Garry Grayson's football rivals: or, The secret of the stolen signals

About this book

"Garry Grayson's football rivals : or, The secret of the stolen signals." by Elmer A. Dawson is a juvenile sports novel written in the early 20th century. Centered on high-school football, it follows quarterback Garry Grayson as he leads Lenox High amid fierce rivalries, risky pranks, and a brewing mystery tied to stolen signals. Friends rally around him while local toughs, notably Sandy Podder, scheme to trip him up on and off the field. The opening of the story introduces Garry and his close-knit crew—Rooster, Nick, Bill, and Ted—whose fishing trip turns dramatic when a storm forces a mail plane to crash onto a hut; they rescue the pilot, Ross Yates, and meet his fast-driving son, Cal. Back in town, Garry tangles with the crabby Jacob Fish (and befriends his fierce dog) before school starts and Coach Phillips names the revamped team: Garry at quarterback and captain, Rooster at fullback, Nick at right half, with Bill and Ted on the scrubs. After spirited practices, Lenox edges Pawling when Garry’s late line plunges deliver a comeback win. Unease follows as prankish vandalism hits the school and, after the boys free a cow at dusk and glimpse shadowy figures, the next morning a cow turns up in the Latin classroom, hinting that mischief—and rivalry—are escalating.