Notre Dame and Hamilton Chandler to Play High School Football Game in Ireland

In case you didn’t already know that high school football was a big deal in certain parts of the country (read this and this), an announcement on Thursday cemented things. Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA had said back in December they were going to play their 2012 opener in Ireland, and it’s official that they will be playing Hamilton High School of Chandler, Arizona.

Notre Dame has been fundraising to prepare for the trip because they plan to send 75 players and coaches, 100 band members, and 12 cheerleaders to Dublin for the game. Notre Dame is estimating the cost of the trip to be $2,500 per person factoring in roundtrip airfare, lodging, transportation, and meals. The high school will be participating in the Emerald Isle Classic the day before Notre Dame and Navy meet in college football on September 1st and everyone making the trip will also attend that game.

Notre Dame was only 2-8 last season but they’re generally one of the strongest teams in Southern California. Hamilton was 15-0 last year and won its third straight state title. This game won’t be for a year and a half, so both teams will be drastically different by then.

Pictured: Former Notre Dame High QB Dayne Crist via Flicker