Around the End

In Short

Set at the fictional Yardley School, this novel follows a group of students as they navigate the rigorous demands of the football season. Centered on the development of the varsity team and the challenges posed by rival schools, the narrative explores the tensions between newcomers and veterans, the necessity of personal sacrifice for the team’s success, and the quiet, often internal, struggles of young athletes. It has endured as a quintessential example of early twentieth-century school fiction, capturing the specific, earnest intensity of academic and athletic life at the turn of the century.

The Story

The story begins with the annual autumn ritual of the football squad’s formation. Coach Payson oversees a motley group of aspirants, ranging from seasoned veterans to untested newcomers. Among the latter is Kendall, a modest boy who finds himself navigating the social and physical challenges of the school. He eventually finds his place in the varsity squad, though not without the pressure of proving himself to both his peers and the exacting standards of the team.

The narrative arc is defined by the team's progression through a series of increasingly difficult practice games and internal trials. Alongside the athletic development, the characters grapple with a pervasive sense of school pride. A recurring source of friction is a newcomer named Cotton, an abrasive and suspicious student who feels slighted by the "cliquish" nature of the school. Cotton, who tries to earn a spot as an end, constantly complains of favoritism, a claim that the more grounded, hardworking players like Kendall and his friend Gerald Pennimore firmly reject.

As the season advances, the school’s focus narrows toward the "big game" against their rivals, Broadwood. The atmosphere on campus becomes electric with mass meetings, school songs, and intense secret signal drills. The team experiences setbacks, including injuries and tactical changes, which force them to adapt rapidly. Tensions rise when a mystery involving Cotton and an incident with a school telephone booth threatens to disrupt the team's preparation. Despite these distractions and the looming fear of defeat, the team pulls together.

The final act culminates in the game against Broadwood. It is a grueling, tactical contest where the outcome remains uncertain until the final whistle. The Yardley players, realizing they are the underdogs, must rely on clever strategy rather than sheer power to keep pace. The game ends in a tie—a result that initially feels like a failure to the players, particularly to Kendall, who blames himself for a missed opportunity. However, in a moving resolution, his teammates rally around him, dismissing his self-reproach and affirming that the team’s effort was a collective endeavor. The book concludes with the school embracing the spirit of the game, proving that the bonds of friendship and the integrity of the players are the true victories, regardless of the scoreboard.

How It Unfolds

The initial gathering Coach Payson calls out for the football candidates, bringing together a group of boys with widely varying skills. This moment establishes the hierarchical reality of the school, where veterans and newcomers must quickly find their roles under the trainer’s watchful eye.

The arrival of a newcomer The introduction of Cotton, who hides in a dormitory room to escape hazing, creates a point of contention among the boys. His cynical attitude toward the school’s meritocracy contrasts sharply with the earnest, team-oriented values held by Gerald and Kendall.

The season intensifies Through a series of practice games against local high schools, the team begins to gel, though internal frustrations and injuries mount. The players must balance their academic duties with the increasingly secret and intense nature of the football drills.

The mystery of the spy Suspicion falls on Cotton when he shows an unhealthy interest in the team’s secret signals and attempts to influence the players’ confidence. The boys work to protect their strategies, leading to a tense, humorous standoff involving a locked telephone booth.

The final clash The showdown against Broadwood tests the team’s physical and mental endurance to the breaking point. The narrative tracks the flow of the game, detailing the strategic adjustments and the heavy emotional weight each player carries.

The aftermath Following the tie, the players retreat to their communal life, where they must reconcile their individual feelings of disappointment with the reality of the game’s outcome. The final scenes show the school community reinforcing its support for the players, regardless of the result.

The People

Kendall is the heart of the story, a talented but modest kicker who struggles with self-doubt. He wants nothing more than to prove his worth on the field without relying on connections, and he ultimately learns that his value to the team is recognized by others even when he fails to see it himself.

Gerald acts as a grounded, observant friend to Kendall. He is confident and quick-witted, possessing a clear sense of fairness. He serves as a foil to those who complain about the school, consistently defending the principle that merit, not "pull," determines success at Yardley.

Cotton is the antagonist in the social sphere of the school. Lanky and ungainly, he is defined by his deep-seated resentment and belief that the world—and specifically Yardley—is stacked against him. He stands in the way of team harmony, and his inability to trust his peers leaves him perpetually isolated.

The Duke provides a necessary levity to the proceedings. Known for his flamboyant dress and sharp tongue, he is deeply loyal to his friends. His interactions with Cotton are marked by thinly veiled disdain, yet he remains a steadfast, if eccentric, protector of the school’s honor and traditions.

In Its Own Voice

The coach assesses the incoming talent with a mix of humor and resignation:

“I’ve seen some funny bunches in my day,” replied the trainer, “but never anything like them!”

The complex social dynamics of the school are highlighted when a newcomer expresses his bitterness:

“I guess if you don’t have friends here it’s about the same as it was at Kingston or――or anywhere else.”

The Duke’s flamboyant, self-assured nature is on full display when he discusses his own unique fashion choices:

“It’s the quintessence of pink! It’s the pinkest thing that ever happened.”

What It's Really About

At its core, this book explores the moral education found in competitive sports. It argues that a school is a community defined by its shared rituals, and that these rituals—like football—serve to strip away social artifice. The conflict between characters like Kendall and Cotton highlights a fundamental question: does an individual succeed through their own merit, or is success merely the result of social connections? The book lands firmly on the side of meritocracy, suggesting that true belonging is earned through contribution, not through complaint. It also examines the psychological weight of defeat, suggesting that collective resilience is more important than individual glory.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy a "found family" dynamic within a boarding-school setting will find much to admire here. The book captures the specific, heightened emotional state of adolescence, where a single football game can feel like the absolute pivot point of one’s life. Reading it feels like stepping into a time capsule; the dialogue is crisp, the sense of place is vivid, and the earnestness of the characters is genuinely refreshing.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes toward hazing and school discipline. While the author frames these as part of the "fun" or the necessary initiation of a new boy, they are depicted with a casualness that may feel jarring today. Additionally, the intense focus on football terminology and the slow, rhythmic pacing of the season’s progression require some patience. If you appreciate a story where character development is inextricably linked to athletic performance, and you enjoy the slow build-up to a climactic, hard-fought event, you will find this a rewarding exploration of the "spirit of the school." It remains a sincere, unpretentious portrait of the formative years that stays with you long after the final whistle.