This year’s rivalry football game between Columbia and Waterloo was not only a battle of two neighboring Monroe County communities, but also pitted father against son.

And although one team had to lose, the Laskowski family considered the entire experience a resounding victory.

Craig Laskowski, 53, of Waterloo, serves as a part-time assistant coach on the Columbia football team, helping with the quarterbacks.

His son, Aaron Laskowski, is the new starting quarterback for Waterloo as a junior transfer from Chaminade.

Actually, it was last year’s meeting between the two teams that sparked interest in Aaron wanting to play football for his hometown after having given up the sport to focus on baseball at Chaminade.

He watched from the Columbia sidelines along with his father as the Eagles won last year’s game at Waterloo, 19-13.

“Last year as the season went on, I missed football,” Aaron said. “I wanted to play for Coach Rose. I’m glad I’m back playing for my hometown.”

Craig had coached his son in youth football for the Waterloo Rampage during Aaron’s sixth grade year. Aaron then went on to the Vianney junior football program and then to Chaminade for two seasons before the break to focus on baseball.

The elder Laskowski returned to college in January 2013, taking courses toward a master’s degree in education from Greenville College with an emphasis on coaching.

Craig’s goal as a coach is to use sports as a platform to develop character and leadership in young men and women.

“I wanted to get back into coaching, and Coach Horner was looking for a quarterbacks coach last year, so I jumped at the chance,” Craig said. “Faith-based coaching is what kids

need more of today and that’s what I hope to offer.”

Craig said “God had a plan” to bring him and his son together on the same football field this past weekend.

“For Aaron, it was important to play for his town and with friends he grew up playing with,” Craig said. “For me, I got to see my son play football again after he supported me as a coach. It was an emotional thing. He wanted me to stay where I’m at because he knew I was happy coaching again, and said he wanted to play against me.”

As for the game itself, Craig said he didn’t want to see anyone lose.

“It was a hard situation on game day, but yet it was a blessing,” Craig said.

“I know it was tough,” Waterloo head coach Dan Rose said of the Laskowski family dilemma that went along with the rivalry showdown. “His dad came over (before the game) and wished us luck.”

Columbia head coach Scott Horner said he coached Aaron during a youth football camp when he was a seventh grader and also knew the Laskowskis through the Elite Football Academy in Chesterfield, Mo.

“I’m happy for the kid, honestly,” Horner said of Aaron’s success as the starting QB for 2-0 Waterloo. “And I’m happy Craig is a part of our team, too. It’s about more than football and wins and losses.”

Craig summed it up as a spiritual experience.

“It’s something I thought would never happen and I will cherish the rest of my life,” he said.