I learn from the Commerce school authorities that a football game has been arranged with the Tech High school of Atlanta for Saturday of this week.

As I told you some time ago in a letter, Commerce has a plucky team. It has never yet met defeat. During the present season in the two games played Commerce piled up 103 points to 0 for the opponents. Neither opposing team made a first down.

It may be that when the Commerce lads stack up against Tech High they will meet their Waterloo. I hope you may be able to see the game. Commerce has a young half back I want you to see in action. Some college will get him next year. Already Georgia has one eye on the fast kid.

Hundreds of people from this territory are in Atlanta for the Southeastern fair and there are scores of former Commerce people now living in Atlanta.

The Commerce team reaches Atlanta Friday afternoon and will stop at the Majestic hotel. The coach is E.J. Hardin, a former student of the University of Georgia, of the class of 1915. Occasionally, one of the Georgia players comes up and helps Hardin in his work.

Respectfully yours
P.T. Harber ”

Side Note

Commerce played Tech High at Georgia Tech’s Grant Field on Saturday, Oct. 21, 1916.

Commerce was undefeated at this point in the 1916 season with a (2-0) record and also was undefeated at (4-0) from the previous season of 1915 and had won 11 games in a row dating back to the second game of 1914.

This long winning streak of 11 straight games was the background behind Tech High agreeing to play this game with Commerce.

Commerce later finished the 1916 season with a (2-3) record later losing to Piedmont College (0-6) and Boys High School of Atlanta (0-21).  Boys High and Tech High, both of Atlanta, were the perennial football powers in Georgia at that time.

The score at the half with Tech High was (7-7).

Tech High went on to defeat the Tigers (44-7) with a second half onslaught.

The Tigers missed a scoring opportunity in the first half that would have certainly helped the Commerce cause. The passing game has been an Achilles heal so far this season. Hopefully they can gain some consistency the rest of the year. Overall the team played well in the first half but fell apart in the second. In the 3rd quarter the Tigers had a couple fumbles, a bad snap on a fake punt, and our punter got tackled on a punt after losing a handle on the ball. I blacked out after that so if anything else bad happened I don’t recall it.

Wesleyan put the hammer down on Commerce the whole game defensively. They have some hard hitting folks on that defense. No wonder no team has scored in the double digits against them.  Their QB looked great all night and pretty much could throw it to whoever he wanted to in the second half. He did have one picked off in the first half though. I wanted to mention the Wesleyan announcer also. He was entertaining to listen to.

The Tigers should gain some confidence after playing the best team in class A very well for 2 quarters. They should be proud of that fact. But they have to improve in several areas as well. Next up for Commerce is Lakeview Academy at home.

The Tigers are 2-1 overall against the Wolves, losing last year 33-7. The stadium address is 5405 Spalding Drive , Norcross,GA 30092.

Most folks remember Guthries of Athens for their chicken fingers and sauce. They have a location close to Wesleyan School at 3219 Holcomb Bridge Road Norcross, Ga.( 770.248.4244) The owner. Hank Williams, is giving a 10% discount to Tiger fans if you decide to grab a meal there before the game (closes at 8:30). Just mention that you are a Commerce fan.

Stat Snapshot

Football will always be king in America but other sports will get surpassed by the UFC. Baseball is too slow and will continue to lose viewers over time since they refuse to adjust to the 21st century. Basketball is great but is not fan friendly enough.

MMA fighting is simple and easy for a new fan to understand. Not many rules, and most people have been in a fight so they know what is going on! If you were like me and thought the UFC was just some idiots beating each other’s brains out, take another look and I think you will be surprised. Also professional fighting gives amateur wrestlers somewhere to go after college.