Rams, Bucs will relive glory days

NEW PORT RICHEY -- The trash talking is heating up for tonight's Gulf-Ridgewood alumni football game.

"I really wanted to play if Jimmy (Watson, Gulf Class of 1989) was playing, because he's old and ragged and I think I can get the better of him now," said Donnie Britt, Ridgewood Class of 1990.

"But I may decide not to play, because I don't want poor ol' Jim to feel bad about himself."

That drew a colorful response from Watson, a University of Florida offensive lineman (1991-93).

"I am a has-been, make no mistake about it," Watson said. "But he's a never-was."

Britt and Watson actually are longtime friends trying to hype the inaugural alumni clash between the West Pasco rivals.

The Buccaneers have had two alumni games in the past two years while the Rams played their first alumni game this past April.

Tonight's exhibition at Gulf's Des Little Stadium starts with player introductions at 7, followed by a 7:30 kickoff.

Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for 10-and-under with proceeds earmarked for both schools' athletic programs.

"Gulf started it. They're a year ahead of us," Britt said of the game's location, adding that another alumni game could be played at Ridgewood next year.

Each squad will field about 35 players who have spent the past month practicing at their respective schools.

"The intensity has definitely turned up a couple of notches," Watson said of recent practices, which have been attended by nearly everyone who signed up to play.

"That says something about how the guys feel about this game," Watson said.

Britt, who coaches youth football players in the Pasco Police Athletic League and once was a Gulf center, is thrilled for a chance to play football.

"It's something just to be in the locker room," he said.

"Who would have thought we'd ever play football again?"

While each team lists brothers on the same side, two brothers will line up on opposing sidelines and may wind up squaring off in the trenches.

Kyle Cooley, Class of 1991, is Ridgewood's starting center and Gulf defensive tackle Steve Cooley graduated in 1981.

"I imagine (Steve Cooley) will find his way to nose guard when we go to a 5-3 (defensive formation)," Watson said.

"He's chomping at the bit to beat up his little brother."

Added Britt, "We've got a nice little brotherly thing going on here."

At quarterback for the Rams will be Bill Linderman, who coaches the River Ridge boys basketball team. Linderman passed for a touchdown in Ridgewood's Blue-Orange game in April.

"Billy Linderman is one of the best athletes who ever went to Ridgewood. He's a gamebreaker," Britt said.

Watson agreed, saying, "He's the complete package at quarterback, there's no doubt about it.

"But we've got a great defense."

ALUMNI GAME

WHEN: Tonight at 7.

WHERE: Gulf's Des Little Stadium.

ADMISSION: $4 for adults, $2 for children 10-and-under.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gulf -- quarterback Brian Corby, wide receiver Kevin Adler, running back Willie Rueck, guard Art Tongen, defensive tackle Steve Cooley, middle linebacker Lee Capille, outside linebackers Paul Evans and Trevor Drew; Ridgewood -- quarterback Bill Linderman, wide receiver Brandon Marsh, running back Eric Barcelo, center Kyle Cooley, inside linebacker Danny Bauer, safety John Herig and kicker Frank Berrardi.

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