OELWEIN, Iowa (KCRG) – Friday varsity football players at Oelwein high school got the chance to start a game, despite the school forfeiting its last two varsity matches.

After Oelwein announced Monday its final two varsity football games were being forfeited, it seemed like they’d already taken the field for the last time.

But, players quickly found out they’d get to play in a JV game against North Fayette Valley, but with varsity players playing against a JV squad, there was a catch.

“And then once he started telling us that our linemen were gonna be playing running back, and then I’m a running back and I’m gonna be playing on the line, I mean we all started to laugh, we’re gonna take advantage of what we’ve got,” said Brandon Tournier, Oelwein’s running back.

Oelwein varsity players got to play, but in positions they weren’t used to playing.

Oelwein had forfeited two games earlier in the season, also due to injuries, but school staff were determined to end the season on the field.

Even though it’s not a traditional varsity match-up, the seniors took advantage of it.

“You know it’s just a chance to make memories and hopefully have some laughs and not take it too seriously,” said Hayden Rummel, Oelwein’s tight end.

The community didn’t take the game for granted either.

Even after a tough season and some nights without many in attendance, the community turned out Friday.

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