Although unable to exert the extra push required in winning games the Freshman football team is growing stronger and stronger in each appearance. Despite a record to date of four successive defeats and not a single victory, Coach Neil Stahley is far from discouraged about his 1941 gridders. As long as the eleven continues to improve in fundamentals, Stahley will be content.

In the opening contest of the season the Crimson lost a sloppy game to a weak Exeter eleven through a safety 2-0 and on the following Saturday were no match for the hard-charging Worcester Academy gridders. But even at this date the Yardlings were showing improvement in spite of the one-sided 21-6 shellacking. Andover with a supposedly powerful offense nosed out the Freshmen 7-6 on a rain-soaked field two weeks ago.

Entering the Brown game last Saturday as a decided underdog, the Yardlings surprised the much heavier Bruins by dominating the play for the first half. As Coach Stahley stated after the game, Brown was too big and far advanced for the Freshmen, who collapsed under a slashing second half attack.

Experimenting all year with various positions, Stahley is apparently fairly sure of his starting lineup since there were few substitutions in the encounter last week. Gene Lovett, who made a spectacular leaping catch that carried the Crimson attack within the enemy ten yard line increased his lead over Bob Fearey for the left end post due to his all around play Saturday. Mainly through his defensive play against the highly touted Brown end sweeps, Joe Koufman tightened his hold on the right flank post.

Although Peter Elser was ranked as the top tackle on the squad preceding the contest last week, the play of reserve Reed at this post during the Brown game marks him as a serious contender. Walter Tibbetts at the other tackle will in all probability continue to get the starting call. Both Tom Lacey and Don Lowry showed improvement at guard with Lacey outstanding in breaking through the Bruin forward wall. Because of his dazed condition as a result of being struck on the head in the pre-game warming up session, Captain William Tully was unable to see much action Saturday and his full-time participation against Dartmouth next week-end will doubtlessly strengthen the Yardlings.

In the backfield there will probably be no change with all the backs playing well. Joe Gardella, who has been badly battered emerged from the Brown game without further injuries and will again carry the burden of the Crimson attack next week. The rest of the backfield consists of Bob James at quarterback, Don Donahue at right halfback and John Budlong at fullback.