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The third version of the Cros-Lex/Sandusky Alumni Football game was another financial success, netting approximately $2,500 for each football program. The warm August night also produced a third straight victory for the C-L alumni, stopping the Redskins, 28-6.

Mike Stolicker, one of the organizers for the Sandusky team, felt everything went well Friday evening.

"We made pretty decent money for a good cause, there were no injuries, and everybody seemed to have fun," said Stoliker, a 1998 (SHS grad).

A change from previously playing on Saturday evening the first two times, to Friday night this year, was another good factor, noted Stoliker, who also saw a lot of playing time.

"I don't know about everybody else, but another day to recover (before going back to work on Monday), worked out for me."

Sandusky, thanks to a late flood of player signing up, totaled 45 players, who each dished out $50 apiece to participate. Cros-Lex totaled 42 players on its roster, paying the $50 fee The teams also divided the gate money, which saw 450 spectators pay $5 each. Expenses to pay referees and miscellaneous items are deducted from the gross revenue of the event.

On the field, the Pioneers had a little too much overall speed and built up a 28-0 lead after three quarters.

Bobby Cech (2007 grad), probably the quickest of them all, got it going early when he snared a pass from Adam Cornwell and finished up a 60 yard scoring play in the opening quarter.

C-L scored twice late in the half to go up 20-0. Brad Seidl (2008) ran it in from about five yards out for the first TD with 3:12 to play. After a fake punt by Sandusky failed deep in its own end, the Pioneers scored again with eight seconds left in the half on a Kyle Wood (2001)-to-Gabe Lazurka (2007) pass play that covered 23 yards. Cech scored the two-pointer.

In the third quarter, Nathan Woodard (2004) ran in Cros-Lex's final touchdown of the night.

Sandusky's lone tally came in the fourth quarter on a five yard run by Marc Loding (2006). The score was set up on a nice pass play from Ben Tank (2001) to big brother Troy Tank (1998).

Cros-Lex varsity coach Jason VanDerMaas, a 1995 Pioneer grad, said winning the game has some significance, but the main goals are more important.

"It went well. We were hoping to make a little more money off the gate, but we're just hoping to continue this. Everybody (playing) enjoys it and everybody (in the stands) like to watch," remarked VanDerMaas.

He said the only difference on the field was his team's overall edge in quickness. "It's those young kids. They've got some speed. Sandusky, though, was big."

The rivalry on the football field between the two Sanilac County, as opposing high school teams, had spanned nearly 70 years. It annually was tagged 'The Keg Game", with the winner taking home the Turrel Keg. Due to a widening margin in enrollment between the two schools (Cros-Lex with now ver 700 students in the high school, Sandusky with just less than 400), the game was dropped from the schedule just a few years ago.

The tradition was revived in 2006 in the form of an Alumni battle.

Brad Bays, current Sandusky head coach, and SHS alumnus, said the summer contest has been a great idea.

"The guys involved want to play," said Bays, "and we're kind of providing a service for them to do so."

A fourth alumni game is being planned for next summer. Officials, though, are going to discuss moving up the playing date to early in June.