In these non-paradoxical days, it is indeed gratifying to report that Coach Jerry Kanter's Closed team will probably play an open game today.

Kanter has everything necessary for a fast-moving high-scoring offense: speedy backs, a raft of good passers, and numerous grasping ends. In addition, all his players are well-grounded in the T-formation which Kanter likes to teach.

Key is T

Key to the T is always a quarterback, and Kanter has four--count 'em, four--who are smooth ball-handlers as well as fine passers. Behind his former Lowell star Bob Lown--the coolest passer in House ball--Kanter has strategy-wise Charley Cabot and Bucky O'Connor--top man in the League for completions. And in final reserve is Ted Cook, a specialist in the spectacular long pitch.

Passers are useless without receivers, and Kanter's Closed club has some of the best extant, including Lowell Sachnoff, whose total of five touchdowns put him near the top of the House scoring race. Other top-notch wingmen are the calm, gum-chewing Myles Herter, shifty Hugh Moss, and Major Close, who specializes in outrunning safety men. As if these aren't enough, Closed College can also count on a pair of ace two-way ends, wiry Ken Herlihy and Tom Johnson, whom Kanter calls "a first-rate tackler."

Closed generally uses a straight T-formation, with variations. These T-twists can be flankers to either side or the customary man-in-motion. For maximum effectiveness, this kind of set-up needs fast backs, and Closed College is blessed with a plethora of these.

The Mystic, Connecticut School starts off with Sam Paschal, who'll probably be the fastest man in the Stadium. Then Closed has light-footed Fred Rhinolander and fast-moving Hank Greenburg. To top it off, Kanter can call on two powerful fullbacks, Bruce White and Dave Dawson, Closed certainly keeps its opponents' defenses "honest."

Kanter admits he's got "lots of good ballplayers." A look at the rest of the Closed backfield staff supports this view. When such hard runners as Ted Briggs and Ian Cadenhead are listed as substitutes, a team must be loaded.

Briggs last year was an all-House League selection while he was playing for Lowell while Cadenhead played a lot of defensive end and offensive halfback for the powerful Bellboys. Cadenhead has been given more work on offense with Lowell this year and has gotten away on several long touchdown runs.

What applies to the backfield applies equally to the beefy Closed line, which is as deep as it is talented. The Leverett Bunnies supplied most of the light side of Closed's nominal starting offensive line. Booming tackles Gus Palacios and Lee Segal, a rough guard, were formerly mainstays of the Leverett powerhouse. Another Bunny, bearded Dick Farrington, will probably get a defensive tackle's post.

Deep at Guard

On the other side rugged Howie Town-send and towering Bob Wiley will likely split the tackles job. Left guard presents the kind of problem any coach likes to face: which of several good men to choose. Dugald Fletcher and "Squire" Squier are two of the better trap-men in the League. But John Turner is also more than skillful, and heady Tom Vickery may yet shift over from right guard.

Robert Cohen, center of a strong Eliot line, seems to have the pivot post on Closed's team. Dudley Fennel, however, another good middleman, will play a good deal, and could even start.

Quick-opening style

Kanter will also have the services of another group of big linemen, all well versed in Closed's quick opening style of play. Lanky tackle Luke Lockwood and two-way guard Dick Greek head up this group, which will provide Kanter's team with superb reserve strength. "Elky" Stone, a center, guard Jim Lawson, and the strong tackle duo of Mark Collins and Dick Bowditch round out, this contingent, which conceivably see action, enmasse, as a third line.