Page:The fighting scrub, (IA fightingscrub00barb).pdf/159

 ask my quarterback to carry the ball much. Football's a lot like war, Clif. The coach is the commander-in-chief who lays out the plan of the battle. The quarterback is the general who carries out his orders. But the coach can't plan in detail because there's no way to know beforehand what situations will arise. That's where the quarter is called on for generalship. There's no chance to confer with the coach. He's got to size up each situation as it arrives and decide what to do. It's up to him to move his forces so as to win. I've never played quarterback, but I think I know pretty well what a quarter's up against. He's got to consider a lot of things, such as the situation of the ball in regard to the goals and the side lines, the number of the down, the distance to be gained, the strength and weakness of the enemy, the ability and condition of his backs, a dozen more things. And he's got to reach a decision in mighty short time usually. Well, now I think all that's quite enough to saddle one fellow with when his side is on the offensive. He's got enough to do without being called on to carry the ball, and if he was my quarter he wouldn't be asked to get into the interference too often. If he could run the team I wouldn't care whether he ever gained a foot of ground himself. Just knowing what plays to call and calling them correctly and keeping his team fighting every minute—why, I'd forgive him even if he wasn't a wonder on defense. He could fumble a punt now and then and I'd still call him a corking quarter!"

"Yes, that's so," said Tom. "Still, lots of fellows