Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-08
HARRIS FIELD GOAL
MARGIN OF VICTORY
Crowd of More Than 5000
Sees Machinists Beaten in
GrueIing Game, 80.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

What probably was the largest
crowd that ever turned out in Wash
irgton for foot ball contest. other
than the college brand. damned Union
Park yesterday afternoon and saw the
Rex Athletic Club wrest the inde-
pendent championship of the District
from the Navy Yard eleven in
grueling battle by the score of to 0.
terback and field director of the
northeast squad. was the margin by
which the reign of the machinists.
undisputed for two years. was ended.
The Business High School star of sew
eral seasons back dropkicked the ball
squarely between the uprights from
the fifteen-yard line early in the first
whistle was sounded, with two pow
erful arc lights to dispel the fast
settling dusk, the teams staged a
battle that left little to be desired in
the way of thrills by the more than
5000 persons who paid for admit
streets.
Harris Demon on Defense.
In addition to producing the points
that meant victory for Rex. Harris
displayed good judgment in directing
the team. With Licarione he was the
most consistent ground gamer. sup
plementing the latter'S line plungeS
with end runs and off-tackle dashes.
and proved demon on defense, espe-
tack uncovered by Navy Yard in
desperate effort to turn the tide in
the final period. The splendid kick
ing Of Litkus was in large meas
ure responsible for the fact that Rev
outplayed their opponents in the first
half. but to the fact that he failed
to keep up his good work in punting
may be attributed the fact that Navy
Yard outplayed the victors in the last
two periods.
Three of the nine first downs re-
corded for Rex in the course of the
sixty minutes of actual playing were
the result of penalties incurred by
total of seven first downs was pro-
duced by forward pass. Mcmahon
to Carney. the others being accom-
plished by line bucks in which the
diminutive Harry Mcmahon was the
most consistent ground gamer.
In addition to the opportunity af-
forded Harris for booting the ball
over the cross bar from a rather dan
gerously close mark, and dropkick
Hager futilely attempted from the 80
yard line. Rex on another occasion in
the opening period worked the pig
skin to Navy Yards 5-yard mark. but
this constituted their only threat for
casions were they able to get the ball
inside their opponents 25yard line.
Gunmakers Close strong.
The Gunmakers. closing with a rush.
twice got within Rex's 10-yard line in
the last half. only to lose the ball on
downs. and at another time when in r.
similar position to score were robbed
of the opportunity by tumble.
Hager's work in breaking through to
smear Navy Yard drives during the
portion of the game he was in action
and the great game Vernstein put up
at center throughout the contest
were features of Rex's strong defense.
In addition to Mcmahon, Mcbride
and Snow shouldered most of the bur-
den of advancing the ball for Navy
Yard. although the latter's perform
ance was somewhat marred by a
decided tendency to tumble. Towers
player whale of a game in the line
He had to. to offset Vernstein's work,
and near the close the Navy Yard
center was exhausted nearly to the
point of dropping.
The size of the crowd and the en-
thusiasm it displayed is convincing
proof that semi-pro foot ball has
taken a strong hold on Washington
fans, and that clean sport will be
well supported. Next season should
see even larger turn-outs for Sunday
games. which provide the only oppor-
tunity that bulk of the work a day
fans have for witnessing sporting
contests.