(WTXL) — The Lawton Chiles High School Timberwolves football team has been invited to take in a unique experience for their 2024 high school football season.
The high school confirmed Friday the team was invited to play as part of the Global Ireland Football Tournament on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland.
The Timberwolves’ participation in the game is dependent on receiving approval from the Leon County Schools District. The high school confirmed to ABC 27 that a request for approval to play in the game was submitted to the school district. If permission is granted by LCS, Chiles will play another American high school football program.
The high school football game will be played before Florida State University takes on Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic Saturday, August 24 inside Aviva Stadium.
Chiles head football coach Kevin Pettis said the Global Ireland Football Tournament contacted him and asked if his team wanted to play in the game and the school confirmed its interest. Chiles must confirm its participation in the game by this summer.
Pettis said along with getting the opportunity to play overseas, student-athletes also get tickets to the Florida State vs. Georgia Tech game on Saturday, the pep rally, and the parade. Kids would get to go on tours and get the cultural and educational experience.
Pettis said he is opening up the trip to the cheerleaders and the band to go. Cost per student would be around $4,000. He said ideally, the trip would be six days with departure set for Monday, August 29. Practices would be held in Ireland Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the game Friday.
After attending the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, Chiles would return to the United States on Sunday. According to the organizers of the event, high schools have played in the tournament in 2012, 2014, and 2016. A maximum of 12 teams would make the trip in 2024.
