New-York tribune., 1918-11-24
By A. c. Cavagnaro


School are priding themselves on the
fact that they are enjoying the sue
cesses Of one Of the best football
elevens that has ever represented the
Flatbush institution. The team is on an
obstructed road to the borough cham
pionship of Brooklyn and should dis
pose of it's few remaining opponents
| with ease in winning this honor.
Only one defeat mars the record of
Erasmus Hall this season, and this was
sustained by one touchdown margin
at the hands Of Stamford High School.
Connecticut, on the latter's grounds. 1t
is said that Dick Ellife. New York
University, ~. the coach, does not
always take exception to rulings by
officials, as he considers these arbiters
capable of handling any situation that
arises. However, on this occasion Ell
lille objected strenuously to an unjust
decision that nabled Stamford to score
its touchdown in the final minutes of
the game.
Great Backfeld
The Erasmus haclSheld is not unit
| that can plough through any strong
defence, but the success of the team
IS attributed to its capable interfer-
ence offered the runner with the ball
and the end running of the backfield,
which is composed of Meistrel, Franck-
en-, Daniels and Mahr. 1t is undoubt-
n1l thn e. l,J~ Il y
, defence on any school football eleven
in this city.
1t has been noticeable in many con-
tests this season that the Erasmus
/ backs could not gain substantially
! through rival line, although the team
has scored many touchdowns on thrusts
OF few yards on straight line plays.
The majority of it's marches toward
an opponents goal line has been ac-
complished through end runs and for
ward passes by the members of the
| backfeld.
Meistrel, the quarterback, is an all
round, clever performer and a general
who can mix up his plays to puzzling
degree. He is wont to take many a
knock before he can be dragged out of
d game. Francken is an especially
clever open field runner and particu-
larly elusive for an opponent to bring
to earth. Mahr uses his head like a
veteran, while Daniels can always be
counted upon to gain ground needed.
Elliffe Clever Coach
Ellfe, the tutor, is really local
product, having first played the sport
on the Morris High School team of
The Bronx. He played halfback posi-
tion and at that time was one of the
stars of the scholastic world. Elliffe
then went TO New York University, in
1908. and during the following three
years played halfback on the college
eleven He captaned the baseball team
in 1911.
This years Erasmus eleven was
moulded around only three boys from
the championship 1917 eleven. They
were "Tots" Meistrcl, Becky" Mahr
and dutch" Haasnoot, who incidentally
is one Of the most proficient punters
Of the schoolboys in this city. How
ever, Elliffe was fortunate enough to
lind good material in Francken, Dan
lels, Wardcll, Hay and Washington,
who IS the first negro boy to ever play
on an Erasmus eleven.
The strength of the Erasmus team
can be CLEANED from its victories in
five of six games played to date. After
its defeat by Stamford, by 6 to 0, it
piled up q tolal or l04 points TO b-tne
latter touchdown being recorded by
Brooklyn Prep last Saturday. 1t was
the first score that Brooklyn Prep had
made against Erasmus during the past
three years.
Erasmus defeated every local school
it met, as follows: Erasmus A, St
Johns Prep. 0; Erasmus 13, Morris o.;
Erasmus Al, Commercial 0; Erasmus
/ ~. Manual C; Erasmus 25, Brooklyn
Prep. 6.
Training Helpful
The wonderful success obtained by
Erasmus athletic teams in the various
branches of sport is attributed to the
: compulsory after school training
! period engaged in by every student
This phase of the case can best be
told by NJ. A. Croche, the faculty
manager, and one of the best basket
ball coaches in the city.
Before any one can really under
stand why Erasmus turns out such
wonderful teams in athletics it is
necessary to visit any physical training
period in the school. One can see that
the boys perform not only the routine
calsthenics we'll, but take strong
interest in running, jumping, shadow
boxing, baseball and football.
"At a glance it can be seen that
these things tend to give the boys the
| qualities that are essential as ra