The Washington times., 1923-12-31


owing to the opportunity to rest
not IN the best physical condition
rs whole, was on edge for tina
urely recovered from injuries.
Practice at Annapolis in prepare
uon for the post-season game has
been faithful, but not hard. There
nave not been more than three OF
-FOUR real scrimmages, and the
coaches and trainers seemed to fear
that much hard work would tend
10 make the players fine.
The chief attention has been
sven to perfecting the plays which
were prepared, as usual for the
army game, but which could not be
used on account Of the soft condi.
ton Of the field that day. These
plays have been dwelt upon until
execution Is well nigh perfect, and
Il Il believed that the Navy attack
WIN be better than it has been this
season.
The Navy has seven really high
gEade backs, and has AIKEN three
others on the trip. The main
reliance b placed upon Nc
Aees DevenS, Cullen, Shapley, Bar
Ci1et, E1ippin and BalIinger, and 1t
40 likely that all Of these win
be used at one period or another
% the game. Foch has his spe-
cal abilities, and the breaks OF
the game win determine when
they win be used.
The strong probabilities are that
the team viii start with Mckee at
quarter, Devens and Cullen at the
halves and Shapley, at full. How
ever, there is still a chance that
H'olwen viii determine to use Shap-
ley at quarter and start Barchet at
fuIlhack.
FIippin Is the equal of any of
the backs as line hitter, and may
- called upon. while Ballinger Is
. very reliable dropkieker for mod.
crate distances. The situation may
arise when any of these seven viii
be the needed player.
Mckee is a thoroughly drilled
back, q good runner, splendid
passer, satisfactory defensive
player and cool director. Cullen
- the punter Of the outfit, another
thoroughly coached runner and de-
1ensive player and very certain
receiver of forward passes. Devens
carries the ball little. though a
strong line hitter, but is a wonder.
full defensive player and a splendid
helper for the other runners.
Shapley, however. has developed
into the Nays greatest ground
gamer. being called upon during
the games of the last half of the
schedule more than any other Navy
back and having gained the great
est total of yards. He is a big, fast
fellow, weighing $50 pounds and
with no end OF spirit and stamina.
Playing in his native State, SharIcy
the Navy is laying great depend
ence upon him.
Barcaet, star Of the 1921 team,
q sfilI capable, it is believed, Of
showing some flashIy running,
and he Is sure TO be playing in a
large part Of the game. AIucn Of
his falling off this season and
last was due 70 injuries, but he
a now I'm first class shape and
ready to do his work according to
the standard Of two years ago.
He was put IN the Army game
during the first half, and will
probably trOt ON the field at
Pasadena az about Ehe same
period.
The defense of the Navy Is
indicated by the fact that it's goal
line was not crossed in its last four
games, three of its opponents being
Princeton, Colgate and the Army.
Princeton's field goal was, in fact,
the only adverse score Of these four
contests.
The Navy has always had a stiff
defense, and it is believed that 1t
n MP to the standard this year
While outweighed to some extent
by the Washington line, IL Is not
believed that the Navy line will
prove in the least inferior in
strength, condition or stamina, and
the fine system taught at the
Navy is expected to meet the re-
Quirements Of a powerful and
varied attack.
There Is great confidence at
Annapolis in the Navy team, and
no doubt but that 1t will perform to
the credit OF the institution and the
service.