This ‘senior bowl’ stars senior citizens

“Being part of hospice, we really try to promote quality of life and bring joy and smiles. This was great.”

— Alex McCue of Heartland Hospice

flyover?” resident Don Bennett asked from the end zone.

Coach John Regalsky, the facility’s life-enrichment coordinator, baited the opposing “Village 99ers,” their name a nod to their ages.

“What day is it? Groundhog Day” came the call and response. The “99ers are going to see our shadows today.”

The teams — four players each — used an inflatable football. The rules: One quarterback. One center. “All other players just tackle.”

Of course, tackling meant removing a piece of cloth connected to each player’s shoulder. One elderly man needed help from two aides. But he caught a pass.

A contest for best Howard Cosell impression split the 15-minute halves.

On the sideline bench, cheerleader Phyllis Wood jumped and shook pompoms just as she did in the 1930s for Middletown High School in Butler County.

At 95, Wood said her secret to vitality is drawn from her father’s advice: “learn a new poem, sing a new song. He gave us that attitude. We all have our aches and pains and rough spots. But you have to have attitude, courage and conviction.”

As Cindi Hoffman bellowed, “M&Ms, popcorn, no beer here” to the crowd of about 100, there was also some sadness. Jarvis’ mother had called to say that her son had fallen ill and wouldn’t make the game.

“It’s really sad, because this was for him,” said Mary Rees, who oversaw the concession stand, which included cookies meticulously decorated as football fields

Alex McCue of Heartland Hospice took over the announcing duties.

“Being part of hospice, we really try to promote quality of life and bring joy and smiles,” said McCue, an Ohio State University cheerleader 10 years ago. “This was great.”

The 99ers won 7-0 and hoisted the trophy. But everyone appeared victorious.