CHAPTER XV
THE GAME WITH DUNKIRK
There was little else to do at the meeting in the way of business. DanHatfield was unanimously named for manager, and then the coachesannounced that after a few more days of practice the team would be readyfor the first game of the season, to be played on the grounds of theDunkirk Military Academy, a school similar to that of Kentfield, andsituated about twenty miles away.
"It is rather a disadvantage not to open on your own grounds," said Mr.Spencer, "but it cannot be helped. I hope you will play all the betterfor the slight handicap, and I am sure you can win if you try."
"Yes, Dunkirk is hardly in your class," put in Mr. Martin, "but it wasthe best arrangement we could make under the circumstances. You reallyneed practice against other opponents than your own scrub eleven, andthis will give it to you. If you roll up a good big score, then it willbe time to talk of taking on Blue Hill, and some of the larger teams."
"Blue Hill beat Dunkirk twenty-six to nothing last year," remarked Dick.
"Then you want to take their measure about forty-six to nothing,"remarked Mr. Martin, "and I trust you do it."
There was some hard practice in the next few days, harder practice thanany the cadets had yet experienced, but the effects of it werenoticeable. They had more confidence in themselves, they were betterkickers, quicker in getting down the field, and in offensive work theyplayed together like clockwork. On the defense there was still somethingto be desired, but that would come with practice the coaches knew.
"Well I guess I'd better go to the railroad station and arrange aboutgetting the tickets for the team to go to Dunkirk to-morrow," remarkedManager Hatfield, the day before the game.
"You needn't get any tickets for the team and substitutes," spoke Dick.
"Why not?"
"Because I've hired some touring automobiles that will take us over andbring us back."
"You have! Say, Hamilton, there's class to you all right! You're abrick! This will be great, and we'll save the money in the treasury. Weneed it, too. I hope we get a good crowd to swell the gate receipts."
The team that was to open the season was the same that had beenpracticing against the scrub lately. Teddy Naylor could not make good,and so was not to play, but he was promised by the coaches that hewould be the first substitute called on, and this was some consolation.Porter was warned that unless he trained and practiced better he wouldbe dropped altogether, and his sullen answer was that he "didn't muchcare."
As many of the Kentfield cadets as could manage it went on the train tosee the game. Four big cars, which Dick generously hired, transportedthe team and substitutes, and they started off amid cheers and songs,with the auto gaily decorated with flags.
"It's a good start all right," remarked Paul to Dick, as they flew downthe road.
"Yes, and I hope the coming back will be even better."
"Why, you're not afraid of not beating them; are you?"
"Not exactly afraid, but I never was captain of a big football elevenbefore, and I guess I'm a bit nervous. Of course we'll beat Dunkirk, butI want it to be by a big score."
"Oh, don't worry. We'll make out all right."
There was a big crowd in the grandstands when the team and substitutesdrove up, and they were received with cheers as they alighted from theautos. The Dunkirk team had not yet appeared, but their manager metHatfield, was introduced to Dick, and then the lads were escorted totheir dressing rooms.
"There come our fellows," remarked Dutton a little later when, as hewas slipping into his jersey, a great cheer was heard, followed by theKentfield cry.
"Yes, and they've got their voices with them," said Dick. "They're greatshouters."
When the Kentfield team trotted out they were met with a rousing welcomeof vocal sounds, not only from their own cohorts, but from the Dunkirksympathizers.
"They're friendly all right," remarked Dick. "Come on, fellows, we'llline up and run through some signals."
He and his men were soon in practice, and the young captain was glad tonote that no one had gone stale. Everyone seemed on the alert.
A little later the Dunkirk team trotted out, to be met with a salvo ofcheers, and then they, too, lined up and began to work with the ball.
"They are a fast, snappy, little lot, but I think we have them forweight," remarked Paul, looking critically at their opponents.
Dunkirk won the toss, and elected to defend the north goal. Kentfieldwas to kick off, and on the whole Dick was rather glad, as he could thusearly get the measure of the offensive tactics of their enemies.
