One Magical Night at the Guido
14 years later, still disbelief about the opening play at South’s new football field
The game of September 12, 2008, was nothing special on the schedule for South Salem High School. Just a non-league home contest against a team just up the interstate. Yet at the same time, it was one of the most extraordinary events many had the honor of attending. It was dedication night at the brand-spanking-new Guido Caldarazzo Stadium.
Caldarazzo—a long time school teacher, administrator and volunteer—died suddenly the previous December from a heart attack that left his family devastated. Caldarazzo was also a member of the field turf committee working to install the all-weather surface in place of grass at South’s iconic Bennett Field. Originally, the plan was to get the turf put in place in time for the 2009 season. But with Guido’s death, some major financial supporters stepped forward with big money and two conditions: 1) get the turf installed in time for the 2008 season and, 2) name the new facility after Guido.
The conditions were accepted, and so on that September night, South Salem was ready to formally dedicate the field in Caldarazzo’s memory.
One more small set of facts to share for the uninformed: Guido Caldarazzo had some major family ties at South Salem. His daughter, AnneMarie, was a South graduate and longtime Saxon supporter; son-in-law Scott Dufault was South’s head football coach, and grandson Zach Dufault was a starting wide receiver and kick returner for the Saxons.
In Guido’s honor, a photo of him was buried underneath the turf at the 50 yard line, and a G for “Guido” was placed under the turf in the west end zone. This was his stadium.
Now, for the real-life game circumstances that sound like something out of a contrived, feel-good sports film.
Zach Dufault was standing back deep with teammate Dominic David to receive the opening kick. The ball delivered by the Newberg kicker was a lazy line drive, and skipped toward Dufault at his own 15 yard line.
“I remember telling Dominic that I’ve got this one,” recalls Zach.
And he did have it, side stepping one defender and finding himself wide open down the middle of the field. He raced past the taller, heavier kicker and was off to the races down the far sideline.
At the goal line, he encountered a defender looking to keep him out of the end zone.
“I was thinking, get in-get in,” recalls Coach Dufault, who freely admits to excitedly running down the sideline to keep an eye on the play.
Zach’s mom, AnneMarie was also watching the play with trepidation.
“Oh, my gosh,” she remembers exclaiming, “he might score!”
And score, Zach did. He dove into the end zone to the roar of the stunned crowd—and a stunned broadcaster—which would be me. 85 yards and a touchdown. Go Saxons—and welcome to the Guido.
Zach says he felt like he got an assist from his Grandpa at the end of the play.
“I saw Grandpa there (at the goal line) and jumped in. I don’t think I had ever run as fast as I did on that kickoff return—nor have I run as fast since.”
A pause here to wipe away the tears and mutter something about how crazy it all was.
Zach proceeded from the end zone to the sideline, where he found his dad and leaped into his arms—the photo captured perfectly by the local newspaper.
“I told him your grandfather is proud of you,” recalls Coach Scott Dufault.
And he was.
At halftime, the Saxon faithful formally dedicated the stadium to the memory of Guido Caldarazzo. Guido’s grandchildren balled like babies at midfield, and hundreds joined them in the stands.
But the biggest tears had already been shed on the opening play of the game, which took just thirteen seconds to complete.
Scott Dufault says those thirteen seconds took forever.
“It was like slow-motion,” he remembers.
But aren’t special moments supposed to be drawn out for dramatic effect?
Nearly 14 years later, the significance of that opening play rings stronger than ever.
“It is the most memorable thing in my 30-plus years of coaching,” declares Scott Dufault.
“It seemed… improbable. It seemed like the stars aligned,” admits AnneMarie Dufault.
“I always think about that kickoff return and how special it was,” recalls Zach Dufault.
And special it was. The 42-7 final score in favor of the Saxons seems somewhat irrelevant by comparison. Now 14 years later, the original field turf has been replaced, long over-due for the upgrade. Zach Dufault has a piece of the old turf in his living room.
The turf replacement process this spring was emotional for Coach Dufault.
“It was a little bittersweet,” admits the coach. “A lot of the (regret) had to do with that night and how special it was.”
AnneMarie Dufault also has a hard time embracing the implausible play that opened the newly named stadium named after her dad.
“If you wrote a script… it seemed… improbable,” she laments.
For Zach, the entire episode told him something about his Grandpa’s impact on the entire Salem-Keizer community.
“How it impacted everyone else showed how much my grandpa did in the community,” he said.
“I am glad I can share it with others even after all these years.”
These days, Zach Dufault has moved on from football. After toying with the gridiron for two seasons at Western Oregon, he decided drama was in his future. He has opened an acting school for teens and adults in Salem, and also has an agent who helps to coordinate acting opportunities for him to pursue in Los Angeles. Zach also acts in local theater at the Pentacle.
Mom AnneMarie is as busy as always—volunteering for the Saxon Youth Football program when she isn’t working full time. She remains loyal to her former high school with a mix of passion and determination.
Coach Scott Dufault has actually retired as a teacher, but continues to work for the school district in the classroom, while coaching both football and wrestling. His future is uncertain, but not directionless. He is enjoying the twilight of his career with quiet enthusiasm. An he treasures that September night in 2008 when South and his son dedicated their new field turf facility on behalf of Guido Caldarazzo.
It is something my son and I and my family will always have… a very cool moment,” he reflects somewhat ironically.
“We don’t get many of those in our lives.”
No—no we don’t, Coach.
Guido is smiling.
BONUS: Find the three minute video of Zach’s magical kick return at this link.