Football squads to play in fund-raiser

5/11/2012

Two semipro football games will be held at Springfield High School on Saturday to raise funds to find a cure for ALS.

The fourth annual Dave Calabrese Football Blitz will feature games at noon and 3:30 p.m.

The locally based Northwest Ohio Knights will take on the Jay County Panthers in the first game. The Michigan Vipers will then play the Michigan Vikings in the second game.

Tickets are $10 for both games.

The event is named for Maumee resident Dave Calabrese who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, also know as ALS, in the fall of 2008.

Calabrese excelled in wrestling and football at Maumee High School and went on to play minor league football for 14 years. He now coaches the Northwest Ohio Knights.

The Knights are in their fifth season. The roster consists primarily of former local college and high school players. The teams play full contact football by NFL rules.

The event will also feature a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Northern Ohio Chapter of the ALS Association. For more info go to nwoknights.org or call 419-297-0128. Donations can be sent to Sun Federal Credit Union of Maumee.