Manheim Township football experiences what it’s like to go through National Guard training

MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) -- Week One of the high school football season is less than a day away, and as we count down the minutes to kickoff, it won't be long before rows of players will stand on the sidelines listening to the National Anthem.

It's a time-honored tradition honoring the incredible sacrifices made by armed forces every day.

Programs across the country recognize the military in so many ways, from the iconic Army-Navy game with stunning visuals and immense precision to Central Dauphin's Gold Star Mom Game.

Among the Military Appreciation Games across the midstate is Manheim Township's. The Blue Streaks wear special National Guard uniforms for a game every single season.

But their partnership goes beyond Friday night. Head coach Mark Evans chooses to spend an entire day of training camp with the Army National Guard to teach his players firsthand about the teamwork and sacrifice of service members.

Once each individual is broken down during training, the real test begins: Can the team come together through adversity and conquer the Army National Guard Obstacle Course?

"Team-building (and) camraderie," Evans said. "Working through complex problems when you're fatigued and tired. We do the obstacle course, then next we do the Leadership Readiness Course, where the kids have different modules and they have to work together as a team to complete missions."

"The whole thing here is team cohesion and unision, and the opportunity to see how well they can do together," Army National Guard service member Tayo Bowman said. "Not everyone needs an extra push, but sometimes it helps to see a different opportunity for what they can do for themselves in life, in football or in (the) military."

For senior Logan Crane, it is military service. He joined the Army National Guard while still in high school.

"When I turned 17, I swore in," Crane said. "Once a month, I have drill in Coatesville. It's just a few workouts, pretty much getting us ready for boot camp."

Discipline, teamwork, character... Lessons that translate in life and in the fourth quarter.

"If we can get through this, we can get through anything," Crane said. "Coach Evans always talks about facing adversity. This is the definition of adversity right here."

"I geuninely believe the finest steel has to go through the hottest fire," Evans said. "So we got to to put them in adverse situations, whether it's in football on the field or off the field. Doing something like this challenges them mentally, not just physically."

After Manheim Township's opening-week game on the road at Cumberland Valley, the Blue Streaks will host their Military Appreciation on Sept. 4 against Neshaminy.