The Undefeated 1922 Team.
In rear, L-R, Davies, Haney, Hankes, Friel, Heald,
Andrews and Rowford. Middle: Barron, Clester, Delong, Fritz and Hall
In front: Brooks, Hoffman, Able, Ball, McCarty and Blevens
The Undefeated 1922 Team.
In rear, L-R, Davies, Haney, Hankes, Friel, Heald,
Andrews and Rowford. Middle: Barron, Clester, Delong, Fritz and Hall
In front: Brooks, Hoffman, Able, Ball, McCarty and Blevens
Copyrighted and Reproduced by permission of the Authors C. Robert Barnett and Linda Terhune
It was a rainy day on November 11, 1930, when the Ironton Tanks met the New York Giants at Cincinnati's Redland Field.
The Giants had finished second in the NFL (13 wins, 4 losses) to the Green Bay Packers, the lone survivor today in the pro leagues of the "town team," structured somewhat like the Ohio Valley's "booster-oriented" teams. The passing of former Michigan All-American Benny Friedman and the line play of all-pro guard Denver Gibson and end Morris Badgro highlighted the Giants attack throughout the season.
Even with the less-than-desirable playing conditions, both teams opened with passing attacks, Friedman for the Giants and Glenn Presnell for the tanks. The Giants scored in the second quarter and held on for a 6-0 halftime lead. However, the Tanks came back with a touchdown pass from Presnell to end Dick Powell to tie the game.
The Giants took the ensuing kickoff and drove 68 yards for the go-ahead TD, but the point-after-attempt was fumbled. Giants 12, Tanks 6. Near the end of the game, the Giants were forced to punt from their own 33, and Presnell returned it to the Giants 27-yard line where he ran out of bounds to stop the clock. Presnell recently (1) described what happened next:
"The time clock for pro games was kept on the field then, and I asked "Shorty" Davies, the timekeeper, how much time was left. He told me only three seconds, so I knew we had time for only one play.
"I ran around behind the line of scrimmage, looking for an open man, dodging tacklers. Finally I saw Gene Alford down near the end zone waving his hands. I threw the ball and he caught it and stepped into the end zone to tie the score."
"That pass was the biggest thrill of my career."
With no time left in the game, the Tanks lined up for the crucial extra point attempt. Clair Sloan, the second-string kicker, entered the game. The kick was perfect.
Tanks 13 - Giants 12