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While the host Pioneers won the game, 26-8, over the Redskins, in the second Cros-Lex/Sandusky Alumni Football Game, sponsored by Eastern Michigan Bank, the event raised a total of $7500. The teams divided the $3,600 gate receipts and each kept their participation fees. Sandusky netted an extra $1500 in fees while C-L produced $2400.

Chris Zielinski, one of the coaches for Cros-Lex, said the game did not top the $10,000 in revenue the teams split last year, but he was still happy.

"We were hoping for a little more. I thought we'd have more players because of the new guys we signed up," said Zielinski. "We lost a lot of guys that played last year. We were down 12-13 guys, but that's okay - it was still a good night for a couple days of work."

Brad Bays, a coach of the Redskins, added, "We knew it wouldn't be as big as last year - last year was something special.... but still, this is $3300 we didn't have.

"The thing I like about it as a fund-raiser," Bays continued," is we're not bothering the businesses for a lot of money, and the parents. The alumni are ones that want to actively support the program, too. This is their chance to do that."

The Pioneers, who won the inaugural game, 22-14, at Woodard Field in Sandusky last summer, used their youth and speed edge over the Redskins to full advantage. Bobby Cech (2007), Cros-Lex's outstanding senior running back last fall, accounted for three of the squad's four TDs. On the very first play from scrimmage after the opening kick-off, the Pioneers went to the hook-and-lateral play, a play that C-L fans have seen their high school team use on a regular basis the last few years. Quarterback Allan Vincent (2001) flipped a short pass to Gabe Lazurka (2007), who then lateraled to Cech, who completed the 69 yard touchdown score.

Late in the opening quarter, after Sandusky was stopped on downs at the C-L 40, Cech ran to the outside, made the corner and out-raced the ÔSkin defense for a 12-0 lead.

Three Pioneer interceptions - one each from Nathan Woodard (2004), Jon Crosby (2000) and Jeff Bombard (2005) - shut down the Sandusky offense the rest of the half.

The Redskins' Mike Gerstenberger (2006) recovered a fumble in the opening minutes of the second half that could have changed the momentum. However, Kyle Wood (2001) swiped a pass and raced 52 yards for a TD. Cech's run for two points made it 20-0.

Cech's two-yard touchdown burst, on a fourth and goal, capped C-L's scoring for the night early in the fourth quarter.

"Speed kills," remarked Rick Tank, the former Redskin varsity coach who directed the alumni team. "We knew they had a lot of speed. They had a big group of specialty backs and a small group of linemen. We had a big group of linemen and a small core of backs. What do you do? We talked about that. We knew, with that (spread) offense, what they could do."

Cros-Lex had 18 players on the squad that graduated in the last four years compared to seven for Sandusky.

"If we didn't have the youth," smiled Zielinski, who is also a C-L alumni, "it might have been an 8-6 game." Rick Patterson (player-coach, 1976), with a grin, added, "That was our plan - if things went bad, give it to (Cech)."

Patterson went on to mention, "We had Cech, Gabe Lazurka and Kevin Maro (all 2007 grads), and they made a big difference."

The Redskins kept playing hard and put some points on the board in the late going when Darin Bays (1997) punched it in the end zone from two yards out. Quarterback Chad came away very disappointed in their play on the field.

Brad Bays (1994) who also played in the offensive line, commented, "I thought we played pretty well. I thought were able to control the ball a lot of the game (with the running game out of the Wing-T). But, trying to get any 10-play drives, well, you really need to be in mid-season shape to do that."

Tank, another SHS alumuns, also said, "We had lots of good defensive stops and we almost stopped them on that last touchdown."

While Cros-Lex used four different QBs, the Redskins had just one true quarterback on the tea, Schmidt who graduated this past spring.

Tank noted, "Before Chad came to practice Thursday night, we didn't have one. I give him all the credit in the world." Ricky Tank (2003) was the only player on the ÔSkins roster that had played QB in the past, and he injured his right hand in practice last week.

Patterson and Zielinski also thought it was a well-played contest. "I think the game was a lot better than last year," said Zielinski, "referee-wise, and it was a good clean game."

Patterson said, "It was a pretty decent game and everybody got to play in the game - that's what we were looking for. We went up and down the sidelines and asked anybody if they had enough, and a lot said they had enough."

Tank chipped in by saying, "I think the intensity of the game wasn't making the game as physical as last year, but the sportsmanship on the field was pretty good throughout. There were a couple a little things here and there, and push and shove, but that's to be expected - it's football. But, for us, everybody got to play, I think, as much as they wanted."

One highlight of the game for older Pioneers was one series on defense where the linebackers were all about AARP eligible. Patterson explained, "It's kind of funny. I put myself in and Wally Mencavage (1975) and Ray Westbrook (1975) all playing linebacker at the same time for about three or four plays. Then, Ray said he was done and left, and then a play or two later, Wally said he was done." Patterson then mentioned he wasn't too far behind Mencavage on the exodus to sideline.

Sandusky had a trio of Ô70s grads that saw playing time - Jim Hale (1973), Bob Hassler (1978) and Jim Sanchez (1979). Hale had said at practice the week before, "It's worth the 50 bucks to put the pads on again. It feels pretty good."

The only down note in the contest was one serious injury. Sandusky's Paul Gerstenberger (1996), who came in from Arizona, sustained a severe injury to his right knee.

There had been some talk prior to Saturday night's contest about skipping a year or two before playing another alumni game. However, both sides feel it will go on again next summer, but perhaps a week earlier. Moving to the second weekend in July would avoid conflicts with several other events that are planned within Sanilac County and nearby.

"Where are we going to find a fund-raiser like this?" remarked Zielinski. "And, were talking about getting more sponsors."

Bays stated, "We've got a core of 30 guys that would like to do that (play every year). I know there were a lot of guys who had commitments this year that want to play again. I think we'll evaluate this every year. Maybe we'll do it every two or threes at some point, but right now the guys still like it and want to play.

"It's great to see guys come back," he continued. "They all have families and other things, but coming back to play football, that brings everyone together."