The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-07
GOBBLERS NEED BACKFIELD MEN Virginia Poly Has Big Problem This
 Year

BLACKSBURG, Va, Sept. G. Head Coach Ben Cabbage of Virginia Tech is all set for the opening of the 1924 grid training season here on Mon day afternoon. Already many of the candidates are on the grounds and ready for the three weeks grind pre- paratory to the opening of the season here with University of Richmond on Sept. 27. According to Southern Con ference rules, the preliminary training session cannot begin prior to 10 days before the beginning of the collegiate year. The gobblers should be we'll on their way toward smooth working machine by the opening of school, which is billed for Sept. IT.
 The Techs are led this year by Bob Baker of Bedford City. Baker is prob- ably the greatest center in the south today and his defensive work behind the line has always stood out promi- nently. He will be assisted by Joe Moran of Radford, Ed Gaines and Handy. Gaines played center on the freshman tea mtwo years ago and Handy held down the berth last season. Both are capable of great development.
 Sutton, Flory and Buchanaun are lost from the backfield.
 The end positions will be covered by Dusty Rhodes, Holly, Nutter, Lie brecht and Bailey. All of these as- pirants are capable men, with Butter and Bailey leading the hack.
 The Techs are somewhat shy in the guard positions with Req, Jeffries and Ray as the leading contenders. The tackles will be chosen from Graham, Greene, Miles and Fry. This is husky quartet and the scrap will be lively for the two positions. Fry and Miles were stars on Henry Redd's Goblet squad last year, while Graham and Greene are veterans.
 Needs Quarter.
 The position of quarterback is one of the most serious that confronts Coach Cabbage. He has two good men in Arthur Roberts of Radford and Paul Ebert of Roanoke. Both of these men played stellar ball last season and Rob- erts work in the Third Corps game was spectacular. Both of these men are expected to shine this year.
 The halfback positions must be filled from Don Rutherford, Cecil de Ia Barre and Esleeck. Rutherford, it will be re- membered, was ranked as one of the most sensational drop kickers in the country last year and his toe placed him as the premier point getter of his team. De Ia Barre is a very canable man and should up even better than he did last year. He is a big husky fel low carrying the backfield punch. The Techmen look to De la Barre to carry the brunt of the offensive this season.
 Esleeck Rat Star.
 Esleeck is a product of the freshman crew. In all of the Goblet games of last season Ssleeck was the bricbt mar ticuiar luminary and he should develon into a good man. He can stand sil kinds of punishment and above aII noq- sesses the football head. He is baaJv player, runs well with the ball can pass or kick as the occasion demands
 The fullback position lies between Jack Moss of Roanoke and Byrd Moss played in majority of the games Iost year, while Byrd is big bnsv folIoS, that is slated as a second Pasco Cstt1" Byrd was in a number of ean,ss Iost season and showed up well. Bvrd is expected to find himself this season and ne should be one of the leading lights in advancing the ball. -''
 The Techs have heavy schedule tnis year with three home games and SIX on the road. The big home date ia with Virginia on Nov. IS. This will pc the first meeting of the two teams m Biacksburg since 1901. It will he Sne signal for a great homecoming Inf Iechmen. Only two smaller eleyens will pc met. They are Richmond and Hampden Sidney. All of the other games will test the Gobblers to tba limit and the schedule is a bit stronger tnan last season with headIiners each Saturday after Oct 4 e"e"