THE STRUGGLE ON THE GRIDIRON
When the struggle first began it looked as though the veteran
Marshall players meant to smother their lighter opponents by means of
the sheer force of their attack. They immediately carried the ball
over into Chester's side of the field, and there was danger of a
touchdown before the game had been in progress five minutes.
During this period the Chester spectators sat with a numb feeling
clutching their hearts, though they tried their best to assume a
confidence they could hardly feel. Their boys were really novices at
the business, and it was to be expected, they reasoned, trying to
bolster up their waning courage, that at first things would hit the
Chester line hard. But just wait a bit, until they began to recover
their wind, and Jack Winters was given a fair chance to unmask some of
his hidden batteries. "He laughs longest who laughs last," was a
saying with a good deal of truth behind it; and anyhow the game was
very young yet. Besides, Marshall hadn't scored, after all, it seemed.
A burst of applause broke out that seemed to almost shake the ground,
such was its vigor. And apparently most of it came from the excited
Chester cohorts, though there were some impartial local admirers of
the great game who could readily cheer a daring and brilliant play, no
matter on which side it occurred.
What had happened was just this: Winters had carried the ball around
the Marshall end for a gain of thirty yards, and when he was finally
downed it was far over on Marshall ground. The tables had been
suddenly turned, and now it was the home team that was forced to act
on the defensive.
Another little gallop, on the part of Joel Jackman this time, gave
Chester additional gains, with the ball still safe in their
possession. As this evidence of the recuperative power of the new
Chester machine was discovered, it seemed as though the vast crowd
would go crazy with delight. Even the local rooters grinned their
happiness.
"Well! well! well! they _can_ do something worth while!" one Marshall
student was heard to call out, as though he were indeed surprised.
"Why, bless my soul, we're going to see a real game after all, and not
a walkaway."
"You needn't worry," snapped a Chester boy close by, full of ginger,
and ready to stand up for his colors all the time; "we've got a pretty
nest of tricks ready to unload on your fellows. Just keep your eye on
Chester, Green, and don't worry. Plenty of time for that after the
game is finished, and you hear the real Chester yell!"
Next Fred Badger, given the signal, seized upon the ball when it was
snapped to him, and actually smashed his way through left tackle for
another gain of twelve yards. His action had evidently taken the
Marshall fellows off guard, for they must have anticipated a renewal
of the drive around the ends.
Now they were well over on enemy territory, and for the first time in
the game a cry began to arise for a touchdown, that only students
hungry for a touchdown can emit. Louder and more insistent it grew in
volume as the players began to settle back again for a renewal of the
desperate tussle. Even many Marshall fellows took part in the demand,
for, as they loudly proclaimed, it would make the game much more
interesting if their team had a handicap in the start to fight
against, since they always did their best work when forced to exert
themselves, and come up from behind.
Well, if they were really sincere about it they had their wish
speedily gratified. Hardly were the players in motion again than a
single figure was seen streaking in like wildfire past the struggling
mass, and heading deeper into Marshall territory as though determined
that this time nothing should prevent a score.
It was Mullane, the left halfback! As a rule, Steve could hardly be
called a genuine sprinter, and doubtless that was just why Jack had
selected him for this special occasion, for the lighter fellows would
of course be under suspicion, and interference focussed on their
actions.
There was pursuit, of course, and it could be seen that Bennett and
Haldy were rapidly overtaking the fugitive. Such a wild howl as went
up all over the field at this thrilling stage of the game! Mullane
dared not look back over his shoulder. By mere instinct alone he
understood just what was happening, and how from several quarters
Marshall players were closing in on him.
Perhaps he fancied he could even hear their panting just behind him.
It must have nerved Steve as nothing else could have done. He knew
that he was on the verge of immortal fame, even though he might not
secure the coveted touchdown that the mob was now shouting for so
hungrily.
It is just such a situation as this that makes a fellow bring to the
front hitherto unsuspected energies. Steve certainly never in all his
life ran like he did on that particular occasion. Why, some of the
delighted Chester boys boasted that he fairly _flew_, as though he had
wings suddenly developed; though of course those light-footed pursuers
came even faster.
Then, just when Bennett hurled himself to drag Steve down, by a mighty
effort the Chester boy threw his body forward, and fell on his face,
with the ball gripped fiercely in his hands _over the line!_
When this wonderful fact became evident to the crowd, as it did like
magic, the air was rent with mad cheers. Everybody jumped up to wave
their hands, school colors, and handkerchiefs; while amidst the
terrific din a hundred hats soared heavenward, to be reckoned with
afterwards by their reckless and excited owners.
It was a clean touch down for Chester! First blood had after all come
to the visitors. The Marshall players began to look more serious.
