Ilion High School - Class of 1937

Utica Observer - November 14, 1937

Herkimer Rides to 13-6 Grid Victory Over Ilion

Article 8

Photo Caption - Ilion hopes for a victory over their arch rivals, Herkimer, were high yesterday when Murray slid, scampered and skittered over a rain-sodden field to score the initial tally of the game. He is shown above at the bottom of the heap with the ball safely over Herkimer's goal line. Later, however, the Morgan men tallied two touchdowns to win 13 to 6.

Ilion - The rainsoaked Gold and Brown colors of Ilion High School's grid team trailed in defeat yesterday as Herkimer high won the annual classic 13 to 6 before a shivering crowd of almost 3,000

Their helmeted heads, "muddy but unbowed," the Bemis coached team yielded grudgingly to a combination of mud and brawn. They never really had a chance to win but until they bogged down in the mire of Russell Park's sodden gridiron they seemed the superior team.

The game was played under almost impossible conditions. A 12-hour rain had made the turf slippery and treacherous with water standing in small pools all over the gridiron. At starting time rain still fell in icy sheets and clouds hung low over the surrounding hills.

The weather failed to cut down the attendance to any marked degree. Ten policemen and 20 raincoated volunteer firemen directed traffic and held the crowd under control. The rain ceased soon after the first quarter and did not resume again until after half-time.

Ilion dominated the play throughout the first quarter and the ball never advanced beyond the 50-yard line. Herkimer was penalized 23 yards in this period while Ilion drew a penalty of 15 yards. The home team had the advantage and was on the Herkimer 13-yard line as the quarter ended.

As play opened in the second period Ilion failed to gain on the first two plays. The team lined up in kick formation and Hamilton, end, went back to kicking position. The ball went to Murray who plunged for a first down just short of the goal line. He bucked center and struck pay dirt on the next try. Try for point went wide.

After a pass from Nagle to Scram had gained 27 yards play see-sawed for a time and both teams drew 15-yard penalties. From about midfield, Nagle punted to the Ilion 10 and when Fitch attempted to punt out he fumbled and lost eight yards. His second attempt was blocked and Scram fell on the ball over the Ilion goal line for a touchdown. Ilion's line was not holding and failed to hold consistently the remainder of the game. Nagle's try for point was low.

The third quarter was scarcely started when Lucy recovered another blocked Ilion punt on the Ilion 16-yard line but they failed to score immediately as Spencer intercepted a forward pass on his own 3-yard strip and Fitch punted to his 38. It took only six plays for Nagle, Morgan and Lucy to bring the ball to the Ilion 4-yard line where Nagle skirted left end for a touchdown and kicked the extra point.

There was no scoring in the last quarter but_Herkimer had the edge in play. Murray and Spencer, Ilion backs, suffered injuries and Hamilton, Ilion end, was carried from the field. Extent of his hurts were not immediately learned. Ilion had the ball on its own 36-yard line at the final whistle.