Don Bosco vs Waterloo Christian

Don Bosco's Jenn Ortner, center, drives the ball over the net as Waterloo Christian's Gabby Facciani, left, and Cally Reed, right, block at Waterloo Christian School in Waterloo, Iowa, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Don Bosco won the game 3-0.
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Waterloo East vs Waterloo West

Waterloo East's Tevin Brown, left, leaves behind Waterloo West's Mike Steimel, right, as he runs the ball in the first half of the game at Memorial Stadium in Waterloo, Iowa, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. Waterloo East won the game in overtime 34-33.
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier


Waterloo East's Head Coach Antonio Mays, left, speaks during a break before going into overtime in East's game against Waterloo West at Memorial Stadium in Waterloo, Iowa, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. Waterloo East won the game in overtime 34-33. It is East's first win over West since 2000.
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier


Waterloo East celebrates after winning their game against Waterloo West at Memorial Stadium in Waterloo, Iowa, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. Waterloo East won the game in double overtime with a final score of 34-33, in their first victory over Waterloo West in nine years.
©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Aplington-Parkersburg vs Dike-New Hartford

Aplington-Parkersburg's football players make their entrance at Aplington-Parkersburg's season opening game against Dike-New Hartford in Parkersburg, Iowa, on Friday, August 28, 2009. Aplington-Parkersburg won the game 30-14.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Aplington-Parkersburg's Dylan Bellows, right, dives to assist Aplington-Parkersburg's Joey McKCracken, center, as he takes down Dike-New Hartford's Matt Dove, left, in the first half of Aplington-Parkersburg's season opening game against Dike-New Hartford in Parkersburg, Iowa, on Friday, August 28, 2009. Aplington-Parkersburg won the game 30-14.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

Kylie Fobian, 9, of Parkersburg, right, and Allie Ellerman, 8, of Parkersburg, left, show their support at Aplington-Parkersburg's season opening game against Dike-New Hartford in Parkersburg, Iowa, on Friday, August 28, 2009. Aplington-Parkersburg won the game 30-14.

©Dawn J. Sagert/The Waterloo Courier

This was a very emotionally charged game. It was the first home game of the season to be played on this field without the team's long-time coach, Ed Thomas. Thomas was fatally shot by a former student in the weight room at the school on June 24, 2009. Coach Thomas put his heart and soul into his team and only a year ago they celebrated the their determination in the rebuilding of Parkersburg after an F-5 tornado tore through the town on May 24, 2008.

Coach Ed Thomas left a legacy behind and he will be missed.