Monday, March 16, 2009 – KAWASAKI, JAPAN – Team Stars & Stripes completed two days of practices at Yokota Air Base while acclimatizing to a 15-hour time difference from the US West coast in preparation to take on Team Japan in the Global Challenge Bowl on Saturday, March 21.  

The second annual game kicks off at 2pm at Kawasaki Stadium this weekend in front of an anticipated crowd of 7,000 Japanese American football fans.  The roster of US high school all-stars, selected from 12 states and 27 high schools, arrived in Tokyo on Saturday and spent Sunday and Monday on the practice field of Yokota High School at the US military facility.

 

“The hospitality at Yokota has been fantastic’” said Team Stars & Stripes head coach JEFF SCURRAN, who last year led Santa Rita High School to the Arizona 4A-II state championship game.  “The apartments we lived in this weekend and the welcome we received from everyone on the base were outstanding.”

 

Despite not coming together as a team until they boarded Singapore Airlines flight SQ11 from Los Angeles to Tokyo on Friday afternoon, the 45-man roster has gelled quickly and after two-a-day practices on Sunday and Monday.  The team will relocate to Kawasaki Stadium for practices from Tuesday to Friday and will live with host families from Kawasaki City and Tokyo for the duration of their stay.  They will also visit popular cultural and tourist attractions in Tokyo this week.

 

Center EVAN McKISSACK, from Hoover High School in Alabama, was one of several players interviewed by Armed Forces Network television and radio during the stay ay Yokota Air Base and is excited at the prospect of taking on unknown opposition in the form of Team Japan.

 

“I am a competitor and I come from a school that has won championships, so I look forward to putting my skills up against those of a Japanese player,” he said.  “It does not matter where the opposition comes from.  They are certain to be good football players who are proud to represent their country and will be as keen to win this game as we are.”

 

Following a two-hour bus ride from Yokota Air Base in the shadow of Mount Fuji, the players paired up with the local host families, who were excited to meet their guests and offer them a taste of Japanese hospitality.

 

“I am not really sure what to expect and I admit I am a little nervous,” said kicker MAILE LABOR (Santa Rita High School, AZ), who holds the unique distinction of being the team’s only female player.  “I am sure it will be a wonderful experience and even if my host family doesn’t speak any English, I’m sure we will find a way to communicate.

 

Team Stars & Stripes will resume practices at 11am and 2.15pm on Tuesday at Kawasaki Stadium.

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, March 17                 11am                Team Stars & Stripes Practice at Kawasaki Stadium

2.15pm             Team Stars & Stripes Practice at Kawasaki Stadium

                                               4.30pm             Major visit at Kawasaki City Hall

 

Wednesday, March 18            11am                Team Stars & Stripes Practice at Kawasaki Stadium

                                               2.30pm             Japanese High School cultural exchange visit

                                               6.30pm             Welcome Banquet for VIPs, host families and teams

 

Thursday, March 19                10.45am            Team Stars & Stripes Practice at Kawasaki Stadium

                                               2pm                  Team visit to Asakusa and Buddhist Temple

 

Friday, March 20                    9.15am             Team Stars & Stripes Practice at Kawasaki Stadium

                                               1pm-3pm           Local Coaches Outdoor Clinic with Coach Scurran

                                               3.30pm-5pm      Local Coaches Indoor Clinic with Coach Scurran

3pm-5pm           Players to Kawasaki Station tour

 

 

Sunday, March 22                                          Players spend the day with host families

 

Monday, March 23                  6.55pm             Return flight to LAX

 

          

 

About Global Football                       

Headed by President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep.  During the past 14 years, Global Football has produced football games in 18 nations.  Working partners include USA Football, NFL, Super Bowl Host Committees, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Notre Dame, Penn State, Pop Warner, and numerous Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide.  www.globalfootball.com