Although Baylor School’s 2023 football schedule currently includes just three games not at its Heywood Stadium, this week’s transatlanic trip will be by far the furthest away from home any team in Tennessee will play all season.
It’s the trip of a lifetime for many of the players as the Red Raiders made the flight of seven-plus hours Tuesday to Dublin, Ireland — covering nearly 4,000 miles — to prepare for Friday night’s game against New Jersey’s Seton Hall Prep.
The matchup, which is one of three prep games to be played Friday as part of the Global Ireland Football Tournament, will be held at Energia Park in Donnybrook Stadium, with Baylor’s kickoff set for 10:30 a.m. Eastern.
“There’s a Baylor alum who works for Global Football, and they approached us about the game,” Red Raiders second-year coach Erik Kimrey said. “I’ve been on several overseas school trips when I worked at the Hammond School (in South Carolina), but never one where we would also play a game. When I spoke with (headmaster) Chris Angel and (athletic director) Mark Price, we all agreed it would be a tremendous educational opportunity for our kids.
“Some of our guys have never been on a plane before, much less visiting another country. Besides practice and playing the game, we’ll get to do some educational tours and then go watch the Notre Dame versus Navy (college) game on Saturday before flying back Sunday.”