Barnstable High School Football 1894

The 1894 Season

From The Hyannis Patriot, Tuesday Morning, October 9, 1894
“The B.H.S. foot-ball team was out 28th (Sept.) for its first practice, which consisted principally of passing, falling on the ball and running. Six of last year’s team appeared in uniform. The remainder is all new material. Snow, last year’s big center, is unable to play, which leaves quite a gap, but Bowen expects this can be filled by Cook ’97, who is not only heavy, but well suited for the position. Johnson and Thacher, the venerable guards of last year, are also missing, and to take their places we have the two big Franks, (Hinck and Nick), who no doubt with Cook, will make the center impenetrable.
Mores ’97, last year’s end, will try right tackle, and with another good man as left, ought to guarantee the team good tackles. For ends, positions where the team was weak last year, and ought to be well looked out for this year, we have “Spider” O’Neil, who is very fleet flooted and a sore tackler as well as an exceptionally good man on interference, and “Dan” Nye, the stocky little fellow from Barnstable. Nye is new at the game, but everything indicates that he will cover himself as well as the team, with glory before Nov. 30th.
Behind the line there is little or no change. Horne will renew his brilliant work at quarter (back), while Bowen at left halfback, Hinckley at full and Chase at left half back, whose name indicates that the ball is his, is a sure guarantee that B.H.S. has a good set of backs. There are more substitutes this year than usual. The most promising are Collins, who tackles hard and follows the ball well, and Paine, although light, is making a fine showing. There are always two sides to everything and to foot-ball there is a side which, like every other game, needs the aid and support of everyone interested, that is the financial side. It is an assured fact that Sandwich and New Bedford will come to Hyannis, and of course this will incur an expense of about $15, not counting return games, which together with the regular expenses of the club, is too much for the individuals of the team to bear. It has been suggested that we send members of the team around the village for contributions.
So if you happen to be cornered by one of these individuals, we surely hope that you will be in a liberal frame of mind, and come to see the games, as one who is interested, and can say that he has helped the cause along by a generous donation. The team is ready to solicit challenges from neighboring clubs and would like very much to hear from Y.H.S. address all correspondence to W.R. Bowen, Hyannis.”

From The Hyannis Patriot, Tuesday Evening, November 27, 1894
“The football match between the Barnstable High School team and the Harwich High School team was witnessed by about 300 people on Saturday. It was a game of science against strength from beginning to end. When the men lined up it was a “toss up” who would win. The score that Barnstable ran up was beyond expectations, and was the result of superior play. At the end of the first half the score was 4-4, and in the second Barnstable added 6 more making a total of 10 points.
For Harwich, Baker, Larkin and Nickerson did the best work, going through Barnstable centre as though it were paper. Horne made the star rush of the contest. He caught the ball when muffed by Baker, and out sprinted everybody, and it was a pretty sight to see him out strip Harwich High’s fleetest runners. Larkin was invincible in his rushing. He proved a terror when the ball was trusted to his care. It was no use to try to penetrate Harwich’s centre with Nickerson, Henderson and Martin acting as a single barrier. Harwich had the kick off, by which they gained 30 yds.
Barnstable’s ball. Hinckley made 10 yds. around left end, and the criss-cross awarded 10 more. Harwich takes the ball on a fumble by Hinckley, then by steady rushes through the centre Harwich made a touch down in 5 minutes, score 4-0.
Barnstable kicked off and immediately received the ball on a fumble. Barnstable was given 15 yards for off side play and by good rushes by Chase and Bowen the ball was worked steadily down the field. Bowen scoring a touch down; no goal. Score 4-4.
Barnstable kicked off Harwich’s ball, now again Harwich began its slaughter on the center, but was held in fine style. Baker received the ball and started for left end, but was tackled by Horne, who downed him right in his tracks. They tried the other end but were stopped, Bowen making an excellent tackle. When time was called the ball was in Barnstable’s territory.
In the second half Hinckley kicked off to Baker, who, when tackled by Snow, dropped the ball. Horne was on it like a flash and was off for a touch down. Hinckley kicked a goal. Score 10-4. This was the last scoring done Barnstable holding the Harwich men like fiends. Time was called with the ball still in Harwich’s territory.

