For the third time within the last four years and for the second year in a row, Eliot House has produced a championship football team. Since the fall of 1947, the Elephants have lost only one game in the House league, and that was the '48 playoff against Kirkland. They won the crown in '47 and again last year and Friday they will try to take their third consecutive playoff game against the Yale College titleholder.

What makes Eliot such a football powerhouse? Granted the material is present, but where does it come from, and why should the Elephants be able to field any better teams than any other House?

A vigorous House athletic secretary is one reason. Roger Pugh, this year's secretary, canvassed every member of the House before the season began, and got the men on the field regularly for practice. A few particularly good prospects were coaxed out by a group of last year's players.

Housemaster John H. Finley attributes part of it to luck, part of it to the fact that Eliot is the biggest house, and part of it to the fact that "nothing succeeds like success." The House members, once the team's reputation is made, feel obligated to keep it up, and naturally, everyone likes to play on a winning team.

All Play and No Work

Those who have played football in school, or on the freshman or jayvees teams, come out for the Eliot squad because they can enjoy all the pleasures of playing good ball without going through the rigors of training. Eliot's team includes two jayvee lettermen, and is dominated by men who have played secondary school football.

A good coach is another reason. This year, Paul Blawie, a Law School man, is directing the team. Blawie played end on the 1946 Georgia team, led by Charley Trippi, which went to the Sugar Bowl. He has done a good job with good material, fielding a team with weight, speed, and spirit.

The Mastodons have a massive line, averaging well over 200 pounds. Former JV lettermen Clark Cowen and Ames Stevens hold down the left side of the line, with heavyweight wrestler Larry Johanson and Pugh playing right tackle and guard. Dugald Fletcher is the offensive center, with 240-pound Whitey Black on defense. Major Close and Myles Herter are the pass-catching ends, with Jim Fleming spelling Herter on defense. Ed and Sum White, Herron Morris, and Bob Cohen are reserve linemen.

Charlie Cabot directs the team from his quarterback position, with Riley Gilbert, John McNamara, and Fred Rhinelander rounding out the T backfield. Gilbert and McNamara are both heavyweights, and Rhinelander is fast. Dick Heintz comes in on defense, and Stove Goodhue, Tom Derr, Fred Fortmiller, Steve Kurzman, and Henry Greenburg are backfield reserves.