La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921
Philadelphia Public Ledger, May 24, 1921
Germantown To Play La Salle (Baseball) The Germantown High baseball champions will meet the La Salle Prep aggregation, former leaders in the Catholic League until their resignation a few days ago on Cahill Field this afternoon. The Germantown tossers have played La Salle twice before, but because of an agreement between the members of both teams the scores of these games were not made public. Ryan, the clever southpaw, will oppose the Clivedens today, with Rochford on the receiving end. Kaufman will perform on the mound for the Green and White, with Collard doing the backstopping.
Game 1, September xx, 1921: La Salle 29 – Penn Charter 0
Editor’s note: this game is sometimes reported as having been a scrimmage (and La Salle’s yearbook, “The Comet”, refers to it as a practice game, as well as one against Abington High), but articles later in the season verify that this was an actual game against Penn Charter, won by La Salle, 29-0, based on their point totals mentioned in those articles. No article found on this specific game.
Game 2, October 7, 1921: La Salle 3 – Woodbury NJ 0
Philadelphia Inquirer
La Salle Wins On Rochford’s Kick La Salle trimmed Woodbury High by 3 to 0 on the La Salle Field. The lone tally was made in the last minutes of play, when Rochford kicked a field goal.
La Salle Positions Woodbury High Reckner Left end Frazier Carr Left tackle Wolf Carville Left guard Wolter McCormick Centre Hoffner Carlin Right guard Richards Waters Right tackle DeHart Gindhart Right end Carter Rochford Quarterback Johnson Tegan Left halfback Shaffer Davis Right halfback Harron Johnston Fullback Van Horn
Field goal – Rochford. Referee – Toomey. Umpire – Tita. Head linesman – Brannan. Time of periods – 8 and 10 minutes.
Game 3, October 14, 1921: La Salle 15 – Southern 0
Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921
Rochford’s brilliant work gave La Salle a victory over the Southern High eleven by the score of 15-0. He tallied the two touchdowns which defeated the Red and Black eleven. La Salle’s other score was the result of a safety in the third period. (editor’s note: this game is often reported as a 13-2 score)
Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger, October 19, 1921
Breslin Or Rochford? It is too bad that Leo Breslin and Rochford, star footballers of St. Joseph’s Prep and La Salle Prep, respectively, will not meet on the gridiron this year. There has been quite a controversy between the students of the two institutions as to which of the two is the best drop kicker. Both can kick the ball over the crossbar anywhere from the 40-yard line in, and both are rated as the best in the city; that is, along with Johnny Kaufman of Germantown High. La Salle and St. Joseph’s met on the field every year until this, and in the last few years Breslin and Rochford have always played great games against each other, with neither getting the advantage. This season both are at their best, and both are winning games with the aide of their nimble toes. It certainly seems a shame that they will not meet, for one or the other would be sure to win the game with a field goal. Naturally, the dispute would be ended and the best man proven.
Game 4, October 22, 1921: La Salle 14 – Norristown 0
Philadelphia Inquirer
Rochford Star Of Game Norristown, PA. – La Salle Prep defeated Norristown High in a splendid game here today, 14 to 0. Rochford was the star of the game, scoring both touchdowns on sweeping end runs of 60 yards.
La Salle Positions Norristown High Reckner Left end Swee Carr Left tackle Hallman Gregorski Left guard Young McCormick Centre Godwals Dawson Right guard Cohms Waters Right tackle Addy Widdowes Right end Julian Rochford Quarterback Weand Tegan Left halfback Brown Johnston Right halfback Sparr Daly Fullback Haxworth
Norristown High 0 0 0 0 0 La Salle 7 7 0 0 14
Touchdowns – Rochford 2. Goals from touchdowns – Rochford 2. Referee – Rady. Linesman – Wheeler. Umpire – Rucks. Time of periods – 12 minutes. 2
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921
Game 5, October 28, 1921: La Salle 48 – Brown Prep 0
Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger
La Salle Prep had little trouble with Brown Prep, winning 48-0.
