Ilion Girls Clash on GridIlion - Twenty-two high school girls, plus two alumnae, used the Armistice Day holiday to show the boys of the high school that they, too, could play football. Divided into two teams, the Skimmers and the Residentials, the girls appeared at 9:30 behind the high school, despite the snowstorm, and proceeded to play a game. They had mud "beauty" baths as a result, plus torn clothing and other things that happen when girls really tackle, block and do all the football tricks. John Gilmartin found that it was difficult to please that number of girls, whose football rules were learned from watching the games, as he tried the umpiring. He was supposed to have the support of Capt. Pawnee Miller, but Miller's ankle injury required his staying on the sidelines with crutches as supports. The Skimmers, including girls from the east and north sections of town, won the game 6-0. The Residentials were from the Otsego section and West Hill. The "battlers" included: Residential, Sis Tracy, Eleanor Travis, Barbara Foppes, Nancy Trimble, Lydia Davis, Jean Hilliard, Phyllis Eckler, Shirley Eckler, Joan Robinson, Vi Hand and Irene Hand, Jerry Murray was coach. The Skimmers used Judy Piper, Mary Vayo, Elizabeth Thom, Joyce Carrol, Jane Betzinger, Katherine Panarites, Dot Fay, Margaret Mullin, Nancy Daily, Marion Taylor and Louise Dodge. Their coach was Peggy Morris.
First Published March 22, 1999 - Updated May 22, 2014
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