“Harley Dressler played football for Medford High School in its early great years, the dawn of the tradition spawned by the teams that became known as the Black Tornado. He played his first year under Hollis Huntington. Dr. Eddie Durno coached the 1922 team and Prince G. ‘Prink’ Callison began his six-year career the following season.

“Football was different in Harley’s day. The ball was fatter and harder to grip for the passer, who needed to have his fingers on the laces. The ball generally was snapped directly to the ball carrier in contrast to today’s standard procedure of a handoff or pitch by the quarterback. Substitution was limited. A player leaving the game in the first half could not return until the next half. Gridders played both offense and defense. There were no platoons or special teams. Players bringing in plays didn’t go in and out of the lineup or enter the game just to kick. Whether the players of the past in their prime could play equally with the gridders of the present depends on what rules are used. If their rules were used, the players of his day would have a chance.”

This article was taken from a Mail Tribune – Dick Jewett interview with Mr. Dressler, who played as tackle on the Medford teams of 1921 through 1924, serving as captain his junior and senior years.”