1955 FOOTBALL SQUAD

First Row: Mr. Grander, Roger Barton, Gary Jamieson. Benjamin Nero, Theodore Davis, Robert Dwyer, Gary O'Keefe, James, Anderson, Theodore Sturm, John Burke, Vincent Vogellus, George Nero, Frank Hart, Mr. Fortuna.

Second Row: Dennis O'Keefe, Joseph Machowski, Richard Ashbey, Louis Nero, Thomas Nelson, Richard Kelsey, Joseph Vincent, Thomas Bascetta, Robert Kozlowski, Butch Machowski, George Sterpka, Jay Hanley, Paul Falzone, David Ashbey, and Mr. Beecher.

Farrmington High 25, Gilbert 19. That was the score of the football game. However, the finally tally means nothing as it is the story behind it that really counts.

On August 19, the swirling devasting flood waters of the now famous hurricane Diane rampaged down Main Street and deposited every kind of debris in Community field. The bleachers were washed away , equipment was ruined beyond repair, and the Clifton Hotel was deposited right in the center of the field. Gilbert lost it's one and only football field. However the players, including six who lost their homes in the flood, went to coach Fortuna and all but demanded a team. Reports that the game would be dropped stired up the team, and they fought to save the game that they loved so well.

News of the football situation spread fast, and a local resident offered his land for a place to practice. The YMCA offered dressing facilities, and merchants came through with some football equipment. To overcome the lack of tackling-dummies, the players offered their services as "live dummies" - anything to give Gilbert a football team. With it's captain. James Anderson, Gilbert decided to play at least part of it's schedule. Four games were booked, and all four were played on the road.