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Trenton High School graduate Bruno Gervasi takes part in an alumni game against Woodhaven on July 27. The Downriver battle sparked the idea for the Dearborn vs. Fordson game, which will be played in September. Photo by Dave Chapman
High school football rivalries are not something that alumni often forget about and most would jump at the opportunity to play in the big game just one more time.On Sept. 28, the alumni of in-city rivals Dearborn High and Fordson will face off in their first alumni game.
The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kick off at Dearborn High School, the night after the annual high school matchup.
The idea came from another alumni game, the Trenton-Woodhaven matchup Downriver that was played on July 27. Representatives at Alumni Football USA approached the athletic directors at each school after those involved with the first game mentioned the Dearborn-Fordson rivalry.
?I called Jeff at Fordson, and we decided to give it a shot, not having any idea what might happen,? Dearborn athletic director Jeff Conway.
But big things did happen.
There are more than 100 players combined for both schools that have signed up so far and each team will be capped at 40 players.
Dearborn?s oldest alumnus signed up to play is from the class of 1973 and is 58 years old.
The game itself will be just like those the alumni played in high school all those years ago. Full contact, pads, helmets and tackles with regular football rules.
Alumni Football USA supplies the equipment, referees and game day set up, and players participate in a six week conditioning program with practices.
A fee of $100 is charged to each player who wishes to be on the roster and participate in the game.
Each school will use the opportunity as a fundraiser for their respective athletic departments. Pre-sale tickets are $10, with $5 going back to the school of the seller. The remainder of the money and game-day ticket sales go to Alumni Football USA.
Dearborn will also get to keep the concession money from the night as the host school.
It is rumored that a TV crew will be at the game and a rematch next year at Fordson is already in the works.
Although it is a big rivalry between the schools, it might be the first chance for some of the older alumni to face each other.
There was a period of time when the two schools were in separate leagues and did not face each other. Since then the Western Wayne Athletic Conference and the Mega Conference have absorbed the teams and the game between the two is one of the most anticipated all season.
?A lot of that is because Dearborn is such a great community with a sense of family,? Conway said. ?Our kids see each other at the park, at the gym, at the mall, so that familiarity makes for great competition.
?Social media helps too, with the kids spreading excitement each year on Twitter, Facebook (and) Instagram. By the time kickoff rolls around, it?s pretty much a powder keg ready to blow with the biggest crowd of the season.?
As the seasons pass, alumni from each school keep the rivalry alive and well and the current coaches and players keep on top of things, reminding the underclassmen of the one game they want to win each year.
?That?s the Dearborn vs. Fordson game,? Conway said. ?It?s very cool stuff, and it?s also great that after the game, the players and coaches can shake hands, have a hug, give a high-five and leave it on the field.?
The two teams have even faced each other in the MHSAA state playoffs the last two seasons with the regular season loser winning the playoff game each time.
The rivalry is a big one and Conway is looking forward to the chance for alumni to take to the field one more time.
?My personal opinion is that this should be a great event,? Conway said. ?It will bring lots of people out, help out each school with a little money and give kids an opportunity to see their dads play one more time, or even play with them, wives to see their husbands play.
?(It will) just make for a lot of fun and laughs for all those involved.?
Last Updated: 8/1/2013 10:13:37 PM EST
Source: http://miprepzone.com/pressandguide/results.asp?ID=7888
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