The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-09-29
Every Year a Greater
Year Is the
Motto.


football
Guided by this motto, which has
been the spirit behind the rise OF
the Independents from an obscure
semi-pro organization to the fore
most rank of professional football
IN America within nine seasons, the
team is ready once again to set sail,
this time on the tenth anniversary
cruise.
No loyal fan, there is, but who
honestly believes that this event
full period in the history of the team
is destined to be told as tale OF
triumph; that Rock Island is tn
enjoy a continuation of the achieve
ments OF the past, that cen now
produce a thrill in the old-timer
who is wont to turn back the pages
of memory.
Yet the optimism is tempeEed by
the knowledge that a grid machine,
no matter how really wonderful, is
not invincible. The red-blooded fan
realizes that professional football
has reached the stage where there
, are numerous aggregalons or com
paratiyely equal strength, and he IS
not deluding himself into believing
that the Independents must sweep
everything from the path If the
squad is to write success after 1921.
Experiences of the past have
taught the lovers of Rock Islands
major league class of fall sport that
the team can be beaten and still
hold its head high. This should be
truer this season than heretofore,
perhaps, for varied reasons. Above
ali we must consider the time and
attention the defenders of the green
and white are putting into their
work, with the avowed intention OIL
being in the best possible physical
condition every time the whistle
blows sending them into a mans
game against men. This should en-
able each and every player from
the Iowliest sub to the most cheered
star to give every ounce or power
and ability he is capable OF in the
effort to win. Then, if the team
loses, it will be success anyhow, for
the fan will be getting everything
that he pays for.
Rock Island faces a hard sched-
ule this fall, the hardest in the an
nails OF the team in fact, with no
chance of disputing the assertion.
In the past it was customary, and
recognized privilege Of the team.
TO begin the seasons operations /
along safe and sane lines; that is |
TO say, by meeting a team admitted |
ly weaker for the purpose of insur- !
ing a start with a victory. To have !
scheduled one of the strongest !
teams in the country at the outset |
would have been regarded as little !
short of suicide by players and /
fans alike Yet, such a team is to
take to the field against the indie i
pendents in the first game of 1921
at Douglas park next Sunday in the
form of the Detroit Tigers. 1t,
would be folly TO attempt to fore
cast the result, as it is almost GER
tain to be a supreme test for the In
dependents; one that should really
come not before midseason.
But the first game is only the be-
ginning of an extremely rocky
course which the team will be cali
ed upon TO traverse. With but
weeks rest, the Independents must
Journey to Decatur. there to do bat
lie with the redoubtable Staleys
Oct 10. The season could be re-
sarded as an unqualified success if
me team succeeds in taking the
measure of the Starchmakers. The
week following the clash with the
Staleys, the team will be called
upon to go against the formidable
Cnlcaso Cardinals and their famous
ThArAo n1f-
IS 10 be taken on in a second en-
gagement, this one in the Michigan
metropolis. Follows then a long
Jump to Green Bay. Wis. to meet
me more or less well-known Green
bay Packers in what may prove an
engagement as difficult as any on
me schedule. If it should be other
wise, the team will certainly be en-
utied 10 chance to ease up. After
me Jaunt to Wisconsin, the team
. slated to return to home scenes
ana take on the Minneapolis Ma
4mes, who are expected to have
sucn celebrities as Gunderson,
enlcken and Ursella in their lineup.
tnssle with Cleveland is then to
eome, if all plans carry through,
81 sna last, but far from least, will be
me invasion of the rejuvenated
eolumbus Panhandles.
ms, IN brief, is an outline of
wat the Independents are expected
- DUCK against this fall. Even the
aiost optimistic follower of the
can must admit the schedule pre-
esnts many barriers in the way of a
Ian plonship. Still, the team will
Eve It's best in each and every con-
.sst' and win, lose or draw, should
'imand the respect of everybody
Things are now planned, the
- spendents have no game sched-
ced at home between Oct and
10y. .. This is long time for the
aus to await the sight of the team
= action. The best way. perhaps
= snow disapproval of this is for
= immense crowd to be on hand
sunday.