The Washington times., 1922-09-27

Only very teW or the Wesleyan
fans see any hope for a Methodist
victory this year. The big ma Iori-
ty are going to Fairmont expect
ing, however. to see the Methodist
eleven hold the Mountainecr team
to about a 200 score. which in the
eyes Of Wesleyan would be a moral
victory.
There are few who have been
following the Methodists through
the training camp and preparator
period who do not firmly believe
hat Head Coach Bob Higgins has
powerful grid machine in the
making. The Wesleyan coach,
however. has been greatly handi-
capped by the short period he has
had In touching up a green team
for their opening game with such
formidable opponents as West Vir-
ginia.
With practically an all-scholas-
tic team, the only exceptions
being a few of last years squad
whose record was indeed dismal,
Higgins has been compelled to
dwell long on fundamental foot
ball with his squad.
With inexperienced, but hard
willing workers, Higgins will be
compelled to build up a defensive
system for his opening game. The
Methodists are in the pink Of con-
dition, and have drilled day in and
day out on defensive fundamentals
II Higgins has a single handful of
plays in mind for the game next
Saturday, he has not produced a
single one to date. In Ross, Rad
man and Bullman. Higgins has
three fair punters. and it is expect.
ed that these will play an impor-
tant part in the coming weekend
fray.
In DR.. c. w. Spears. old Dart.
mouth star, West Virginia has a
grid coach the equal, If not the
superior, to any football mentor that
ever sank cleats in West Virginia
sod The cold steel of the Spears
system has been felt by the M9tho-
dists.
West Virginia has veteran
eleven, the few losses being filled
by such men as Quarrells, former
Wesleyan center; Gus Eckberg, the
Minnesota flash, and Oliker, the
flower OF West Virginia High
School football stars last season.
With the cream Of scholastic pick
ings from last years gridfrons for
a reserve, the Mountaineer coach is
fortified to the teeth.
Neither eleven has been great
ly handicapped by preseason in
juries, although the severity Of
training camp scrimmages will be
in evidence. Both camps have
been industriOusly grooming their
big guns, and filling up arsensls
ready to spring to arms when the
referees whistle announces the
zero hour.
One month ago Wesleyan grid
interest began to wax warm. In
this short period the Methodist grid
forces have been assembled, trained
and nodded into a hurry-up eleven.
Head Coach Higgins, Coach Rose
and Coach Miller have worked night
and day, during this little month,
and II the team succeeds in holding
the Mountaineers to as low a score
as 200, will have accomplished
nothing short Of wonders.
In a talk with Wesleyan sup.
porters last week Coach Higgins
stated that West Virginia would
win by 20 points, and gave his rea-
sons, which are too logical, TO be
disputed. Next Saturday Noun
taineer and Methodist fans will see
as pretty and stubbornly fought
grid battle as ever was fought on
West Virginia soil.
Wesleyan, conscious OF the power
Of the Mountaineer eleven, playing
a strictly defensive game. will have
10 put up nothing short of a tire.
mendous fight" to make good the
words Of the Methodist coach and
hold the Mountaineer battering ram
to a 20.point score.
Play City Series.
The Cubs and White Sox will