The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

No oMaginot Line Football for the Duration -Gral
Fans In Mood For Attacking, Passing Game
By RED GRANGE The Original Man-in-M lotion


 New York, Aug. 27-Football en- ters its first war year with enthu- siasm. The worldwide hostilities are a challenge to the game, which has boasted for years of the fine, tough, hard-hitting young men who graduate from its ranks.
 Official Washington has cast smile in footballs direction. The formation of two Army teams, which will play an eight-game exhibition schedule against pro- fessional teams, and the Navy Pre- Flight program give the game a go-ahead that is second only to President Roosevelt's green light to | baseball.
 In the long run, war may bring benefits to football that outweigh the obvious curtailments. The roar ing twenties and thirties with whole sale proselytying and false empha- sis are bound to fall by the wayside.
 Young men are going to play football in these times for the ob- vious benefits of the game. A coach is going to have hard time per- suading war-bound youngster to wink at educational opportunities and make football a career.
 Schedules are going to be modi- | fled in due time so ase not to over tax already burdened transporta- tion. Service rivalries may over- shadow traditional college compe- | titions.
 Football is going to be more of game than it has ever been. It will become less of high-powered business promotion. I believe the war will have the following effects: STRATEGY:
 Offensive football will enjoy a tremendous upsurge. The country is in the mood for it. A militant citizenry wants the attacking, ar gressive game-daring, interesting, high-scoring.
 Maginot Line football which was basically sound in its emphasis on the defensive game and waiting for break" will lose prestige. Wide open football will be the peoples choice. The passing game will be popular.
 The T formatioin was the i'm portant strategical development last year. Although it was not new, the success of the Chicago Bears and Stanford in 194O caused great swing to the T. Many coaches rushed into the system without re- gard to personnel. They will return to more orthodox formations this year.
 Others will blend the T with such conventional offenses as single wing and Notre Dame box, instead of depending upon it in toto. Most important change in strategy is the adoptoin of the T by Frank Leahy | at Notre Dame. This will give the system great prestige.
 SQUADS:
 Personnel will be reduced. Teams which formerly had a squad of 75 will now have to get along with 35 or 40. Many of the third and fourth stringers will get into action. Sub stitutions will be reduced. The game will be tougher and require more stamina. Players will be a little younger.
 QUALITY:
 There may be slight decline in the caliber of football played, but it will be general and of such slight degree that it should not dampen public interest or spoil traditional rivalries in any way.
 SECTIONS:
 The middle west should be in for one of its biggest years. Big names abound in this sector Leahy's Notre Dame team is ru- mored to be the best since Knute Rocknes squad of 1930.. Minnesota is loaded. Michigan and Ohio State have the material. So does Missouri. Indiana with the great Bill Hillenbrand and Wisconsin with mighty Pat Harder should be improved. The star sophomore backs of last season have a full year under their belts and should give offensive football lift.
 The Pacific Coast may have an outstanding club in California. Texas Christian looks like the best | in the Southwest. Army and Navy | are expected to be improved in the East. Georgia will be a tough southern club as will Utah in the Rockies.
 SERVICE TEAMS:
 Four Navy Pre-Flight schools Georgia, North Carolina, Iowa and St. Mary's-with the finest coaching the game can provide will be watched with keen inter- est. So will Great Lakes, which plays a major schedule.
 Army teams will play throughout the country, although much of this competition may be inter-camp.
 These teams will enjoy the great est alumni support.
 Everyone will root for them.