Pennsylvania high school football teams to open season in Ireland

If high school football fans around Southern Pennsylvania thought last year's first-round playoff game between the Penn Manor (Millersville) Comets and Cedar Cliff (Camp Hill) Colts was memorable, it will likely pale in comparison to Friday's contest between the two teams.

The Colts and Comets open their 2014 seasons at the University of College Dublin (Ireland) to take part in the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT).

The teams left on Tuesday morning — Cedar Cliff from Harrisburg International Airport, and Penn Manor from JFK Airport in New York City. The schools are separated by only 41 miles, but Friday players from each team will be more than 3,200 miles from home after a six-hour flight over the Atlantic Ocean.

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"For every player involved, the trip to Ireland will definitely be the most memorable experience of their high school career, and perhaps their college career," Penn Manor coach Todd Mealy said. "For many it will be the only time that they've left the country. For most, it will be the first time on an airplane."

That's a lot of firsts.

The players will also be a part of an event that features a college game on Saturday, pitting Penn State against the University of Central Florida. The 2014 GIFT is a condensed version of the 2012 event that drew more than 13,000 spectators between three venues.

For Irish folks, they get the opportunity to experience our American pastime that features speed, jarring hits and long passes, combined with its pageantry — marching bands, cheerleaders and dancers.

For the visiting coaches, players and families for the U.S., they'll get to experience a slice of life overseas in the beautiful, lush lands of Ireland.

"It's really surreal," Penn Manor quarterback Tanner Erisman told Fox 43 News before getting on the late-morning flight Tuesday. "We're about to fly to another country and play a football game. It's so exciting. "

Even more exciting than Penn Manor's 35-34 comeback win in last year's playoffs. The Comets (10-2 last season) rallied from a 21-point deficit to win. Cedar Cliff finished 9-2.

The loss was a bitter one for Colts, who have a new head coach in Colin Gillen. He's been the team's offensive line coach for the last six years.

He won't really have to get his team ready emotionally against the team that ended its season. But tying up all the loose ends to go overseas and play a game with four dozen kids is a bit overwhelming.

Each player raised more than $1,500 to make the trip. That, along with corporate sponsorships, helped fund the trip.

"It's high stress until we get over there," Gillen told Local 21 CBS on Tuesday. "But it's neat to see all the work that they've done. … It's neat to see it all come to fruition. We're very excited."

Since 1996, Global Football has offered this unique experience to American teams. It's considered the world's largest exporter and producer of American football outside of the USA.

Global Football President Patrick Steenberge played high school football in Pennsylvania. This particular project, in partnership with the Croke Park Classic and the renowned Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), hits close to home.

"We could not wish for a more exciting matchup than two teams from a true hotbed of high school American football," Steenberge said.

It should be a heated battle — even though showers are expected the next three days with temperatures not rising past 65 — considering the teams' history.

"We have had some hard-fought games with Penn Manor the last two years in district playoffs and came up on the short end each time," Gillen said. "Penn Manor is a team that is always very well coached and sound with their fundamentals. They pride themselves in running the football and stopping the run. They will provide a great challenge physically for us on the line of scrimmage.

"We are very excited for the opportunity to face them again on a big stage in Ireland."

The stage will feel like Central Park to Cedar Cliff quarterback Grant Breneman, who will likely make his first start, according to Pennlive.com.

Breneman is the younger brother of Penn State tight end Adam Breneman. The pair's father, Brian, told the newspaper that there's no better way for Grant to make his first start.

"If you're going to make your first start, you might as well do it on the big stage and see what happens," Brian said.

The Breneman family initially was going to be split because the GIFT was only featuring the college game. But when the high school was added, now Brian, wife Sherri and daughter Julie can all attend.

"I was pretty jealous when I heard my brother was going to Ireland for his first game of the year," Grant said. "Once I found out our first game was going to be in Ireland also, it was awesome."

It's more than awesome for former NFL, Penn State and Cedar Cliff tight end Kyle Brady, who serves as the GIFT honorary chairman.

"Two of my alma maters will be playing over in Ireland, so I'm very much looking forward to seeing them play and am excited for the young guys," Brady said. "It is such a great opportunity for them to experience another culture. ... I'm a first generation American, and in the last six or seven years I've connected with my family in Ireland."