Unlocking the archive: Injuries forced some shuffling for the Waverly Tigers in 1955

It was 1955 and the Waverly Tigers football team had entered the season as the defending champs of the Southern Ohio Conference.

But already injuries were forcing changes to the team in the young season.

Coach Carroll Hawhee reported that Phil Prather would be taking over as quarterback in the game against Hillsboro after regular starter Sonny Walters moved to fullback due to an injury to Wade Cormany. Cormany sustained a shoulder separation in the previous week's game - a loss to Grove City.

Jim Traschsal, a freshman at the time, was moving to left halfback with Gil Willis, a sophomore moving to right half and Jerry Dodd playing left end.

The shuffling was a result of yet another injury, this one sustained by Dave Butler in practice and Dave Bond who was the starting left end who had already been out for two weeks.

Despite the injuries, Waverly would defeat Hillsboro 18-7 after a strong second-quarter performance would see them score three touchdowns.

While they wouldn't repeat as SOC champs, the Tigers would finish the season with a winning record of 6-3.

To get you ready for the upcoming high school football season, the Chillicothe Gazette will be publishing photo galleries from past seasons of our local teams on Mondays. If you missed last week's photo gallery of past Huntington football seasons, go to www.ChillicotheGazette.com