Game 6, November 5, 1921: La Salle 12 – Atlantic City NJ 0
Philadelphia Inquirer
La Salle Triumphs Over Atlantic City; Lands 12 to 0 Verdict From Shore High School Gridiron Warriors Atlantic City, NJ – La Salle College, of Philadelphia, using a diversified attack, swept Atlantic City High School off its feet on the gridiron here this afternoon at National Stadium grounds. The score was 12-0. It was a brilliant afternoon from La Salle’s standpoint, for the Philadelphians dazzled the shore boys with their brilliant attack and the crowded stands were given plenty to cheer. La Salle lost one of its big stars in the opening period when Jack Carr dashed in to block Klose’s punt. Carr lay on the field virtually unnoticed until the play was completed. Neither team was able to do anything in the line of scoring in the first period. Captain Rochford’s two end runs, one of twenty yards and the other of twenty-two yards, netted La Salle its first touchdown in the second half after fifteen seconds had been played. Rochford missed the goal. Sensational open field running by Jack Tinney was one of the big features of the third quarter. The resort lad thrilled with twenty-four and fifteen-yard runs in quick succession. Captain Rochford also ripped off substantial gains in this period, but the punch was lacking in the pinches. La Salle brought the score up to twelve in the final quarter. Captain Rochford trotted across the Atlantic City goal line on a fake forward pass. Rochford again failed in his attempt to kick the goal for another point.
La Salle Positions Atlantic City High Reckner Left end Holst Carr Left tackle Klose Gregorski Left guard Walters McCormick Centre R. Somers Dawson Right guard Wiesenthal Waters Right tackle Perrell Widdowes Right end Harris Rochford Quarterback Fitzsimmons Tegan Left halfback Levin Daly Right halfback Tinney Johnston Fullback Latta
Atlantic City 0 0 0 0 0 La Salle 0 6 0 6 12
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921
Touchdowns – Rochford 2. Goals from touchdowns – None. Substitutions – Carlin for Carr, Davis for Daly, Carr for Carlin. Atlantic City High School – Schneider for Perrel, Miller for M. Smith, Loeb for Wiesenthal, Jamison for Levin, M. Smith for Loeb, Morris for Latta. Referee – Coombs, Penn. Umpire – Laird, Lehigh. Head linesman – Kertland, Dubuque. Time of quarters – 11 minutes each.
Game 7, November 18, 1921: La Salle 18 – Wenonah Military Academy NJ 0
Philadelphia Inqurer
La Salle Prep Wins From Wenonah Boys La Salle Prep added Wenonah Military Academy to its list of victims yesterday afternoon, defeating the Cadets on the Jersey gridiron by a score of 18 to 0. Rochford scored all the points.
La Salle Positions Wenonah Reckner Left end D’Augustino Carr Left tackle Webb (Capt) Gregorski Left guard Frascadore McCormick Centre Nichols Dawson Right guard L. Smith Waters Right tackle Garman Widdowes Right end Reichelderfer Rochford (Capt) Quarterback Birdsell Daly Left halfback Irvine Davis Right halfback Brush Johnston Fullback DaGrossa
Touchdowns – Rochford 3. Substitutions – La Salle, Tegan for Davis, Davis for Carr, Gindhart for Widdowes, Long for Waters, Carlin for Dawson, Freney for McCormick. Wenonah, Wilcox for Reichelderfer, T. Smith for Frascadore. Referee – Kinney. Umpire – Hopkins. Time of quarters – 15 minutes.
Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger, November 22, 1921
La Grange Eleven, of Chicago, Will Play La Salle High Here On Friday; Others On The Way With the completion of the intersectional football games between the Eastern and Western colleges, in which the Western colleges scored triumphs over Harvard, Princeton, Army, Rutgers, and Pittsburgh, the little brothers of the colleges, the high school elevens, have taken up the fight with the juniors of the East. Four squads from Chicago will try to emulate the work of the colleges. La Grange High School, of the Chicago Suburban League, will leave Friday for Philadelphia to stage a game with La Salle High School Saturday. Deerfield High School, champion of the Suburban League, left last week for Boston and will play Brockton, Mass., High School Thursday morning. Proviso High School, another Suburban League school, left last night for Fitchburg, Northwest of Boston. De Paul Coming
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921
The Catholic League, of Chicago, also will be represented in the East, as De Paul, reputed to be one of the strongest prep elevens in Chicago, leaves the latter part of the week for Haverhill, Mass., to play St. James School. In the La Grange team, which meets La Salle, fans will see an eleven which by determination, grit, good coaching, and a famous and effective shift formation, has been welded into a finished and powerful unit from a small early season squad of decidedly inexperienced material.
