I can’t remember the exact instance in which the phrase “football family” was used, but I somehow always knew that being on a football team was akin to being in a family. I, very narrow mindedly, only considered my senior season team to be my football family. On May 1, my football family view was widened.
That day we had 28 Cook County football alumni ranging in age from 20 (Mark Marxen) to 52 (My dad, Chucky VanDoren) running plays together, throwing the football around and sharing stories of our youth.
I had only played football with a small handful of these guys, some I had no idea who they were, but as we practiced together I realized we spoke the same language. We had very similar experiences and how quickly we related to one another on the field was remarkable. These guys had all played for this football program before, most had all been coached by Dale Bockovich and Lyle Anderson. We had all been cut from the same cloth!
On July 2, 40 or so players will take the field once again, dressed in full pads ready to hit, tackle and score!
But beyond the initial aspect of the game itself is the fact that Chris LaVigne (class of 1992) will be throwing the ball to Dylan Quaife (class of 2012). Chad Morawitz (‘90) will be running off-tackle towards outside linebacker Miles Drake (‘09) and the “war in the trenches” will be fought between guys like Kent Anderson (‘92), Jeff Mattson (‘00), Rowan Watkins (‘05), Craig Horak (‘99), Jeff Backlund (‘92), Tyler Maruska (‘02) and Eric Brisson (‘07).
This is the ultimate family reunion pickup game. This is our football family.
Come to the game July 2. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. For pre-sale tickets, call 218-370-0966.
Come and meet our Cook County “Football Family”
Kyler Hawkins #82
Grand Marais
Head Coach of
7th and 8th grade football
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