They’re not sure how it starts, but right after they ring in the new year, word gets out.
The next thing you know, a couple of dozen past and present Newberry High School (NHS) football players meet up and kick off a game of touch football.
On Jan. 1st the players gathered at the practice field in the middle of the NHS track and got their game on.
NHS graduate and football coach Jeremy Green played quarterback for his team. “One gator, two gator, three gator,” Green would say after he received the snap. Then he’d hand off or throw the ball downfield.
On the receiving end, players from both teams would jump up or dive for the ball. Green’s teammate 2009 graduate Tay Ross barreled past the defense as he rushed for yards.
Ross said he was part of the NHS state championship team in 2007. After he graduated, he played baseball then served in the U.S. military and ended up playing in the German Football League.
Along with former players, several NHS seniors joined in on the action.
Senior Kobe Delima just finished the season as running back but took advantage of the postseason game.
Senior Leontre’ Robinson played defensive end and fullback this season and helped organize the pick-up game. He said he was doing his best, “trying to outrun the old players.”