Philadelphia Inquirer, November 22, 1921
Chicago Team Coming Here To Meet La Salle Coach Lou Little of La Salle College announced last night that he had closed negotiations for a game with La Grange College of Chicago to be played at the Philadelphia Ball Park on Friday afternoon. The La Salle team has not been scored on this season, having won their games without really having to extend themselves. The Westerners come here with a splendid reputation as runners-up in the Suburban Football League. They have made quite a name for themselves owing to having a well-balanced team and on that account indications point to the local collegians being given a hard battle.
Philadelphia Inquirer, November 23, 1921
La Salle Will Face Formidable Eleven; La Grange High School, of Chicago, Which Plays Here, Boasts Of Clever Team La Grange High School, runners-up for the Chicago championship, will invade Philadelphia next Friday and clash with La Salle Prep at the Phillies’ Ball Park. La Grange has a powerful team, and under the able coaching of Clinton M. Osborne has been bowling over some of the best teams in the Chicago district. Seven games have been played to date and six victories were chalked up by the eleven from the Windy City. The one defeat came at the hands of Deerfield High and cost the championship. When it is considered that only five veterans were out for the squad when Coach Osborne issued his call for candidates, it is easily seen that the La Grange team has a competent mentor and will be a worthy opponent for Lou Little’s protégés. Evans at quarter and Williams at fullback are two veteran backs, the latter being the heaviest man on the team, tipping the scales at 191 pounds. At centre is Captain Kennedy, and the two ends, Preigh and Sims, comprise the quartette of veterans. Conlin and Busch at tackles, with Morrison and Dunn at guards, comprise the balance of La Grange’s forward line. The two halfbacks are Ioas and Harland, both very fast runners and deadly at dives around the wings. by Paul Prep, Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger, November 23, 1921
La Salle Drills With St. Joseph’s; Catholic Elevens Practice Together For Respective Big Games This Week; Hold Light Scrimmage Lou Little’s La Salle Prep football team held its semi-final practice for the game Friday with La Grange High School, runner-up in the Chicago Suburban High School League, at the Phillies’ Ball Park yesterday afternoon. Heinie Miller had his St. Joseph’s Prep squad out and the two teams held a light scrimmage.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921
The La Grange High School eleven, for which the La Salle aggregation is getting prepared, has a remarkable record this year. The team has played seven games this fall and won six. One hundred and ninety points have been scored against it opponents’ forty, all of which were registered by Deerfield High, Chicago champions. La Salle, too, has a great record. In the seven games played to date, the Blue and Gold team has registered 136 points, while not a single marker has been scored by opposing teams. Donovan Rochford, captain and quarterback, has tallied 103 points personally. Four squads appeared on the field yesterday afternoon – two from La Salle and two from St. Joseph’s. The four outfits ran through signal drills for fully three-quarters of an hour before the first teams of both schools lined up for the scrimmage. Open Practice Over on the west side of the field Lou Little had his two squad working out. Signals were called by Don Rochford, and the boys were sent through mostly forward passing and open formations. On the opposite side of the field, Heinie Miller’s aggregations, minus the great Leo Breslin, held their drills. The boys, instead of using open formations, played only straight football. Nothing in the way of trick plays was tried, and the workout was considered a success. Later on, Leo Breslin, captain and star halfback of the Crimson and Gray, appeared on the field. As soon as he arrived the two teams went at each other. The scrimmage was far from being a hard one. Neither team tried to score, and each practiced defensive work against the other’s offense. First one team would receive the ball, try to break through the other’s line and then the other aggregation was handed the leather. Both coaches appeared pleased after the workout. The boys showed wonderful confidence for their coming games, and were all in good condition, with the exception of Tegan, La Salle’s crack halfback. To Play Catholic High Heinie Miller had his team on the field for the same reason Lou Little had his. The Crimson and Gray is booked to meet Catholic High tomorrow in a Catholic School League contest, which, if won, will mean a tie for the championship with Villanova Prep and West Catholic, provided, of course, West Catholic beats the Main Liners. Just before the practice ended, one of the St. Joseph’s players booted a ball over the left-field fence. It was a beautiful punt, but it cost the team about $7, as it was a new ball. Someone went outside to locate the pigskin, but a youngster beat him to it. When last seen the ball was in the arms of a youngster running down Huntingdon street. The teams finished work about 5:30 and, after a run around the field, were sent to the showers.
