Individual Backfield Aces Dominate Yardling Football Team's 3-3 Season

The freshman football team produced several individual standouts this season but was never able to function as a well-balanced unit for any length. Even so, Henry Lamar's eleven was able to finish with a respectable 3-3 record.

In its last game, the Crimson seemed ready to turn only a fair season into a success with a win over unbeaten Yale. After suprising the crowd by jumping ahead to a quick 12-0 lead in the first quarter, the Yardlings were plagued by the same troubles that cost them several scoring chances earlier in the season. Although the backfield continued to perform admirably, the line was unable to offer sufficient help and the Yardling defense could not cope with Elis' running and passing attack.

Although taking the field in its opener after less than a week of practice, the team whipped Tufts easily, 33 to 6. In its next game the freshmen were clearly outclassed by Boston College and showed that it needed more unity in order to avoid similar humiliations. Against B.C. quarterbacks Charlie Kinney and Terry Bartolet proved to be talented passers although they were quickly rushed on every attempt. The playing of a few individuals was the only bright spot that afternoon and was a sign of things to come for the 1959 freshman.

Next the team won two away games, but both times needed to come from behind to do it. The Yardlings scored three late touchdowns in mud and water at Dartmouth to win, 18 to 6, and also needed three eleventh-hour scores (thanks mainly to halfback Hobie Armstrong) to overcome a 6-0 deficit and finally triumph, 20 to 6, over Brown.

Sporting a 3-1 record the Yardlings, met Princeton but found out, to the tune of 20 to 12, that they were not the cream of the Ivy League. A victory over Yale would have soothed the Crimson's wounds, but the Yardlings' chronic troubles in the second half resulted in a disappointing finish to their season.

Among the standouts on the team was of course Kinney, a very talented ball-handler and an accurate passer. He had a field day against Yale although most of his teammates did not, as he completed 16 out of 33 passes.

One of Kinney's three TD passes in the game was an end zone aerial to his regular receiver, end Ron Bonebrake. The 6:1 end is the fourth in a series of talented football players who have come to the college from Casady School in Oklahoma, Okla. Like Bonebrake and Kinney, halfbacks, Charlie Taylor and Armstrong are definite candidates for regular varsity play next year.

Varsity coach John Yovicsin has also talked highly of captain Dick Diehl, who, along with Walt Kelley, was a bright spot in the freshman line.