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Sep 1, 2007 2:22 pm US/Central
H.S. Football Brings Flood Ravaged Towns Together
by James Schugel
(WCCO)
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Towns in southeastern Minnesota are still recovering from flood devastation that happened two weeks ago.
Eric Humble
Friday night football always draws a crowd and is usually about who wins and who loses. But Friday night's game in Lewiston, Minnesota, couldn't have been more different.
It was more about people from four towns just being together.
"It's a positive attitude. People are glad to be out, and football's a good way to bring people together," said Ann Riebel, a parent. "It's a big night, the beginning of the season."
After days of never-ending rain, significant flooding and a feeling of complete misery, Friday there was something to look forward to.
People packed the Lewiston-Altura High School stadium to watch the hometown team take on the Rushford-Peterson Trojans.
Head coach Jim Reinhardt was glad to see 44 Rushford-Peterson players put down their cleaning supplies and pick up a football.
"It's like going on vacation right now. This is a lot more fun that cleaning out somebody's basement," he said. "I think it's good for the kids, and I think it's good for the people to come back to watch. It's getting back to normal."
For three hours the players, parents and other students were able to take their mind off what's going on in their hometowns.
You can't see the flooded streets or homes from the football field, but you could sure feel how a night of punts and passes brought healing to the areas hardest hit by severe weather.
"You know people are in a good mood," said one parent.
"I think everybody's just ready for a change," said another.
Rushford-Peterson won the game 42 to 14.
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