• Article Photo. Jordan Otdoerfer receives the offensive player of the year award for the Viking alumni.
    Jordan Otdoerfer receives the offensive player of the year award for the Viking alumni.
  • Article Photo. VSHS band alumni and Community Band members play school songs at halftime.
    VSHS band alumni and Community Band members play school songs at halftime.
  • Article Photo. Corey Cooling receives the VS defensive player of the game medal.
    Corey Cooling receives the VS defensive player of the game medal.
  • Article Photo. Oldest player: Gary Garywood (Class of 1976) was the oldest player in the alumni game.
    Oldest player: Gary Garywood (Class of 1976) was the oldest player in the alumni game.
  • Article Photo. A rainbow forms above the field during the V-S/CPU Alumni USA football game.
    A rainbow forms above the field during the V-S/CPU Alumni USA football game.
  • Article Photo. Not the score, but the date appears above before the 2012 Vinton-Shellsburg/CPU Alumni game.
    Not the score, but the date appears above before the 2012 Vinton-Shellsburg/CPU Alumni game.
  • Article Photo. Viking Dylan Rickels made some touchdown-saving plays in the first quarter.
    Viking Dylan Rickels made some touchdown-saving plays in the first quarter.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. QB Zac Hogan carries the ball.
    QB Zac Hogan carries the ball.
  • Article Photo. Zac Hogan
    Zac Hogan
  • Article Photo. Jordan Otdoefer
    Jordan Otdoefer
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Joel VanEtten
    Joel VanEtten
  • Article Photo. Ryan Barkdoll, left and Seth Fisher prepare for a play.
    Ryan Barkdoll, left and Seth Fisher prepare for a play.
  • Article Photo. AmeriCorps members help cook in the concession stand.
    AmeriCorps members help cook in the concession stand.
  • Article Photo. Judy Trygstad directs the alumni/community band.
    Judy Trygstad directs the alumni/community band.
  • Article Photo. Coach Dave Boisen talks to his players during the game.
    Coach Dave Boisen talks to his players during the game.
  • Article Photo. Alumni Cheerleaders wore their class years on their shirts.
    Alumni Cheerleaders wore their class years on their shirts.
  • Article Photo. Alumni cheerleaders pose for a photo.
    Alumni cheerleaders pose for a photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Gary Garwood waves to his grandson from the sidelines of the Alumni Football USA game.
    Gary Garwood waves to his grandson from the sidelines of the Alumni Football USA game.
  • Article Photo. Jason Boisen hands the ball to Jordan Otdoerfer.
    Jason Boisen hands the ball to Jordan Otdoerfer.
  • Article Photo. CPU runner Tom Kreel loses his helmet while being tackled by several Vikings.
    CPU runner Tom Kreel loses his helmet while being tackled by several Vikings.
  • Article Photo. Zac Hogan relays the play to the offense.
    Zac Hogan relays the play to the offense.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Kickoff: Greg Clark begins the game.
    Kickoff: Greg Clark begins the game.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Jason Sanders prepares to block for Jordan Otdoerfer
    Jason Sanders prepares to block for Jordan Otdoerfer
  • Article Photo. Jay White punts while several CPU players attempt to block the kick.
    Jay White punts while several CPU players attempt to block the kick.
  • Article Photo. Roughing the kicker: A CPU player collides with Viking alumni Jay White.
    Roughing the kicker: A CPU player collides with Viking alumni Jay White.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Jason Sanders' parents and kids cheered him on during the game.
    Jason Sanders' parents and kids cheered him on during the game.
  • Article Photo. Jenna Pattee sang the National Anthem before the game.
    Jenna Pattee sang the National Anthem before the game.
  • Article Photo. CPU fans brought umbrellas; it rained for about half of the game.
    CPU fans brought umbrellas; it rained for about half of the game.

For the first time since the fall of 1995, Bonnie Sanders sat in the stands at Vinton-Shellsburg High School, watching her son, Jason, play football. 

Yeah, she said, it's different now. The biggest difference: Sitting next to Jason's kids. 

Gary Garwood last suited up in a Viking uniform 20 Octobers before Sanders. The 1976 graduate -- who received the "Oldest Player" medal after the game -- paused in between games to wave at his grandson in the stands.

"This is a lot easier to watch now," said another mom, Jane White. Her son, Jay, a 2002 VS graduate, punted for the Vikings during Saturday's Alumni Football USA game vs. Center Point-Urbana alumni players.

"When he was in high school, I would get so excited I would almost forget to breathe," recalls Jane. But on Saturday, she and husband Bill and other family members laughed throughout the game, even when Jay got knocked flat on a play in which an opposing player was flagged for roughing the kicker.

Despite the rain, an audience of more than 1,000 gathered at the Vinton-Shellsburg football field for the second Alumni Football USA game between Vinton-Shellsburg and Center Point-Urbana. 

The CPU scored on a first quarter safety and a third quarter touchdown en route to defeating the Vikings, 9-0.

"It didn't go as planned," said QB Jason Boisen, "But it sure was fun. I hope everyone will come back and play again."

CPU drove to the Viking one with the help of a long pass and several running plays. After the Viking defense stopped CPU on downs, the visitors tackled a Viking runner in the end zone. The next Viking possession ended in an interception, and the Viking defense again had to make a goal line stand. Dylan Rickels, who had made two touchdown-saving tackles on the first CPU drive, broke up a pass at the goal line on their second drive. 

The game remained 2-0 until late in the third quarter, when CPU scored on a running play and added the extra point. 

This is the second year of Alumni Football for both teams, but may be the last time these two teams play again. CPU plays to play its game vs. Alburnett next year, while VS leaders are hoping to organize a game. vs. Benton Community.

Captain says thanks

"Thank you to all who supported our Viking Alumni Football Team," said Captain Randy Scheel. "It was bittersweet in several ways ...we desperately need the rain and the rain/thunderstorm hit at the worst time ... around 5:30 pm as fans were showing up. And bittersweet that 33 men got the opportunity to play the game they love so much only to come up short at the end of the game losing 9 - 0 to CPU. It was a hard hitting, hard fought game and no major injuries."

Scheel also thanked many others:
 
"Thank you to the Alumni Cheerleaders and Vinton Community Band for coming out as well! And to my great niece, Jenna, for singing a beautiful National Anthem. Iknow many people put a lot of work into this game. I am very proud to say I am a Viking! It was worth every minute of sweat to get to know a group of men (and one old fart Gary Garwood!) better both on the playing field, Coach Dave Boisen and those who helped on the sidelines keeping everything organized."