Beeby sent the ball spinning well down the field as the echoes of thewhistle died away. The pigskin was neatly caught, and one of the Dunkirkplayers began running back with it.
"Nail him, fellows," cried Dick. "Don't let him gain much!" George Hallbroke through the interference and had the man down before he hadcovered ten yards. Then came the line up.
"Watch out now, boys," warned the captain, as the Dunkirk quarter-backbegan giving the signal.
At the line of Kentfield came a man, hurling himself toward a hole thathad been partly opened between Paul Drew and George Hall. Into theopening the man went, but no further, for he was neatly stopped. Only ayard was gained.
"That's the way to do it!" cried Dick in delight. "Hold 'em, boys! Hold'em!"
Once more Dunkirk made a gallant try, this time around left end, butagain the man with the ball was nailed, and thrown for a loss.
"They'll have to kick," cried Dick. "Watch out!"
The backs retreated, and it was well they did for Dunkirk had a powerfulball-booster in the shape of their full-back, and the leather went wellinto the territory of our friends.
Hal Foster caught it, and protected by excellent interference he rushedit well back before he was downed.
"Now to see what we can do!" exclaimed Dick, as he knelt down back ofJim Watkins, to pass the ball. He signalled for Frank Rutley to take theball through right tackle, and it was executed to perfection. In vaindid the Dunkirk captain beg and plead with his men to hold. Dick'splayers pushed and shoved Frank through for a ten yard gain.
"That's going some!" panted the left tackle as he took his place again.
Dunkirk was saddened by the advance, thus easily made, though she wasnot discouraged. But when Ray Dutton went through the line for anothersubstantial gain, and when, without the necessity for kicking in thenext scrimmage, John Stiver got through between tackle and guard foreight yards, then there were anxious hearts.
"Walk up for a touchdown!" called several in the crowd of Kentfieldsupporters in the grand stand.
"We'll do it!" cried Dick.
The coveted touchdown came a few minutes later, the ball having beencarried down the field in a series of whirlwind rushes. Paul Drew wasshoved over the line, and then Jim Watkins kicked goal.
"Our first points!" cried Dick in delight. "Now the team is beginning toplay."
And play they did. It was a foregone conclusion after that, and Dunkirkhad no chance. They realized it, and when, after the first half, therewere thirty points in favor of Kentfield, and none for their opponents,the captain of Dunkirk said to Dick:
"Our only hope now is to hold you down. You're better off now than BlueHill was against us."
"That's what we're after," declared the young millionaire. "We're goingto wallop Blue Hill when we get the chance, too."
The second half was a repetition of the first. Once on a fumble Dunkirkgot the ball, and another time as a penalty for holding on the part oftoo eager George Hall. The home team tried desperately hard to score,and several of their men were knocked out, but it was not to be.
Once, when because of a miscalculation, the man with the ball gotthrough Dick's line, the young captain had a momentary fear lest histeam be scored against. But Hal Foster was on the alert and nailed thepanting man with the ball.
There came some fierce scrimmages for Dunkirk was desperate, and Hal wasknocked out. This gave Teddy Naylor a chance to
get in the game, and herushed in with eager impetuosity.
"I'm going to make a touchdown!" he declared. "Let me try, Dick."
He was given a chance, and made good, bursting through the line ofDunkirk players, shaking off a fierce tackle by the full-back, andmaking a score after a forty yard run amid frantic cheers.
After that the Kentfield lads took it a little easier, for which theiropponents were duly grateful. Teddy Naylor kicked a beautiful fieldgoal, and then time was called, with the score fifty to nothing in favorof "Dick Hamilton's team," as his chums insisted on calling it.
"Oh, but I feel good!" cried our hero as he ran to the dressing rooms.
"You look like a peach," said Paul. "One eye is half closed and yournose looks as if some one had hammered brass work on it."
"They did, I guess. But you're no picture either. Look at your leftear."
"Wish I could. But never mind. We beat 'em!"