If I Could Do It Again

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

FYFFE, Ala.— This Saturday, April 9 at 6 p.m. at Fyffe High School, former high school football rivals from all over DeKalb County will have one more chance to put on the pads and take the gridiron in the DeKalb County North vs. South Old Timers Football matchup.

If you ask any football player, cheerleader or band member if they would do it again if they could,  the answer is always yes.  Everyone wants to feel like a teenager and relive their glory days.  On Saturday, you will be able to see players, cheerleaders and band members getting that chance at the Long Ranch for Boys North vs South Old Timers Football Game.

Phillip Fowler, 51 is the oldest member of the South football team.  He has played in every game since the beginning, three years ago.  His position in offensive center.  Fowler said that “it's tougher playing grown men than boys.  You are up against 250-270 pound men.  They hit harder and they are rougher than in high school.  This is the hardest game you will ever play.”

Fowler said he “works out throughout the year because he doesn't want to feel old.” .He said the Long Ranch for Boys game is a reason to stay in shape and to feel young.  He said he wouldn't consider the game as he reliving his glory days, it is because he loves the game.

Fowler suffered a heart attack three weeks before the game last year.  He only missed one practice and was able to play.  This summer, he had a motorcycle accident and stayed in ICU for four days.  Many told him that this would be the end of his football career.  Fowler’s response was, “I have six months to get better.”  When asked how much longer he would play, his response was simple, “I will stop playing when I turn 60, no matter if I feel like it or not.”

The North vs South Old Timers Game will start Saturday at 6 pm. Gates will open at 4:30 pm.  According to Paul Long of the Long Ranch for Boys, the expected crowd will be 4-5,000 people.  All money raised will continue to support the Long Ranch that will open this month.

This Saturday, April 9, at Fyffe High School former DeKalb County high school football rivals will have one more chance to put on the pads and take the gridiron in the DeKalb County North vs. South Old Timers Football Match-up.