The middle-aged television character Al Bundy of “Married With Children” spent 11 seasons reminiscing about the four touchdowns he scored in one game for Polk High School. He should have joined Alumni Football USA and relived the glory days all over again.

For 30 years now the California-based organization has staged full-contact games between rival high school alumni. And no it’s not quite as dangerous as it sounds, explains event coordinator Michael Moschillo. While the mind is willing, the flesh – more often than not – is weak.

“Most often its bumps and bruises,” he said of the typical injuries sustained in alumni games. “Their bodies want to get there as fast as when they were 18 years old. But there’s not a chance. They’re bigger, slower, and collisions aren’t as hard.”

This doesn’t seem to be the case for David Richmond, however. The 25-year-old graduate of Bishop Donahue last hung up his West Liberty University football helmet in 2012 (he was a linebacker for the Hilltoppers) and has kept in top physical condition working in the Marshall County Mine. He’s ready to take on the alumni team of John Marshall in a game set for Friday, May 29.

“I work as an underground coal miner where I’m constantly lifting heavy stuff,” he said. “But basically, besides that, I’ve been running sprints and throwing the ball around.”

Richmond said he’ll be ready come game day. And that he’s missed the excitement of playing football and is relishing the prospect of suiting up and taking the field one more time.

“I don’t even know where to start,” he said when asked what he misses the most. “The biggest thing is going out under the lights on Friday night. With everybody cheering for you. And just being together as a team. I miss the contact. Hitting people. Getting out there and doing something to make everyone proud.”

Alumni Football started in California when a teacher who coached wanted to raise some money for his school’s athletic programs. More and more people heard about the concept and it spread across the country. Mainly because it’s a chance for guys to relive their Friday night lights days all over again.

“It’s popular for the guys who dream about playing one more time,” Moschillo said. “The guys who organize the games and help spread the word are guys who just plain love football. They played a lot of snaps in high school and were hometown heroes so to speak. Some people might think they’re nuts, but football is ingrained in them.”

Moschillo said that the organization has held more than 100 alumni games in the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania alone in the past four years. And that this year it’s expanding into West Virginia, New York and Maryland. At this point there are nearly 100 players registered for the Bishop Donahue vs. John Marshall game.

The organization helps the schools raise funds. And the players pay a registration fee. That money is used for renting a field, supplying insurance and equipment rental. (There is a whole trailer full of helmets and pads), and jerseys. It’s a for-profit organization and game tickets cost between $8 and $10.

“It’s a good thing because it brings communities together in an activity that doesn’t involve alcohol,” Moschillo said. “It’s just a good, clean atmosphere. The stars of yesteryear get to compete one more time. And who doesn’t love football? I don’t care what they say about baseball. It’s America’s game.”

For more information, or to start the process of organizing your own alumni team, call Michael Moschillo at (724) 456-5951. Games are open to alumni aged 18-55.