Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-18
Wee eSterner ShO,US
Fight for Job in Quaker
Backfeld: Played With
CleueIand Many Eleven
EXPECT DERR TODAY
BY EDWIN J. POLLOCK

pEX WRAY, wee chap from the
AS West, is making strong bid for
n job in the backfeld of the Pennsyl
vania eleven. Short on poundage and
build, this little fellow has the cour-
age to fight for a post on n team that
boasts Of more veterans than there are
positions.
Wray doesn't weigh more than 40
pounds, If he carries that much. lie
doesn't look strong, and there are many
who doubt if he can stand the gaff of
big college football. He's just bundle
of nerves that twist and squirm and
streak.
The western entry gave an exhibition
of his skill in a short scrimmage on
the green lawn of Franklin Field yes
terday afternoon, and there wasn't one
of those 200 odd onlookers who WASH {
impressed with the style of his play.
Runs Varsity
Bob Folwell gave him chance to
run the varsity, and he ran it in a
fashion that brought no complaint from
the Mullica Hill farmer. OF course,
that proves nothing, for running an
eleven at this stage of the game, when
the signals are simple, is SOFT But
Wray carried the ball well, and he
showed that he had football instinct.
Wray is not springing up as an un-
know. The name is famous in Pennsyl-
vania athletics, but he is not related to
I.ud or Alex Wray, and in courage only
does he resemble them, Rex played with
the Cleveland naval reserves that gave
Pittsburgh its only defeat in four sea
sons. That's enough to give him
chance and he'll get it under Folwell.
There's no chance of Wray beating
Csptain Bert Bell out Of job, for Bert
is an excellent football general and
knows the Pennsylvania and Folwell
systems thoroughly. But there is a
likelihood that Wray will slip into the
regular backfield as a halfback, pro-
yided he shows defensive ability.
Several Able Backs
Folwell now has able backs in Bell
Bruner, Hobey, Light, Ray Miller
Danny McNichol, Sam Ellis, Joe
Straus and Larry Barrick. Then he
expects Ben Derr, and if Benjamin re
ports-he is supposed to arrive today
he will likely round out the varsity back
field quartet with Light, Bell ant
Bruner as mates. In such a case Fol
we'll would have q second backtield o
almost equal caliber. This would b
selected from Rex Wray, McNichol
Raw Miller. Straus, Herman Harvey
Ellis and Barrick.
The scrimmage yesterday proved tha
the Red and Blue squad is far ad
vanced in its training, perhaps too ia
advanced. The coaches have hurle
the men into hard scrimmages that hav
lasted over thirty minutes.
Perhaps it is Il good system to hardc
the men, but still there is n Ion
stretch ahead before the tough game
come and there will be plenty of op
portunities to harden the players.
Many Injuries
The results of the early battles hav
! been that a number of the athletes hay
been put out of competition for a fe'
days and one has been eliminated fc
! ! the season. Hopper and Alex Wra
a have been forced to stay out of tn
/ practices and Sherro Akshoski, the ia
a end, is suffering from fractured ar
e and will not be able to play unit
I 1920. Many of the other players al
nursing sore muscles and bruises.
4, A number of the line men are weaI
!, ing black eyes and other decorations I
: : battle, but those husky guys never dro
| out until they're carried away. II
forward defense lined up with h
Wray at center, Thomas and Deitt
at guards, Titzel and Little at taekl,
+ and the Miller brothers. Ray an
I Heine. at the ends. Rex Wray plays
4 anartefback. Sen ard Bfuuer haIy,
: s,'5 nfcbJicho1 f.,lIback.