Next Year's Football Outlook

If abundance of veteran material is a criterion, the football eleven for next year will begin with a very good outlook. Since the connection of some of this year's players with the University will probably be changed before next season, it is too early yet to make very definite predictions as to the eligible material for next year's team. Some facts, however, are self-evident.

Of the seventeen men who played in the Pennsylvania and Yale games this year, Donald is the only one who will be prevented from playing by the four-year eligibility rule. Five of the remaining sixteen will graduate from the College or the Scientific School, and will not play unless they return to the Law or Graduate Schools. They are Boal and his substitute, A. R. Sargent, Captain Burden, and Parker and Warren, substitute halfbacks. This means the loss of all the valuable guards of this season's team, and leaves none who have played in a steady or dependable manner this year. Hollingsworth, Barnard and Lee are all of about the same degree of mediocrity. Of the Freshman eleven, the only guard of promise is Graydon, who is a hard rusher and line-bucker.

The two guards then will be the difficult places to fill. Burnett will return to College. His playing at centre this year has proved his worth to the eleven, in that position, aside from his skill as a kicker. Chief among the other candidates this year was C. Sargent, who has two years more in College. Donald's place at left tackle can be filled by Eaton, who will be a Junior in the Scientific School next year. If Lawrence continues to improve as he has done this season, no one can replace him at the other tackle. Next year, however, is his last in the College. Of the tackle substitutes this year, Peyton '01 was most prominent.

Hallowell and Campbell will both be back next year. They are the best pair of ends Harvard has ever had. Both of the substitutes, Hawkins and Ristine, will also return. Daly and Fincke, quarterbacks, have one more year in College. Who will play the other back positions seems likely to cause doubt as this fall. Kendall and Gierasch have two more years in College and Sawin one. For fullback there will be a hard contest between Reid and Ellis, both of whom graduate in 1901. A possible third man is Stillman, the Freshman, whose punting is of a high order. If it becomes necessary to choose a kicking fullback, Ellis will be at a disadvantage, but he may make a position in the line, where he used to play at school.

Of this year's Freshman eleven, the possibilities of Graydon and Stillman must be considered. Captain Baldwin will make a good quarterback, with a chance for the first eleven when Daly leaves. Nickerson, tackle, and Clark, end, are both promising players. Hersey is a good running halfback, but has little idea of team play. Kernan, substitute back, has great abilities as a punter, which could well be developed.

In general, this year's strong defense will be broken up by the loss of the three best linemen. Of course with suitable material, Coach Lewis can build up another defense, but from the present outlook, the team, and especially the line, will be lighter than this year. On the offense, no serious loss will be felt. In punting also, with Reid and Hallowell still in College, the only change can be a gain. With the lessons of this season in mind, it is safe to say that the gain will be a decided one.