The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-11-14
INDEPENDENTS
ARE Defeated
BY STERN MAN
OufPlay Victors Three Quarters
But Succumb to Break of
the Battle.
BY ]. l.. HUGHES,
fStan Correspondent.l

Sternaman's educated toe and an
inexhaustible supply Of luck. to
thank for their victory here this
afternoon over the Rock Island In
dependents. The score was to o.,
the solitary marker coming a min
ute before the end Of the first half,
when, standing on Rock Island S
2S-yard line, the former Illinois
star booted a perfect goal from
placement. A previous attempt had
missed by a foot, but the second OPP
poTtunity was afforded by recovery
of Buck" Gavin's tumble on the
first play on Rock Islands 20-yard
line.
Snow began falling before the
first kickoff and during the second
half the flakes reached such size as
to convey the impression of heavy
storm. Added to this complication,
was u mud-soaked field provided by
the snow which fell during the
night and at intermittent intervals
of the morning. Less than one
quarter of the playing course was
free of the white blanket.
The weather and the condition
of the field handicapped both teams
but Rock Island seemed at the
greatest disadvantage. The latter
had counted heavily on its aerial
attack. Successful work in this
phase of the game was precluded
by a wet. slippery ball, which could
not be thrown with any degree OF
accuracy. The Islanders completed
only two passes out of numerous
attempts, and both occurred in the
first quarter when the ball was i'll
fairly good shape.
There was only one quarter in
which Rock Island did not threat
en- to drive over for a touchdown
and victory. That was the sec
ond, in which the Staleys took ad-
vantage of the break occasioned by
the tumble and scored the three
points that ultimately gave them
the decision. In the first, third and
last quarters Rock Island was con-
stantly in the aggressive and twice
were within striking distance of
the Staley goal. The failure Of the
determined attack to materialiZe
into q touchdown, is attributed to
\ the Staley jinX. The Decatur team
n undoubtedly holds the Indian sign
y over the Islander crew. for in the
two games in which the teams
have met this season the majority
of the breaks have gone to it.
There is small satisfaction in say
ing Rock Island outplayed the ag
gregation of all-Americans assem-
bled by George Halas, but that
much is true nevertheless. De
Tn
pendentS outShone the Wanted
Starchmakers. whose nearest ap-
proaCh TO the Rock Island goal was
20 yards. That was enough, how
ever, to give SternamGn an oppor-
tunity to make good with the mar
gin that spelled victory for his
team.
Unlike any former battle between
these teams, the physical condition
OF Rock Island stood head and
shoulders above that of Staleys. :
Only once did the Islanders call |
time for an injury This was done |
by johnson in the second half when /
his shoulder was damaged. On the |
other hand, Ken Huffine, giant full I
back of the Staleys, and the re-
doubtable Dutch" Sternaman were 4
forced from the conflict by injuries. /
Staleys often took time to recuper-
ate from the battering tactics of |
the Rock Island backfield in the |
second half. Even Traitor, the iron
man of the Staiey team, was not !
immune in this respect. At one ,
stage of the game he was so worn out |
as to make a substitution seem nee |
GCElTV hl1f ha FaTGn1
the suggestion and was allowed to |
finish.
Ianum. Star.
Staleys were without the services |
of Chick" Harley, who was report
ed suffering from a severe cold. .
Lanum, former Illinois back. who (
stepped into the breach, proved the /
greatest menace TO the success of /
Rock Island. His line plunging was !
easily the best offered by the Staley /
backtield and his defensive playing, .
especially his work in breaking up
the passing game, made the going
hard all the way. Unquestionahly
Harley could not have outdone. or
even equaled the playing of this
youngSter.
START WIN snap.
Before the first quarter was five
minutes gone, Staleys were disa-
greeabiy surprised at finding the
Islanders battering at their very
door. Rock Island took the kick
on, and following a sensational re-
turn by Councilman from his own
Vineyard line to a point near mid
field, was obliged to punt Staleys
had 10 return the compliment when
efforts to gain failed, a pass at
this tuncture. Councilman TO Smith.
and consistent line smashing
brought Rock Island TO within six u
Yards OF the Staley goal Staleys !
took possession OF the ball when
Bridgeford failed TO negotiate dis '
lance on the fourth down by one Nv
loot. 1
In the second quarter the StaIeys
worked a couple of passes for sub
stantial gains and ploughed
through Rock Islands line 10 the
so-yard mark. The Islanders de
tense stiffened and StaIeys were
neid Tor negligible advances in
three attempts. Sternaman then l
LOOK time while he changed to a I
square-toed. dry shoe. On fourtb
down he tried for a goal from :
Placement but the effort sailed wide =
Dy FOOT. Rock Island took the /
oaii on its own 20-yard line and !,