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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 1942)
Page 2- fflenc/z 'arson -THE B ATT ALIO N- -MONDAY MORNING, SEPT. 21, 1942 ( ^l/f[apU (?. flowers zams an tyf?Zccpa^ac &.<Si immons Picking Texas University for Conference Crown; Aggies and Rice Only a Notch Behind The greatest nightmare of any prognosticator is the time when he has to stick his neck—and I mean far—and try, mind you, to pick the winner of the Southwest Con ference. I, for one, detest the task for it tends to get me into a million and one arguments and causes un pleasant repercussions. Especially do I detest that task when the conference teams are so equal in every respect. But, like any other ambitious sports writer, the bid saying, that if you “gotta do it you just gotta do it,” stands with me. So, without' any ado, I will proceed to name my idea of the coming champion. As mentioned before, the con ference race will be tighter than a drum. Every team, from Homer Norton’s Texas Aggies on down to a supposedly weak—don’t believe what Jinx Tucker tells you—Bay lor eleven, will have strong possi bilities. In a class, however, all by themselves, I put Texas University, A.&M. and Rice—three teams that should be the leading contenders 'for the crown. Now, let’s stop a moment and take a peek at each team. First, 'Texas. Twenty-one returning let- ■termen and a bevy of sophomore prospects, headed by Raymond Jones and Travis Raven, gives the crafty Dana X. Bible quite a good start, considering his five-year • • Next, our own Aggies. One name and that’ll almost tell you to a T how the Cadets of Coach Homer Norton stand. His name is Lightnin’ Leo Daniels, my selection for the best back of the year in the con ference—o.k., the nation then. The swivel-hipped marvel, who was ac claimed as the topnotch sophomore, last year, is definitely the spear head of the Aggie attack and upon his shoulders rests all Aggie hopes for their fourth conference crown. His needle-like passes, his coffin- corner kicking and his deceptive running may well determine the old question, “Can the Aggies do it again?” However, Daniels is only a part —just a cog—of the machine erect ed by Coach Norton. There must be eleven men on the field and • • And what about Jess Neely’s Rice Owls? Well, you can mark this team as a “sleeper.” It’s either going to be a great team or one of those that falls by the wayside. There’s no middle path for it— it’s one or the other. Loss of Bob Brumley, one of the few gridsters, who could carry out Neeley’s tricky plays, is a tough blow to swallow and may take Jess quite a while before he can find an other of the Brumley type. Dick 9 The rest—T.C.U., S.M.U., Arkan sas and Baylor are apt to be right in the thick of the battle. The Horned Frogs have a great start ing lineup, headed by End Bruce Alford, Derrell Palmer, and either Dean Bagley or Emory Nix. But their biggest trouble may be their downfall—and that’s lack of re serves. S.M.U. has a great back in Red Maley and some good prospects in Wayne Shaw, red-headed sopho more flinger. But their line and reserve strength is not in the same class with either Texas’, A.&M.’s or Rice’s and that leaves them out in the cold. Arkansas and Baylor will prob- • • plan is going into its sixth sea son. Also put down in your little pad that all those 23 sweatermen and a galaxy of squadmen saw considerable service last year when that great (?) Texas eleven was at its peak, and even though the Longhorns did lose their whole first team, the experience tended to the returning gridsters was enough to assure them of a high rating the following season. Only weakness of the team is the lack of a capable passer, something that Coach Bible must work out if he expects to go anywhere. At any rate, there’s a team flexed with power and speed to burn—a team that has every potentiality for a SWC crown. that’s what every coach has to contend with. The prime Cadet weakness at the tackle slot, a va cancy caused by the departure of Leonard Dickey and Bob Tulis to the army, has Norton in a dither. So unless that’s ironed out and (quickly, the Ags are gonna be in for it. That “suicide” schedule won’t be an asset either and then consider that the Maroon and White wearers have to take on their toughest games on the road and you can Realize why Norton isn’t making any raslf predictions. With All-Conference Center Sibley, Webster, Maples and Daniels in there the Aggies might make it to the top but they’re going to have tough sledding if that tackle situation is not ironed out. Dwelle, passing star, has been moved to the spot, and whether he comes through or not is a question that only time can answer. Then there’s Stoop Dickson, who may be the conference’s top punt er; Weldon Humble, hard-hitting guard and a few great sophomores which includes Virgil Eikenberg, great triple-threat ace, who may be just the tonic to drive the feathered flock to the pinnacle of fame — the Southwest Confer ence championship. • ably fight it out for the cellar. Both are apt to upset any team and probably will do it. One thing is almost certain— the conference champion will not .qome through unscratched—he will trip on the way somewhere. So, ironic as it may seem, I pick TEXAS UNIVERSITY for the championship in a nip and tuck race. Here’s how it’ll finally turn out—maybe: 1. Texas 2. A.&M. 3. Rice 4. T.C.U. 5. S.M.U. 6. Ax-kansas and Baylor (tied for the cellar) Sports Squibs From Here and There; SWC Teams Should Win Their Tilts This Weekend Taking a crack at this week’s games—A.