After all, then, it was not destined to be such a "soft snap" as some
of them had made out to believe. They had better gird themselves, and
start in to do something on their own account. These Chester fellows
could play the game, it seemed, for all there was in it. Visions of
possible defeat spurred the locals on to increasing their pressure.
They remembered that Jack Winters led those hosts from the rival town;
and in the baseball session he had demonstrated what a menace he could
be to any opponent. Besides, it must not be forgotten that Chester had
had the advice and coaching of a veteran college player, who had kept
his finger on the pulse of the football world, even though he had been
actually out of the real struggle for years.
The kick for goal after the touchdown proved futile. Either the
distance was too great, or else a slant of the wind caused the ball to
miss its mark, much to the regret of McGuffey, who had qualified for
that honor. Jack determined that if another like opportunity occurred
he would depend on sturdy Big Bob Jeffries. Now that the thing was
done, he realized that this was his first mistake thus far.
But the score was five to nothing, and the fight still on Marshall's
lines. It might be possible to duplicate the performance, and still
further push the home players down in the mud.
Marshall, however, was now nettled. The sting of that easy touchdown
was like the goad to a lazy horse. The whole line quickened, and
during the remainder of the first period they forced the fighting over
into Chester territory. Indeed, after a number of downs, and a close
call from having a touchdown scored upon them, Chester only barely
managed to hold the hungry enemy at bay until the referee's whistle
announced that the first period had expired.
During the few minutes between the end of the first quarter and the
renewal of activities, there was much buzzing of tongues all over the
grandstand. Everybody seemed to be talking at once; and of course the
three girl chums from Chester had to have their brief say.
"Wasn't it a grand sight, though, to see Steve Mullane carrying the
pigskin oval across the line?" exclaimed Lucy Marsh, her eyes snapping
in her delight. "Girls, after all, I've decided that I'll attend that
barn dance Thanksgiving night out at the Badgeley Farm with Steve. You
see, four fellows have asked me, and I hardly knew which one I wanted
to accept; but after what Steve has done to cheer up Chester this day,
of course I couldn't decline his invitation."
"But please don't say that Steve did it all!" spoke up Mollie Skinner,
quickly. "He was only one in the chain, remember, though deserving of
great praise for beating those fast runners, and falling across the
line with the ball just in time. I noticed that Fred Badger made a
distinct gain, without which Steve never could have reaped his reward.
Some are given to plant, others to water, but the fortunate one is
able to reap the harvest of cheers. It's hardly fair; Fred, yes, and
Joel Jackman, too, deserves a share in the applause, for they made
that touchdown possible."
"There's glory enough for all," said Adelaide, wisely, to settle the
question in a common-sense way. "Every fellow on the team, from Jack
Winters down, had a share in that play; for you must have noticed that
they interfered and shut off much of the pursuit so that the nearest
Marshall boys could not hold Steve when he started his plunge."
"Well, there they are at it again, girls, and what a dandy kick-off
that was! Oh! I hope Chester still holds the advantage when this
period ends."
Lucy's devout wish seemed without avail, for the fighting soon surged
over on Chester territory, with the heavy Marshall machine pushing its
way remorselessly forward yard by yard. Before six minutes had passed
they had scored a safety from their opponents, giving them two points
to start with. Then came a furious struggle ending in a goal being
kicked from field that netted Marshall just three points; and as the
period finally came to an end they were threatening a repetition of
this same system of tactics.
During the intermission Marshall made two changes in their line-up, it
being discovered that there were weak links in their chain. Chester
had thus far fortunately escaped any serious accidents, and Jack did
not give any of the eager substitutes a chance to show what they had
in them, though they were ready to jump in at a word.
Jack now saw it was true concerning the ability of several Marshall
players to kick amazing field goals, and he realized that it must be
his policy after this to try to keep the situation from developing
along those lines, and debar them from such opportunities as much as
possible.
With the starting of hostilities again the play began to center around
midfield. Now it was Chester in possession of the ball, and then like
magic it passed into the hands of the locals. Half-way through the
quarter the tide surged back on to Chester territory, with all that
brawn thrown upon them. Speedily came a touchdown for Marshall, but
the kick for goal missed connections by a foot.
When but two minutes remained for a recovery there came a series of
brilliant forward passes on the part of Chester, followed by steady
gains, until just as the last minute was starting, Jack gave the
signal that brought about a brilliant play, following which Jones, the
left end, ran swiftly around and planted the ball across the line for
another touchdown. A kick for goal failed to score, and as the whistle
of the referee announced that the quarter had come to an end, a mighty
howl arose from thousands of throats, while the whole grandstand and
field seemed to fairly blaze with innumerable waving flags and
pennants and all manner of such objects. For with the game three-
quarters finished the score was actually a tie, being ten to ten!