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1890-1891 School Year
FOOTBALL
Football first appeared on Thanksgiving day 1890 when a team from the Pennsylvania State College played a Bellefonte team composed of former college players and "Bellefonte boys". The game was played in Bellefonte at the athletic field. At first glance it was obvious to the spectators that "the faithful everyday training of the College boys" , "had developed had developed them into plucky and sturdy athletes" and the local boys "had not trained themselves down to a strong physical condition." As would become a hall-mark of Academy teams of the future, Bellefonte's shear determination, or "grit and dash" as described by the Bellefonte Republican, enabled them to at least make a game of it.
The first half was mostly a defensive struggle with each team pushing the ball up and down the field. The Penn State team was able to put together a series of "brilliant" runs that resulted in a touchdown. The half ended with the score 6-0 in favor of Penn State. Although Bellefonte made a valiant effort, in the second half, and made strong inroads into Penn State's territory, they ultimately weakened and were unable to score. Bellefonte lost the game 23-0.
It could be said that the key to Penn State's victory was "team work". The Bellefonte Republican noted that despite the good play of several individuals on the Bellefonte team, they lacked teamwork. As you will see, this would change.
The team that represented Bellefonte and the Academy that momentous day included:
Centre - Bush, Right Guard - Aull, Right Tackle - Rothrock, Right End - Hughes, Left Guard - Feron, Left Tackle - Shadd, Left End - Dale, Half Back - Orbison (Captain), Half Back - Cruise, Full Back - Mitchell.
Please note that the Hughes that played Left End was none other than James R Hughes, "Uncle Jimmy", who at the time of this game had been out of college for five years and was an instructor at the Academy. Although it is not recorded, Jimmy most certainly had something to do with the organization of this team and this game.
As was the custom at that time, home teams were expected to provide the visiting team with a guarantee of money, presumably to cover there expenses. The Weekly Keystone Gazette provided and interesting insight as they reported that "to meet this demand upon them they charged an admission fee at the gate, but instead of going through the gate a majority of the citizens jumped the fence and enjoyed the game without paying for their fun. The result of it was that these gentlemen would have to go down in their own pockets or beg to make up the amount."
In pointing this out to the citizens of Bellefonte, they also warned that, "next year there will be some fun with these fence-climbers, and don't you forget it."
Sources:
Bellefonte Republican
Democratic Watchman
Weekly Keystone Gazette
1899-1900 School Year
FOOTBALL
After several weeks of practice, the Bellefonte Academy football team opened their season at home versus the Altoona High School, "one of the strongest school teams in the state", on Saturday, October 7th. The game was played on the "meadow" next to the Glass Works." The crowd of about 300 watched Altoona score first, a drop kick from the 35 yard line after fifteen minutes of play and the half ended with the Academy's deepest penetration into Altoona's territory at the 20 yard line. In the second half, Altoona again showed a strong offense. Setup by a forty yard run, Altoona ran the ball in for a touchdown from the fifteen yard line. The Academy was unable to move the ball effectively and the game ended with Altoona winning 10 to 0. The Altoona papers noted "the game was devoid of kicking or brutal playing."
The competition didn't get any easier as the Academy's next game (Saturday, October 14) was against the Freshman team from the Penn State College (now Penn State University). Demonstrating the local interest in the game, about 500 fans jammed the Glass Works meadow to watch a "hotly contested" game. Despite the fact that most of the game was played in Penn State's territory, the Academy lost their second game in a row by a 2 to 0 score.
Saturday morning, October 21, the Academy boys boarded a train in Bellefonte, heading to Altoona for a rematch with the Altoona High School. The football fans in Altoona must have been a bit more rowdy, as the Altoona Tribune assured the public that "a number of police have been engaged and will be on hand to prevent disorderly conduct, and keep the field clear during play, so all will have an equal chance to see the game." Altoona scored a touchdown in the first seven minutes. The Academy boys took the opening kick-off the second half down to Altoona's 20 yard line but couldn't score, losing the ball on downs. For the second time this season, Altoona High School defeated the Academy, this time 5 to 0.
Bellefonte Republican November 30 1899, page 8
AN EXCITING GAME
Bellefonte Academy Ties Potts College at Foot Ball
"The Potts College eleven of Williamsport came here Saturday expecting to win easily from the Academy team, but before a few minutes of a play were over they realized that they had a big task on hand to save themselves a defeat, as the home team went to work from the kick at such a fleece attack that they held possession of the ball most of the half and prevented their opponents from using their well known rushing ability. The large crowd of spectators present went home electrified, unanimously pronouncing the game one of the closest cleverest and prettiest contest ever wag ed in Bellefonte. The visitor, played the game in a perfectly scientific way and were thorough gentlemen from start to finish. They will be welcomed here at any time. It was a good thing for the High School team, as far as they are concerned that they cancelled their game as the Academy boys would have sent them home defeated by at least 10 - 0. Potts College kindly consented to come instead of the High School, that the Bellefonters might not be disappointed in a game. They played Dickinson Seminary recently a nothing to nothing score, and Dickinson Seminary last week defeated the High School of Williamsport 11 - 0. Draw your own conclusion. The game was called sharply at 3 o'clock by referee Bush. The Academy had won the toss and chosen the West goal, Potts kicked offend the Academy ran it back fifteen yards. From the first scrimmage it was evident that the Academy by their excellent mass plays through the line and good interference around time ends were going to hold their own against what seemed on appearance a much heavier and more experienced team. Quarterback Miller engineered his game beautifully and succeeded so well in keeping the ball or regaining it again for his side on a tumble that the visitors were not able to score in the first half. The fierce defense of Williamsport at critical moments, also, succeeded in preventing the Academy from crossing their line. The first half, therefore, ended without a score. This gave the Academy a new life and when the visitors kicked off and Academy caught it in the second half it was evident that there was blood in the eyes of our home boys, for down the field they went, now Dreibblebiss or McGee, the Academy guards, charging the line for gains of several yards, and then Curtin or the Twitmire brothers carrying the ball either around the end or through the line for still larger gains until by slow and sure work without losing the ball, the Academy advanced from their own l5 yard line and the whole length of the field and finally pushed Joe Twitmire over the line for the first touchdown. Curtin missed the goal. The excitement was great. The steady advance of the Academy was as clever a piece of work as was ever witnessed here, and their five points were heroically earned. Four minutes of time remained. Williamsport kicked off. The Academy was now confident of keeping the ball as before and preventing the visitors to score in so short a time. But here is where our confidence failed, for the Academy eased up their fierce attack and before they knew it Curtin was forced to kick. He stood too near the rush line and the ball was blocked by striking an Academy half back. This gave the ball to Potts within 25 yards of the coveted goal line. Their opportunity to win, or at, least tie the score, was at hand, and with demon-like ferocity they with heavy massing advanced the ball to the five yard line. A pretty end run by Whehand aided by splendid interference score a touchdown and tied the game as Vail missed the goal. Eight seconds later the game was called. While disappointed, the Academy had to be satisfied that the score was as it was, for they had really anticipated defeat from this team.
Miller, McGee, Joe Twitmire, Wilbur Twitmire, Curtin and Dreibblebiss were the stars for the Academy, while Wheland and Vail did fine work for Potts.
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