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Former Cats return for game, dedication
By Dick Sparrer
Benny Pierce and a gang of his teammates from the early 1950s will be there.
Johnny Mesa and a crowd of his teammates from the early '60s figure to be there, too.
And if you have any plans to get down to Helm Field for a night of Los Gatos High School football action this Friday night, better plan to get there early.
A crowd of over 6,000 is expected for the Los Gatos home opener on Friday. And it's not just because the Wildcats are entertaining area powerhouse St. Francis for a nonleague game, though that is certainly part of it.
No, the big crowd is anticipated because Los Gatos has invited all its former football players to return for the Sept. 14 game that will also feature the dedication of the new Gatos fieldhouse in the name of former Wildcat coach Larry Mathews.
"We're looking for a big crowd," said Los Gatos head coach Butch Cattolico. "We're expecting 400 to 500 former players and we're hoping for a big alumni crowd."
There may be so many spectators that fans may again circle the endzones at Helm Field as they did in the old days of the traditional Turkey Day games against Campbell.
"This is really a fun thing to do," added Cattolico. "I'm hoping that the kids get excited about the game."
Many of those expected played for Mathews during his 35 years in the Los Gatos football program, as the head coach 1961-65 and as an assistant for many years to follow.
Bill Fairband, the star of Mathews' championship team in 1962 who went on to star at the collegiate level in Colorado and reach the professional ranks, has indicated that he will return to town for the evening's festivities that will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a tailgate party at Johnny's Northside Grill. Tickets to the game will also be available at the tailgate for players who have not yet received a game pass (for more information, call John Mesa Sr. at 408.395.5300).
There will be plenty of football with a frosh-soph game at 5:15 p.m. and the varsity game set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
