Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 241, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1915 — FIRST FOOTBALL GAME TO RENSSELAER [ARTICLE]

FIRST FOOTBALL GAME TO RENSSELAER

Pulled Game Out of Fire Near Finish After Kentland Had Scored in the First Half. Rensselaer won its first football game of the year Saturday, defeating £entland by the score of 7 to 6, after the visitors had held them down until within three minutes of the end of the game. Although the team was a little ragged in its offensive work and allowed the Kentland players to break repeatedly through the line, the boys put up a very good game for their first time out and should have won the game by a larger margin. Some bad judgment, a little bad luck and over-confidence seemed the factors that almost lost the first game to the visitors. The visitors had a fleet-footed little quarterback named O’NeiV who intercepted a forward pass which was unwisely attempted when Rensselaer was within 7 yards of a touchdown, and getting underway with the pigskin tucked under his arm ran the full length of the field for a touchdown. Booster Eigelsbadh, the local quarterback, set out in pursuit but could not operate his lower props fast enough to capture the fleet O’Neil, who planted the ball between the goal posts. With everything in their favor, however, Kentland failed to kick goal and thereby loSt their chance to tie the game. With the handicap of 6 points Rensselaer was at a great disadvantage and it took all of the remaining time about to force the ball across the Kentland line. Harry Moore finally went over the line and Booster Eigelsbach kicked goal and the score was 7 to 6. After that the ball was punted quite a little for the sake of time and there was joy in the Rensselaer camp because their first game had resulted in a victory. A little comment on the game might serve to aid the locals in their future games. The line must learn to stop up the holes, the formation must be changed to afford better interference and there must be a big revival in the “pep” that has always been such a factor in our high school. The line must be stretched out to take cAre of the halfbacks and ends and prevent them getting around and breaking up' the plays back of the line. /The forward passes worked very we}l and since the team is light it looks as though the success must depand largely on the offensive open game. Gourley is a great man at center, Harry Moore as the big strength in the oack field and his line bucking had all of the old-fashioned smash that made Rensselaer famous at the gridiron game. The Dunlap boys have speed and daring and they tackle well' and if the interference can be formed in front of them should be able to make many long runs, but they are 1 light and can not get results unless given an almost clear field. Booster Eigelsbach ds playing a good game at quarterback but his* forward passes fell short of the mark and Dwight got better results dn this respect in the short time he played. Harry MoColly put up a good game at left end and will make one of the best men on the team. Hard daily practice tq buoy up ./he spirits and nerve of the bunch must be indulged in if they are to make a respectable showing in the hard schedule before them.