The Washington times., 1925-09-23


The weakness in the kicking de-
partment, which has been true OF
Naval Academy teams for several
seasons, will certainly he overcome.
OF the four players who make up
the present varsity combination he.
hind the line, three, Shapley, Ham:
ilton and Flippin, are excellent
punters, while flanagan, Broad
bent and others, change backs,
also do we'll in this line.
OwsIey was fortunate IN having
so fine a string OF backfleld can
didates. A number, like Shapley,
Flippin, Hamilton, Banks, Fors
berg and Albertson, might he con-
sidered seasoned backfield players.
while etven a large number had
played Just enough football to show
possibilities, and number of them
are expected to cross the line and
be really valuable backs this year.
AS to the kicking, it was one
of OwSley'S first moves to as
sembIe last spring all of those
who showed any promise at all in
this line, and keep them at work
as much as was possible. This
season, he has had a special morn
ing session for his kickerS, and
the constant attention given to
this phase of the game is begin
ming to show definite results.
Shapley and Flippin seem reason
ably certain, barring something un-
forseen, to keep their places on the
varsity backfield. Hamilton and
Banks, though both valuable backs,
are not so sure. There are four or
five other backs whose claims can
not be overlooked and who may
prove of more value to the team.
At any rate, a hard fight confronts
these two if they are to hold on.
Goudge, Forsberg, Albertson.
Condra, Caldwell and flanagan all
have ability which forces their con-
sideration. Many believe that
Goudge is the best running back on
the squad and he has BEEN showing
much ability as a passer. Forsberg,
who played on the varsity much of
last season, is considered one Of
the best defensive backs and helper
of other runners the Naval Academy
has ever had, though he does not
carry the ball much. The others
are all good running backs Of
medium weight.
In6T6 HAS DcSI1 no change IN the
line during the week, and the fight
is still on for the end positions.
Bernet and Williamson still have
the call, but they are being pressed
hard by HardWiCk and Taylor
HardWick, who is bigger and
stronger, as well as more expe-
rienced than the other end candi-
dates, has an excellent chance of
dispIacing one of his rivals later in
the season.
While the inadequacy in the
supply of backs and weakness i'm
the kicking game are almost GER
tain to be overcome, only an
actual game will show whether
the Navy team has acquired the
punch and the staying qualities
which it certainly lacked last year.
The members of the team and
it's friends here are confident that
it has.
One very noticeable move Of
Owsley's was the selection of the
tentative varsity team almost ut
the beginning of the practice. This
is in marked contrast to the prAc-
tice of former years, in which a
point was made to keep the players
guessing until the last moment as
to who would be placed in the
lineup, it being the theory that
this would spur them to greater
efforts.
Owsley believes that the team will
be more precisely coached if
tentative lineup is picked early,
and that the playing will be better
co.ordinated. The progress of the
Navy team in less than two weeks
of practice indicates that there is
much in his position. OF course,
this does not mean that the selec-