Football Epitaphs

With the dying wiggle of the final snake dance, football becomes largely a matter of theoretical bitterness. During the season one may bet on one's theories; now it is only possible to sputter. Those whose business it is to sputter in print have drawn up the following list of sectional champions:

Pacific Coast. California. Undefeated through its fourth successive year. Won 33 games. Tied 2. Total score: 1,373 points. Opponents: 88.

Middle West. Illinois and Michigan. Both maintained perfect percentages in the winning column of the Conference season. Unfortunately they did not meet.

East. Yale and Cornell. Neither were defeated or tied.

South. Vanderbilt and Washington & Lee.

Eighteen players were killed or died from football injuries during the season. Nine of these were high school students; five, college players ; four, professionals, semi-professionals, members of athletic club teams. The most unusual fatality was that of Chester Mares, fullback on Willoughby, O., semipro, team. Chewing tobacco caught in his throat as he was knocked down while catching a pass. He strangled to death.

Probably the most singular novelty of the season was the appearance of rubber trousers -- worn by Army, Pittsburgh and West Virginia players on rainy playing fields. Comparatively light in weight and slippery as an eel's hips, the player thus equipped has his opponents at a considerable disadvantage. It is probable that the Rules Committee will afford the rubber trouser legislative recognition.

A double span of football life has been the portion of E. W. Garbisch, Captain-elect of the Army team for 1924. Seven years ago Garbisch was awarded his university insignia at Washington and Jefferson. Entering West Point in 1921, he was enabled to continue his career owing to the nonexistence of the regular intercollegiate football restrictions.