
the Nation.
All Sections Represented on
AH-American Eleven.
BY JACK YEIOCK.

New York, Dec. 11-War-time foot
ball was successful this year in spite
of discourag ing predictions made for
it in advance of the season.
The grand old grid game lost some
of its glamour in the east thru the in
activity of the big three-Harvard'
Yale and Princeton-but elsewhere
the sport thrived. and as in other
years, it developed its stars.
A great many football critics have
refrained from attempting the selec-
ton of All-American elevens, but we
can see no good reason why outstand-
ing players should not receive mention
as they have in the past, and for TINS
reason have made selections based on
the performances of those players
whose work all season stamped them
as the topnotchers of 1917.
Many followers of football contend
there is no sure method of selecting
| the best players for an All-Amerlcan
eleven, even in times of peace, ana IN
a manner this is true. Yet the fame
| of a football star is far-reaching, and
| the players who have broken into print
consistently week after week deserve
to share the laurels dispersed each
fall.
Fame Far-Reaching.
Such players have peen selected by
the writer for 1917 honors, and
glance at the first and second elevens
as set forth on this page will show
| that football fame, as we have OBJ
served it this year, is indeed far
reaching.
The great Pittsburg university
eleven, considered by many critics as
! the strongest, smoothest working foot
| ball machine of the season, is awarded
three positions on our first elevens.
| Players representing Pennsylvania,
Dartmouth, Notre Dame, Syracuse,
Minr esota, williams, Ohio State and
the Army fill up the remaining posi-
| lions.
The ends have been awarded to
Miller, of Pennsylvania, and Carlson,
| of Pittsburgh. The work of these
| two wing men received consistent
| praise throughout the season and
they broke into print time after time.
Both are speedy, aggressive players,
who have mastered all the tricks of
playing their positions At smashing
| interference, getting down under
| puntS, tackling runners and handling
1 the forward pass both are past mas
tiers. On the second eleven the wing
| positions have been awarded to Bolen,
| of Ohio State, and Robson, of Rut-
gers, who. like Miller and Carlson,
have made great regulations for
| themselves as wing men.
| Cobb, of Syracuse, and Hauser, of
| Minnesota, are given the tackle jobs.
Both players are powerfully built.
| Both are thoroughly experienced and
|
| perhaps the greater of the two, yet
there seems little to choose between
them. At opening holes for their
backs. smashing the enemy attacks
through the line and carrying the
ball when called upon to do So these
two powerful tackles are the last
word in efficiency. The second eleven
tackle positions are given to Hubka,
of Nebraska, and Williams, of Ore
gon, who were mountains of strength
| I,~s-
and whose work was continually
praised.
Guards Great Players.
Sutherland, of Pittsburgh, and Nee
| ley, of Dartmouth, have received so
much favorable comment for their
playing at guard that they are the
first players for these positions to
come to mind as we glance back over
the season Like Cobb and Hauser,
they are powerful linemen and I'M
usually fast for big men.
Few gains were made thru either of
them by opposing backs during the
season, and both showed remarkable
ability in piling up the offense of the
opposition and breaking thru the line
to block kicks and break up plays
Two western players who built up like
regulations are awarded the guard
jobs on the second eleven. They are
Lane, of California, and Culver, the
The center position on the first
eleven is given to Rydzewski, of No
tire Dame. Coach Harper uncovered
= a diamond in the rough several years
ago when he found RydzewSki and
. his playing for the past two years has
placed him in class with the great
Peck. of Pittsburg's 1916 eleven, and
McEwan, of last years Army team.
Rydzewski is shark in his place in
the line. On offense he can more than
hold his own against the most power
passing the ball was marvelled at in
Notre Danes victorious attack against
the Army this year. On defense the
big center is equally efficient Bailey
of West Virginia, is another perform
er of Rydzewski's type, and is award
ed the center position on the second
eleven. Wray, of Pennsylvania, de-
/ serves honorable mention.
One of the most dashing, spectacu-
lar and ali-around players of the sea-
son was BOynton, quarterback of the
undefeated Williams eleven. Boyn-
/ toms work thruout the season was Sc
] consistently brilliant that he was men,
toned many times as All-American
timber before the season was halt
over, and he is awarded the quarter
4 back position because he has uuali-
fled for it in every department of the
game. A great field general, ar
adept in passing tie ball. a great open
field runner and a kicker OF ability
as well, Boynton sta~ds at the head
of list. Hill. of the wonderful Geor-
gia Tech eleven, is a close match fol
Boynton and is awarded the pivota
berth on the second eleven.
OIiphant BackfieIi Star
Il