FOX SPORTS

High schools re-enact football movie

Share This Story

Updated Sep 15, 2012 2:07 PM ET
     
 

It took almost three decades, but the "Ampipe Bulldogs" football team finally evened the score — even without Tom Cruise on the field.

STAR POWER

Who needs Hollywood? If you want to see celebrities, just check out the stands at an NFL game.

Two western Pennsylvania high school football teams re-enacted on Friday night the game in "All the Right Moves" that was filmed in Johnstown in 1983. There was even a second-half downpour and a fumbled snap, just like in the movie, the (Johnstown) Tribune-Democrat reported.

But this time Ampipe won by three points rather than losing by two. Johnstown High School, playing as Ampipe, prevailed over Westmont Hilltop, playing the rival Walnut Heights, 20-17 before about 4,500 fans who crammed into Trojan Stadium for a commemoration of the filming.

Johnstown's players wore gold Ampipe uniforms with black numbers rather than their traditional Columbia blue and black, while Westmont sported white jerseys with red numbers.

GO, FIGHT, WIN!

Who doesn't love cheerleaders? See them in action.

"It was big stepping in here, especially since Tom Cruise was in this film," Johnstown junior quarterback Deion Moore said. "We felt it was our duty since Ampipe lost last time. We wanted to come through and get this win."

The 20th Century Fox movie starred Cruise, Lea Thompson and Craig T. Nelson featured dozens of local football players, coaches, cheerleaders, band members and students, and more than 10,000 Johnstown residents filled Point Stadium nearly 30 years ago during filming of the big game.

"We got one back for coach Nickerson," Johnstown coach Tony Penna Jr. said, referring to Nelson's character, coach Vern Nickerson.

As fans filled the stadium, the movie soundtrack played and a Johnstown staffer walked the sideline with Piper, a white and brown bulldog, recognizing the movie team's mascot bulldog that appears in a pep rally prior to the big game.

CHECK OUT THE GEAR

Oregon, Maryland, Notre Dame and others show off their unique uniforms.

As game-time neared, a recorded message from "All the Right Moves" producer Steven Deutsch played. He spoke about the city's contributions to the production and praised the coaches and athletes who trained for the film. He joked that he hoped the weather would be better than it was for the original April 1983 filming, during which the Johnstown Fire Department used hoses to create an artificial downpour.

"It's a great feeling for all of us that we created a film and experience 30 years ago that you're remembering so fondly," Deutsch said.

Thompson, who played Cruise's girlfriend, Lisa, recorded a video greeting that was posted online Friday and shown during the Johnstown pep rally. She also Tweeted a photograph of her and Cruise from the movie set.

Nelson, who is working on his NBC series "Parenthood," sent a statement that was read prior to the game. Cruise's representatives said the actor was working and unavailable. Proceeds from commemorative T-shirt sales raised money for two scholarships, one for a player from each team.

"This was so huge you don't want to take the exuberance out of the kids,"?Penna said. "We really didn't try to fight that stuff.?It ended up becoming a lot bigger than even we thought. You just had to embrace it. The community was excited. The school was excited, and they're kids."

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
FOX Fantasy Football


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

FOX SPORTS Videos

Schrager: Crabtree big loss for 49ers Posted: May 22, 2013
FOXSports.com's Peter Schrager on Michael Crabtree's Achilles injury.

Marvez: Urlacher calls it a career Posted: May 22, 2013
Alex Marvez on the career or Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Geno Smith teams up with Jay-Z Posted: May 22, 2013
Peter Schrager on Jets quarterback Geno Smith signing with Jay-Z's agency, Roc N...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Mitchell & Ness Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird Green Authentic Throwback Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/118804/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_118000/FF_118804_xl.jpg&w=100 249.95 Mitchell & Ness Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird Green Authentic Throwback Jersey
    adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/172442/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_172000/FF_172442_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/173566/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173566_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Chicago Bulls Red Primary Logo T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Chicago_Bulls/browse/featuredproduct/173568/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173568_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Chicago Bulls Red Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird White Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/177922/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177922_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird White Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball..
    adidas Atlanta Hawks #21 Dominique Wilkins Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Atlanta_Hawks/browse/featuredproduct/177923/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177923_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Atlanta Hawks #21 Dominique Wilkins Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basket..
    adidas Los Angeles Lakers #32 Magic Johnson Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey - Gold http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/177924/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177924_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Los Angeles Lakers #32 Magic Johnson Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketbal..
    adidas New York Knicks #19 Willis Reed Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Knicks/browse/featuredproduct/178326/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178326_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas New York Knicks #19 Willis Reed Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Bas..
    adidas Philadelphia 76ers #6 Julius Erving Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Philadelphia_76ers/browse/featuredproduct/178582/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178582_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Philadelphia 76ers #6 Julius Erving Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman..
    adidas Houston Rockets #34 Hakeem Olajuwon Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/178773/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178773_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Houston Rockets #34 Hakeem Olajuwon Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basket..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft