Our quarterback’s final pass fell harmlessly to the turf bringing a glorious season to an agonizing end. It was November of 1999. Kennedy had battled football powerhouse Iowa City West all night in a violent confrontation between 17 year old kids. That was 11 years ago. I can still hear the crack of the pads. I still feel the sting of the loss. We had that game won and they stole it from us.
I never played football myself. Never so much as put on a pair of shoulder pads. When I was a teen I packed about 150 pounds on my 6’3 frame. They would have broken me in half if I had the balls to try out. I still loved the game though. There were students that showed up to Kingston on Friday nights to be seen and flirt with the sluts. Then there was me. There to analyze the effectiveness of our running game or to see how many times Coach Knock would run the same rollout left play. I absolutely loved those football games at Kingston Stadium. Some of the best times of my life even though I lived vicariously through my peers.
There was something magical about those nights. The green and gold out there on the field representing us against hated rivals. The crisp fall air. The school fight song blaring under the night sky. It felt like you were part of something big when we won. Those games in 1999 meant something. They were a big deal. Almost life and death to some.
One night about 5 years ago I was knocking back a few cold ones at a dive bar in Coralville. Serving me my beer on that evening was a familiar face. Kevin Long, the quarterback at Iowa City West during their undefeated run between 1998-1999. I recognize Long because he was somewhat of a local star during that era due to his football stature. He of course didn’t have a clue in hell who I was but I strike up a conversation none the less.
Long was actually a very friendly guy. I ask what became of his college football career and how he’s doing now. I can’t remember anything he said about those topics because all I really wanted to discuss was the Kennedy-Iowa City West Substate game from 1999.
He probably thought it was weird that I remembered the contest so well given that I wasn’t even on the team. We shared a few laughs and fondly remember the epic battle. He recalled how we jumped on them early, how a blocked punt changed the fortune of the game and how Nate Kaeding was able to boom kickoffs 30 yards out of the end zone every single time.
“Wouldn’t it be cool to have a rematch?” Long suggested.
“It sure would,” I said. “Too bad life doesn’t offer many opportunities for redemption.”
Now it does.
Enter Alumni Football USA, the best idea since that Harvard student dreamed up a social network featuring both pictures and personal information (What a concept!).
The premise is simple. Round up 40 ex high school football players from the same school, throw them in pads and let them go at it for old time’s sake. It’s a brilliant business idea! There are enough aging athletes out there who still got it. Now they get to prove themselves.
Kennedy doesn’t exactly get a rematch with their 1999 conqueror Iowa City West. A game against the Jefferson J-Hawks will do though. Our cross town rivals get another shot at us on the gridiron come July 9th. Kennedy vs. Jefferson, one last time for eternal bragging rights. The Cougars blasted Jefferson back in my day and now a few J-Hawks are after a little thing called revenge. Alumni Football USA presents the opportunity.
There’s something to be said about the second chance. Do over’s just don’t happen in the real world. That’s what makes this special. It’s a second chance for the player who never thought he’d buckle a chin strap again. Another shot for that J-Hawk who hasn’t gotten over his senior year. One more chance for that 30 year old Kennedy Cougar to show his child how Dad used to do it. A chance for me to relive my adolescence one last time.
See you at Kingston.