Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 248, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1916 — GOAL KICK NIPS EAST CHICAGO [ARTICLE]

GOAL KICK NIPS EAST CHICAGO

Most Dangerous Contender of Ix>cals For Northern Indiana Championship Put Out 7 to 6. East Chicago was put out' of the running for the Northern Indiana high school football championship Saturday at Riverside park by a score of 7 to 6. The game proved to be one of the most interesting from a spectator’s viewpoint that was ever staged on the local gridiron. East Chicago came to Rensselaer with a record of three straight victories to their credit and were acknowledged the class of the northern high school teams, and their setback at the hands of the locals was a great surprise to them. “Skiddoo” Murray, former Hammond high school player, is at the helm of the East Chicago team, and if there is one thing that the aforesaid Mr. Murray likes to do it is to defeat Rensselaer. The erstwhile Murray raved and fumed between halves at his charges, and did more than that after the game. Murray could not stand to see his pets lose. It was their first setback in two years and they had their heart set on annexing the coveted state banner of high schools. Poor “Skiddoo,” we sympathize with you. The game was just as close as the score indicates and at no time was one able to pick the winner. The East Chicago team showed an amazing open field attack and relied almost entirely -on long- forward passes for their gains, and several times only one red and black tackler stood between the opposing runner and the goal posts. But this tackler always did his duty well and brought the runner to earth. To offset the open field game of the visitors, the locals showed a spirit and determination that could not be denied. They are out to preserve Rensselaer football reputation and they are doing it well. The Rensselaer line refused to give way before the onslaught of the East Chicago backfield men, forcing them to try other tactics for their

gams. East Chicago received the kick at the beginning of the game and several end runs and some well executed forward passes quickly took the ball to the Rensselaer 20 yard mark, where they tried to drop kick, which was blocked and a red and black player eagerly clasped it to his breast. During the rest of the half the ball was in midfield. Whenever East Chicago became dangerous*, Beam, who bids fair to become the best punter ever developed from the local school, would boot it far down the field and East Chicago would have their work to do all over again. The first half ended with the' score o to o: East received the kick at the start of the second half, but were quickly forced to punt. York, who took Dunlap’s place at halfback, made several long gains around end, while Capt. Moore and Crooks smashed the line until the ball was on the East Chicago nine yard mark. A short gain through the line by Moore and Quarterback McColly’s line smash put the oval a scant two inches over the coveted line. McColly made a beautiful goal kick .from an angle,

the ball sailing squarely 'between the uprights, with what later proved to be the winning point. The third quarter ended with no further scoring. The fourth quarter started with the northmen again receiving the kick. It was at this stage that the East Chicagoans began to open up and for the next five minutes clearly outplayed the locals, via the forward pass game. The ball was carried to the Rensselaer 16 yard line and line punches by the backfield sent the ball across on the fourth down. A goal would have knotted the count. The East Chicagoan kicked, the ball struck one of the goal posts and was deflected to the outside of the post and the game was saved for the locals. East Chicago was playing against time at this stage and again started their open field game. They were well on their way to another before stopped by the home gang. The game ended without further scoring. The work of York at half, Beam at center, Gourley in the line, and Moore, Crooks and McQolly deserves special mention. The home ' school this year is made up of a bunch-of fighters and the season should mark a long success of victories from now on. The team is improving in team play with each game„and the outlook is cheery. — 7 A victory at Hammond for Rensselaerwill clinch the northern title and Rensselaer will in all probability get to play the curtain raiser to the In-diana-Purdue game if the powers that be do not see fit to overlook our Frank Blocker, former Purdue center and captain, refereed the game and there were no complaints from either side.