The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-12-08

To Colonel Costigan it promised to be a glorious victory. His son
 Hal was explaining the Army
 eleven and playing quarterback.
 To Della Lee, who sat beside the
 colonel. it was to be a happy vic- tory; for sne and Hal were 10 be married as soon after he was graduated as stern War Depart
 ment regulation would permit. Confidence sparkled in the col oneps eyes. Had not the Army gone through the season unde- feated? And the Navy. Well,
 they had improved as the season drew to its close. The colonel.s confidence seemed reflected in the golden helmets of the Army eleven.
 Like shooting fish in a tank,
 Della, this game. We'll run that Navy team ragged" This for gotten hero of many World War battles felt a thrill remotely akin fto the thrill he had felt when his regiment charged at Soissons. His enthusiasm inspired Della. Yet she felt subtle misgiv1ngs. Pickle Chance always favored the Navy. Today 1t might again snatch the laurel of victory to place 1t on the brows of the midshipmen. "Gosh, Hal must be nervous" !" The words were an unconscious outburt of thought.
 Nervous. nervous" growled Col. Costigan. "Not 8 bit; not after the first play. anyhow"
 The two settled smilingly wait ing to see the Army smother Navy. Before a dozen plays were complet ed their smiles faded. Something uncanny had happened to the team |;
 it could not gain. What had mag ically galvanized that group of
 midshipmen? Accurately they an-
 ticipated every Army play. Spin
 ners, reverses, end runs; all smear
 ed by those Navy shock troops. Forward passes, heretofore Army's never failing ground gathers, were snatched out of the sky or beaten Navy had suddenly taken to heart
 those two ancient football axioms: "An impregnable defense is the best offense," and, "They can't beat us if they can't score" Stalwaft Navy linesmen checked every crushing charge the Army staged. Lightning-s Navy ends tumbled the Army backs. Rushing against the Navy line the Army players were like soldiers battering them- selves against fortress wall
 sTHEY WOULD MAKE
 DAMN GOOD SOLDIERS
 Such thoughts came to Col. Cos tigan as he watched the Navy.
 Those boys would make damn good soldiers; if they weren't in the Navy" he added. Tackle like tigers But we'll wear 'em down."
 Not only in the man to man drama did the Navy show its skill. They used tactics that baffled Army time and time again. With the wind behind them their most effective weapon was the quick kick. This weapon threatened the Army with disaster.
 Nays ball. first down on their own thirty-two yard line."
 Colonel Costigan heard the ra- dio announcer's voice shouting ex- citedly into the microphone. They're out of the huddle; looks like a line plunge. This Is the Navy's third chance with the ball. Twice before they kicked, you re- member, but this time it's c plunge or an end" the words check ed.
 Colonel Costigan saw the ball tossed back, saw the Navy ends and backs stamp their feet against the turf, saw the full-back boise the ball; then. with lightning swift ness. he kicked. With grunt the colonel watched the ball speeding over Halls head. But Hal never hesitated. He turned and raced as if he would outfoot the wind speeding the ball. Chalk line after chalk line deep in Arrnv territory he crossed. Halls head was turned watching the ball as it dropped. One last spurt. Hal reached up both hands .he gripped the tum-