The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-09-24
RECORD BREAKING
CROWDS WITNESS
PAST TWO GAMES
Hanoverians Prepare To
Meet Kinston Here Friday
Night AT 8 P. M.
BY GENE WARREN

AS Lue ulSu-1lyAuS view I1dAOVCA
High School Wildcats grab their
scrub toys for a rugged week OF
practice on the grassy turf of IL
and Ann field for next weeks con-
flict with Kinston, their innumer-
able admirers throughout the City
and county become more excited
and optimistic on the team S
chance Of coping their first
Eastern Conference flag since the
balmy days OF 1929. This year.
squad Of Cats have sharpened
their claws up on the scrapps New
Bern and Whitevil1e elevens, COM
pletely smothering the two out
manned clubs with a dominant
avalance of power.
The Hanoverian squad, playing
under the brilliant arcs at Legion
Stadium against New Bern in the
seasons opener, fumbled consist
emily and would have marked up
at least thirty odd points if it had
been for this weakness, which was
quickly abolished during last
weeks drilly. Even with this minor
error, the team unleashed ter
rifle aerial assault which was
good for two touchdowns, plus
plunging through the line for sew
eral flashing gains in their 1877
triumph.
1t was in Fridays Whiteville
contest though when they crowded
out any question that this was to
be another sorry year for the
Orange and Black. Co-Captain Da-
vld Bannerman plowed ahead in
the first twelve minutes of the tilt
tor a score, ripped the Wolfpack
front wall to pieces a moment
later to cross pay dirt again, then
Coach Leon Brodgan jerked him
and the rest Of the first team out
to prevent any injury which might
nave come to them. Taking over,
the second string, led by Hacksaw
futile kept up the Varsity's pace
as he Tipped two touchdown pass.
es into the waiting arms Of Neal
Patrick, a fine end and certainly
flrst team material. Then it was
the third eleven which grabbed
the show, featured by Buddy
Bridges A yard dash down the
open field, who scored also when
Llnwood Grissom smashed over
from the three yard strip and
booted the extra point.
1t was after this one-sided 800
victory, when football fans began
building castles in the sky. Could
this possibly be the juggernant that
would give Wilmington the proud
title OF Eastern Conference Cham.
pions? There is no reason to doubt
the expectations which some en-.
thusiasts might have. Have not
our gridders tailed 81 points in
only two games? And yet we can
not be certain of this belief since
both OF these clubs are only sec.
ond division competition. The com.
ing Rocky Mount battle will sure.
~ give a better idea Of how the
local squad ranks against a worthy
conference. The Smokey civ
eleven have sunk the Wildcats nine
times in the last ten years, one
contest resulting in a 1912 dead.
lock. From all information receiv.
ed here, the Blackbirds place upon
the field this a lineup of typical
Rocky Mount tradition. Fans can
expect a deadly passing attack
when the Birds clash with New
Hanover High and also a thrilling
exhibition of pigskin strategy.
Around II, 800 roaring fans have
witnessed the two games the Han.
overlans have played thus far this
season. An estimated crowd of g.
ooo watched the locals steamroll
over the Whiteville eleven last
Fricay night. The most people ever
seated at a single High School
football game with the exception
OF the Cats first engagement, was
in September, 1941 when the Wild.
cats clashed with the Rocky Mount
club here. Rocky Mount won the
contest 1877, before an estimated
crowd Of $500 fans.
According to these figures there
Will be a still larger crowd
at American Legion field this year
when the two teams meet. The
game is scheduled for October 5.
Cardinals Defeat Reds