Iowa team to play 1st game since coach's slaying

[August 28, 2009]  PARKERSBURG, Iowa (AP) -- A high school football team in Iowa is set to play its first game since players saw their coach gunned down during offseason workouts in the school's weight room.

lThe Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons plan a Friday night pre-game ceremony to honor 58-year-old Ed Thomas, who was shot and killed in June.

The one-time National Football League high school coach of the year won two state titles and has four players currently in the NFL. A former player also sits in jail, accused of his killing.

ESPN is televising the Falcons game against rival Dike-New Hartford. Aplington-Parkersburg is once again among the favorites to win a state title.

Still, they'll play in Thomas' shadow. A makeshift tribute along the practice field reads: "Coach T. One Team. One Dream!"

[Associated Press]

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