Leverett Will Tackle Davenport Again For Harkness Gridiron Championship

For the second year in arow, Leverett House will meet Davenport College at Yale for the Harkness Trophy, and for the second time, will find itself faced by a team of equal strength.

Both Leverett and Davenport are undefeated in their own intramural competition. Both have been scored upon in only two games and tied in one. And both have a particularly aggressive defense.

But the game will not be a battle of defense. Although Leverett's defense has held opponents to a total of 13 points, the Bunnies' offense has amassed a total of 131 points in nine games. Quarterback Steve Ekdahl has balanced his precise passing offensive with a strong ground game, utilizing powerful halfback Jim Thomsen.

Davenport's offense looks impressive on paper, but has failed to average much more than a touchdown per game. Versatile Ken Smith, halfback, linebacker, place kicker, and punter, and halfback Gary Howard are the key figures in Davenport's offense.

But their only major punch is their passing and power sweeps, and defending against this kind of offense has been Leverett's strong point. Leverett's linebackers and pass defenders are particularly aggressive.

In last year's contest with Davenport, tow pass interceptions were instrumental in setting up Leverett's 14-6 victory. In the crucial Winthrop game this year, Bunny defenses picked up a fumble on their own 17-yard line to stall what might have been a game-winning drive.

Davenport also boasts an aggressive defense. In their intramural championship game this year, defensive tackle Terrene Young made 16 tackles that threw he opposing offense for combined losses of 80 yards.

But defense will not be enough. To win, Davenport will have to capitalize on Leverett's weaknesses.

This week, Leverett has ben plagued with injuries. Linebacker Joe Augusciak and fullback Steve Maynard are out. Others may play with injuries.

Leverett, however, has been using what is almost a platoon system, and should have enough men who can play both ways to overcome this handicap.

Besides the championship game Friday at 2:30 eight other games between the Harvard Houses and Yale's colleges will be played on the fields behind the Field House. At 2 p.m. Dudley plays Silliman, Dunster meets Berkeley, Adams faces Saybrook, and Kirkland plays Calboun.

At 3:15 p.m. Second place Winthrop faces Stiles, Quincy meets Timothy Dwight, Eliot plays Jonathan Edwards, and Lowell will fight Trumbull.