QUEEN OF THE ANTHRACITE
By: Walter S. Farquhar
the battle was far from won.
Right from the kickoff the Cardinals braced,
as down the field their runners raced;
Down to the Pottsville 9 yard line- to be held
for downs for a second time-
Ernst punted beyond the danger zone, as we
blessed that stalwart line of stone.
Back came the Cards but their pass attack
was caught by Osborn and thrown back.
Though there still was cause for grave alarm
as Hoot went out with a lifeless arm,
Then, into the fray went Walter French, as
they carried Flanagan to the bench.
Snow on the ground and a slippery ball, yet
French slipped by the defenders all
On a brilliant run of 33 yards to the 30 chalk
mark of the Cards,
Three short gains and an offside play and
French is off in the same old way-
Through the line he sneaked and his way did
wend, with the second touchdown as its end.
And the boys at home raised a might roar as
was flashed the 14-0 score.
The time was short and the half near o'er,
but back came Chicago's threat once more
Five tricky passes worked in a row- and up
to the one yard line they go.
A 75 yard aerial march, which over our line
and backs did arch,
As tricky a thing as ever seen on snowy field
or gridiron green.
And sorrow reigned in Pottsville town, as
Koehler plunged a sure touchdown.
The second half was scarce to the front, when
French let drop a Chicago punt,
With Pottsville's goal line hovering nigh- and
the Cardinals 25 yards from a tie.
Two runs and a pass reached the 10 yard
mark, where highest hope turned to pros-
pect dark.
But Bucher's end turned them back in the
pinch and a crack at center gained not an
inch.
Two forward passes were incomplete- and a
third great stand had staved off defeat.
Now yell, ye fans, with all your might, for
the proud little Queen of the Anthracite,
For the turning point has come and gone and
our day of victory is at dawn!
Far down the field rolled French's punt, and
the fearless Berry has done his stunt,
Nailing the Cardinal's shifty back on his 30
yard line, right in his track.
But, stil the Cards made one more drive, to
Pottsvile's yard line 35,
Where, stopped by penalty, they shot, a for-
ward pass which Berry got,
And now, at last, the old attack begins to
push Chicago back!
Down to the 8 yard line they march, the Card-
inals losing all their starch.
But there in Chicago snarled at bay, as three
fast plays were turned away.
Just as the final quarter came and goals were
changed to square the game.
Last down still found the goal line locked,
with Berry's placement partly blocked.
Exchange of punts became the style, in Card-
inal greensward all the while.
And then a forward, long and high, was grab-
bed by Herb Stein from the sky-
At near midfield he caught the ball and 40
yards he ripped in all-
Right to Chicago's 10 yard line, a wonder
play it was, Herb Stein.
Two more plays found gaping holes and on
the second Barney bowls across the line
for touchdown three, which gave us cer-
tain victory.
A twenty-one to seven score, with only half
a period more.
The rest was just a see-saw plain, each
team unequal to long gain.
At near midfield they waged the fray. But,
still, two features marked the play;
The dangerous forward pass was killed by
Herb Stein's diagnosis skilled,
Three times he caught and ran them back and
many others downward smacked,
While, through the game 't'was Barney Wentz
who played a marvelous defense.
Not only stopping plunging backs but Paddy
Driscoll in his tracks.
Pottsville's Chicago game is done and our
rightful place in the sun is won.
Honor to those who spread her fame where
ne'er before was heard her name,
And to honor those who forced the test that
sometimes, things at home are best.
Far in the future looking back, when the day
seems dull and the prospect black,
Inspiration we'll gain from the day that un-
furled a champion team of the football
world,
For t'will always prove that there's one
more fight
In the little old Queen of the Anthracite.
On to fo Chicago to win and fight went the proud
little Queen of the Anthracite.
On the 6th of December in '25, a date to re-
member while you're alive,
As the zenith of Pottsville football might.
On a cold, raw day, with a snow-flecked field
while a swirling wind from the Lake Front
reeled,
The Cards kicked off and the game began-
three plays were all that Pottsville ran,
When Flanagan fumbled and lost the ball, just
forty yards from his goal in all.
Chicago then opened a strong attack which
pushed old Pottsville back and back,
To the 12 yard line they plunged and passed,
where, held for downs, they paused at
last-
Only a yard from their next first down, Sav-
ed by a hair was Pottsville's crown.
Warmed up at last, the Maroons fought back
and met Chicago smack for smack
And into the ground held by the Cards went
Flanagan's run of 34 yards
But intercepted passes came as back and forth was waged the game.
The quarter ended without a score, though
Racis gave us one chance more,
By holding tight to a fumbled ball. But mis-
placed forwards killed it all.
And the Cards as they punted far down the
field, felt that Pottsville's strength must
eventually yield.
Now, comes the play time will never blunt;
by Ernst a 57-yard punt-
End over end, with a twisting roll, that seem-
ed certain of going across the goal-
And down the field like a flash was Herb
Stein. And he fell on the ball on the 5
yard line.
From bad position did Driscoll kick as Ma-
roons were swarming about him thick,
But, on to midfield, the ball made way- an
Ernst has caught it, and now away;
Around opponent's left flank went the run as
the Cards were cut down one by one.
Right down the field to the five yard stripe,
where the chance for a scoring drive was
ripe.
Three short cracks at the line found dents-
and through for a touchdown went Barney
Wentz.
The score stood 7 points to none, but still