MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - The Belen Wolverines will be taking on Marist School all the way in Dublin, Ireland as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic’s American Football Showcase.
Belen Wolverines football players and coaches had their bags packed and ready to go at Miami International Airport, Sunday, for their trip to Dublin where they will start the season against Marist School of Atlanta, Georgia.
Belen accepted the invitation to play overseas in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic a year ago. Their goal: promoting American football.
“It’s great that we get to do it in Ireland,” said Quarterback Lucas Pola. “It’s such a great match, and we can’t wait to show the country of Ireland the great game of football.”
The Wolverines are the first South Florida team to play a regular season game overseas.
But this trip isn’t about taking a vacation — Belen wants to lay the foundation, having made the playoffs 15 out of the last 17 years.
“They know it’s a business trip, obviously, but the first couple of days we’re going to enjoy it,” said Belen Head Coach Richard Stuart. “On Monday, we’re going to a castle, and then we have a short little practice, Tuesday night. By Wednesday, we’re going to have a full practice.”
And the team has been practicing how to speak Irish. “Ireland, Ireland,” said Belen Offensive Lineman Jorge Valdes in an Irish accent at the airport.
The team also joked around by mixing together Gaelic with Irish slang terms, such as “The jacks,” which means the toilet. “Down the jacks,” said Belen Running Back Don Chaney.
The game takes place on Friday, Sept. 2, at Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin. Belen will play Marist School at 5 p.m. For more information on the Aer Lingus College Football Classic and the 2016 American Football Showcase, click here.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.