In a trend that started in our area last summer, Limestone High School’s alumni football team is the latest team to put the pads on and play a real, tackle football game against another school’s alumni, in this case, Canton’s on Saturday at Limestone.

Last summer, Washington hosted Metamora in an alumni game at Babcook Field. It was well attended, and no one got seriously hurt. The players loved it, the fans got a kick out of it and money was raised for the football programs. The game at Limestone will feature alumni from as recent as last year to 1980, which would mean 50-somethings playing against 19-year-olds!

My old man mens hockey team (Crusens) does that in the adult hockey league at Owens Center. The difference, however, is we play no-check hockey. We may collide with a player or crash into the boards occasionally, but the contact is light compared to tackle football.

The Limestone-Canton alumni football game kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday at Limestone High School. Just like in the Washington-Metamora game a year ago, revenue from tickets sales will go towards both schools booster clubs. Tickets are $10 for adults, children 6 and under are free. Tickets are available at Peacock’s Pub in Bartonville, the Bartonville Police Station, the high school’s business office and from the participating players. Buy them before game day so that proceeds go directly to the booster clubs. Ticket proceeds from gate sales go to the group that puts these games on – Alumni Football USA – and not the schools.

And don’t forget our unprecedented high school football coverage begins on Friday, August 26, with the Illinois National Bank Red Zone Game of the Week presented by OSF Healthcare. Join us when the Friday night lights go on for our sixth season of Red Zone high school football this fall!

Doc Watson