Fans in the stands leave their mark at Shrine game

By Christopher Shaban
Staff Writer
CASTLETON, Vt. — There was more than just our local players on the field that made this year’s Shrine game very special.

Stevens cheerleaders Olivia Little and Taylor MacLean were outstanding on the sidelines with Jada Belt as the New Hampshire coach.

John Barry once again was between the markers with the chain gang volunteering his time.

I saw Stevens High School football coaches Paul Silva, Josh Duford, and Matt Bean who were in the bleachers while Fall Mountain coach Orion Binney found a nice spot along the fence with Fall Mountain Athletic Director Gordon Dansereau.

Bob Lockerby was there to watch his Terriers while Newport coach John Proper was on the hill with the 30 or so Newport Tiger fans surrounded by the Lovely family.

The Taylor clan of Stevens High School was very recognizable with their shrine shirts along with so many more to mention.

The Rutland Herald was high above the field in the media suite with sports editor Adam Aucoin along with legend Tom Haley while our Doug MacPhee even in a cast was on the sidelines getting some great shots.

Jon Olender was The Rutland Herald photographer while I was joined by Brenda Cox along the sidelines as we had 10 players from area to cover and did our best to capture as much as we could. We even had a little help from John-Scott Sherburne, the Plymouth High School photographer who was in the right place at the right time and was gracious to share a picture with us.

The 10 players from of our area represent the old Connecticut Valley League (CVL) and if anyone didn’t think there was some talent in our area, they better think again as our local athletes put on a show in this game. Dave Wolk Stadium’s capacity is 5,000 fans and it looked like a near sellout from the field level view.

The facility and volunteers are unmatched and the halftime festivities included donations upon donations that will go towards the Shriners hospitals in our region. The teams spent a week on the Castleton University campus getting ready for the game while the cheerleaders arrived Friday night.

Next year will include a parade as this years all-star marching band was halted because so many schools just didn’t have a normal band. We can’t wait until 2022.

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