Friday update by Lauren Hickey.

 

We had our first glitch with the weather today. Around 9am it started to pour right when Team Stars & Stripes was about to make their way outside for their final practice before the big game on Saturday. Instead of practicing in the rain, the coaches’ took the opportunity to discuss what to expect during the game tomorrow.

 

Once the rain let up, it was off to the field! During warm-ups, it was still raining lightly so I got to use my red umbrella for the first time this trip which I had been carrying around the whole week. Because here is my theory, if I’m prepared and have an umbrella it won’t rain but the second I don’t have one that’s when it will rain!

 

Luckily, the weather cleared up and it went back to the sunny days we have been used to which worked out perfectly because this afternoon the coaches’ held a clinic for the local Japanese coaches and players.

 

Since tonight is the night before the 2009 Global Challenge Bowl, the players are staying at the hotel that the staff has been at all week.

 

Tonight is a quiet night for everyone as we get prepared for the game. Coaches held offensive and defensive meetings to give final details to their game plan. The team had a team dinner at Shokudoen for a Korean barbeque. We walked as a team all decked out in our USA apparell and definitely got a few heads to turn! When we entered Shokudoen we removed our shoes and took our seats at low tables sitting on seat cushions. Then the food started to come out and didn’t stop for a long time! First we got soup, then the salad came out, then the meat! We got plates and plates of beef, pork, sausage, vegetables, and lots of rice! The food was delicious and I don’t think anyone left the place hungry. The team got a great meal that will help them compete in the 2009 Global Challenge Bowl that kicks off tomorrow at 2pm!

 

Here are some of the players pre-game rituals and superstitions!

 

Cade Warren (Bolles School, Jacksonville, FL): Only wears one sleeved Under Armour

Donny Mallin (Cathedral Prep, Erie, PA): Listens to music before the game

Brandon Meckelberg (Wautoma, WI): Writes bible scriptures on his cleats that pertain to the game

Trent DeBraga (Churchhill Co., Fallon, NV): Listens to his Ipod

Zach Stanopiewicz (McDowell, Erie, PA): Puts his right cleat on before his left

Antonio Tate (St. Joesph’s, Cleveland, OH): Prays before the game

Trevor Colvin (Santa Rita, Tucson, AZ): Listens to the same songs in a certain order

Jason Faipler (Cathedral Prep, Erie, PA): Wears the same undershirt and boxers for every game

Ken Brately (St. Joseph’s, Cleveland, OH): Listens to heavy metal music to get into the right mindset

Demitrius Burnett (Cesar Chavez, Phoenix, AZ): Listens to gospel music and prays

Raul Gonzalez (Tuscon, AZ): Takes a nap

Stephen Hayman (American School in Japan, Tokyo): Walks every yard both ways

Josh Norman (Santa Rita, Tucson, AZ): Runs to the endzone and thanks the man upstairs on one knee & wears chapstick in his shoe

 

GO Team Stars & Stripes!