The House football season opened yesterday, and it looks like Eliot may replace Winthrop as the team to challenge the perennial power, Leverett House.

Quincy was the only House to remain idle yesterday, while Leverett, Eliot, Kirkland, and Adams chalked up first-game victories.

Eliot, 19-6

Eliot surprised Winthrop, the second-place team last year, 19-6, behind the quarterbacking of Bunk Reed and the onslaught of a heavy line. Tom Mecham, "the Red Terror," accounted for all three Eliot House touchdowns, two of which came on passes from Reed. Reed also connected with Kim Prince on three occasions. Jamie Niven delivered the crowning blow to Winthrop by finally mastering a point-after-touch-down with a soccer-styled boot.

Kirkland, 14-0

Kirkland, running smoothly behind a senior-dominated squad, delivered the proverbial egg to Dudley, 14-0. Finding a loophole in the Dudley defense early in the first quarter, senior Rick Loomis drove off tackle for a touchdown. A second period safety and a 72-yard drive in the final period accounted for Kirkland's other points. The drive was culminated with a 25-yard scoring pass to Bruce Corker. Dudley had its moment of glory when John Twist blocked a kick and marched the ball away to the Kirkland four-yard mark before fumbling.

Adams, 14-6

A renovated Adams House team, blossoming with sophomores fresh from Holworthy Hall, upset Lowell, 14-6. The running of sophomore Gary Mattola and rugged defensive line play proved the difference.

Leverett Again, 12-0

But there's no question about it: Leverett is still the team to beat. The Bunnies, winners of the J. Dudley Clark Trophy last year, exhibited a tenacious defense by blanking Dunster, 12-0.

Leverett pulled off a big deal before the season by snatching Ron Kram, Bill Schwalm, and Pete Zimmerman from the hands of varsity coach John Yovicsin. But yesterday it was old, reliable Jim Thompson--a mainstay of last year's championship team--who led the way with a touchdown and some nifty running.