The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1952-11-20

pla against HOSeVllle, It's very dol
idea of just where Caldwell would
unless it was Coach Tom Saund-
ers himself, could have viSualiz-
ed an MVL title, much less the
first undefeated season in 38
years. Fans had been Loyalty fol-
lowing the Redskins for too
many disappointing years, seeing
promising material fail to pro-
duce time after time, to get
steamed up over what seemed to
be another $3.50 season. In re-
cent years, the desire or wish to
win had been present, but never
was the determination or will
of all squad members so evident
as it was this season. And as
game after game slipped by, that
will to win plus faith in coach
who knew just where he was
going, seemed to keynote every
victory.
Before the season opened fans
reasoned that last years team
won only three out of nine
games, five men were lost by
graduation, the leading scorer
was ineligible, and three other
players would not return because
of old injuries. Added up, that
spelled the usual mediocre sea-
son with small boys and lack of
!. depth.
But all the time Coach Saund-
ers had other ideas. A fleet-foot-
ed senior had transferred here
from Fulda who was just what
the doctor ordered for the back
field. Another lanky transfer
from Cleveland was soon to fill
pass-catching and defensive
end spot, while no one could
possibly forsee the decided inn
provement which was to lead
Harley Fowler to the MVL scor-
ing title. And to top it all off,
here was a quarterback, who was
versatility itself. Despite the
fact that he had been ignored on
all-league selections for two
years, he could still keep ahead
of his league competitors in pass
ing, punting, kicking off, booting
extra points, field generalship,
and even run when necessary.
When Caldwell tied Roseville
TT IN the Olympia, skeptics said
the Ramblers were just holding
back. A week later, Byesville was
romped on 40-6 but the critics
argued the Falcons had nothing,
and had,never won from the Red
skins. The going would be
tougher from here with maybe
couple more victories-if they
were lucky.
The New Lex game came. and
went with Caldwell winning 1870
and once more local die-hards
pointed out that Caldwell had
defeated the Panthers four years
straight SO this victory wasn't
| unusual over a team that won
only two games in three years.
| Next week they'd really get their
ears pinned back by Roseville,
undefeated and a strong pre-
season favorite.
In three previous years, the
Ramblers had handed the Red
skins their initial defeat, but this
year a gallant Caldwell line held
| the Roseville terrors scoreleSs
while the Redskins racked up a
900 win. BY now Caldwel's band
wagon had started to roll and
the mad scramble to get aboard
began. Maybe this WAS the year,
after all!
New Concord was vanquished
1877 in a hard-fought game with
patched-up squad minus four
regulars and once more fans got
glimpse of the determination
in the hearts of those Redskin
linemen.
/ Dresden became victim number
five by another shutout $50 as
the Redskins turned on the
power with their eyes on next
weeks showdown battle with un-
defeated Philo, a team yet to be
scored on.
| Philo knew they were in ball
game before the half ended as
the nervous skins spotted their
favored opponents two touch
downs, then calmly settled down
to knot the halftime count 1913.
The Electrics surged ahead again
1913 but Caldwell roared back
to tie the game up, then go on
to a last minute win 26-19. This
was far and away their most
decisive, commanding perform
ance of the year, and by now the
last straggler on the victory
J train was shouting Were. going