The 24th Annual Alumni Football Game - May 2008

The 2008 VC Alumni Football game took place in its 24^th edition on Saturday May 10th along with the Mayfair festivities.     

In a twist of irony, two of the three referees were Notre Dame Graduates.  However, VC Grads from 1981 to present took to the field in traditional VC colours, and live play-by-play returned to O’Hagan field for another afternoon.  Some last minute player trades resulted in some young guys playing on the old guys’ team and vice versa.  However, the game still started in traditional fashion with the old-guys scoring early as quarterback Nigel Palma ’06 scrambled over the line from two yards out for the first touchdown on the opening series.  The series was largely set up by Conrad Lakowski ’82, who despite playing as a lineman during his VC days, displayed amazingly good hands and became a regular target as he consistently caught passes in heavy coverage and finished the day with a touchdown and a two point convert.

The young guys had an effective running game, but the old guys found a way to snuff out the early drives, as Kevin Wilkie ’05, picked off a pass from Cris Marincat ’03.  Wilkie featured in the subsequent scoring play, as he tucked in the ball on a pass from Nigel Palma widening the margin for the old guys to 13-0.

The young guys had an effective pass rush that forced a number of hurried passes, and a number of interceptions throughout the game.  Brody McKnight ’07, used one hand to catch a 30 yard pass from Cris Marincat putting the young guys in scoring position, and Cris went right back to Brody to get the young guys on the board.  Alvin Tejuco ’06, caught the one point convert pass to make the score 13-7 for the old guys.

A big play from Palma to Edgardo Pinillos ’05, set up the touchdown by Conrad Lakowski, and Mike Tchao ’05 secured the convert giving the old guys back their 13 point lead.

Alumni game regular Bill Sherrit ’88 must have found the fountain of youth, because he was wearing a young guys jersey, and he got wide open after an unscripted pick play helped him to secure a touchdown narrowing the score to 20-13.

Under pressure, Nigel Palma found Mike Tchao who scrambled for a huge 45 yard gain, and led to Mark Ramos ’00,  scoring to give the old guys a 27-13 lead.

Pardeep Beesla ’05 made a big 30 yard gain which then led to Nigel Palma getting his second running touchdown of the game and a 34-13 lead for the old guys.

The young guys continued to push late in the game, as Alexander Hernandez scored from 30 yards out, but  Liam Coughlan ’81 picked off the final pass of the game securing the 34-21 victory for the old guys, who after last year’s loss were happy that a new tradition had not begun.

The rain politely held off until the game was over, and we were able to celebrate another injury free year of collegial activity with VC grads spanning 27 years with the t-shirts to prove it.

Special thanks again go out to game sponsors, Mahony & Sons Public House and for the volunteer efforts of Jim Canil and his kids, Stephen Eivemark ’89, Patrick Nixon ’02 and Wayne Steele and his referees. 

Every year there are first time players participating in the Alumni Football Game.  Next year, join us in celebrating the 25^th Annual Alumni Game during Mayfair 2009.

Liam Coughlan, Grad 1981

NOTE: Photos Provided by Dave Fong