Game 8, November 25, 1921: La Grange IL 7 – La Salle 6 by Gordon MacKay, Philadelphia Inquirer
La Grange High Wins From La Salle Prep In School Intersectional Grid Tilt, 7-6; Carr Fails To Kick Goal And Loses Tie; Both Elevens Show Remarkable Football On Mud-Soaked Field Sweeping out of the West with a dazzling intricate formation known as the Osborne shift, La Grange High School, from Lyons township, fourteen miles west of Chicago, met La Salle Prep, on a mud-soaked arena at the Phillies’ field yesterday, and once more did history repeat. West met East and again the occidental end of the Nation triumphed, 7 to 6, although the glory of the victory was dimmed because Jack Carr’s toe was unequal to the opportunity of giving the local gridmen an even break. 6
La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921
Both elevens played remarkable football. Despite a gridiron that was a quagmire, few fumbles were in evidence, and while the punting was infrequent, it was splendid under the conditions. Both teams, too, showed a modern offensive of a high order, one in which the plays were masked with fine deception and in which forward passes, runs from fake formations, and other high-powered strategic subtleties were planned, executed, and foiled with great skill and trenchant ability. But the Osborne shift that trekked out of the West was the rare stratagem that brought victory to the boys from nigh the Windy City. It starts with a double tandem formation in which the centre stands virtually alone on the line. The shift is called, and, according to one jubilant youngster who came from Lyons township to witness his schoolmates prosper and conquer, ninety-seven different plays may be made from this formation. Direct Pass From Centre At the signal the man with the ball starts and takes the ball on a direct pass from centre. And notwithstanding the fact that the oval was caked with grime and mud these Westerners executed that baffling play with such skill and cleverness, that only twice did the man with the ball fumble the pigskin. Indeed it was this strategy that placed the laurels of victory on the muddy domes of the invaders. The first time the play was employed a burly son of Ham named Williams, playing fullback, crashed through tackle and raced 65 yards for the touchdown from which he promptly kicked a goal. After this ground was consistently gained with the stratagem, but never again did it produce anything that savored of a score. In the first half the dazzling youngsters from the West played the La Salle minions completely off their collective feet. They smeared nearly every play, although Captain Dink Rochford and Tegan, a big, husky fullback, gave the lads from Lyons Township all their nimble hands could hold. In the second half, however, matters were reversed, and the play was almost always in the Westerners’ territory. Time and again La Salle had large and luxurious opportunities to score, but at the crisis somebody fumbled, or the play went wrong, or a La Grange lineman came tearing through and bore the runner down into the mud. Fails At Goal Despite the checkmates at times when they meant considerable, Dink Rochford on a reverse play with a hidden ball trick ran around the end for nine yards and a touchdown. Then Mister Carr, after wiping his shoes carefully, manicuring the pigskin and confidentially telling the sidelines that he was going to kick a goal, naturally up and didn’t, wrenching his knee in the attempt that meant defeat. The outstanding heroes of the game were Williams, the dusky-hued fullback of the visitors, and Captain Rochford of La Salle. Both of these lads were veritable demons on the offense, and on the defense the negro hero played nearly the entire game for his team. These lads tore off runs that brought the spectators to their feet, and Williams by flying tackles brought down several of the home runners when they had a clear stretch ahead for the goal line. But it was in the elementary factors of the game that these boys shone. They were well coached, and their playing was a tribute to Lou Little, who mentors the local boys, and Osborne, a former Beloit man, who tutors the La Grange boys. They were grounded in all the fundamentals. They knew how to tackle. They knew the rules of the game. They knew how to follow the ball. They knew how to make interference. They had snap and precision in their plays. The game as a consequence was not only hard fought but nearly flawless, and as interesting a spectacle as any devotee of the autumn sport could wish. Simms Also Whale At end another colored lad played with a dash and vim that stamped him as a wonder. His name is Simms, and although he weighs little more than 150 pounds, he makes every ounce of it count. He had
