The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-11-10
BY "5o" MeMILLiN
All.Ameriea Quarterback.

What part does luck play in the
winning or the losing of a football
game? Oftimes the results are attri-
buted to either good or bad luck.
II you will allow me to substitute
breaks" for luck will agree with the
sport writer's in saying that the breaks
in a game often decide the outcome.
In Centres first game with Harvard
l remember OF hearing Fitzgerald, their
quarterback, saying wait for the
breaks, boys, Wen get one in min
ute" And sure enough they did.
soon after the start of the second
quarter Murphy, the lghtest man to ever
play in the stadium, was sent in to
punt for us The kick went straight
ND in the air and out OF bounds on our
own 30-yard line
This was the break that the Crimsons
were looking for. They had little trou-
BILE in carrying the ball over in success
eive plunges because the pep and fight
was taken out Of our men by such a
poor kick.
Harvard Waits for Breaks.
II one will read the history Of the
Harvard victories he will note that the
majority Of, their drives which result in
touchdowns were inspired by break
in their favor. They are coached to
hold their opponents and wait for the
breaks.
In 1919 Centre won from the University
If Indiana because We took advantage
of a break. We had battled through
three periods and there was only about
four minutes left in the fourth The
score was to in favor OF Indiana
The cadet band had formed to lead the
victory march
Just at this time an Indiana back
fumbled on their 40-yard line and a
centre man recovered. 1 used silent
signal and shot pass to Armstrong
which gained i yards. Before the
HOLSTERS" could recover from the
shock of the tumble and the completed
pass / had shot Roberts over the goal
line in three plunges.
We made another touchdown IN the
remaining minute and half on an IN
tercepted pass and the final score was
Centre II, Indiana 3.
Now I do not think that you could
attribute this victory to luck. for If we
hadn't possessed the power and tight u
take advantage of that break the cadets
would have had their parade.
Success Depends on Subs.
When Il good player is injured ant
has to be taken out OF the game the
II the game results in loss for nj
team the sport writer's will say that tn
winning team was n bit lucky.
OF course this is an unfortunate cir
culmstance, bat the successful coacf
will be prepared for just such an emerg
ency and will have a trained substitute
TO take his place.
believe that the strength Of win
ming football team lies in the strength
of the substitutes. If it had not beef
for the substitutes at Centre last yea
being almost as strong as the regular
We could not have had the success VI
did have.
have noticed that great many o
our smaller college teams are bull
around one man and If he has to leaV
tho game his team goes to pieces. j
successful football team cannot depen'
upon one man but must work as ma
chine to come out on top. 1t is true tina
all good coaches are not fortunate il
having capable substitutes and h
might go through several games with
out needing them. but in the long ru
he will feel the need.
I believe that it is folly for coac
10 start his eleven best men in gam
because he is sure 10 need good fires
man when the breaks go against him.
quito a few sport writer's said tina