Sports : Alumni Football helps raise funds for Iowa schools; Vikings prepare for Saturday

VS Alumni Football: Viking Logan Merchant mows the lines of the field.

Zeb Fisher, Dave Boisen and Coach Don Lyle prepare the football field for the alumni game.

VS Alumni Football: Viking Logan Merchant mows the lines of the field.

The Alumni Football program has already raised nearly $20,000 for Iowa high schools and their athletic programs, says Jason Chance of Alumni Football USA.

Chance expects that amount to triple as more games -- including Saturday's contest in Vinton -- take place this summer.

"Last year, we had six alumni games in Iowa," said Chance. "We are going to have eight this year."

This will probably be the last year for the VS-CPU rivalry, said Chance. VS is attempting to organize a game against long-time rival Benton Community while CPU is arranging a game vs. Alburnett for 2013.

The Vikings kick off their game at 7 p.m. Saturday. Half of the proceeds from pre-sold tickets are donated to the school of the team which sold those tickets.

"We hope that all of the football fans will come out and support their team," said Chance. "As many people who want to come and cheer for VS or CPU are welcome."

Alumni Football USA sponsored approximately 300 games last year and will do a few more this year. Games took place in 22 different states in 2011.

Other Iowa games for 2012 include Mount Vernon vs. Solon, PCM vs. Knoxville; Linville-Sully vs. Montezuma and W. Liberty vs. W. Branch. Last year, there were several games featuring Cedar Rapids schools; this year, with Kingston Stadium under renovation, Chance is looking for an alternative site for those teams. He is also trying to organize an Iowa City match-up between alumni of City High and IC West.

Former players have been working out, practicing for the past several weeks, in hope of a victory to avenge last year's 12-0 loss.

Players spent Wednesday evening preparing the field for the game.

"Seeing that field again, painted under the lights brought back many memories," said Zeb Fisher, a 2006 Viking alum.

"I am ready, but definitely not in the shape that I used to be though," said Mike Hopper, who played lineman in high school and college.