&M. 14, L.S.U. 0; Texas 33, Kansas State 0; Baylor 19, Hardin-Simmons 7; Arkansas 34, Wichita U. 0; S.M.U. 27, Denton Teachers 0; T.C.U. 13, U.C.L.A. 7; and Rice 20, Corpus Christi Naval Air Station 7 . . . Won’t attempt to stick neck out on national games but will do so in the future . . . When the Aggies meet L.S.U. next Saturday at Baton Rouge, it’ll be the first meeting of the two teams since 1926 . . . Tackle Slot Weakness of Cadet Team Introducing a Few Of Aggieland’s Top Notch Grid Aces Introducing some members of the 1942 Texas Aggies upon whose board and capable shoulders rest the major portion of the load which the Aggies must carry this season: Ray Mulhollan—Guard; Wt. 192'; Ht. 6.0; Age 20; Home, Belton, Texas. This boy will be one of the starting Aggie guards and while not such a spectacular player, he is one of the most consistent men on the team. Ray will see plenty of service in 1942. Cullen “Slick” Rogers—Wing- back; Wt. 185; Ht. 6.0; Age 21; Home, Mart, Texas. Cullen will be the Aggies’ starting wingback this year, and will be the boy upon whose shoulders rests the signal calling duties. He is exceptionally fast, and one of the best pass re ceivers in the nation. The combina tion of Daniels to Rogers should score many a touchdown for the Aggies in the current campaign. Wayne Cure—Tackle; Wt. 208; Ht. 5.11; Age 23; Home, Gilland, Texas. Wayne has been shifted to tackle his year from his guard position in order to bloster that weak spot in the Aggie line. This boy has the possibilities of be coming a great player if he will turn on the heat and really hustle. Bobby Williams—Back; Wt. 174; Ht. 5.9; Age 20; Home, Eldo rado, Texas. Bobby is what is known as the Swing back, as he plays all four positions in the backfield. He has more per pound of weight than any man on the Aggie squad, and a hustle and de termination that is unapproachable. Bobby will see plenty of service this season, and Aggie oponents had better watch out when this diminutive stick of dynamite gets the ball. Willie Zapalac—Blocking back; Wt. 200; Ht. 6.0; Age 21; Home, Bellville, Texas. Willie will share fullback duties this season with Jake Webster, and with his fine blocking ability and hard running, he could easily become a great star this year. Weldon Maples—Guard and Tack le; W. 195. 6.0; Age 21; Home, Ft. Worth, Texas. Weldon was an excellent guard last season, but this year he will also play tackle to help strengthen that post. He is a husky and aggressive player, and will be heavily depended on by Coach Norton this season. Felix Bucek—Guard; Wt. 190; Ht. 6.0; Age 20; Home, Schulen- berg, Texas. Felix skyrocketed in to the limelight last season when he intei’cepted a pass in the Ar kansas game and ran 58 yards for what later became known as the $50,000 touchdown, as that is what it turned out to be worth to the Aggies. Bill Henderson—End; Wt. 200; Ht. 6.4; Age 23; Home, Houston, Texas. “Jitterbug” as Bill is known to his teammates and friends is considered by Coach Norton to be the greatest pass receiver in foot ball today. Bill made several All- American picks last season, and with any sort of luck should du plicate that performance this sea son. Don Leuthy—Tackle; Wt. 198; Ht. 6.2; Age 21; Home Monohans, Texas. Don was slated to be a starting tackle this season, but a fractured collarbone put him out action for at least four weeks, and furthered complicated Coach Nor ton’s worries over the tackles. But Don is expected to come back strong as soon as the bone heals, and he’ll see plenty of service then. Elvis “Boots” Simmons—Wt. 205; Ht. 6.3; Age 23; Home, Som- merville, Texas. Boots divided time with Bill Henderson last season, Top Conference Pivot Man Dub Sibley, the Agpies’ All-Conference center, will have a large load to carry this year. He was the leading pass defense man of the nation last year dragging down a total of ten enemy aerials. His main weakness heretofore has been snapping the ball, but this year Norton’s phenomenal line-crasher has shown great improvement and is already groomed as a potential All-American threat. Norton Pessimistic About Aggie Chances of Repeating as Champions A Texas Aggie squad of 65 men of seven 1941 starters, two 1942 have been going through strenuous starters, and three coaches is practice sessions for the past two weeks in preparation for their forthcoming game with L. S. U. on Saturday, September 26. Gone to the armed forces are three coaches and three key letter- men, two of whom were listed as starting Aggie tackles, which leaves the Aggies with a gaping hole at that slot in the line. Only two men of the 14 candidates for that position have ever played in a college game, and the combined playing time of those two is less than ten minutes. Gone also are the 12 seniors who completed their eligibility last sea son, and among those are Martin Ruby, tackle, and Derace' Moser, tailback, both voted the most valu able linemen and back respectively in the conference and both placers on All-America picks. I Gone is end Coach Dough Rol- I lins to the Army as a Captain in the Infantry; Backfield Coach Marty Karow, as a Lieutenant in the Navy, and Head Coach of the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station; and co-freshman coach Charlie De- Ware, now in Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. and headed for a commission as a second Lieutenant. And as Coach Norton puts it, “gone also are our chances of re peating as the Southwest Con- fei’ence Champions.” And the loss bound to make his statement look good. Replacements are available for all jobs except the tackles ,which has always been an Aggie strong point, but now the darkest spot in a dark outlook. Weldon Maples and Wayne Cure, both guards have been shifted to tackle in a desperate attempt to plug the gap, but the outcome is