Reliving glory days at Kingston

CEDAR RAPIDS - Football proved to be a family affair once again.

Ashton and Cody Northern took turns as standouts for the Cedar Rapids Jefferson football team. Mike and Will Morio earned honors as Cedar Rapids Kennedy linebackers. Gary Albaugh, his son, Troy, and nephew, Brent Albaugh, all donned the Marion Indian jersey.

Thanks to Alumni Football USA, they were able to play side-by-side for their alma maters last night in a doubleheader at Kingston Stadium. Marion and Linn-Mar renewed an old rivalry to kick off the event that was capped by a grudge match between Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

Cody Northern, a senior in 2008, never played competitively with his brother, a 2003 Jefferson graduate. He idolized his brother, hoped to play with him in the future and finally got his special opportunity.

“It's a dream come true,” said Cody, a junior at Upper Iowa who played football there for two seasons. “Growing up and watching him play, one day I wanted to play with him.”

Ashton, who played at Coe, was hesitant to sign up at first.

“Cody was on board right away,” Ashton said. “I didn't know who all was playing in it. I had no clue, but once I saw the group of guys we had together I was definitely on board. The opportunity to play with my brother piqued my interest.”

They were joined by their dad, Fred Northern, who patrolled the sidelines as a J-Hawk coach last night. Northern, who has been heavily involved in area sports, has coached at all levels of football and was a popular choice of the players when they considered a coach.

“That was the ultimate respect for my dad,” Ashton said.

Mike and Will Morio were all-state linebackers a couple years apart for the Cougars. Mike graduated in 2006, and Will was in the Class of 2008.

“It's pretty exciting,” Will Morio said. “Having the chance to put on the pads and do battle was something we never thought was possible.”

The two prepared together, They lifted and ran. They had some pads from their prep days and put them on to get some hitting in.

The Morios had the advantage over the Northerns at halftime of the nightcap. Timmy Johnson ran the opening kickoff back for a Cougar touchdown and 7-0 lead. A 40-yard Kennedy field goal made it 10-0, but the J-Hawks climbed within 10-6 at halftime with a 2-yard TD run by Jeremy Brown. The game wasn't over at press time.

The oldest competitor on the Kingston turf had some reservations, but 55-year-old Gary Albaugh took the field for Marion. The 1974 graduate was used sparingly, playing on the kickoff and kickoff return squads.

“It was super,” he said. “No player likes to turn in their football pads when it is all over.”

Linn-Mar won the first game, 28-12. The Lions struck for three touchdowns in the third quarter to take the lead, including a long touchdown run by Caleb Vogel that gave the Lions the lead. The Lions also received an 8-yard touchdown pass from Matt Greer to Bryce Peterson. Pat Stalkfleet opened the scoring with a 10-yard TD run for Marion and then hit Trent Fish for a 12-yard TD pass to give Marion a 12-7 lead at halftime.

Alumni Football USA hosts games all around the country. In addition to Saturday night's games, Vinton-Shellsburg and Center Point-Urbana and North Cedar and Tipton have played. The hope is to have more games within the state.

Will Morio said they have interest in future games.

“If it comes along next year I think we would play,” he said. “I definitely would be ready to go next year.”