Poll: Vikings Lead Pirates As Saturday's Game Nears

Vikings fans top their Pirate counterparts in passion and poll votes heading into Saturday's flag football game between alums of Pacific and San Leandro High.

The game, which starts at 12:30 pm rain or shine, will say goodbye to old Burrell Field before it is closed for renovation. The event will also raise money for the San Leandro Sports Foundation.

Gates will open at noon and admission with be free (though donations will be gratefully accepted).

The game will be played regardless of weather but other events may not occurr if it is rainy.

That Sunday story asked readers to vote for the team they were rooting for.

So far Viking supporters are outpolling Pirate fans. We're extending the poll with today's story. If you've already voted, share this story with friends who haven't.

Meanwhile, Patch apologizes for using "ex-Vikings" to describe the Pacific alumni who will play and cheer Saturday. That provoked comments like, "We are not ex-Vikings we are proud Pacific alum and always MIGHTY VIKINGS!"

Want to know who's playing?

The PDF file attached to this story names 26 Pirate and 20 Viking alums who had signed up as of last week to play the flag football game, along with nine cheerleaders representing both schools.

But as of Sunday, Patch reader Sari Pierre said there were 24 Vikings signed up to play.

If anyone reads the list and knows of players not on the attached roster, please add their names in the comments.

Additonal game details.

Fred Inglis from KTVU Channel 2 Sports will emcee the event and announce the game.

The San Leandro Sports Foundation will be selling "terrible towels" to wave during the game and keep as mementos afterwards.

In addition, the Pirate Boosters Club will be on hand to take orders for engraved paving stones that will be installed at the entrance to the new stadium.

Organizers advise attendees to dress in layers as the field may be changing but the weather never will and it will always be windy at Burrell.

A chance to reconnect.

Organizers are thrilled at excitement being generated by the event and the alumns who have stepped forward to take part in one way or another.

Among them is Bill White, a graduate of the first class at Pacific, class of '62, who played football and married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Vargas, Pacific class of '64.

Bill said in an email that their 46th anniversary is drawing near and that both he and Kathleen plan to attend the event.

As organizer Kathy Neisse said: "I have to tell you, his email is what is right with this world."

(Editor's note: Any Patch member can upload and share pictures from their school days with this story. Look for the button that says, "Upload pictures and videos" and follow the prompts.)

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