Added to these, were the new juniors, formerly of the sophomore class, who had shown the most general promise in athletics during the preceding school year.
Gridley High School aimed to lead---to be away at the top---in all school athletics.

The "Gridley spirit," which would not accept defeat in sports, was proverbial throughout the state.
And so, though the football squad was not yet formally organized for training and practice, yet, up to the last few days, it had been expected that a finer gridiron crowd than usual would present itself for weeding, sifting and training by Coach Morton.

The latter was also one of the submasters of Gridley High School.
Since the school year had opened, however, undercurrent news had been rife that there would be many "soreheads," and that this would be an "off year" in Gridley football.

Just where the trouble lay, or what the "kick" was about, was a puzzle to most members of the student body.

It was an actual mystery to Dick & Co.
"What is all the undermining row about, anyway ?" demanded Dick, looking around at his chums.