The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-10-28

Though the Naval Academy tea
performance does not entltle it to
teams of the East. It has defea
and Washington, none of which g
eame with Princeton, since beaten
In view of the fine football play
Cd by Michigan this season, it will
undoubtedly be a strong favorite in
Saturdays game. Still, the pos
abilities OF the Navy team have
not yet been gagged and 1t is GER
tain that it has been greatly i'm
proved under Jack Owsley. At An.
napolis, great confidence is felt
In the team and good game, with
a possible victory, is expected.
Official information has been re-
ceived here that the game Is re-
Rarded as one of the most interest
ing in the Middle West this season
and that every ticket to it was sold
more than a month ago. Not only
will it be attended by football low
ers generally in the section, but
It will be a rallying point Tor
Naval people who are within strlk'
ing distance.
While the Navy team only tied
with Princeton, it greatly outplayed
the Tigers in most of the depart
ments of the game, gaining Almost
twice as many yards on straight
PLAYS. 1t Is felt that the team
has improved with every game and
viii be able to play much more
strongly against Michigan than
against Princeton.
The Naval Academy undOubted.
IL has one of the strongest and
most experienced lines In the
country this year, and also has
n fast, heavy and matured back.
field. The line substitutes are good
but the squad is particularly
strong in reserve backfield play
ers. the Naval Academy, in fact,
never having such a large num-
Der of excellent backs.
In ShapIey. fulIback. the Naval
Academy undoubtedly has one OF
the best backs of the year. Weigh
ing around 100 pounds and very
fast, with four years experience
and any amount of stamina, Snap
lev has every element OF great
hack, and he seems to have hene-
fitted vastly by Owssey's instruc-
ton. Against Princeton, ShapIey
carried the ball nineteen times ana
gained 100 yards, an average OF ten
yards per run.
ShapIey does the bulk OF the run"
ming for the team. nearly all the
punting, a lot Of the passing ana
also frequently takes pass him.
self, so that he goes the conVen-
tional triple threat one batter. In
the Princeton game he scored after
receiving a pass and running thirty
five yards and also gained twenty
seven wards on a similar play.
Those who had been watching
Shapley closely predicted that ne
would come to his own in the
Princeton game and he more than
fulfilled expectations. He I'M
doubtedly played the game OF his
life on that occasion, and the WORK
of Jake Slagle, the Princeton back
field ace. was tame in comparison
ShapIey. aided by the fine of
Tensile system i'm which OwsIey
Is perfecting the Navy team, will
be dangerous to Michigan or any
other TEN, but the Navy does
not depend upon him alone. 1t
has another fine running back I'm
FIi,pin whose experience has
been even greater than Shapley's.
Hamilton and Blnks complete tho
first string. Both are Iusty lads.
who carry the ball little. but aid
In the other departments OF the
game.
The running, passing and kicking
games have all improved greatly
under Owsley. 1t has been noted,
h.
spite of the weight and strength
both in the line and backfield, does
not always have the punch in its
straight line plays that IT might
be expected to have and which Navy
teams have frequently employed as
their chief weapon.
With team Of the physical
qualities of the Navy team, II
would seem that 1t could maintain
q s.ashing direct attack, but it has
not shown it this year. Possibly.
the big effort along this line has
been reserved for the Michigan
game. II it develops to the extent
II should, the Navy team will he
splendidly equipped on the attack
and the possibilities OF n victory
will be greatly increased.
Michigan will play return game
with the M.dshipmen in 1926. II
is unlikely that the many who viii
wish to attend the game can be
accommodated on the local grounds
and it is likely that the game will
be played in the Baltimore Sta
dunn, as the Princeton game was
this year.
The arrangement with Michigan
does not cover more than the two
games, and it is rather unlikely
that it will be renewed. The pres
ent superintendent the Academy,
Rear Admiral Mutton, is under
stood to look unfavorable on long
trips for the Navy teams and the
game of 1926 may be the last.
Whether the games with Michi.
gan continue or not, the contests
between that team and the Navy