Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-09
WI7HERON/ SPARKLES
AS BACKFZELD STAR
West PhiIly Quarterback
Has Been Scintillating on
Scholastic Gridirons; Is
Crack End Runner
GRADUATES IN JUNE
BY PAUL PREP

Johnny Witherow, the youngster who
row is calling signals for Warren We'll
lars West Philadelphia High School
tootball team, has proved himself to be
ore Of the best scholastic quarterbacks
IN Philadelphia and vicinity. In two
games he has played in such scintillat
inc form it is doubtful IL there is an 3
other signal caller who con be compared
with him with the exception Of Dick
Wells. Central Highs backfeld stss.
When the present season started
roach Weller was stuck for a quarter
kack. He had two boys. Cook and Nc
Mahon, either of whom might or might
not be able to stand the gaff.
The day of the opening game rolled
around and Weller started Cook. Now,
"Woody" isn't poor quarterback or
ANYTHING like that. At the same time
bo isn't n crackerjack He went in,
nlayed a great game, but came out in
inred. He was forced to quit the squad
ior the remainder of the season.
Captain Joe Jeffcott. who. by the
rey now is suffering with All infected
ler and has not appeared in a uniform
during thc last two weesk. was called
m 10 direct the team play in the open
ing League game with Germantown. Joe
nlayed a peace Of game. but Weller
found that he would be of more value as
a fullback. Therefore he was shifted.
He was not able to play his new posi-
tion. however, owing to his injured
leg.
Mcmahon Goes In
Then Weller gave "Wyn" Mcmahon
chance. McMahon is a good football
nlayer. plays nobby ball. but his weight
Is against him. He tips the beam at
fraction more than 130 pounds. He was
TOO light. so Warren started to look for
4 new back.
In the meantime, Witherow. who had
returned to school. was ineligible. But
his difficulties with the faculty were
straightcned before the big game with
Frankford. Johnny was originally an
end. but he played the quarterback po-
sition for the Speedboys last year. He
was received with open arms, instructed
the new plays and signals and was
ready for the battle.
What happened in that game is scho-
lastic history. Frankford looked for
ward to an easy victory. but much to
It's surprise was completely outplaycd
BY the opposing team.
Witherow was the star of the game.
He called his plays at the right time;
instructed his boys where to play for
the Frankford backs; and as a result
gained a glorious moral victory. 1t was
only through the medium Of n blocked
kick that the team from the home Of
the Yellow Jackets was able to cop the
decision.
A Great Play
Johnny made one of the greatest
plays ever witnessed by n school foot
ball gathering in the Frankford affair.
After about three minutes of the open
ing period had been completed. Paul
Remmey. leader of the Pioneers, decided
70 throw forward pass. He heaved
the ball far down the field. to Weckes,
his fullback. Weekes, with open arms.
was waiting to receive the ball. Just
then Witherow. running like an ante
lope, leaped into space, took a jack
knife dive over WcckcS' head, hit and
grounded the ball. The little Specdboy
quarterback fell to the ground head
first. but resumed play without the loss
Of time.
In the Frankford game Withcrow |
was great; in the Northeast game he |
was even more so.
The Red and Black put up much
sitter argument than the Speedboys
were expecting. The team was out 10 |
win, and it wanted to lick West Phil
lie especially.
Withcrow soon realized that hitting !
the Northeast line was uscless. True. |
Bergman. the big halfback. who ran
20 yards for n touchdown after inter-
Cepting Slemmer's forward pass late
In the game, made gains Mt every try.
but he couldn't be used always. So
Johnny decided on an aerial attack. In
this he was successful. He personally
grabbed n pair of passes, thrown by
Bergman, considered by many the best
tosser in scholastic football, and tai