Evening star., 1939-04-15
AceBack' 'sKnee
Injury Resists
Treatment
Hogerty Disappointed
Over Performances
OfNew Players

VI NeW TlOyeIS
An examination Of Joe Mellen.
decks crippled knee. which has re-
sisted medical treatment since last
autumn, will be made next week to
determine whether the slim, slip.
perry Georgetown halfback will be
able to resume his athletic career
at the Hilltop or be relegated to
the bench for keeps. After that
JACK Hagerty, the Hoyas' head foot
ball coach, can begin TO worry in
earnest about next seasons eleven.
And Hagerty is fretting In four
weeks Of spring practice the squad
was on the field only IA days be-
cause OF unfavorable weather con-
d1tlons. Freshmen he counted on
plugging the customary graduation
gaps were not only confidentially
but outspokenly terrible. and even
some OF the veterans experienced
letdowns. Deep in the back of his
mind was the realization that after
last years undefeated campaign en-
thusiastic alumni expected nothing
less in 1889
Added to that is the knowledge
that next autumn will find the
Hoyas tackllng the toughest sched-
ule in the schools lengthy history
seven major opponents in eight
games. All this with his best run
ming back-an all-America candi-
date-on the sidelines with a game
leg, and no suitable replacement in
sight. 1t was enough to discourage
the most optimistic mentor.
Favors Leg in Walking.
Mellendeck was the spark plug OF
Georgetown's powerful '38 eleven.
AS ne went, so went the Hoyas. Joe
had hot feet all season, and more
brilliant feats were expected of him
IN 1889. But the Maryland game
mas clouded the future and possibly
ended the Baltimore boys gridiron
career. The revival of this annual
feud wasn't five minutes old before
they were digging Mellendeck out
OF the soggy turf where a bevv OF
Terps planted him with a mass
tackle. They hauled him off to the
f1rst-ald station with a knee some
10 degrees west of its normal DO.
sition.
Although it was encased in a cast
for added protection the Joint has
not returned to normalcy. He favors
1t In walking, and Hagerty is afraid
that one hard jolt would send him
to the sidelines for keeps. If ply.
slclans next week think 1t safe for
Mellendeck to engage in sports he'll
go out for baseball and try to work
the knee into condition for foot
ball
But Hagerty's woes do not end
with Mellendeck They are rooted
in spring sessions which ended re-
Gently with little results.
Last spring" he said TODAY, 1--WE
had good practice The weather
was ideal and the boys seemed to
grasp the routine more readily. and
When we resumed in September we
were ready to 90 ahead with the
program. Lou Little made the re-
mark at Greenbelt the other night
that teams success hinges on
spring practice, and if he's right
we're headed for trouble"
Lauds McFadden as General.
From the '3s squad the Hoyas lose
Riofski their best center; Burke
and Hill, guards; Robinson and
Franks, tackles; Charley Wychunas
and Elmer Moulin, backs. Numer.
lcally their losses weren't heavy,
but replacing those lost will not be
easy. The linesmen coming up from
last years freshman team were. al
most without exception, disappoint-
ing In spring practice. Pater Pater-
noster and Bill Mcmahon, who
looked good enough as yearlings to
handle varsity assignments, showed
complete reversal of form. OF the
entire group of linemen only Frank
FenWick, tackle from Gonzaea
High School, and Mike Kopcik. an
END, displayed any promise of future
ability. Blazis, 230-pound tackle and
shot-putting star, did not report for
grid work in difference to track.
But do not get the idea that
Georgetown will be soft pickings next
season. In Copper McFadden, Hag-
erty has quarterback Of first mag
nitude. Himself one of the smartest
field generals who ever sported the
Blue and Gray, Hagerty confidently
believes McFadden will win recoe-
milton as one of the ablest quarter
backs in the East next season.
He was the greatest sophomore
quarters I've ever SEEN" the coach
said. He made only one mistake
all season, and realized it without
being told about it. He never gets
excited, knows how to handle his
men, handles ball we'll and selects
his plays like coach. That's it
he's another coach on the field.
That's the best description can
find for him."
Has Three Good Ends.
Others on whom Hagerty is pin
ming his hopes for another good sea-
son are Matua and Reichey, centers:
Lilo and Estimate, guards; Fullilove
and Nealson, tackles-all big, strong
and ambitions. He has three good
wingmen returning in DAILY, Lascari
and Kercher, and will be able to
shift Daniels from q flank to tackle,
from whence he was drafted last
year. And the backfield situation
isn't too hopeiess-even If Mellen.
deck Is missing.
Lou Falcone and Benny Bulvin
will help shim forget the loss Of
Wychunis and Moulin. He has Jack
Spencer, the rookie who got OF a
65-yard punt against Maryland;
Ghecas and Kapsik to do the punt
ing, plus an abundant supply of
passers. Jim Castiglia, Frank
MeQlin and Mvr0n narynohroy 49,