The Washington times., 1922-09-19


sidered, the situation Is giving the
coaches no worry. and ,high-class
men are SO numerous that there
will be difficulty Of carrying out
the Naval policy Of developing four
or more complete sets Of backs,
making possible the frequent sub
stitution Of capable and we'll
been found, makes possible the
maintenance OF a terrific pace from
start to finish.
The present outlook is that Bsr-
chet will be the most snowy man
in the Navy backfield. His i'm
provement last season over that pre-
vious was so notable as to put him
In the front rank of college backs,
and he is expected to be with the
first two or three this season.
COnroy and Hamilton are both
higb.grade men, both good ground
gamers, but especially valuable
for their assistance to other
backs and their splendid defen-
sive work.
AS II now looks, Mckee, Cullen
and Devens, OF the old men,, are the
strongest contenderss for the one va
cancy in the backfield. Mckee made
his place as a regular two years ago.
his first at the Academy. There was
no falling off in his work last year;
on the contrary, he did finely when
ever given the opportunity. but his
drop was due to the meteoric rise Of
Barchet, one of the greatest running
backs the Naval Academy has ever
had
Cullen, who played several years
ago at Central High, Of Washington,
and who had a hardening course as
an enlisted man in the Navy. Is also
being given serious consideration. He
is a powerful and hard-playing youth,
and is very well thought of by ths
coaches. An injury to his shoulder
has handicapped him IN former sea-
sons, but 1t is now healed, and a
hard season OF lacrosse last spring
added to his speed and afertness.
Devens, a husky youth of 1S0
prounds, came to the front toward
the latter part of last season by his
slashing work against the varsity.
There is no doubt that he tore
through the big Navy forwards like
no back OF an opposing team did
during the year. A back of his type
would be very valuable in the Navy
backfield, and he is a serious posi-
bility. O'Regan and Soucek are
backs Of like type who will be given
a, u Ial.
The Navy also has In Norris. who
Joined the squad last year, the prom
ise Of another brilliant runner. Nor
ris had only preparatory school eX-
perience mp to laast season, but was
good enough to get In several ma tch
games and to give promise of real
brilliance after some more experience
and hardening. He Is a speedy and
successful runner from scrimmage or
in open field, and likely to be heard
from before he finishes his course at
The Naval Academy. E. b. Taylor
Hughes and Rooney are promising
backs of the running and dodgfng
type.
So far, three youths who show
promise Of usefullnes in the back
field have been found In the new
class. Shapley has the marks OF
an ideal back. He weighs close
TO 180 pounds and does the hun
dred in nearly an even ten.
He has natural aptitude for the
game. and, while playing at Peddie
did so well that scouts Of the big
colleges had their eyes on him and
would have been glad to have had
him join their squads.
Sommers, from Frankford High
School. Philadelphia, is even faster
than Sbapley, though not so heavy
and experienced. Ward, who played
at Marietta College, has been with
the squad but a short time, but looks
like a find. He resembles Barchet
greatly in build, but is ten pounds
heavier. There is little doubt that
all of these will ultimately prove OF
much value to the Navy team, even
though they do not make the varsity
their first year.
The situation as to the backfield
is giving general satisfaction, and
the material in that line has not
been equalled since Bill Ingram,
anI hal