People pointed out the way community ties blur lines between the schools, spectators and players. A few Adams Central football players attended Hastings Catholic Schools at one time. Some played midget football together. Fans intermingled more than the norm, perhaps because of limited space to view the field or because many had friends or relatives on the other side of the stadium. You hear a little more teasing than normal, said Matthew Workman, a Hastings police officer at the game.
People know each other, some are related.
For Sister M. Bernard Simmons, St. Michael's principal, the downside of having the two teams play each other again is that it makes it harder to cheer for all the local teams. She said she liked it when the three city schools were in different classes, so everyone could cheer for each other. The St. Cecilia football team was particularly fired up Thursday, she said, as they dedicated the game and season to Monsignor John J. McCabe. McCabe is a former pastor of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church and superintendent of Hastings Catholic Schools. He died last week after battling leukemia.