MORRIS – All across America, Thanksgiving weekend has a tradition of football, whether it’s the backyard family game, a friendly game with classmates or watching on TV.

On Friday night, that tradition was continued with the third annual Black Friday Night Lights football game that brought alumni from Morris and Minooka together.

This was the first year Morris hosted the event. All proceeds will benefit the Morris High School athletic department.

“Minooka set the bar high when they started this event,” said Jim Chronister (Class of 1989). “We have been working for a year to get this played at Morris. Everything really came together for this event. I’m really happy and proud of the high school and the community of Morris. The support has been overwhelming.”

Final fundraising numbers were not available, but Chronister was hoping to raise between $6,000 and $8,000 for the Redskins.

Each team had between 25 and 30 players who participated, along with alumni cheerleading squads from both schools.

There may have been a few extra pounds and the quickness might have left some time ago, but the enthusiasm was evident from the players.

Morris broke through a banner as they exited the locker room to take the field. As the team circled by the bench, a player told the team, “Nobody comes in our house at Thanksgiving, don’t make it easy.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Minooka’s Michael Gorszczyk (1998) ran a 12-yard sweep around the right in the second quarter for a touchdown. It was the only score of the game as the Indians won, 6-0.

The series now stands at 1-1-1 as Morris won last year, 26-12. The first year’s game ended in a 6-6 tie. Both of those games were hosted at Minooka.

“This is my third game and my first touchdown,” Gorszczyk said. “It feels like I never left the game. This feels great and it’s so much fun.”

Jason Houck (’95) and Neil Craig (’96) were two of the organizers for the Indians four years ago.

“I put a post on Facebook about getting together just for a Minooka alumni game,” Craig said.  “The response was fantastic. We had 45 people reply and it has really grown.”

“We just wanted to have fun,” Houck said. “Jim (Chronister) has done a fantastic job with the Morris alums and community. We do this for the love of the game. From the minute I walk off the field, I’m already looking forward to next year. We come from two great communities, Minooka and Morris have great football traditions and this is just a small way to give back.”

Morris’ Marty Benson (’88), playing in his third game, saw this as a way to get football players back playing a game they love.

“Football is a total team sport,” he said. “You just can’t get a few guys together like other sports and play. I love this game and so does everyone out here.”

“This is a great opportunity to give back and it’s really fun, it’s football,” Morris’ Bob Brachle (’96) said.

“I love this,” said Wendy Brachle, Bob’s wife. “This gives all of these guys an opportunity to reconnect. I also worry, just a little, about everyone staying healthy.”

Peter Swan (’05) was playing in his first game for the Redskins.

“We are raising money for the kids coming up,” he said. “Every little bit helps. I have a son who will be here eventually and that is what it is all about.”

“He is really excited about this,” said Hannah Swan, referring to her husband playing. “But, he is not as young as he thinks he is. He will be all right tomorrow. It’s Monday that I’m worried about.”

“It’s really cool watching my dad play tackle football,” Aiden Swan said.

Katie Zbacnik echoed similar thoughts on watching her husband, Tim (’98), play in the orange of Minooka.

“We love this, this is a great idea, the stands are full and it feels like a real Friday night game,” she said. “My parents from Orland Hills even made the trip to come watch.”

A name familiar for local baseball fans played as well. Former Cubs pitcher Billy Petrick was a receiver for Morris and had a blast.

“I’ve always played pickup games, although the Cubs didn’t really want us to do that,” he said. “This was fun. We wanted to win and when you get back out there, those competitive instincts take over. This brings back memories for everyone.”

Derek Perry (’98), who played running back for the Redskins and went on to play at Missouri, had a great time returning to his familiar position.

“This is a lot of fun”, he said. “You get a little winded earlier and the extra weight doesn’t help, but I love this game.”

The veteran on the Minooka roster was defensive end George Goldasich (’78), who also is a top Master’s discus thrower in summer track and field meets.

“It’s fun. You get to do something you really have a passion about,” he said. “This year with the rain and mud, it will be a little softer ground. The last couple of games we had ice, snow and frozen turf.”

There was a cheer from the crowd when Willard “Buddy” Harper played in the second half. Harper played for Morris and went on to play at Illinois State. He graduated from Morris in 1969.

“This is really so much fun and it is for a great cause,” he said. “I play because I can. I used to weigh 390 pounds, I’m down to 190. I take care of myself now and enjoy life.”

No matter the score when the final seconds tick off the clock, they play for the passion of a game they loved in high school.

They play for what is yet to be at the two schools they attended and they keep alive a tradition that is common all across this country – playing a football game on Thanksgiving weekend.