The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-23
FLORIDA GATORS
 BID FAIR TO WIN
 SOUTHERN HONORS
With Great Rat" Team Of Last Year And Good New
 Material Prospects Bright

Material Prospects Bright GAINESVILLE, Fla, Sept 22.-- Special. )-The second week of prSc- tice finds the varsity squad of the University of Florida rounding into what is expected to be the most per feet football machine that the school has ever sent out to bid for glory on both southern and northern grid irons.
 The season of 1923, which opens officially on October 6, when the Gator squad will travel to West Point to meet the Army and will close with a game with Alabama on November 29, is marked by the merging of one of the most remark able freshman teams in the south east, that of last year, into the strong framework left by the varsity of 1922.
 To the trained veterans of past seasons, Newton. Case, Pomeroy, Captain Robinson, "Red' Mounts, Norton and Hasch, this season come the brilliant rats" of yesteryear in Edgar Jones, Lightsey, Middlecaugh, Randall, Dick Brown, Floss" smith, Goldstein, Cornwall and others.
 Speed will be the watchword of the year and Florida's team this sea son may be expected to be fast and not extraordinarily heavy. The practices are proceeding along this line. Ends are racing across the field under whirling pigskins, backs are perfecting shifts that will bring them to a mobile position for sudden drives against the opposition from peculiar angles, and the footWorlN of the line is receiving particular at tention.
 Standing in the Gators path of glory in 1923, are principally the Army, Georgia Tech, Mississippi A. 6S M, and Alabama. To successfully meet them and defeat them with Head Coach J. A. Van Fleet, assisted by Tom Sebring. formerly of the Kansas Aggies, and Everette Yon ot the United States army, are direct ing the warriors of the Blue and Orange towards the goal of their ambition.
 Definite berths on the Gator team this year are few and far between. so determined has been the entrance of the nwcomrs to varsity circles.
 Captain Robbie Robinson. all southern tackle, star of the Harvard game of last year, and a Walter Camp selection for Spalding's guide tean will, of course, resume his old position as one of the bulwarks or the line.
 It Is probable that Lawrence Case of St. Augustine, who starred at halfback last season and who com pines experience and speed in his makeup, will start the season ar quarter. He will find keen compe- tition, however, in John A. Murphee, keen sub-quarter of last season, ana Mike Randall, last years rat" pilot.
 Bill Middlecaugh, first year flash and prep" school gladiator, and Dick Brown, former Duval High school and rat" star, are the logical candl ' dates for the fullback position. Ossie Bic, small, but one of the hardest tacklers on the squad, may be ex- pected to appear in the central posi- tion at any time.
 "Art" Newton, Florida'S all-around athlete, winner of many track honors and who rated an all-southern posi- ton last year, will be back at his post tion at half and both Stewart Pom eroy, veteran, and Ed Jones, speedy "ex-rat." should work in the other half position. Owen Pittman, former Hilsborough star, and Jack Matthew, substitute half of last season, are making a strong fight for the back field.
 Pigskin critics are selecting Red Mounts, veteran, and Lightsey, Sensa- tional first-year man, for the end positions. Lightsey performed bril- lfantly on the defense last season.
 Joe Merring of Plant City, how ever, enters the third year of foot ball with speed largely in his favor and Floss Smith, who played won- derful tackle last. year, Is sturdy contender for one of the wing posi- tions.
 It is certain that Cy Williams. who last year was a terror to many an Era 1,,, xfri1 n n 2 mate to Captain Robinson at tackle
 Norton, varsity guard, who was kept out of many games last seasor by a broken collar bone, is now in condition to assume his regular duties and Raash, another husky veteran, may flank the opposite side of center. First. however, he i! eliminating the dangerous Max Gold sten.
 Sam Cornwall. former freshman center, will no doubt be awarded tht pivot position.
 The squad of 40 men held theil initial scrimmage this week and play their first practice game against tho "rat" team on Saturday, Septem'
 The schedule for the season is a. follows:
 october s-Army at West Point.
 october 1S-Georgia Tech at At lanta.
 october 2o-Rollins at Gainesville
 October 27-Wake Forrest a Tampa.
 November S-Mercer at Gaines vile.
 November 10-Stetson at Deland. November 1T-Southern at Lake land.
 November 24-Mississippi A. and NJ at Jack ksonville.
 November 29--Alabama at Bir ,c-fa a