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921 uncanny skill in diagnosing plays, smashed the forward passing to smithereens and rarely failed to take out the interference, and often tackled after scattering the advance guard. Tegan was a whale at line bucking, and crunched his way for gains of ten and thirteen yards at a clip. But while the game shows that perhaps La Salle gained the more ground from scrimmage, the La Grange boys held like a stone wall in a pinch, and turned back the local gridders when it seemed as if they would sweep the invaders off their feet. Neither side scored in the first period, although it looked as if Daly would run through a broken field from the first kickoff and score a touchdown for La Salle. He did manage to elude the entire La Grange team, but with a clear field ahead slipped on the treacherous footing and three huskies kept him on the ground. Rochford tried a couple of drop kicks in this period, but both failed, although the second one almost went over the bar. In the second period after the ball had passed and repassed to and fro, La Grange executed the Osborne shift, and carefully masking the man with the ball shot Williams through tackle. The colored wonder kept his feet surprisingly well in the mud, and once free of the line, shook off a tackler, tore away from another and raced straight along to the goal line. Held On Four-Yard Line In the third period Rochford made a spectacular play when he intercepted a forward pass and ran forty yards to the visitors’ 12-yard line. A trick play failed, another was smeared and finally the fourth down gave the ball to La Grange on its own 4-yard line. However, La Salle regained possession of the ball again and on two plays Rochford rushed across for a touchdown, which was disallowed as the lynx-eyed officials saw holding and called back the ball. A penalty for roughness brought the ball to the Westerners’ 3-yard line, and in two rushes Rochford went over on a trick play. The fourth period saw La Salle booting many chances to win and finally losing the ball several times when intercepted passes by the reliable and ubiquitous Williams brought the pigskin out of danger for the visitors until the final whistle sounded. by Paul Prep, Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger
La Grange Eleven Wins Great Game; Vanquishes La Salle Team When Carr Fails To Kick Goal From Touchdown; May Opportunities Lost East was defeated by West when La Grange High, runner-up for the championship of the Chicago Suburban High School League, vanquished La Salle Prep of this city at the Phillies’ Ball Part yesterday afternoon, 7 to 6. The Chicago team, claimed the winner, was far from being the best team in the opinion of the spectators. The boys from the Windy City had possession of the ball in La Salle’s territory only once and on that occasion won the game. Straight football was used by the visitors during the entire first period. In the second quarter, however, the famed Osborne shift was brought into play. The Chicagoans used his play with success. The first time, Evans, the quarterback, got the ball on a pass to right end. The shift was used again after five minutes, and this time it brought the first six points that have been scored on La Salle this season. Williams Scores The second time the Yellow and Black aggregation worked the shift, the ball, instead of being passed to the right or left, was tossed directly back to Williams, the big colored fullback. He charged off-tackle, and when Carr, the nearest La Salle player, failed to catch him, he ran 65 yards for a touchdown. Evans kicked the goal; the point finally won the game.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921
After the touchdown in the second period, La Grange was completely outplayed. The La Salle aggregation was fighting mad and rushed the ball down the field only to lose the ball on the 6-yard line on downs. Williams then punted out of danger to midfield, as the period ended. The second half opened with Rochford, the individual star of the game, kicking off to La Grange. Shortly afterward, he intercepted a forward pass and ran to La Grange’s 13-yard line. Two big plays by Rochford made a first down. Johnston nullified the effort by fumbling, Rochford recovering on the 6-yard line. La Salle lost the ball on downs, and Williams punted out of danger. Score Not Allowed La Salle rushed the ball down the field on line plunges, and soon was on La Grange’s 20-yard line. Here a fake forward pass, with Rochford running the ball, netted a touchdown. However, the play was negated, and La Salle penalized for holding. A few minutes later, the same play was tried, and Rochford ran around left end for a touchdown. Carr wrenched his knee on the attempt at goal, and the ball hit the goal post, a costly accident. A series of fumbles in the last half by Davis, who substituted for Daly, lost the ball for La Salle three times under the goal line, and the whistle blew ending the game with the ball in midfield. The individual star of the game was Donovan Rochford, captain and quarterback of Lou Little’s team. He played wonderful football and deserved to be on a team meeting a better fate. Two Chicago newspapermen viewed the game and afterward stated that La Salle was the best team. “The boys certainly played wonderful ball,” one said, “and on a dry day would be far superior to our team.”
La Salle Positions La Grange High Reckner Left end Preigh Carr Left tackle Conlin Gregorski Left guard Morrison McCormick Centre Kennedy Dawson Right guard Dunn Waters Right tackle Busch Widdowes Right end Simms Rochford Quarterback Evans Tegan Left halfback Ioas Daly Right halfback Harland Johnston Fullback Williams
La Grange 0 7 0 0 7 La Salle 0 0 6 0 6
Touchdowns – Williams, Rochford. Goal from touchdown – Evans. Referee – R.W. Maxwell of Swarthmore. Umpire – McCarthy of Germantown. Head Linesman – Heinie Miller, Penna. Time of periods – 15 minutes each. Substitution – Long for Carr.
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La Salle College High School Football: Chronicle 1921
Captain and Quarterback Donovan Rochford, holding the ball
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