WATERLOO - We play for the love of the game.

That seems to be the motto of the Cedar Valley Vikings football team.

Whether you are coming out of high school, out of college, or just out of things to do, these guys play because it's what they love to do.

The semi-pro Vikings, based out of Waterloo, have been in existence for seven years and are back this season after taking last year off.

"We had many of our players affected by the devastation last year, with some losing their homes, while others needed the time off to help friends and relatives," team owner Jim O'Regan said. "Several of us helped sand bag where needed, while others had their own personal tragedies to attend. Football took a back seat to what really matters.

"But we are back and I think better than before," O'Regan said. "With the addition of many guys from the University of Northern Iowa on our squad this year, we are coming together real quick and putting a good team together on the field."

The Vikings are off to their best start since their inception in 2002, with a 3-2 record.

The additions of former Panthers Johnny Gray (WR), Chris Parsons (DB), Nick Alvarez (DB), Andrew Williams (LB) and Troy Alexander (QB) along with Cedar Falls alumnus Terrance Freeney (DB/RB) have definitely added a hometown flavor to the 2009 version of the Vikings.

"This is a little different than playing in college," said Parsons, who played with the Panthers from 2004-06. "We were a little more organized only because that was our life. In this league you have families and jobs."

As a player for the Panthers, Parsons would go to the UNI-Dome to see what the Vikings were all about.

"When I first saw the Vikings in the Dome I thought 'What a ragtag bunch'," added Parsons. "After coming out and playing for these guys, you have a little more respect for what they do. Whatever we accomplish now out on this field just makes us better in our personal lives."

The Vikings secondary has been vastly improved with the addition of Alvarez, who played alongside Parsons at UNI.

"This is definitely harder because you don't have everyone at practice," Alvarez said. "But when Johnny Gray and Parsons told me I had to come out and try it, well I am glad I did.

"To be reunited with these guys in the defensive backfield is great," added Alvarez. "We just know each other so well and we have our 'Panther talk' during the game and we just know what the other guy is going to do.

"If you are not going to the pros and still want to play, this is the way to go."

Andre Tate has been co-coach with the Vikings the past three seasons and feels this defense is ready to shine.

"Our defense is our strongest point for sure, but we have some big players on the offensive side as well," Tate said. "Dominic Lemmons is our go-to back right now. But, when he needs a break, Terrance Freeney can come in and we won't skip a beat."

Lemmons came to the Vikings from St. Louis and Freeney was a featured back at UNI from 2003-05, and ranks third all-time in rushing for the Panthers.

There is a camaraderie built with these summer-time warriors that lasts forever.

Scott Schildroth has been with the Vikings since day one, and at the ripe age of 43 still takes time away from his cattle farm in Reinbeck to put on the pads.

"I just can't give it up," Schildroth said. "At one point, I just left my shoes on the field and walked away, thinking I was through. Well, O'Regan kept those shoes in his truck for a year. He saw me one day and gave them back to me. I put them on and started playing again. It's a disease."

The game of football can be rough on most, but for Jim Shower it was much-needed therapy.

"I lived in a real bad part of Jacksonville, Florida and just wanted to get out," Shower said. "I moved to Waterloo with my family because my grandma was sick and found out about this team and told my wife I wanted to play.

"Six months before I was ready to take the field, I was shot with a sawed-off shotgun in a case of mistaken identity. It was a bad deal.

"I fought to get out of Jacksonville and I was gonna fight to get on the field again," Shower said. "I strap on the madness every game now and take out my anger and passion on the guy across from me."

Shower has his soft side, however, with his daughter, Kaylin.

"She comes to all the practices and helps out everyone loves her here," Shower said. "A lot of guys bring their families to games and practices, because we are all about family here."

The Vikings will be back in action Aug. 22 as they seek to avenge last week's loss to the Iowa Lightning.

The game will be played at Wartburg College with kickoff at 7 p.m.