The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-10-01
LOCALS SCORE
VICTORY OVER
VALLEY CITY
Make Thrilling Finish in First
High School Football Game,
Winning Z to 6
TEAM WEAK AT START
Brilliant Series of Forward
Passes Near Finish of
Game Brings Win
TEAM WEAK AT START
(Ry Bruce Murphy

Coach H0uScr ) Demons Openeu
their High School League schedule
here Saturday in thrilling struggle
with the powerful Valley City eleven.
Playing an uphill fight throughout
the contest, the local eleven snatch
ed victory from apparent defeat by
a dazzling series of forward passes
in the last minutes of play. Valley
City took an early load when Bclknap
scored on long end run, after re-
covering a tumble near the Bismarck
goal during the first minutes OF the
fray. They failed to kick goal, how
ever. During the remainder of the
first half, Bismarck kept the play in
Valley City's territory, but whenever
their goal was threatened, the Val
ley defense frightened, and the local
team were unable to muster the nee
essary punch to put the oval across
The second half, with the exception
of thctast five minutes, was contin-
ual see-saw between the two teams,
with neither holding any decided ao-
vantage over the other. The aerial
attack displayed by the Demons dur
ing the last five "~'~utes was the
feature of the contest. Completing
four out of seven passes for dis
lance of eighty yards the ball was
taken almost to the goal line. Alison
Eucked over the goal line. O'Harc
drop kicked goal, which gave the De-
mons a scant 7-6 victory over the
Valley City team.
There was little to choose between
the two teams, and the close margin
of the score indicates the true COM
parson of the respective squads. Con-
tinual fumbles and penalties. coupled
with poor tackling and interference,
gave the contest all the earmarks
of early season play.
Team Gets Slow Start
The Demons were far from cham
pionship caliber in their appearance
Saturday. The offensc lacked the pro-
per semblance of organized attack
and a great deal of uncertainty was
displayed when a chance to score
presented itself. The defense was
weak in it's tackling. However, by the
time the championship round is be-
gun, these faults will undoubtedly be
corrected. Alison was the looming
star on the local lineup. His terrific
line plunging and defensive ability
was the mainstay of the Bismarck
team. Also doing the majority Of the
passing and kicking, he proved to b.
q dangerous exponent of the triple
threat.
Belknap, Valley City's fleet quar-
terback played a strong offensive
game, while Eckel, at halfback. an,
Captain Meinhardt, at tackle were
other outstanding stars.
Following is a resume OF the play
- First Half
Valley City chose to receive. ant
Dodson kicked to Eckel, who wa
downed on his 25 yard line. Crandal
and Eckel tore off five yards in tw'
plays Belknap circled right end TO
90 yards, giving Valley City frs
down on Bisamrck's AZ yard line Z
line buck and pass failed, and Ecke
kicked over the goal line. Bismarck
ball on their own twenty yard mark
Valley City recovered O'Hare's fun
bic, and on the third play, Relknal
reeled off "a yards around Bismarck
right end for touchdown. The scor
came after six minutes of play. Ec
KEEL missed goal. Alison returne'
Ployhar's kickoff to the thirty yar
line, but Valley held, and an exchang
Of punts gave Bismarck the oval o.
Valley City's 46 yard mark. O'Har
lost seven yards, but made, it up tn
next play on pass from Alison.
punt by Alison and a Is yard penalt
for holding showed Valley City BAG
to their own goal line. On an ex
change of punts, Belknap fumbled an
Scroggins recovered for Bismarck o
their opponents 80 yard mari
Several line plays netted first dowl
but Bismarck was unable to per
citrate the Valley defence, an poor
ly judged pass, followed by an ur
successful drop kick. gave Valley tn
ball on their own 20 yard line. Tn
first quarter ended with Bismarck j
possession of the pigskin on Vale
City's 80 yard line.
:. Second Quarter
holdings circled right end for
yards, placing the oval within z
yards Of the Valley goal line. A pas
Alison to Dodson, was incomplete, b,
4 O,Hare speared Scroggin's throw Q
the fourth down and advanced it
the 11-yard mark. Alison and No,
dings failed to gain, and two attemp
ed passes Jared no better. The ball r
verted to Valley City on their own
yard line. Ployhar punted to Scroi
gins on his own 40 yard mark. 4
tumble an an incomplete pass, folio,