Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-12
LINE IS STRONGER
THAN LAST SEASON
State, Where Smith Makes
His Coaching Debut, Is
in Same Boat.
BY Fl. c. BYRD.
STRONGER and more ex-

STRONGER ana more eX-
" perienced line, with back
n field hardly up to the
standard of last year, is
about the way University of North
Cardinals foot ball prospects are
shaping up. The majority of the
men who held down forward posi-
tons in 1880 are back, and, nat
urally, considerable improvement
is expected in their play, but in
the backfleld it Is extremely
doubtful that the great combina-
ton in which House, Wyrick,
Nash, Erickson and Magner played
such important parts behind the
line is likely to be replaced so
easily.
But, as North Carolinians reason, no
Set of star backs can ever so without
. good line, and the better the line
the better the chance the backs have
to gain. So 1t follows that even with
. less capable lot OF backs, a more
powerful and experienced set Of for
set of backs more opportunities.
1t IL true that North Carolina has
lost some very good backs Wyrick,
Nash and Erickson were exceptionally
fast and Wagner probably was the most
experienced ball carrier in the South.
House also was a mighty good player.
All In all, North Carolina may consider
itself extremely lucky II it does not miss
some Of these men, especially Nash,
Wyrick and Wagner, more than 1t now
expects.
Red Gilbreath, substitute center I'M
der LipScomb a year ago. Is likely to
be the regular center this Fall. On
the left side of his line he will have
thanking him McIver at guard
and Walker at end, both from last
years team. Hodges, another letter
man, is the most likely candidate for
left tackle. The right side of the line
Is even stronger. with Fysal and New
comb, two letter men, at guard. while
McDade and Underwood. two more let
ter men, are out for the tackle job
while Brown. who will be playing in his
senior year at end. is pretty sure to hold
down that position again. There also
Is q wealth Of material for reserve po-
sitions.
EOR the backfield veteran material is
i not so plentiful, although a good
many men are left from last year s
squad and several promising players are
up from the yearling outfit Branch.
star quarterback last season, is having
some difficulty making up scholastic de-
flciencies. 1t is said, but it is expected
that he will get them of and be eligible.
Other backs who held down more or
less important posts last season are
White. Daniel. Groom, Frazier. Houston.
Lassiter. ThomapSon, McCaskill. Moore,
Ferbee and Peacock. Also a good group
of backs from the 1880 eleven are avail
able in Phipps and Whitener, Anaucaus-
kas Woollen and Jones.
One Of the most promising OF the end
candidates from last years freshman
team Is Brandt. former Central High
School athlete. Brandt should break in
the lineup quite often this Fall. even
II he does not make job as a regular
nROBABLY less has been heard
L about the North Carolina State
College squad which makes its
home at Raleigh. just 30 miles from
Chapel Hill, home of the State Uni
verSity, than from any other school in
the Southern Conference. Apparently
the Raleigh school is saving wood and
saying little about It,
1t Is known that North Carolina State
has a good deal Of fine line material
probably has the two best tackles in the
South Atlantic section, but whether or
not the backfield men measure up to
the rest Of the squad is something not
So we'll known.
Clipper" Smith. who helped Tom
Mills coach at Georgetown last year. is
head coach at the Raleigh school. He
was down there for Spring practice.
but has had little to say since that
time of what he considers his eleven
may do. Whether or not he will be
able TO whip a team into shape to
compete satisfactorily with his oppo-
nents only the coming weeks will tell.
Many believe he will.