The Columbia Trojans are a semi-pro football team. The players aren't paid, but running back Justin Robinson doesn't mind. He's playing for the love of the game.

It's 1999 and Justin Robinson is an all-state running back at Sikeston High School in Southeast Missouri. He rewrote the record books, setting the single season rushing record with 2,030 yards and 28 touchdowns.

"I'm not big on statistics so at the end of the game they'd come to me and be like you had 225 yards and I'm like, 'Serious?'" Robinson said.

Serious as his dreams of following the path of James Wilder, another former Sikeston High School superstar who played at Missouri and then 10 seasons in the NFL.

"A lot of guys they have these dreams they just talk about. What could I have done? I should have done this, I should have tried to do this. These guys are out here trying to do it and trying to fulfill their dreams," Trojans quarterback Jason Sutherland said.

These guys are the Columbia Trojans. Semi-pro football players who are trying to stretch out the dream as long as possible.

"They just love the sport and are just living it and loving it. I think most of them are still living the dream," Trojans coach J.D. Franklin said.

But, for Robinson, the dream comes after a nightmare. After his high school success Robinson played some junior college football, but found himself in trouble in 2003 when a court convicted him of second degree murder. He was sentenced to 30 years behind bars for his part in a hometown shooting.

"It's just something you can't even explain. I just went into shock. Knees got weak, tears just flowing from my eyes. I was just thinking like man, 30 years," said Robinson.

A court recently overturned the court ruling that put Robinson in prison.

"The court of appeals, they acknowledged, 'Hey, this guy was wrongfully convicted,"' Robinson said.

And as soon as he could, Robinson returned to football, trying to blow life back into the game that kept him going.

"I missed football more than my mother, my family, my girlfriend. I mean football, that was just my life," said Robinson.

Coach Franklin is happy to have Robinson on his team.

"I'm lucky to have him. I was blessed when he showed up. Just the way that he runs the football excites us all," Franklin said.

The 27 year old isn't the same runner he was at Sikeston, but every Saturday Robinson's dreams come true.

 "He's back now and he never thought he'd have the opportunity to do this again. For guys like that it's great," said Sutherland.

For Robinson, Saturdays are his favorite day of the week.

"Regardless of the scenario, I mean, I'm out here playing football and it's great. I wouldn't trade my Saturdays for anything right now," Robinson said.

Robinson is still the all-time leading rusher at Sikeston High School. Mizzou fans called James Wilder the "Sikeston Train". He went on to lead Missouri to three bowl games before turning into an All-Pro in the NFL.

The Columbia Trojans are now 3-1 on the season after 13-7 loss against the Missouri Titans Saturday at Rock Bridge.