Louisiana high school football team to play 2027 season opener in Ireland

The Episcopal Knights, a high school football program from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are set to embark on an unprecedented journey in 2027. Their inaugural game will be played in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Global Ireland Football Tournament scheduled for August 27, 2027. This marks the first instance of a Louisiana high school football team competing in Ireland. The Knights will play in a 6,000-seat stadium, located adjacent to a game between Wisconsin and Pitt as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

Head coach Travis Bourgeois, who has been with the team for 27 years, expressed his enthusiasm for this unique opportunity. "This will give our kids the chance to do something no other Episcopal team has ever done before. Our athletes will be ambassadors for the sport, our state and our school," he stated in a press release. The team's participation extends beyond football; the dance team, drum corps, and spirit groups will also be traveling to Ireland.

This season, the Knights finished with a 5-6 record and made it to the first round of the Division III select playoffs. Coach Bourgeois, leading the team for the past 27 seasons, has a remarkable record of 191-99. During his tenure, the Knights have reached the Division III state semifinals twice (in 2002 and 2013) and were named the Class AA Coach of the Year in 2002.