From The Hyannis Patriot, Tuesday morning, December 11, 1894
“Barnstable High and Harwich High school football teams faced each other for the second time at Harwich Port Saturday, Dec. 1st. The game was very interesting and hotly contested by both teams. Harwich seemed to be by all odds the favorite and completely out played their opponents, principally by their massive centre plays. They used the criss cross several times and surprised Barnstable by gaining 25 yards around the end, Barnstable’s strongest point. There were no principal features about the game, only the harsh and unjust decisions of the referee who acknowledged that he didn’t know the game. Fair play would have satisifed the spectators more than those cowardly decisions. Harwich owes its glory to Capt. Baker who made the touch down and runs his team in a manly way. He abides by the umpire’s decisions, and unlike his men keeps his mouth shut. We are in hopes to see Harwich at Hyannis next fall, and to see as good an exhibition of foot ball as they put up in ’94. Score, Harwich 4, Hyannis 0.”

From The Hyannis Patriot, Tuesday morning, December 18, 1894
“The Barnstable High School junior football team lined up against the Osterville High-Grammar team on Lovell’s field, Dec. 8, and defeated them by a score of 20-6. It was a very interesting game from start to finish, but Osterville didn;t seem to be in it until the second half when they showed what they were made of. Parker more than distinguished himself by two very clever and well earned runs of 65 and 35 yards which brought a loud round of applause from the Osterville enthusiasts, who up to this time had no need of any vocal exertions.
For Barnstable, O’Neil’s punting was one of the principal features and he clearly outplayed his opponent, Lancy, in this line. Osterville had the kick off, making only 10 yards, O’Neil bringing the ball right back. Then by steady rushes of C. Smith and O’Neil, the ball was carried over for the first touchdown. Score, 4-0. Lancy again kicked off, this time to C. SMith, who brough the pigskin well up the field. Then by good rushes of F. O’Neil and C. Smith the ball was advanced 10 yards. J. O’Neil started for left end, but was downed by Parker for a loss of 6 yards. Smith fumbled and Lancy was on the ball, this being the first time Osterville obtained possession of the coveted pigskin, but they had no use for it as Parker immediately fumbled, giving it to Barnstable. O’Neil tried the center but found it was of no use and here the ball was again fumbled but L. Smith saved it and F. O’Neil punted 25 yards. Osterville again gets possession of the pigskin and Lancy tries to punt but it is no use, he only saves the ball by dropping on it, netting a loss of 4 yards.
Then he tried right end and again made a loss of 7 yards. This brings the ball within 6 yards of the goal and again Osterville fumbled, this time Chase falling on it. Now it was a simple matter for F. O’Neil to make a touchdown; no goal. 8-0. Lancy again raises the ball well into the air, C. Smith brings it back to almost where it started. Smith and F. O’Neil advance the ball but very few yards and lose it on a fumble. Lancy now sends Lovell around right end and doing so well he again tried him with the criss-cross which netted good results. Fumbling seems to play a prominent part and here C. Smith captures the ball, running 25 yards, but it is finally downed by R. Lewis.
Again the O’Neil brothers try the ends and succeed in scoring another touchdown and goal. Score 14-0. Time was called with the ball in Barnstable’s territory.
In the second half things took on an entirely different stand. Osterville had everything all its own way, Lancy, and Parker making repeated gains thro’ the center. Now they try th ends and do fine work but spoil everything by fumbling the ball, giving it to Barnstable. The O’Neils again put in their good work and score another touchdown and goal. Score 20-0.
Lancy raised the ball only to fall into O’Neil’s hands and brought right back. But here Osterville showed some fine work and Barnstable was forced to punt, the ball going 45 yards. Now Osterville rises to the occasion and after two short rushes Parker makes the longest and pretiest run of the game, 65 yards, thus making the first touchdown and goal. Score, 20-6. This ended the scoring for both sides. O’Neil lifted the pigskin high in the air, Lovell accepted the offer and ran 10 yards. Osterville seemed to be doing all the playing now, Parker starting for left end like a race horse, to be downed only after covering 35 yards.
Fumbling seemed to be their strongest point and Barnstable takes the ball. It was no use for them to try to score so O’Neil was called upon to punt. He responded by leaving 30 yards thus rendering his goal out of danger. Time was called with the ball in possession of Osterville on their 75 yard line.”