still in doubt. At center is one of te brightest spots of the team, for capably filling that post is All-Conference Bill Sibley, the boy who led the nation in pass-interceptions last year, and who has already made one All-American pick this season. Arthur Mercer, a fetterman, will be on hand to back him up, and two excellent sophomores Damon Tassos and Fred Walker. The backfield material is excel lent and plentiful, and Coach Nor ton will have no worries on that score. With a starting outfit of Daniels, Webster, Zapalac and Ro gers, and with Bobby Williams working the “Swingback, ready to take over any of them’s post, the backfield is set to roll in grand style. If things improve in te line situ ation, the Aggies might be able to give some trouble, but as things stand now, it looks like a tough year ahead for the College Sta tion boys. Automatic Jake!! Aggies’ Jake Webster Gives Nortonmen Place-Kicking Edge New Speed-Up Program Affects Gridsters Greatly Juniors at A&M Will Feel Effect This Year; Slated To be Their Final Season Under the three sixteen-week semester educational plan now in effect at Texas A. & M. each cal ender year, all of the current jun iors will have completed their col lege education before the opening of the football season of 1943 and therefore are playing their last season, unless the war should ter minate before they graduate. Normally the seniors would have completed their eligibility this sea son and graduate in June 1943. However, by attending school this summer they will graduate in Jan uary, 1943. Likewise, the juniors due to play in 1942 and 1943 will complete their four years of college work by September 1943 and will be gone just before the season opens. All of the boys are taking military training leading to a commission and even should they fail to pass the required number of college hours they will go to active duty with the U. S. Army as soon as they complete that phase of their courses. Should they fail to make passing grades in their military course,, then they will go to active duty as enlisted men earlier in stead of commissioned officers as all are now sworn into the enlisted reserve. Eligibility of all men gone to the service has been halted and they may return competition after the war if they have not graduated. Southwest Conference rules allow an athlete five years from the time he enters college his freshman years. DIDJA KNOW—that the largest crowd before which an Aggie foot ball team has played was in the Sugar Bowl, Jan. 1, 1940, when 73,000 persons jammed the stadium to see John Kimbrough lead the Cadets to a 14-13 victory . . . By Chick Hurst A touchdown has just been scor ed by the Aggies! A breathless hush falls over the crowded stands as the crowd awaits expectantly the attempt for the extra point. A husky black haired lad steps back from his fullback post and marks a spot for his teammate to hold the ball. A quick step forward, the whip of a powerful leg, and the football sails up, up and over the crossbar for a perfect conver sion! Jake Webster, the lad with the educated toe has done it again! Twenty three consecutive times during 1941 that little scene was enacted before a point was missed. And twenty nine times altogether during the season. In 32 attempts Jake booted 29 conversions, a mo dern all-time intercollegiate record. Jackson David Webster, that’s Jake’s real name, was born March 15, 1920 at Sweetwater, Texas. He attended grammer school there, and later junior high school where he lettered twice in football. It was while in junior high school that Jake played sandlot baseball in games umpired by the great “Sling ing Sammy” Baugh, who Jake con siders his athletic hero. Jake then went to Sweetwater High School, where he was an outstanding athlete, winning his letter three times in football and baseball, and once in track. In his senior year he was named all district fullback in his district. Also in his senior year, a local theatre ran a contest for the most valuable player, and Jake won the prize, which was $300 to be used to further his education. It was while he was still in high school that Jake began his place- kicking which was later to carry him on ‘to fame and glory. He came to A. & M. in 1939 and after a year on the freshman squad was ready for varsity competition. But a boy by the name of John Kimbrough was playing at full back for the Aggies in 1940, so Jake spent much of his time on the bench. However, when the 1941 season rolled around, the starting full back for the Aggies was Webster, and he held down the post credit ably the entire season. This year it looks as though Jake will be one of the most improved players on ton has Had Webster doing a good ly share of the passing, and he has shown exceptional ability to hit his receivers with the ball. When questioned about his hob bies and tastes Jake is rather on the quiet side. He has no particular hobby. His athletic hero as has already been mentioned is Sammy Baugh. His favorite sport is na turally football, and next to that he likes baseball, swimming and the entire squad. In his last few games of 1941, he performed bril liantly, and in the Cotton Bowl game he was nothing short of sensational. Jake is a powerful line plunger, good blocker, and one of the best kickers on the squad in addition to his place kicking ability. Also, in the last practices Coach Nor and golf. When it comes to the fairer sex, Jake likes to play the field, but in his own words, “I’m looking around for one.” Jake considers the Cotton Bowl game of 1942 the best game he has ever played, and last year’s clash with Arkansas the most dis heartening one he ever played in. (See Jake Webster, Page 12) P t A t V i ♦