[Shane Scalfaro | WOUB]

Waverly Bounces Back In Dominant Fashion Against Minford Falcons

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WAVERLY, Ohio (WOUB) – The Waverly Tigers bounced back with an elite performance to defeat the Minford Falcons in a convincing blowout.

It was senior night for Waverly, as star players Wade Futhey, Will Futhey, Penn Morrison, and Mark Stulley made their final appearances at Raidiger field.

After losing their first regular season game since 2019 in a 21-14 defeat to conference rival Wheelersburg, Waverly came out with a vengeance and regained their earlier season dominance in a near-perfect game for the Tigers.

After forcing a punt on Minford’s opening drive, Penn Morrison returned it 75 yards for a touchdown to swing the momentum in Waverly’s favor early in the game.

The Waverly defense was a definitive bright spot as the conditions became monsoon-like on the field. The Tigers forced three fumbles in the first half alone, and the team fully capitalized on it.

Early second quarter, Waverly scored twice in less than 30 seconds, rushing the ball for six, and then driving down the field after a Minford turnover, resulting in Will Futhey adding another touchdown grab to his season tally to extend the lead to 28.

Minford struggled to put dangerous drives together with a limited passing attack due to the intense rain and a hindered run game due to constantly putting the ball on the ground.

The Waverly High School cheerleaders wear ponchos during a rainy football game against Minford High School in Waverly, Ohio, on October 15, 2021. [Pearl Spurlock | WOUB]
JT Barnett of Waverly High School avoids being tackled during his senior night game against Minford High School in Waverly, Ohio, on October 15, 2021. [Pearl Spurlock | WOUB] [Pearl Spurlock | WOUB]
Senior Night at Waverly High School was met with a downpour in Waverly, Ohio, on October 15, 2021. [Pearl Spurlock | WOUB]
The Waverly Tigers face off with the Minford Falcons in Waverly, Ohio, on October 15, 2021. [Pearl Spurlock | WOUB]
Trenton Zimmerman of the Minford Falcons looks to pass in Waverly, Ohio, on October 15, 2021. [Pearl Spurlock | WOUB]
Braylon Robertson of Waverly High School celebrates as the team defeats Minford High School in Waverly, Ohio, on October 15, 2021. [Pearl Spurlock | WOUB]
The Waverly vs. Minford game was a slippery one as a result of intense rainfall in Waverly, Ohio, on October 15, 2021.[Pearl Spurlock | WOUB]
Wyatt Crabtree loses his grip on the ball as he is tackled by a Minford player in Waverly, Ohio, on October 15, 2021. [Pearl Spurlock | WOUB]
Waverly High School defeated Minford High School in Waverly, Ohio, on October 15, 2021. [Pearl Spurlock | WOUB]

The second half did not wield better results for the Falcons, as the running clock was instituted in the third quarter after Waverly tacked onto their lead to make it a 35-0 ballgame.

In the fourth quarter, senior running back Dawson Shoemaker took the field for the first time in nearly two full seasons. Shoemaker suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out of his junior season, and then reaggravated the injury prior to this season, keeping him out of Waverly’s first seven games this season. Shoemaker finally got to suit up for the Tigers on senior night and made his appearance count.

When Waverly got into the red zone, Shoemaker logged six carries to eventually score a five-yard touchdown capped off by the roars and pure elation displayed by the fans.

“He had to earn that [touchdown] and it was special for him to work so hard after that reoccurring injury,” said Waverly head coach Chris Crabtree.

The Tigers cruised throughout and only gave up a garbage time touchdown towards the end of the contest, leading to a dominant victory over Minford 42-7.

Waverly will travel to face Oak Hill in their regular season finale next week before looking to make another deep run in the division IV playoffs