Idaho Prep Football Players Down Under

Thirty Idaho high school graduates don’t know what they’re getting into. Neither does a village of Maoris from New Zealand.

An Idaho all-star football team is headed to the annual Down Under Bowl in New Zealand. Their coach says it’s a lot of fun.

“These kids have no comprehension in what they are in for,” said Bill Cooper, who coaches the Idaho team and also is Caldwell High School’s head coach. “Heck, eight of them have never been on a plane before. We’re going to have some real wide-open eyes for what they’re going to see.”

The 30 players and four coaches left Thursday for Los Angeles and later for a long flight to New Zealand’s north island. The players have two games against a New Zealand all-star team and another against an all-star team from Kansas on the 10-day trip.

“The cultural part of it is simply outstanding,” Cooper said. “Most people don’t get the chance to see what life is like there. These are only 18 years old and get the chance. They’re in for a very special time.”

The Idahoans will spend one day in Queenstown with the Maoris, New Zealand’s largest minority. The team will attend a Maori banquet, where the guests traditionally are asked to make a speech or sing a song.

The Idaho team decided on the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling,” and has been practicing it.

Cooper hopes for more practice time, for the Maoris’ sake.

He said the team of football players from northern and southwestern Idaho has come together well. “They’ve bonded well. I tell you this group has come together better than any group we’ve had,” said Cooper, who has participated all six years Idaho has sent teams Down Under.

New Zealand picks up half the tab, leaving each player to raise $2,300. The trip includes a day’s stopover in Hawaii.