Evening star., 1947-09-21
Drills Indicate Terps
Are Strongest Team
In Capital Area
By GEORGE Huber

Three District and nearby college
football teams-Georgetown, George
Washington and Maryland-hit their
final stretch of training this week
In preparation for Saturdays open
ing games. Georgetown goes to Wake
Forest for night game, while
George Washington will be at Vir-
ginia and Maryland at South Caro-
lima for afternoon tits. It's likely
that all three local representatives
will be underdogs in their 1947
debuts.
The fourth school here fielding a
team, Catholic University, doesn't
face competition until October II
against Western Maryland.
ALI teams with the possible excep-
ton Of Maryland appear to be
stronger than they were at this time
last year-and Maryland didn't live
up to its preseason promises. This
year the Terp eleven doesn't have
such grand expectations, but it does
appear to be well-drilled and con-
f1dent of turning in better record
than last years erratic team. Mary
lands showing in scrimmages and
practice games indicates it's the
strongest team here. but it also faces
the most rugged schedule.
Face Tougher Schedules.
Georgetown and George Washing
ton, like Maryland, have teams
heavily salted with veteran players.
Their schedules are tougher than last
year, with nearly all opposing teams
reporting Improvements. 1t may be
difficult for either to do better in
the won and lost column this time.
G. U. won S and lost last year and
again plays an eight-game schedule,
while G. w. faces nine games in 1947
after marking up a 4-3 record last
season.
Maryland plans to spend most of
this week in secret drills behind the
fence erected around one of its prac-
tice fields.
Prospects for scoring punch on
the Maryland eleven appear brighter
after good showings last week by
such boys as Hubie Werner, Vic
Turny, Joe Tucker Harry Bonk and
Lu Gambino. Adequate reserves ap-
pear available in the backfield. The
ends too are showing up WELL with
George Simler and Frank Evans
among the best.
Strengthening the guards and
tackles appears to be the principal
task facing Coach Jim Tatum.
Injuries Plague G. w.
George Washington still is plagued
with injuries, with the fullback slot
particularly hit last week. Players
in otter positions who are in good
physical shape showed real improve
ment; however, and Coach Skip
Stanley is growing more optimistic
about the seasons prospects. Full
backs Joe Bernot with a bang-up
knee and Paul Skinner with broken
finger Joined the injured list. AL
ready there was Bill Spangler with
loose ribs.
Stahlsy put much emphasis in
last weeks drills on the G. w. aerial
attack. Bob Mazero, Howie Will
Hams and Frank Cavello are being
prepared for tossing duties, with
Dick wooster and Frank Close as
catchers Koester has been on the
injured list. and it's tossup whether
he'll bf ready to play full time
against Virginia.
Georgetown luckily has escaped
important injuries so far. Bob
Barry. rookie quarterback and a
promising passer, is out of action
for several days with leg injury,
but he figures to be back in time for
Wake Forest. Strengthening the
team last week was the return of
Quarterback Babe Baranowski, who
did the majority of the signal call
ing last year. He should be in shape
for Saturdays game.
Banonis' Help Needed.
Also promising to help the team
if he can pass makeup examinations
is Vic Banonis, f1rst-string center
last year. The pivot spot has been
one of the main worries at the Hill
top.
Catholic University. with only a
week of drilling behind it, went
down to Patuxent Naval Training
Station for a practice game yester-
day. The boys held their first intra-
squad scrimmage on Thursday.
Among those showing we'll in first
week drills was Buddy Mauri, a
punter, who was booting them 40
and so yards, and Billy Frank and
Mike Smith, both good passers.