Two local High School football teams will soon face off on the football field, but it’s not your typical Friday night football game. Cedar Cliff and Penn Manor will play each other in Dublin, Ireland at Croke Field.
"We know we are going to go there and experience some things we never have before and also have two or three hours a day where we prepare for our game, and play a game on Friday," said Penn Manor Head Coach Todd Mealy.
Parents cheered on the players as they left Penn Manor High School in Lancaster County Tuesday morning.
"I think they said it [the stadium] holds like 92,000 people or around 100,000 people which is ridiculous compared to our normal like 3,000," said Penn Manor Football Player Josh Hiltz.
"It's almost surreal. We are about to go to another country, it's just so awesome; and play a football game!" said Senior and starting Quarterback for Penn Manor, Tanner Erisman.
The game is part of the '2014- Croke Park Classic.' The two teams will play each other ahead of the Penn State game on Saturday.
"Anytime you have an opener there's always that element of surprise; the element of the unknown. No one shows a lot in the first couple scrimmages. That's just ramped up a couple notches if you're playing in a different country. So we're exited about that, but we're anxious for the game, no doubt," said Cedar Cliff Head Coach Colin Gillen.
At Harrisburg International Airport Tuesday evening parents snapped photographs and said their goodbyes to Cedar Cliff football players.
Players said the game is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and a great way to start their season.
"This is an awesome opportunity not just for me, but for the whole team. Honestly this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are just excited to be going," said Senior and Cedar Cliff player Dylan Farrow.
