Evening star., 1947-11-03
5tee|ers RATE an Edge
Over Eagles in Race
For Eastern Crown
By Lewis F. Atchison

! It's practically private argu-
ment between Pittsburgh and Phila-
delphia for Eastern honors in the
National Football League from here
in, with an edge for the Steelers.
The Eagles, presenting the best bal
anced offense District fans have
seen all season, virtually snuffed out
the Redskins last hopes by whipping
'em, 1914, before another sellout
congregation of 36,591 yesterday at
Griffith Stadium.
Philadelphia put on the whole
show, bringing along the famed
"Mummers" band for half-time en-
tertainment. The musicians played
as well as Greasy Meals athletes.
The Redskins couldn't cope with
the sharp, hard-hitting ball carrying
of Steve Van Buren,, Bosh Pritchard
and Pat McHugh. They were forced
to clutch and hold in vain attempt
to stop Tommy Thompson's passes,
and their own offense was as weak
as the final score indicates.
Pirates Have Edge.
Pittsburgh seems to have the
edge. in the stretch run, having
only five games to play, including
three with the divisions weak SIS
ters-Washington, New York and
Boston. The Steelers' two toughest
games are with the Bears and re-
turn engagement with Philly.
The Eagles, on the other hand,
have the Cards and Green Bay
among their last six opponents and
whipping Pittsburgh, the Chicago
Cardinals and Green Bay on sue
cessive week ends may be too big
a job for them.
The Redskins may as well toss
caution to the wind and begin to-
build character or merely have
fun the rest of the season. 1t is
quite apparent that the wild gamble
on rookie talent is lost. Call 1t bad
blocking, weak tackling or whatever
YOU will, but the Redskins obviously
are in over their heads this season.
Another year may makx a differ
ence, as much difference as lS4l
and ~, but title aspirations Will
have to be postponed one season at
least.
Pull Slick Maneuver.
The Eagles pulled slick maneu-
yer to get their first touchdown,
but it was typical of the smart
football they played all afternoon.
AL Wistert came over from right
tackle and posted himself behind
Vic Sears at left tackle. To meet
this concentration of 452 pounds OF
opposition the Redskin line ma
turally drew in closer and 1T was
no trouble at all for End Pete
Pihos to dash in and pluck the
ball off Sam Baugh's toe. Pete
went 26 yards to score in 1:42, a
new course record.
Eddie Saenz, who got the Skins
first touchdown on pass from
Baugh, fumbled and gave the Eagles
a chance for their second quick
six points. Thompson eliminated
the 34-yard drive with a 10-yard
toss to Pihos, who got away from
Tom Farmer for his second score
of the day.
Naturally, the customers wanted
good look at Van Buren, who is
battling Pittsburgh's Johnny Glenn
ent for ground-gaining honors, and
all they got was glimpse of his
heels. The Philly Flyer went %
yards to the cashiers window less
than two minutes after the start
of the second half and less than
five minutes later romped 81 be-
hind beautiful interference for
another six-pointer.
Van Buren, Piles Up 140 Yards.
Van Buren piled up more than
140 yards on an unofficial tab, which
should give him wide lead on
Clement.
Jimmy Youel took the Skins II
yards for their second score late in
the game, aided by couple OF 15-
yard penalties against the Eagles.
Jimmy personally took the ball over
from the 3-yard line on a quarter
back sneak.
At times it appeared that the
Skins might open up and make a
closer ball game of it. but the
Eagles always had a little some
thing in reserve. Jack Sommers,
playing tackle, drilled through to
smear Thompson a couple of times,
and Johnny Adams was tower
of strength on the other side of the
line, but with plenty of space to
run in the Eagles didn't waste time
trying to go over an obstacle course