Throwback Thursday - 1946

After not playing football in 1943 and 1944 due to World War II, and playing only a four-game season the following year, 1946 represented the first full season back under Dr. W. Glenn Killinger. Talk about a shutdown defense! En route to a 9-1 record, the team allowed 33 points. For the entire season! After a fairly routine 13-6 win over Moravian, they shutout Drexel, City College of New York and Penn Military (now Widener). Their lone flaw that season, a 13-6 setback to Lock Haven, was followed with ruining Alrbight's homecoming 26-0. The season finished with three more road games - a 13-7 win at Ithaca, a 12-0 shutout at Millersville and a 32-0 win in the only football game ever between West Chester and Wagner.

Among the roster was U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Hank Boney. Boney was shot up in the South Pacific and received a disability discharge. He played end at West Chester with a special protective pad to cover the shrapnel hole in his back. Also suiting up was Barney Williams who played varsity football at West Chester in 1941. But he then spent 1942 until the spring of 1946 in the U.S. Navy serving in the South Pacific. He was Killinger's best open field runner who alternated between fullback and quarterback, although he was hampered by a knee injury. And there was Joe Jurich who stood 6'3" and 240lbs. He played football in the 1942 season, then served in the European Theatre as a member of the U.S. Army. For West Chester, he played right tackle and specialized in throwing events for the track team.

Hank Boney
Joe Jurich
Barney Williams