Freshmen Gridders Defend Record Against Strong Princeton Squad

The Harvard Freshman football team, undefeated and intending to stay that way, will take on once beaten Princeton today in New Jersey. "I'm not saying we're going to win," says coach Henry Lamar, "but Princeton's in for one heck of a game."

Except for a few minor injuries, the team is in good physical condition for today's game. Left half back Joe Paulac and fullback Dick St. Inge are the only backs disabled, but they might see some action. Center Marty Zimmerman and tackles Dan Goodnow and Mike Lichtenstein are hurt, but they may play today too.

Lamar does not feel that the injuries will have any effect on the outcome of the contest. "If we lose, Princeton won't beat us--we will beat ourselves," the coach said. He added that one of the reasons the team has been so successful is that the players have made few careless errors.

Another reason for this season's impressive record, according to Lamar, is that the players have jelled into a cohesive unit much more quickly than in the past. Lamar says that he usually finds himself introducing his players to each other at the Yale game.

A Real Team

This year, however, the players became acquainted almost immediately. They have worked together effectively and have become a team rather than a group of individuals.

Lamar feels that the team's excellent spirit, not any exceptional talent, is responsible for the undefeated record. "They knock the heck out of each other during the week, and on Saturday's they band together and do a good job of knocking the other team around," he said.

The coach added that there are no real standouts on the team. Different players have excelled each week. Lamar refuses to name any of the first three units as the first string. The three teams share the playing time fairly evenly, and a different line and backfield has starred each week.

Beasley Named Captain

Last week the Freshmen chose as their captain passing quarterback Jerry Beasley, the first back to become a Harvard freshman football captain for at least eight years. Beasley's favorite targets are ends, Ken Boyda and Dick Hudak. The halfbacks on Beasley's unit are Wally Grant and Joe Pollac, and the fullback is Roger Noback, the team's high scorer.

The interior line men protecting Beasley are: tackles, Lichtenstein and Bill Zalinski; guards. Whit Lee and Bob Barrett; and center, Jim Driscoll.

Beasley agrees that freshmen do not have much more ability than the teams they have played. "We've been out-thinking them and definitely outhustling them," he claims.