Meadowlands Practice Gives JCHS New Perspective

The Caldwell High football team didn't exactly go through a routine preseason workout on Wednesday.

But none of the Chiefs seemed to mind that practice was about a 40-minute bus ride away.

The team was part of a bit of history in helping Verizon launch the first National Football League game broadcast in 3D when the New York Giants hosted the New England Patriots Thursday night at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Verizon asked the Chiefs to be stand-ins for the likes of the Giants' Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora as the company tested its equipment at the Meadowlands.

For Caldwell quarterback Chris Lawshe, a senior captain and an avid Giants fan, he relished the opportunity to play the part of Manning during Wednesday's practice.

"It felt like I was Eli Manning and I wish I was Eli Manning," said Lawshe, who did several fade routes at the end zone as Verizon tested the equipment. "I think seeing everything in the stadium, being on the field and seeing the new everything for the stadium. It just felt good."

Verizon asked Caldwell head coach Ken Trimmer if his team would simulate a game so the company's FiOS TV customers in parts of New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island could see the Giants-Patriots game in 3D.

"When you have a group of kids who are 15 to 18 years old, along with a bunch of coaches and you get an opportunity to practice at the Meadowlands, it makes you feel great," said Trimmer, whose team is looking to reach the North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 championship game that will be held at the New Meadowlands Stadium. 

"You could see that not only players, but even the coaching staff was thrilled to be out there."

The Chiefs' efforts were expected to be mentioned at halftime of the game with video clips of the practice broadcast at the stadium throughout the game.

Senior co-captain Chris Zaorski, a fullback and defensive end, said the Chiefs enjoyed watching themselves on the Jumbotron at the stadium.

"Just being at Giants Stadium, made us work harder," he said.

Some of the Chiefs remembered the feeling of running out of the tunnel of the old Giants Stadium in 2008 when Caldwell beat Governor Livingston 22-7 for the North 2, Group 2 championship.

"We ran out on game day, it was crazy," Lawshe recalled of that December game two years ago.

Now the Chiefs, who open the season against Montville on Sept. 11, want a chance in the new stadium.

"We played in a state final in the old Giants Stadium," Zaorski said, "and we will play a state final in the new stadium."