An assist from Flavortown helped the
Ferndale (Calif.) high school football team reach Titletown last weekend with a 29-21 win over Fairfax (Los Angeles) in the CIF Division 7-AA championship.
The
Eureka Times-Standard reported that soon after Ferndale's regional final win, alum Guy Fieri reached out to the school and coaching staff about the Guy Fieri Foundation assisting the team on its more-than-600 mile trek to El Camino College in the Los Angeles area.
"It seemed like within 24 hours we knew we were going to have Guy’s support," Ferndale coach Clint McClurg told the Times-Standard. "The feeling that those young men felt and how they were treated by their community and past alumni ... it's priceless really."
Ferndale players celebrate with their CIF 7-AA trophy after beating Fairfax last weekend. Ferndale native Guy Fieri helped the team with travel costs from the North Coast town to Los Angeles. (Photo: Antoine Belote)
The team made the 10-hour trek on a bus chartered through the help of Fieri, who became famous for his Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."
The paper reported the cost was between $20,000-$30,000, covered entirely by the foundation. The bus had built-in entertainment centers and benches, which allowed players and coaches to enjoy a game of cards on the road.
In addition, each player received swag including training shoes and other gear. The celebrity chef, who grew up in Ferndale and has never forgotten his roots, was all-in for helping the Wildcats make North Coast history.
"He's willing to stand up and help out where he can and I think that's great," said Russ Renner, a football parent and coach on the basketball team.
With logistics out of the way, McClurg and staff were able to game plan for the Lions worry free.
Ferndale fell behind 21-0 in the first half but answered back with 29 straight points to claim the title.
